East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Regular Meeting
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Meeting Opening
Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by School Board President Michael Gaudet.
The Invocation was led by School Board Member Jill Dyason, and Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cadet Lt Ronald Ward of Glen Oaks High, accompanied by Lt. Col. Ronald Mahomes, Senior Army Instructor.
Roll Call
Members present:Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Tramelle Howard, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, David Tatman
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; Dr. Janet Harris, Director for Human Resources; Mrs. Stacey Dupre, Chief Officer for Support and Special Projects; and Mrs. Taylor Gast, Director of Communications and Public Relations.
Minutes
Approval of the School Board minutes of the December 12, 2019, Regular Board meeting, and the January 9, 2020, Committee of the Whole meeting as published in the Official Journal.
Motion by Jill Dyason, second by David Tatman.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Howard, Collins, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Stand Alone Items
Election of School Board President
The Superintendent opened the floor for nominations for position of President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
Michael Gaudet was nominated by Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
Motion to close the floor for nominations for position of President of the East Baton Rouge School Board.
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Howard, Collins, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Michael Gaudet was elected as President.
Yea: Bellue, Howard, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Abstain: Lanus and Collins
Election of Vice-President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Board President opened the floor for nominations for position of Vice-President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
Tramelle Howard was nominated by Dadrius Lanus.
Dawn Collins was nominated by David Tatman.
Motion to close the floor for nominations for position of Vice-President of the East Baton Rouge School Board.
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by David Tatman.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
The votes on the nominees were as follows:
Tramelle Howard 5
Vote For: Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Dawn Collins 4
Vote For: Bellue, Collins, Bernard, Tatman
Tramelle Howard was elected as Vice-President.
Resolution "National Magnet School Month"
Adoption of a Resolution proclaiming the month of February as "National Magnet School Month."
Motion by David Tatman, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Resolution "National School Counseling Week"
Adoption of a Resolution proclaiming February 3-7, 2020 as “School Counseling Week.”
Motion by Dawn Collins, second by Tramelle Howard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Resolution "Louisiana School Board Recognition Month"
Adoption of a Resolution proclaiming January 2020 as “Louisiana School Board Recognition Month.”
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by David Tatman.
Discussion followed.
Substitute motion to accept the resolution with the amendment striking "School Boards Matter" from the resolution.
Motion by Evelyn Ware-Jackson, second by Tramelle Howard.
Motion Fails
Yea: Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson
Nay: Bellue, Collins, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Not Present at Vote: Tatman
Main Motion: Adoption of a Resolution proclaiming January 2020 as “Louisiana School Board Recognition Month.”
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Collins, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Nay: Lanus, Howard
Abstain: Ware-Jackson
Resolution "Black History Month"
Adoption of a Resolution proclaiming the month of February as "Black History Month."
Motion by Evelyn Ware-Jackson, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Information Only
Monthly Financial Report
Personnel Changes
Consent Agenda
Consent Vote
The following items were approved as part of the Consent Agenda.
Motion by Mark Bellue, second by David Tatman.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Grant
Approval of the Walmart Community Grant in the amount of $500.00 to fund gifted classroom projects at Northeast Elementary School.
Contract: E-Rate
Authorize the Superintendent and staff to negotiate and execute a contract renewal between East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Transformyx to provide E-Rate qualified services and equipment as specified in the related Request for Proposals.
Contract Renewal: City of Baton Rouge (Adult Education-EBR Prison)
Approval to renew a contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the City of Baton Rouge in the amount of $134,110.00 to allow the EBRPSS Department of Adult and Continuing Education to continue providing adult education classes and HiSET testing for inmates at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison from January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020. Funding Source: City of Baton Rouge Grant.
Policy & Policy Revisions
Approval of the following School Board policies and policy revisions and related matters: DFD – Tax and Bond Elections and Sales, GAEAA - Sexual Harassment, GBN - Dismissal of Employees, GBRL - Holidays.
Lease: Emerge
Ratify a lease and authorize the Superintendent to negotiate and execute a new lease with Emerge School for Autism for use of the Eva Legard Learning Center.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
New Business
ITEP Application-Etheredge Electric Co, LLC
Approve the application from Etheredge Electric Co, LLC (20190085-ITE) for an Industrial Tax Exemption and related matters.
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Jill Dyason.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Nay: Howard, Collins
Abstain: Ware-Jackson
Unfinished Business
Superintendent Search: Profile & Application
A motion was offered to approve documents with amendments referencing equity as related to the Superintendent search and to authorize JG Consulting to advertise for the position of Superintendent.
Motion by David Tatman, second by Dawn Collins.
Discussion followed.
A friendly amendment was offered by Ms. Dyason to add traditional neighborhood schools to the public school models, but was declined by the maker.
A substitute motion was offered to add traditional neighborhood schools to the public school models list and to approve documents with amendments referencing equity as related to the Superintendent search and to authorize JG Consulting to advertise for the position of Superintendent.
Motion by Jill Dyason, second by Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
Motion Fails
Yea: Ware-Jackson, Dyason
Nay: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Gaudet
Not Present at Vote: Bernard, Tatman
Main Motion: A motion was offered to approve documents with amendments referencing equity as related to the Superintendent search and to authorize JG Consulting to advertise for the position of Superintendent.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
______________________________
Warren Drake, Jr.,
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board