East Baton Rouge Parish School System
Regular Meeting
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Members present
Mark Bellue, Vereta Lee, Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Meeting called to order immediately following the EFID Board.
Meeting Opening
Call to Order
Roll Call
Connie Bernard, Dr. Lauri Patterson, Yolanda Dixon, and Ted Firnberg were absent.
Others present were: Mr. Warren Drake, Superintendent; Mr. Adam Smith, Associate Superintendent; Mr. Ben Necaise, Associate Superintendent; Dr. Quentina Timoll, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction; Mrs. Andrea O’Konski, Chief Officer for Accountability and Assessments; Mr. James Crochet, Chief Officer for Business Operations; Mrs. Millie Williams, Chief Officer for Human Resources; Mr. Gary Reese, Chief Officer for Student Support Services; and Mr. Richard Ellis, Chief Officer for Technology.
Minutes
Meeting Minutes
Approval of the School Board minutes of the September 20, 2018, Regular Board meeting, and the October 4, 2018, Committee of the Whole meeting, as published in the Official Journal.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Vereta Lee, Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, David Tatman
Recognitions
Adoption of a Resolution proclaiming October 22-26, 2018, as "School Bus Operators' Safety Week and School Bus Operators' Appreciation Week."
Motion by Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, second by Vereta Lee.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Vereta Lee, Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Adoption a Resolution proclaiming October 23-31, 2018, as "Red Ribbon Month."
Motion by Evelyn Ware-Jackson, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Vereta Lee, Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Information Only
Monthly Financial Report
Personnel Changes
President Tatman requested that an item be taken out of order, if there were no objections from the Board.
No objections.
Appointment of General Counsel
Appointment of Gwynn Shamlin as General Counsel of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and authorization for the Superintendent to negotiate and execute an employment contract and to provide for related matters.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Vereta Lee, Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Consent Agenda
Consent Vote
Approved of the following items as part of the Consent Agenda, excluding item H2 and H5.
Motion by Dawn Collins, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Vereta Lee, Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Jill Dyason
Oversight Committee
Approval of the Preliminary Actual Semi-Financial 2017-2018 Tax Plan Update and the Proposed 2018-2019 Tax Plan Budgets for Propositions 1, 2, and 3.
Grants
Approval of the following grants: a) Dollar General Literacy Foundation Youth Literacy Grant in the amount of $3,000.00 for the "Engaging in Diverse Reading - Greater Comprehension and Engagement" at White Hills Elementary School.
b) ASM Materials Education Foundation Teacher Grant in the amount of $500.00 to fund classroom activities promoting awareness of science to students at Glasgow Middle School.
c) Reaches Grant in the amount of $3,000.00 to fund materials/supplies/equipment for a new wrestling program at Istrouma High School.
d) Dollar General - Beyond Words Grant in the amount of $15,000.00 for the Glen Oaks High School library.
e) Blue Cross Blue Shield LA Corporate Sponsorship Grant in the amount of $7,500.00 to provide funding to I CARE for the purchase of EVERFI online substance abuse prevention education for all high school students.
Dual Enrollment MOU
Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FRANU) to provide dual enrollment courses to high school students at Woodlawn High School.
MOU - Relay Graduate School of Education
Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Relay Graduate School of Education in the amount of $9,000.00 per (6) EBR teachers (for one year) participating in the Master of Arts in Teaching Program. Funding Source: ESSA School Redesign Grant
Lease Agreement
Authorize the Superintendent to negotiate and execute a two (2) year lease agreement with the YWCA Early Head Start Program for the use of Wyandotte Center.
Lease Extension - St. Aloysius
Authorize the Superintendent to negotiate and execute an extension of the lease agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and St. Aloysius Catholic Church for the use of the Southdowns Elementary School property.
Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Mr. Domoine Rutledge, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Callie Underwood v. Olize Richard, et al, No. 642181, Section 22, 19th JDC, Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana and to provide for related matters.
End of Consent Agenda Items
One-Time Supplement
Approval of the recommendation from the Oversight Committee to provide a $500.00 one-time supplement to all active full-time employees to be distributed on November 21, 2018. Funding Source: Proposition 3 (Tax Plan)
Motion by Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, second by Connie Bernard.
Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Vereta Lee, Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Jill Dyason
Job Descriptions
Approval of the following job descriptions:
a) Portfolio Manager
b) Chief Officer for Support and Special Projects with the understanding that the number of existing positions for Executive Director of School Leadership be reduced by one.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Connie Bernard.
Motion Fails
Yea: Mark Bellue, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Nay: Vereta Lee, Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, Dawn Collins
Abstain: Evelyn Ware-Jackson
Not Present at Vote: Jill Dyason
A motion was offered to approve Item 5b (Chief Officer for Support and Special Projects) with the understanding that the number of existing positions for Executive Director of School Leadership be reduced by one.
Motion by Dawn Collins, second by Michael Gaudet
Motion Passes
Yea: Mark Bellue, Vereta Lee, Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Jill Dyason
A motion was offered to place Item 5a (Portfolio Manager) on the Regular Board Meeting agenda on November 15, 2018
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Evelyn Ware-Jackson
Call for the Question by Connie Bernard with no objection from the Board.
Motion Passes
Yea: Mark Bellue, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Nay: Vereta Lee, Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, Dawn Collins
Not Present at Vote: Jill Dyason
New Business
Cooperative Endeavor Agreement
Approval of the execution of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement by and between the Educational Facilities Improvement District of the Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana and the Parish School Board of the Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana, in connection with the use of sales and use tax.
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Vereta Lee, Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Jill Dyason
Revision to School Calendar
Approval of a revision to the 2018-2019 school calendar to officially close all schools and offices on November 6, 2018, for mid-term elections.
Motion by Vereta Lee, second by Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Vereta Lee, Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Jill Dyason
There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
_________________________________
Warren Drake
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board