REGULAR MEETING OF THE
EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015
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 the eighteenth day of June 2015, in regular-session convened. The President called the meeting to order with the following members present:Mr. David Tatman, President; Mrs. Barbara Freiberg, Vice President; Mr. Mark Bellue; Mrs. Connie Bernard; Ms. Jill C. Dyason; Ms. Vereta T. Lee; Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith; Mr. Tarvald A. Smith; and Ms. Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
Others present were: H. Warren Drake, Jr., Acting Superintendent; Dr. Michelle Clayton, Associate Superintendent for Support Services; Ms. Catherine Fletcher, Chief Business Operations Officer; Ms. Millie Williams, 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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School Board Member, Vice-President Barbara Freiberg, gave the invocation. School Board Member, Vereta Lee, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Seconded by Mrs. Bernard
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Ms. Lee was absent.)
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Board Member Dr. Nelson-Smith requested the Consent Agenda be moved before Item #8. There was no objection to the request.
President Tatman requested Item #32 be moved before consideration of the Consent Agenda. There was no objection to the request.
Approval of Resolution
By Dr. Nelson-Smith
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve a resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in Consolidated School District No. 1 of the Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana, on October 24, 2015, to renew the levy and collection of special taxes therein; making application to the State Bond Commission; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Seconded by Vice-President Freiberg
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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Approval of Consent Agenda Items, Excluding Item #20
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve the Consent Agenda items, excluding item #20.
Seconded by Ms. Bernard
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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Items approved by the Committee of the Whole for recommendation to the Board:
Acceptance of the Project Lead the Way Grant for a program to be implemented at Northeast High School in the amount of $35,000.00.
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the Educator’s Assessment Data Management System (EADMS) in the amount of $319,707.00. (Funding Source: General Fund).
Approval to implement the following: (a) Digital Arts and Technology Magnet component at Southeast Middle School; (b) Computer Game Design/Animation Magnet Program at Capitol Middle School; and (c) Gifted Program at Capitol Middle School.
Authorization for staff to select The Advocate as the Official Journal of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System for the 2015-2016 school year, which will be used for the publication of the Board’s proceedings, financial statements, legal advertisements, and any other advertising requirements.
Authorization for staff through June 2016 to advertise, receive, and award bids for materials, supplies, and/or services to the lowest responsible bidder meeting specifications and all requirements of the Invitation to Bid.
Authorization for staff through June 2016 to declare selected materials, equipment, and supplies as surplus and subsequent sale at public or on-line auction.
Approval of the Lease Contract Extension for Harding Elementary School Site between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the J.K. Haynes Elementary Charter School for the period of July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2017.
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 2015-2016 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 2015-2016 fiscal year.
Approval of: (a) Revised 2014-2015 and Proposed 2015-2016 Middle School Summer Budget; and (b) Revised 2014-2015 and Proposed 2015-2016 High School Summer Budget.
Approval of the Revised 2014-2015 and Proposed 2015-2016 East Baton Rouge Parish Kick-Off Classic (Football Jamboree) Budget.
Approval of the Proposed 2015-2016 Budget for Vocational Education – Carl Perkins Basic Grant.
Approval of the Revised 2014-2015 and Proposed 2015-2016 Adult Education Local Budget.
Approval of the Proposed 2015-2016 I CARE Budget and Alcohol/Drug Abuse Prevention Program (ADAPP) Budget.
Approval of the Proposed 2015-2016 Budget and Grant Application for Title X McKinney-Vento Funds.
Approval of the Proposed 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 budgets for Title III Immigrant.
Approval of the Proposed 2015-2016 Radio Training Program (RTP) Budget.
Approval of the Proposed 2015-2016 Child Nutrition Program Budget for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
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Approval of Budget
By Mrs. Bernard
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve the Revised 2014-2015 and Proposed 2015-2016 Curriculum-Textbook/Digital Media Support Fund Budget.
Seconded by Vice-President Freiberg
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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The President called the Public Hearing/School Board Workshop to order with the following members present:, Mr. David Tatman, President; Mrs. Barbara Freiberg, Vice-President; Mr. Mark Bellue; Mrs. Connie Bernard; Ms. Jill C. Dyason; Ms. Vereta T. Lee; Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith; Mr. Tarvald A. Smith; and Ms. Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
Discussion was held on the 2015-2016 General Fund Budget and the 2015-2016 Salary Schedules.
The Public Hearing/School Board Workshop was declared held and adjourned. The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board resumed the Regular Board meeting of June 18, 2015.
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Approval of the Proposed 2015-2016 General Fund Budget, the Budget Resolution, and the 2015-2016 Salary Schedules
By Mr. Bellue
Discussion/Consideration of a request for approval of the Proposed 2015-2016 General Fund Budget, the Budget Resolution, and the 2015-2016 Salary Schedules.
Seconded by Ms. Ware-Jackson
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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Approval of the Proposed 2015-2016 No Child Left Behind Consolidated Application Budgets
By Mrs. Bernard
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve the Proposed 2015-2016 No Child Left Behind Consolidated Application Budgets.
Seconded by Ms. Dyason
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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Approval of the Actual December 2014 Semi-Annual Financial Tax Plan Update and the Revised 2014-2015 Tax Plan Budgets for Propositions 1, 2, and 3
By Mr. Smith
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve the Actual December 2014 Semi-Annual Financial Tax Plan Update and the Revised 2014-2015 Tax Plan Budgets for Propositions 1, 2, and 3.
Seconded by Mrs. Bernard
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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Approval to Renew Membership
By Ms. Lee
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve the FY 2015-2016 membership dues with the Council of the Great City Schools in the amount of $37,054.00.
Seconded by Dr. Nelson-Smith
Discussion followed.
The following substitute motion was made.
By Vice-President Freiberg
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve to non-renewal of the FY 2015-2016 membership dues with the Council of the Great City Schools in the amount of $37,054.00.
Seconded by Mrs. Bernard
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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Acceptance of an Anonymous Donation
By Vice-President Freiberg
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby accept an anonymous donation in the amount of $1,924,608.00 to provide additional AP training to underserved students through the National Math+Science Initiative College Readiness Program. The schools specified by the donor to be the recipients are: Baton Rouge Magnet High School and McKinley High School.
Seconded by Mrs. Bernard
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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Approval of Proposed 2015-2016 Tax Plan Budgets
By Mrs. Bernard
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve the Proposed 2015-2016 Tax Plan Budgets for Propositions 2 and 3.
Seconded by Mr. Bellue
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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Authorization for Staff to Increase Budget
By Vice-President Freiberg
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby give authorization to staff to increase the budget due to unforeseen conditions during the abatement/demolition construction phase and the current rise in construction labor costs, and make the award of a contract for the Classroom Addition at University Terrace Elementary School, or reject any and all bids for just cause in accordance with the Louisiana Public Bid Law; Louisiana Revised Statutes, Title 38; Chapter 10.
Seconded by Dr. Nelson-Smith
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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Defer Item #35
By Vice-President Freiberg
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby defer approval of a lease extension between J.E. Sumrall & Sons, Inc. and East Baton Rouge Parish School Board to house a discipline center at 9974 Greenwell Springs Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the period of July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2020 to the Committee of the Whole on July 2, or the Regular Board meeting on July 16, 2015..
Seconded by Mr. Smith
Discussion followed.
A “friendly amendment” was offered by Mr. Bellue.
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby give approval of a lease extension between J.E. Sumrall & Sons, Inc. and East Baton Rouge Parish School Board to house a discipline center at 9974 Greenwell Springs Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the period of July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2020. Superintendent Drake will have authority to sign any lease agreement. The School Board will have the option to deny the lease within 90 days.
The originator, Vice-President Freiberg, accepted the “friendly amendment” but the seconder, Mr. Smith, would not. Therefore the “friendly amendment” was not accepted.
Discussion continued.
A “friendly amendment” was offered by Mrs. Bernard.
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby defer approval of a lease extension between J.E. Sumrall & Sons, Inc. and East Baton Rouge Parish School Board to house a discipline center at 9974 Greenwell Springs Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the period of July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2020. Superintendent Drake will investigate this location and investigate buildings in our district and may extend a temporary agreement.
The “friendly amendment” was not accepted by the originator or seconder.
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (8) Mr. Bellue, Ms. Dyason, Vice-President Freiberg, Ms. Lee, Dr. Nelson-Smith, Mr. Smith, President Tatman, and Ms. Ware-Jackson
Nays: (1) Mrs. Bernard
Abstained: (0) None
Absent: (0) None
The motion was declared adopted.
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Defer Item #36
By Vice-President Freiberg
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby defer approval of a lease extension between Thein Truong, d/b/a Eagle First, LLC and East Baton Rouge Parish School Board to house a discipline center at 1097 Flannery Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the period of July 2, 2015, through June 30, 2020 to the Committee of the Whole on July 2, or the Regular Board meeting on July 16, 2015..
Seconded by Mr. Smith
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (7) Mr. Bellue, Ms. Dyason, Vice-President Freiberg, Ms. Lee, Mr. Smith, President Tatman, and Ms. Ware-Jackson
Nays: (0) None
Abstained: (0) None
Absent: (1) Mrs. Bernard
Dr. Nelson-Smith did not vote
The motion was declared adopted.
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Acceptance of Grant Budget
By Vice-President Freiberg
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby accept the Proposed 2015-2016 Project Lead the Way Grant budget.
Seconded by Ms. Lee
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Mrs. Bernard was absent.)
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Defer Item #38
By Vice-President Freiberg
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby defer granting a sales and use tax exemption for custom computer software pursuant to the provisions of LSA-R.S. 47:305.52 to the Committee of the Whole on July 2, 2015..
Seconded by Mr. Bellue
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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Approval of New EBRPSS Organizational Chart
By Mrs. Bernard
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby give approval of a new EBRPSS organizational chart.
Seconded by Mr. Smith
Discussion followed.
The following “friendly amendment” was offered by Vice-President Freiberg.
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby give approval of a new EBRPSS organizational chart with the concurrence of Board Leadership.
The “friendly amendment” was accepted by the originator and seconder.
Unanimously adopted by a vote of all the members.
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There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
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H. Warren Drake, Jr.,
Acting Secretary/Treasurer to the Board