MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

HTTPS://ZOOM.US/J/99620573030

JANUARY 14, 2021

 

Meeting Norms

Board Counsel provided virtual meeting norms in response to the CDC and the Governor's guidelines for gatherings, given the public health emergency. This including public participation and general format of the meeting under the circumstances. 

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:33 pm by Board President Ethan Ashley. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Katherine Baudouin, John A. Brown, Sr., Nolan Marshall Jr., Olin G. Parker, Dr. Jancarlos (J.C.) Wagner Romero, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams were also present.

 

-Interpretation services were acknowledged.

 

1.2 Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by a cohort of students previously recorded.  

 

1.3 Adoption of the Agenda

Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as amended. Board Counsel noted:

·        Item 5.1 Approval of 2021 Board Committee Appointments, revised to list appointments as follows:

1.      Accountability

Committee Chair: Dr. Jancarlos “J.C.” Wagner Romero

Ex-Officio: Ethan Ashley

Committee Members: Carlos Zervigón and Olin G. Parker

2.      Policy Committee

Committee Chair: Olin G. Parker

Ex-Officio: Ethan Ashley

Committee Members: Nolan Marshall, Jr.  and Katherine Baudouin

3.      Budget & Finance

Committee Chair: John A. Brown, Sr.

Ex-Officio: Ethan Ashley

Committee Members: Olin G. Parker and Carlos Zervigón

4. Property

Committee Chair: Katherine Baudouin

Committee Ethan Ashley

Committee Members: Nolan Marshall, Jr. and Dr. Jancarlos “J.C.” Wagner Romero

      5. Legal & Legislative

Committee Chair: Carlos Zervigón

Ex-Officio: Ethan Ashley

Committee Members: Katherine Baudouin and John A. Brown, Sr.

 

Motion by Mr. Zervigon second by Ms. Baudouin

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Marshall to adopt the minutes of the December 8, 2020 Special Board Business Meeting and the December 17, 2020 Board Business Meeting as printed (waiving the reading).

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA

 

3.1 Superintendent’s Remarks

Dr. Lewis’ remarks included a COVID update and welcome the newly elected board.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

4. Consent Agenda

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 4.1 through 4.2 as presented in globo.

 

4.1 Acceptance of Grant from Special Olympics Louisiana (SOLA)

4.2 Request to Approve Louisiana State Contract Purchase for Furnishings, Fixtures and Equipment

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley second by Mr. Marshall

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Ms. Jackson, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: None

·        Abstain: None

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

5.1 Approval of 2021 Board Committee Appointments

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the committee appointments as recommended by the Board President.

 

Motion by Dr. Wagner Romero, second by Ms. Baudouin.

 

BOARD COMMENT

·        President Ashley announced the appointment of Dr. Wagner Romero on the NORD Commission board.

 

5.2 Resolution 02-21 re: Orleans Parish School Board’s Appointment to the NOCCA Board of Directors

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 02-21 appointing a person to serve as the Orleans Parish School Board's appointee on the Board of Directors for New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.

 

Motion to appoint Mr. Zervigon by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Baudouin, waiving the reading of the resolution.

 

Motion to reappoint Sarah Newell Usdin to the NOCCA Board of Directors for the term of January 14, 2021 to June 30, 2021 and to appoint Mr. Zervigon to the NOCCA Board of Directors on July 1, 2021 by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Marshall, waiving the reading of the resolution.

 

BOARD COMMENT

·        Discussion regarding a request made on behalf of NOCCA to retain current appointee was held.  

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Parker to move to executive session at 5:55 pm.

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 6:58pm. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Katherine Baudouin, John A. Brown, Sr., Nolan Marshall Jr., Olin G. Parker, Dr. Jancarlos (J.C.) Wagner Romero, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams were also present.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

6.1 Orleans Parish School Board v. The City of New Orleans, et al., CDC No. 2019-05174; Summary Proceedings - Status Report

No action was taken.

 

6.2 Hamp's Construction, LLC v. Orleans Parish School Board, Orleans Parish Civil District Court No. 2012-10546; Construction Litigation - Settlement Authority

Recommended Action: It is recommended the Orleans Parish School Board grants the settlement authority threshold in this matter as recommended by its legal counsel.

 

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Ashley, waiving the reading of the resolution.

 

6.3 Choice Foundation, et al. v. Law Industries, Inc., et al., CDC No. 2019-04385; Construction Litigation - Status Report

No action was taken.

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

7.1 Resolution 03-21 re: Contingency Contract with Fishman Haygood, L.L.P.

Recommended Action: It is recommended the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution No. 03-21 authorizing its General Counsel to seek Louisiana Attorney General approval to enter into a contingency fee agreement with the law firm of Fishman Haygood, L.L.P., relative to the matter entitled Choice Foundation et al. v. Law Industries, LLC, et al., Orleans Parish Civil District Court Docket No. 2019-4985, and approves the attached Amended Joint Prosecution Agreement.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin, waiving the reading of the resolution.

 

ADJOURNMENT

8.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Mr. Parker to adjourn the meeting.

 

Meeting Adjourned at 7:02pm.