Regular Meeting
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Members present
Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Tramelle Howard, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Meeting called to order at 5:00 PM
Meeting Opening
Call to Order
Invocation was led by School Board Member Jill Dyason, and Pledge of Allegiance led by Cadet Darren Holloway, Jr., accompanied by LTC Kenneth Copple.
Roll Call
Others present were: Mr. Warren Drake, Superintendent; Mr. Gwynn Shamlin, Jr., General Counsel; 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; Mrs. Stacey Dupre, Chief Officer for Support and Special Projects; Mr. Richard Ellis, Chief Officer for Technology; and Mrs. Taylor Gast, Director of Communications and Public Relations.
Unfinished Business
President Gaudet opened the floor for nominations for Vice-President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
Jill Dyason was nominated by Mark Bellue.
Dadrius Lanus was nominated by Tramelle Howard.
Motion to close the floor for nominations for East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Vice-President.
Motion by Evelyn Ware-Jackson, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Tramelle Howard, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
The votes on the nominees were as follows:
Dadrius Lanus 3
Vote For: Dadrius Lanus, Tramelle Howard, and Evelyn Ware-Jackson
Jill Dyason 5
Vote For: Mark Bellue, Michael Gaudet, Jill Dyason, Connie Bernard, and David Tatman
No Vote: Dawn Collins
Jill Dyason was elected as Vice-President of East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
Minutes
Meeting Minutes
Approval of the School Board minutes of the December 13, 2018, Regular Board meeting, January 10, 2019, Special Board meeting, and the January 10, 2019, Committee of the Whole meeting, as published in the Official Journal.
Motion by David Tatman, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Tramelle Howard, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Recognitions
Resolution "School Counseling Week"
Adoption of a Resolution proclaiming February 4-8, 2019, as “School Counseling Week.”
Motion by Dawn Collins, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Tramelle Howard, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Dadrius Lanus
Resolution "Black History Month"
Adoption of a Resolution proclaiming the month of February as "Black History Month."
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by David Tatman.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Tramelle Howard, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Dadrius Lanus
Resolution "Louisiana School Board Recognition Month"
Adoption of a Resolution proclaiming January 2019, as “Louisiana School Board Recognition Month.”
Motion by Jill Dyason, second by Dawn Collins.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Tramelle Howard, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Information Only
Monthly Financial Report
Personnel Changes
Consent Agenda
Consent Vote
The following items were approved as part of the Consent Agenda, excluding items I3 and I4.
Motion by Mark Bellue, second by David Tatman.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Tramelle Howard, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
Grant
Approval of a Dollar General Literacy Foundation grant in the amount of $2,500.00 to fund and strengthen literacy efforts at Merrydale Elementary School.
License Agreement
Approval of a license agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Family Resource Group dba Baton Rouge Parents Magazine in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00 ($25,000.00 for design fee plus printing and shipping costs) to produce a district publication advertising schools and important programs. Funding Source: General Fund - Communications Department
Professional Services Contract
Approval to continue a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Louisiana State University (LSU Cain Center) to June 30, 2019, and provide funding in the amount of $150,000.00. Funding Source: General Fund
End of Consent Agenda Items
Industrial Tax Exemption Program Guidelines
Approval of the proposed Industrial Tax Exemption Program Guidelines with the revision to change the date to the Governor's Executive Order.
Motion by Dawn Collins, second by Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
Discussion followed.
Substitute motion was offered to approve the Industrial Tax Exemption Program Guidelines as originally proposed.
Motion by Jill Dyason, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Tramelle Howard, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard
Nay: Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, David Tatman
Occupational Therapists/Physical Therapists
Approval of the recommendation to utilize First Choice Therapy to provide occupational and physical therapy services to qualified students in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and authorize the Superintendent to negotiate and execute a contract.
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Jill Dyason.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Tramelle Howard, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard
Abstain: David Tatman
Stand Alone Items
Charter Contract Renewal Request
Consideration of a request to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent regarding non-renewal of the contract with South Baton Rouge Charter School.
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Tramelle Howard.
Discussion followed.
Substitute motion was offered to re-evaluate South Baton Rouge Charter based on BESE guidelines and moving forward the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board will defer to state guidelines until the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board develops its own guidelines.
Motion by Dawn Collins, second NONE.
Discussion continued.
Substitute motion was withdrawn by originator.
Friendly amendment to the substitute motion offered to authorize the Superintendent to execute a contract with South Baton Rouge Charter School for a 3 year term with performance objectives determined by contract.
Motion by Evelyn Ware-Jackson, second by Dawn Collins.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Tramelle Howard, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson
Nay: Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
New Business
ITEP Applications - Exxon Mobil Corporation
Approval of Industrial Tax Exemption Program applications for Exxon Mobil Corporation as listed.
a. Exxon Mobil Corporation Application #20161911
b. Exxon Mobil Corporation Application # 20161914
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Fails
Yea: Mark Bellue, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard
Nay: Dadrius Lanus, Tramelle Howard, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, David Tatman
Student Expulsion
Motion to further review the student expulsion.
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Dawn Collins.
There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
_________________________________
Warren Drake
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board