REGULAR MEETING OF THE
EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016
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 twenty-first day of July 2016, in regular-session convened. The President called the meeting to order with the following members present: Mrs. Barbara Freiberg, President; Ms. Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Vice-President; Mr. Mark Bellue; Mrs. Connie Bernard; Ms. Dawn Chanet Collins; Ms. Jill C. Dyason; and Ms. Vereta T. Lee. Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith and Mr. David Tatman were absent.
Others present were: H. Warren Drake, Jr., Superintendent; Dr. Michelle Clayton, Deputy Superintendent; Mr. Domoine Rutledge, General Counsel; Ms. Adonica Pelichet-Duggan, Chief of Communication and Public Relations; Ms. Catherine Fletcher, Chief Business Operations Officer; Ms. Millie Williams, Chief Officer of Human Resources; Mr. Gary Reese, Chief of Student Support Services; and Mr. Adam Smith, Associate Superintendent.
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School Board Member Evelyn Ware-Jackson gave the invocation. Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Charmaine Smith, Glen Oaks High School, accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Mahomes, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Approval of Minutes of the June 16, 2016, School Board Meeting
By Mrs. Bernard
Resolved, that, the reading of the minutes of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board meeting of June 16, 2016, School Board meeting, be dispensed with and that they be approved as published in the Official Journal.
Seconded by Vice-President Ware-Jackson
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Ms. Collins, Dr. Nelson-Smith, and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
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Adoption of a Resolution Proclaiming September 11-17, 2016, as “National Arts in Education Week”
By Mr. Bellue
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby adopt a Resolution proclaiming September 11-17, 2016, as “National Arts in Education Week”.
Seconded by Ms. Collins
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
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Approval of the Proposed 2017 EBRPSS Self-Funded Health Care Premium Rates
By Mr. Bellue
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve the proposed 2017 East Baton Rouge Parish School System self-funded health care premium rates for active employees, non-Medicare, and Medicare-eligible retirees.
Seconded by Vice-President Ware-Jackson
Discussion followed.
The following substitute motion was made.
By Mrs. Bernard
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby defer approving the proposed 2017 East Baton Rouge Parish School System self-funded health care premium rates for active employees, non-Medicare, and Medicare-eligible retirees until the Committee of the Whole meeting on August 4, 2016.
Seconded by Vice-President Ware-Jackson
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
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Approval of a Contract
By Vice-President Ware-Jackson
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve a contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Instructure in the amount of $34,315.00 for a Canvas Cloud subscription beginning July 1, 2016, and ending June 30, 2017. (Funding Source: Technology Department).
Seconded by Mr. Bellue
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (6) Mr. Bellue, Mrs. Bernard, President Freiberg, Ms. Lee, Ms. Collins, and Vice-President Ware-Jackson
Nays: (0) None
Abstained: (0) None
Absent: (2) Dr. Nelson Smith and Mr. Tatman
Ms. Dyason did not vote.
The motion was declared adopted.
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Approval of a 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 Impact Charter School to establish a partnership as it relates to the EBR Early Childhood Network.
Seconded by Mr. Bellue
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (6) Mr. Bellue, Mrs. Bernard, Ms. Dyason, President Freiberg, Ms. Collins, and Vice-President Ware-Jackson
Nays: (1) Ms. Lee
Abstained: (0) None
Absent: (2) Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman
The motion was declared adopted.
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Approval to Renew Two (2) Memorandums of Understanding
By Mrs. Bernard
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby give approval to renew two (2) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and the following as it relates to dual enrollment courses: Louisiana State University and Southeastern Louisiana University. (Funding Source: Education Excellence Funds (EEF) Grant and/or Supplemental Course Academy (SCA) Funds).
Seconded by Vice-President Ware-Jackson
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
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Approval to Renew an Externship Agreement
By Mr. Bellue
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby give approval to renew the Externship Agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and Louisiana State University in the amount of $194,400.00 to provide graduate student externs for Lee High and McKinley High Schools for 2016-2017. (Funding Source: General Fund).
Seconded by Mrs. Bernard
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
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Approval to Renew a Professional Services Contract
By Mr. Bellue
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby give approval to renew a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Louisiana State University in the amount of $300,000.00 for the period of July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017, as it relates to course development, human resources to support three (3) new academies, and the expansion of professional development offerings at Lee High School. (Funding Source: General Fund).
Seconded by Mrs. Bernard
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
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Approval to Renew Professional Services Contracts
By Vice-President Ware-Jackson
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby give approval to renew the following professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and:
a. Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge in the amount of $20,450.00 for the period of July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017, for the implementation of arts education programs. (Funding Source: General Fund – Magnet).
b. Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge in the amount of $70,000.00 for the period of July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017, for the implementation of arts education programs. (Funding Source: General Fund).
c. Douglas Manship, Sr., Theatre Complex Holding, Inc. (Manship Theatre) in the amount of $80,000.00 for the period of July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017, for the EBR Arts Partnership Program to promote arts integration. (Funding Source: General Fund).
d. Kids’ Orchestra in the amount of $10,000.00 for the period of July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017, for after-school music programs for elementary age students. (Funding Source: General Fund).
e. Nutrislice, Inc., in the amount of $12,500.00 for a period of five (5) years to purchase software to be used by the Child Nutrition Department to market the East Baton Rouge Parish School System’s menu and nutrient analysis to parents and staff using a phone app called Nutrislice. (Funding Source: Child Nutrition).
f. Southern University in the amount of $10,462.00 for the period of August 15, 2016, through July 31, 2017, for an extern to support the work of the I CARE department. (Funding Source: I CARE).
g. Career Compass of Louisiana in the amount of $75,000.00 for the 2016-2017 school year. (Funding Source: General Fund).
Seconded by Mrs. Bernard
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
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Approval of Budgets
By Mr. Bellue
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve the following budgets:
a. Proposed 2016-2017 School Improvement 1003 Believe and Succeed grant for Claiborne, Howell Park, Merrydale, and Park Forest Elementary Schools.
b. Proposed 2016-2017 Plan budgets for the Early Childhood Network in the amount of $342,000.00 (State: $150,480.00, Lead: $153,900.00, and IDEA: $37,620.00).
c. Proposed 2016-2017 Plan budgets for the Pre-K Expansion in the amount of $952,405.00 (EC Improvements: $226,505.00, and EC Seats: $725,900.00).
Seconded by Mrs. Bernard
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
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Approval of a Grant
By Vice-President Ware-Jackson
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby give approval of the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) – Louisiana grant in the amount of $100,000.00 to support the JAG program at Broadmoor and Glen Oaks High Schools.
Seconded by Mr. Bellue
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
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Authorization to Advertise, Accept High Bid Meeting Specifications and Award Contract
By Ms. Collins
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby give authorization to staff to advertise, accept the high bid meeting specifications and execute the lease contract for the property being approximately 300 acres GLD, (Plank Road) T 5 S, R 1 E, Section 16, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.
Seconded by Mrs. Bernard
Discussion followed.
The following motion was made.
By Mrs. Bernard
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby accept the following items listed in Item #18, #19, and #20 in globo.
Seconded by Ms. Collins
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
Approval of Items In Globo
By Mrs. Bernard
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve the following
items in globo:
Authorization for staff to advertise, accept the high meeting specifications and execute the
lease contract for the property being approximately 300 acres GLD, (Plank Road) T 5 S, R 1 E, Section 16, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana;
Authorization for staff to advertise, accept the high meeting specifications and execute the
lease contract for the property being approximately 640 acres GLD, (Pride) T 4 S, R 2 E, Section 16, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana;
Authorization for staff to execute a lease agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and T-Mobile U.S., Inc., for the erection of a cellular tower at Sherwood Middle School occupying approximately a 7,500 square foot area.
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
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Approval of the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook and Discipline Policy for 2016-2017 School Year
By Mrs. Bernard
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook and Discipline Policy for the 2016-2017 school year for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, with modification on Page #30.
Seconded by Ms. Lee
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
Adoption of Board Policies
By Ms. Dyason
Resolved, that, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve the adoption of the following Board policies: BE, DE, DFD, DFE, DIEA, DJE, DJED, EBBG, EDD, GAK, GAMFA, GBD, GBL, GBN, and IDFAA.
Seconded by Mr. Bellue
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
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Approval of Settlement of a Law Suit
By Vice-President Ware-Jackson
Resolved, That, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby accept the recommendation of Mr. Domoine Rutledge, General Counsel, East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, in the matter of: Robert Revel and Carol Revel vs. EBRPSB and Cassandra Palmer, Suit No. 632,670; Section 24; 19th JDC.
Seconded by Mr. Bellue
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
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Point of Information
The results of the Superintendent’s performance evaluation for 2015-2016 were discussed. Superintendent Drake earned a total composite score of 3.50 out of a possible 4.00.
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There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
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Warren Drake, Jr.,
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board