REGULAR MEETING OF THE
EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
May 18, 2017
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 May, 2017, and convened in regular session. The President called the meeting to order with the following members present: Mr. Mark Bellue; Ms. Vereta T. Lee; Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith; Ms. Dawn Chanet Collins; Ms. Evelyn Ware-Jackson, President; Ms. Jill C. Dyason; Mr. Michael Gaudet; Ms. Connie Bernard, Vice-President; and Mr. David Tatman.
Others present were: Warren Drake, Superintendent; Dr. Michelle Clayton, Deputy Superintendent; Mr. Domoine Rutledge, General Counsel; Ms. Adonica Pelichet-Duggan, Chief of Communications and Public Relations; Ms. Millie Williams, Chief Officer of Human Resources; Mr. James Crochet, Chief Business Operations Officer; Mr. Adam Smith, Associate Superintendent of Academics; and Mrs. Andrea O’Konski, Chief of Academic Programs.
School Board Member Vereta Lee gave the invocation. Cadet First Lieutenant Selena Seitz led the Pledge of Allegiance accompanied by Colonel Eric Keys, Senior Army Instructor.
Approval of the School Board Minutes for the Regular School Board Meeting of April 20, 2017, and Committee of the Whole Meeting of May 4, 2017
By Vice-President Bernard
Resolved, that the reading of the minutes of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Regular meeting of April 20, 2017, and Committee of the Whole meeting of May 4, 2017, be dispensed with and that they be approved as published in the Official Journal.
Seconded By Ms. Lee
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Ms. Dyason were absent.)
A request was made to take Item 20 out of order (Resolution for Canvassing the returns and declaring the results) and was agreed upon by all members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith was absent.)
Adoption of Resolution
By Mr. Tatman
Resolved, that the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve a Resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held in Consolidated School District No. 1 of the Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, April 29, 2017, to authorize the renewal of special taxes therein.
Seconded By Ms. Lee
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Vice–President were absent.)
Motion to Take Items 25 and Then 24 Out Of Order
By Mr. Tatman
Discussion followed.
Seconded By Vice-President Bernard
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (6) Mr. Bellue, President Ware-Jackson, Ms. Dyason, Mr. Gaudet, Vice-President Bernard, and Mr. Tatman
Nays: (2) Dr. Nelson-Smith and Ms. Collins
Abstained: (0) None
Absent: (1) Ms. Lee
The motion was declared adopted.
Authorization for Staff to Negotiate and Execute Facility Management Agreement
By Mr. Tatman
Resolved, that the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby authorize the Superintendent and staff to negotiate and execute a Facility Management Agreement with Aramark and to provide for related matters.
Seconded By Mr. Gaudet
Discussion followed.
The following substitute motion was offered.
By Ms. Bernard
Resolved, that the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby authorize the
Superintendent and staff to negotiate a Facility Management Agreement and provide for related matters and to bring the contract back for Board approval before being executed and signed.
Seconded By Ms. Dyason
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (3) President Ware-Jackson, Ms. Dyason, and Vice-President Bernard
Nays: (5) Mr. Bellue, Dr. Nelson-Smith, Ms. Collins, Mr. Gaudet, and Mr. Tatman
Abstained: (0) None
Absent: (1) Ms. Lee
The substitute motion failed.
The vote on the original motion was as follows:
Yeas: (7) Mr. Bellue, Dr. Nelson-Smith, Ms. Collins, President Ware-Jackson, Ms. Dyason, Mr. Gaudet, and Mr. Tatman
Nays: (1) Vice-President Bernard
Abstained: (0) None
Absent: (1) Ms. Lee
The motion was declared adopted.
Acceptance of Recommendation of Third Party Evaluator to Approve BASIS Baton Rouge
By Vice-President Bernard
Discussion followed.
Seconded By Mr. Bellue
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (5) Mr. Bellue, President Ware-Jackson, Ms. Dyason, Mr. Gaudet, and Vice-President Bernard
Nays: (2) Dr. Nelson-Smith and Ms. Collins
Abstained: (0) None
Absent: (2) Ms. Lee and Mr. Tatman
The motion was declared adopted.
Acceptance of Recommendation of Third Party Evaluator to Deny Baton Rouge College Preparatory Charter School
By Dr. Nelson-Smith
Discussion followed.
Seconded By Mr. Gaudet
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (6) Mr. Bellue, Dr. Nelson-Smith, Ms. Collins, President Ware-Jackson, Ms. Dyason, and Mr. Gaudet
Nays: (1) Vice-President Bernard
Abstained: (0) None
Absent: (2) Ms. Lee and Mr. Tatman
The motion was declared adopted.
Reject the Recommendation of Third Party Evaluator to Deny Boys Prep Baton Rouge
By Vice-President Bernard
Discussion followed.
Seconded By Mr. Gaudet
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (1) Vice-President Bernard
Nays: (5) Mr. Bellue, Ms. Lee, President Ware-Jackson, Ms. Dyason, and Mr. Gaudet
Abstained: (1) Ms. Collins
Absent: (2) Dr. Nelson-Smith, and Mr. Tatman
The motion failed.
Acceptance of Recommendation of Third Party Evaluator to Deny Boys Prep Baton Rouge
By Mr. Bellue
Discussion followed.
Seconded By Ms. Lee
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (5) Mr. Bellue, Ms. Lee, President Ware-Jackson, Ms. Dyason, and Mr. Gaudet
Nays: (0) None
Abstained: (2) Ms. Collins and Vice-President Bernard
Absent: (2) Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman
The motion was declared adopted.
Acceptance of Recommendation of Third Party Evaluator to Deny Collegiate Academies
By Mr. Gaudet
Discussion followed.
Seconded By Ms. Collins
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (6) Mr. Bellue, Ms. Lee, Dr. Nelson-Smith, Ms. Collins, President Ware-Jackson, and Ms. Dyason
Nays: (1) Mr. Gaudet
Abstained: (1) Vice-President Bernard
Absent: (1) Mr. Tatman
The motion was declared adopted.
Acceptance of Recommendation of Third Party Evaluator to Approve The Emerge Center for Autism
By Ms. Dyason
Discussion followed.
Seconded By Ms. Collins
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Mr. Tatman was absent.)
Acceptance of Recommendation of Third Party Evaluator to Deny Hope Academy Charter School
By Mr. Bellue
Discussion followed.
Seconded By Vice-President Bernard
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Mr. Tatman was absent.)
Acceptance of Recommendation of Third Party Evaluator to Deny Kenilworth Science and Technology Charter School
By Dr. Nelson-Smith
Discussion followed.
Seconded By Mr. Bellue
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Mr. Tatman was absent.)
Board Received Personnel Changes for Information Only
Board Received Monthly Financial Report for Information Only
Approval of Consent Agenda Items, Excluding Items # 11, 12 and 15
By Mr. Bellue
Resolved, that the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does herebyapprove the Consent Agenda items, excluding Items #11, 12, and 15.
Seconded By Ms. Lee
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (President Ware-Jackson and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
The following items were approved as part of the Consent Agenda:
Authorization to select The Advocate as the Official Journal of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System for the 2017-2018 school year, which will be used for the publication of the Board’s proceedings, financial statements, legal advertisements (including Bids/RFPs), and any other advertising requirements.
Authorization for staff to advertise, receive, and award bids for materials, supplies and/or services, through June 2018, to the lowest responsible bidder meeting specifications and all requirements of the Invitation to Bid.
Approval of the following professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the following:
a) Deaf Resources of Greater Baton Rouge, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $80,000.00 for sign language interpretation services. (Funding Source: IDEA-Part B)
b) Adaptive Solutions/Sherry Hollingsworth in an amount not to exceed $20,000.00 for assistive technology assistance. (Funding Source: IDEA-Part B)
c) Turner, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $385,000.00 for LPN nursing services. (Funding Source: IDEA-Part B)
d) Pediatric Services of America – PSA Health Care in an amount not to exceed $414,000.00 for LPN nursing services. (Funding Source: IDEA-Part B)
e) Sundry Behavioral Services (Dr. Kashunda L. Williams) in an amount not to exceed $60,000.00 for applied behavior analysis training. (Funding Source: IDEA-Part B)
f) Quality Care Nursing, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $250,000.00 for LPN nursing services. (Funding Source: IDEA-Part B)
g) International Institute for Restorative Practices in the amount of $18,885.00 for training through the Region 2 PBIS consortium. (Funding Source: PBIS e-Grant)
h) School Leadership Center in the amount of $19,580.00 for professional development on rigor, learning standards, and use of data for school improvement for non-public Title II sites. (Funding Source: Title II – Non-Public)
i) Forward Arts (renewal) in an amount not to exceed $125,700.00 to provide services to our middle and high schools to support the implementation of Humanities Amped and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy scope of work. (Funding Source: Title I and/or Curriculum)
j) Silver Strong & Associates, LLC, in the amount of $10,500.00 to provide a two-day training for district leadership on the implementation of Core Six: Essential Strategies for Achieving Excellence with the Common Core. (Funding Source: Curriculum/PD)
k) LSU/I CARE in the amount of $53,100.00 for LSU School Psychology Externs to support the work of the I CARE program through mental health counseling and other services. (Funding Source: I CARE)
Approval of the Louisiana Department of Education Redesign Grants (Round 1 and 2) in the amount of $50,000.00 and related contracts for school improvement services at selected Title I schools, per ESSA requirements.
Approval of charter contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and IDEA Public Schools Louisiana and Inspire/NOLA Schools and to provide for related matters.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
Approval of Job Description
By Ms. Dyason
Resolved, that the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby approve the following revised and new job descriptions as it relates to the Child Nutrition Program and EBR Career and Technical Education Center:
a) Revision to the existing CNP 12-month Computer Training Coordinator.
b) New job descriptions: CNP Purchasing Specialist, CNP Tech Support Specialist, CNP Meal Benefits Data Specialist, and CNP Area Supervisor/Summer Meals Supervisor.
c) New job descriptions: Director of EBR Career and Technical Education Center and Executive Director of EBR Career and Technical Education Center.
Seconded By Mr. Bellue
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (5) Mr. Bellue, Ms. Lee, Ms. Dyason, Mr. Gaudet, and Vice-President Bernard
Nays: (1) Ms. Collins
Abstained: (2) Dr. Nelson-Smith and President Ware-Jackson
Absent: (1) Mr. Tatman
The motion was declared adopted.
Approval of Healthcare Rates and Renewals
By Vice-President Bernard
Resolved, that the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does herebyapprove the following:
a) Proposed 2018 health care rates for active employees, non-Medicare, and Medicare eligible retirees participating in the BlueCross BlueShield of Louisiana administered district program.
b) Contract renewal with AlwaysCare for dental/vision and the proposed 2018 rates.
c) Contract renewal with BlueCross BlueShield of Louisiana for three (3) years beginning January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020.
d) Contract approval with Ochsner Health System for biometric screening.
Seconded By Mr. Gaudet
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (6) Mr. Bellue, Ms. Lee, Ms. Collins, President Ware-Jackson, Mr. Gaudet, and Vice-President Bernard
Nays: (0) None
Abstained: (2) Dr. Nelson-Smith and Ms. Dyason
Absent: (1) Mr. Tatman
The motion was declared adopted.
Authorization for Staff to Negotiate Request for Proposals (RFP)
By Vice-President Bernard
Resolved, that the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does herebyauthorize staff to issue a RFP for technology equipment and software for school buses for purposes of parent notification, tracking routes, tracking students, and communication.
Seconded By Mr. Bellue
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Mr. Tatman was absent.)
Resolution Levying Millages
By Mr. Gaudet
Resolved, that the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby Adopt the Resolution, as required by law for the Office of the Assessor, no later than June 1, 2017, for the purpose of levying millages effective on the 2017 Assessment Roll.
Seconded By Dr. Nelson-Smith
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Mr. Tatman was absent.)
Renewal of Humana Contract
By Vice-President Bernard
Resolved, that the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does herebyapprove a contract renewal with Humana for 2018 and proposed 2018 rates for Medicare-Eligible Retirees.
Seconded By Mr. Bellue
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Yeas: (5) Mr. Bellue, Ms. Collins, President Ware-Jackson, Mr. Gaudet, and Vice-President Bernard
Nays: (1) Ms. Lee
Abstained: (1) Ms. Dyason
Absent: (2) Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman
The motion was declared adopted.
Authorization for Staff to Advertise and Accept Low Bids
By Ms. Lee
Resolved, that the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby authorize staff to accept the low bid meeting specifications and make the award of a contract for the Belfair Elementary School modular building purchase and set-up, 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 Mr. Bellue
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
Authorization for Staff to Increase Budget for Glen Oaks Park Elementary Flood Repairs
By Ms. Lee
Resolved, that the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board does hereby authorize staff to increase the overall budget of the Glen Oaks Park Elementary School Flood Repairs project.
Seconded By Mr. Bellue
Unanimously adopted by a vote of the members present. (Dr. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Tatman were absent.)
There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
_________________________________
Warren Drake
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board