REGULAR MEETING OF THE
EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2014
5:00 P.M.
The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board met at the School Board Office at 1050 South Foster Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 5:00 p.m. on this the nineteenth day of June 2014, in regular-session convened. The President called the meeting to order with the following members present:, Mr. David Tatman, President; Mr. Tarvald A. Smith, Vice-President; Mr. G. Thomas “Jerry” Arbour; Mrs. Connie Bernard; Ms. Jill C. Dyason; Mr. Craig Freeman; Mrs. Barbara Freiberg; Mrs. Mary Lynch; Ms. Vereta T. Lee; Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith; and Ms. Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
Others present were: Dr. Bernard Taylor, Jr., Superintendent; Mr. Michael Haggen, Deputy Superintendent for Innovation and Reform; Mr. Carlos Sam, Associate Superintendent; Dr. Herman Brister, Associate Superintendent for Student Support Services; Ms. Catherine Fletcher, Chief Business Operations Officer; Ms. Millie Williams, Interim Executive Director of Human Resources; Ms. Lizabeth Frischhertz, Chief Officer of Accountability, Assessment and Evaluation; and Mr. Domoine Rutledge, General Counsel.
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Reverend Herman Kelly gave the invocation. Cadet Captain Kiara Nashe Harris, Lee High School, accompanied by Sergeant Major Curtis Davis, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Approval of Minutes of the May 15, 2014, Regular Board Meeting, the June 5, 2014, Special Board Meeting, and the June 5, 2014, Committee of the Whole Meeting
By Mrs. Freiberg
Resolved, that, the reading of the minutes of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Meetings of May 15, 2014, School Board meeting, the June 5, 2014, Special Board Meeting, and the June 5, 2014, Committee of the Whole meeting, be dispensed with and that they be approved as published in the Official Journal.
Seconded by Mrs. Lynch
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith was absent.)
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Approval to Defer a Contract Extension
By Mrs. Freiberg
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System does hereby approve deferring a contract extension for ARAMARK for sixty (60) days.
Seconded by Mrs. Bernard
Discussion followed.
The following substitute motion was made.
By Mr. Arbour
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System does hereby approve deferring a contract extension for ARAMARK to the July 17, 2014 Regular School Board meeting.
Seconded by Mr. Freeman
The vote on the substitute motion was as follows:
Yeas: (8) Mr. Arbour, Mrs. Bernard, Ms. Dyason, Mr. Freeman, Mrs. Lynch, Ms. Lee, Vice-President Smith, and Ms. Ware-Jackson
Nays: (3) Mrs. Freiberg, Dr. Nelson-Smith, and President Tatman
Abstained: (0) None
Absent: (0) None
The substitute motion was declared adopted.
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Public Hearing/School Board Workshop for the Adoption of the 2014-2015 General Fund Budget and the 2014-2015 Salary Schedules
The President called the Public Hearing/School Board Workshop to order with the following members present:, Mr. David Tatman, President; Mr. Tarvald A. Smith, Vice-President; Mr. G. Thomas “Jerry” Arbour; Mrs. Connie Bernard; Ms. Jill C. Dyason; Mr. Craig Freeman; Mrs. Barbara Freiberg; Mrs. Mary Lynch; Ms. Vereta T. Lee; Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith; and Ms. Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
Approval to Defer the Proposed 2014-2015 General Fund Budget, the Budget Resolution, and the 2014-2015 Salary Schedules
By Ms. Lee
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve deferring the Proposed 2014-2015 General Fund Budget, the Budget Resolution, and the 2014-2015 Salary Schedules until the July 17, 2014 School Board meeting.
Seconded by Mr. Arbour
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (9) Mr. Arbour, Mrs. Bernard, Ms. Dyason, Mrs. Freiberg, Mrs. Lynch, Ms. Lee, Dr. Nelson-Smith, Vice-President Smith, and Ms. Ware-Jackson
Nays: (2) Mr. Freeman and President Tatman
Abstained: (0) None
Absent: (0) None
The motion was declared adopted.
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Approval of the Consent Agenda Items, Excluding Items #17, #18, #19, and #20
By Ms. Dyason
Resolved, that,the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve the Consent Agenda items, excluding Items #17, #18, #19, and #20.
Seconded by Mrs. Freiberg
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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The following items were approved as part of the Consent Agenda:
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Items approved by the Committee of the Whole for recommendation to the Board:
Approval of a proposed contract as it relates to a platform for a new assessment scan and score of the district’s tests.
Approval to add proposed amendments as part of the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook & Discipline Policy, when amended.
Approval of a contract for professional services (Non-Public Programs, Title II) between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and ABC, 123, Inc., in the amount of $24,900.00 for professional development sessions focusing on student achievement, engagement and learning climate with increased rigor, and relevance and relationships in classrooms. (Funding Source: Title II Funds).
Approval of a contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and City Year for 2014-2015 in the amount of $630,000.00. (Funding Source: Pending Tobacco Funds and Title Funds).
Approval to authorize the administration to approve the most effective Property and Casualty Insurance Program Policy Renewal package for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System for the 2014-2015 fiscal year.
Approval of the attached Resolution authorizing the Board President and Superintendent to execute and sign all documents to reject Uninsured Motorist Coverage in connection with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System’s automobile liability coverage and its Self-Insured Retention Program for the 2014-2015 fiscal year.
Approval of the extension of the current East Baton Rouge Parish School System’s Fiscal Agent Contract with Capital One Bank and Neighbors Federal Credit Union for a period of two years beginning October 1, 2014, through September 30, 2016, including all current provisions and rates.
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END OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS------
Approval of Item #17
By Vice-President Smith
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve the Item #17 as listed below:
(a) Revised 2013-2014 Adult Education Local Budgets;
(b) Revised 2013-2014 and the Proposed 2014-2015 Elementary School Summer Opportunity for Academic Remediation (SOAR) Budget;
(c) Revised 2013-2014 and the Proposed 2014-2015 Middle School Summer Budget;
(d) Revised 2013-2014 and the Proposed 2014-2015 High School Summer Budget;
(e) Actual December 2013 Semi-Annual Financial Tax Plan update and the Revised 2013-2014 Tax Plan Budgets for Propositions 1, 2, and 3.
Seconded by Mrs. Freiberg
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Mr. Arbour was absent.)
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Approval of Item #18
By Mrs. Freiberg
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve the Item #18 as listed below:
(a) Proposed 2014-2015 No Child Left Behind Consolidated Application Budgets;
(b) Proposed 2014-2015 Budget and Grant Application for Title X McKinney-Vento funds;
(c) Proposed 2014-2015 Child Nutrition Program Budget for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System;
(d) Proposed 2014-2015 Radio Training Program (RTP) Budget;
(e) Proposed 2014-2015 Budget for Vocational Education – Carl Perkins Basic Grant;
(f) Proposed 2014-2015 Adult Education Local Budget;
(g) Proposed 2014-2015 I CARE Budget and Alcohol/Drug Abuse Prevention Program (ADAPP) Budget.
Seconded by Ms. Ware-Jackson
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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Approval of Revised 2013-2014 and Proposed 2014-2015 Textbook Fund Budget
By Mrs. Freiberg
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does herebyapprove the Revised 2013-2014 Textbook Fund Budget and the Proposed 2014-2015 Curriculum Textbook/Digital Media Support Fund Budget.
Seconded by Mrs. Bernard
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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Approval of Professional Services Agreement
By Mrs. Freiberg
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve a professional services agreement, allowing the Superintendent and Board Leadership to finalize, between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and AMI Kids in an amount not to exceed $9,518.00 per student (not to exceed 100 students).
Seconded by Mrs. Lynch
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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Approval of Contract Renewal
By Mrs. Freiberg
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby give approval for the contract renewal with Humana for 2015 and the Proposed 2015 East Baton Rouge Parish School System’s health care plan premium rates for all Medicare-eligible retirees.
Seconded by Mr. Freeman
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (8) Mr. Arbour, Mrs. Bernard, Mr. Freeman, Mrs. Freiberg, Mrs. Lynch, Vice-President Smith, President Tatman, and Ms. Ware-Jackson
Nays: (2) Ms. Lee and Dr. Nelson-Smith
Abstained: (1) Ms. Dyason
Absent: (0) None
The motion was declared adopted.
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Approval of Revised 2013-2014 General Fund Budget
By Vice-President Smith
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby give approval of the Revised 2013-2014 General Fund Budget for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
Seconded by Ms. Ware-Jackson
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Mr. Arbour was absent.)
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Approval of Proposed 2014-2015 Tax Plan Budgets for Propositions 2 and 3
By Vice-President Smith
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve the Proposed 2014-2015 Tax Plan Budgets for Propositions 2 and 3.
Seconded by Mrs. Freiberg
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (9) Mrs. Bernard, Ms. Dyason, Mr. Freeman, Mrs. Freiberg, Ms. Lee, Mrs. Lynch, Vice-President Smith, President Tatman, and Ms. Ware-Jackson
Nays: (1) Dr. Nelson-Smith
Abstained: (0) None
Absent: (1) Mr. Arbour
The motion was declared adopted.
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Approval to Apply for and Implement Community Eligibility Provisions (CEP)
By Mr. Freeman
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby give approval to apply
for and implement Community Eligibility Provisions (CEP) as it relates to the East Baton Rouge Parish School System’s Child Nutrition Program.
Seconded by Ms. Dyason
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Mr. Arbour was absent.)
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Approval of Memorandum of Understanding
By Mrs. Bernard
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts as it relates to the Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) grant application.
Seconded by Ms. Dyason
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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Approval of Memorandum of Understanding
By Mrs. Bernard
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the Louisiana State University (LSU) Cain Center and Urban Restoration Enhancement Center (UREC) at it relates to the Project Hope grant application.
Seconded by Vice-President Smith
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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Approval to Extend Current Contract
By Ms. Dyason
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve extending the current charter school contract with Thrive Baton Rouge.
Seconded by Mrs. Freiberg
Discussion followed.
The following “friendly amendment” was offered by General Counsel, Domoine Rutledge. The “friendly amendment” was accepted by the originator and seconder.
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve extending the current charter school contract with Thrive Baton Rouge. The Superintendent and Board Leadership shall finalize the document.
The vote on the “friendly amended” motion was as follows:
Yeas: (9) Mr. Arbour, Mrs. Bernard, Ms. Dyason, Mr. Freeman, Mrs. Freiberg, Mrs. Lynch, Vice-President Smith, President Tatman, and Ms. Ware-Jackson
Nays: (0) None
Abstained: (1) Dr. Nelson-Smith
Absent: (0) None
Ms. Lee did not vote.
The “friendly amended” motion was declared adopted.
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Adoption of Resolutions
By Ms. Lee
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby adopt two resolutions regarding the Minimum Foundation Program litigation and related matters.
Seconded by Dr. Nelson-Smith
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Mrs. Bernard was absent.)
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Approval of Resolution
By Ms. Lee
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve a Resolution providing for the canvassing of the returns and declaring the results of the special elections held in Consolidated School District No. 1 of the Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, May 3, 2014, to authorize the levy of special taxes therein.
Seconded by Mrs. Freiberg
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Mr. Freeman was absent.)
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General Counsel, Domoine Rutledge, requested that Item #31 be deleted from the agenda.
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Approval to Not Renew Contract
By Mrs. Bernard
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board will not extend or renew the Superintendent’s contract. The Board President will put this in writing per the terms of the Superintendent’s contract Section 16-B.
Seconded by Ms. Dyason
Discussion followed.
The following “friendly amendment” was offered by Vice-President Smith.
The “friendly amendment” was accepted by the originator and seconder.
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Superintendent’s employment contract, and the Superintendent’s written request that this Board take no action to extend or renew his employment contract. I so move that we DO NOT extend the Superintendent’s employment contract for an additional year nor renew it for an additional term and that said employment contract shall terminate at midnight on June 30, 2015. Pursuant to the terms of the contract, Section 16-B, this authorizes the Board President to place this in writing as soon as possible.
A roll-call vote was requested by Ms. Dyason.
The vote on the “friendly amended” motion was as follows:
Yeas: (10) Mr. Arbour, Mrs. Bernard, Ms. Dyason, Mrs. Freiberg, Ms. Lee, Mrs. Lynch, Dr. Nelson-Smith, Vice-President Smith, President Tatman, and Ms. Ware-Jackson
Nays: (1) Mr. Freeman
Abstained: (0) None
Absent: (0) None
The “friendly amended” motion was declared adopted.
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There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
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Dr. Bernard Taylor, Jr.,
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board