MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
OCTOBER 21, 2021
1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call
The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:31pm by Board President Ethan Ashley. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, 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 Ashley Heilprin were also present. Katherine Baudouin was absent.
-Interpretation services were acknowledged.
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Ashley.
1.3 Adoption of the Agenda
Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as provided.
Motion by Mr. Zervigon second by Mr. Brown
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Baudouin
Abstain: None
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES
2.1 Adoption of the Minutes
Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Mr. Marshall to adopt the minutes of the September 23, 2021 Board Business Meeting as printed (waiving the reading).
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Baudouin
Abstain: None
SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA
3.1 Superintendent’s Remarks
Dr. Lewis’ remarks included an update on the annual charter renewal process, announced the launch of the 2022 – 2023 NOLA-PS Common Application Process, and acknowledged of a host of days of appreciation during the month of October, including Breast Cancer Awareness. Recognition of the district’s 2021 National Blue-Ribbon Schools, NOLA-PS Employee Years of Service honorees, and Ms. Rosie Jackson’s 50 years of service to the district was made. Additionally, the annual Toyota of New Orleans Car Giveaway was announced, and State Representative Beau Beaullieu presented on Constitutional Amendment 1.
BOARD COMMENT:
· Robust discussion related to the Constitutional Amendment 1 presentations was held.
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 4.9 as presented in globo.
4.1 Acceptance of Intuit Donation
4.2 Amendment to Professional Services Contract with Richards CPA Firm for Professional Auditing Services
4.3 Second Amendments to Third-Party Contracts to Provide Title I Supplemental Educational Services for Eligible Students in Non-Public Schools (RFP 20-0048)
4.4 Second Amendment to Third-Party Contracts to Provide Title II Supplemental Educational Services for Eligible Students in Non-Public Schools (RFP No. 20-0049)
4.5 Request to Award Request for Quotations No.22-FAC-06 for Hurricane IDA Repairs Phase I- at Frederick Douglass High School
4.6 2022 Board Meeting Calendar
4.7 OPSB Strategic Plan 2021-2025
4.8 Prospective Litigation re: The McDonnell Group and OPSB Project number 2017-0592-0001 “New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School”
4.9 Choice Foundation, et al. v. Law Industries, Inc., et al., CDC No. 2019-04385; Construction Litigation - Status Report
Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Parker
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Baudouin
Abstain: None
ACTION ITEMS
5.1 Resolution 16-21 - Graduation Pathways for English Learners
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt Resolution 16-21 a resolution aimed at expanding the pathway to graduation for recently arrived immigrant students that are English Learners.
Motion by Dr. Wagner Romero, second by Mr. Ashley, waiving the reading of the resolution
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Baudouin
Abstain: None
BOARD COMMENT:
· Acknowledgement of this item was given.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
· Dr. Ken Ducote, GNO Collaborative representative, expressed support for this item.
· Emma Merrill, EXCELL representative, expressed support for this item.
· Cheruba Chavez, EXCELL representative, expressed support for this item.
5.2 Resolution 17-21 - New Orleans Youth Master Plan
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt Resolution 17-21 a resolution aimed at supporting the New Orleans Youth Master Plan and encouraging schools within the district to utilize the resources available through the Youth Master Plan.
Motion by Mr. Ashely, second by Mr. Marshall, waiving the reading of the resolution
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Baudouin
Abstain: None
BOARD COMMENT:
Acknowledgement of Breast Cancer Month and Juvenile Justice Week was made.
ADJOURNMENT
6.1 Adjourn Meeting
Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Parker to adjourn the meeting.
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Baudouin
Abstain: None
Meeting Adjourned at 6:38 pm.