East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Regular Meeting
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Notice and Instruction
Notice
Meeting Opening
Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by School Board President Michael Gaudet.
The Invocation was led by School Board Member David Tatman, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Talaya Brady of Tara High School accompanied by Colonel Fulton Johnson.
Roll Call
Members present:Mark Bellue, Tramelle Howard, Dawn Collins, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, and David Tatman
Dadrius Lanus, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, and Jill Dyason came in after roll call.
Others present virtually were: Adam Smith, Interim Superintendent; Gwynn Shamlin Jr., General Counsel; Ben Necaise, Associate Superintendent; Taylor Gast, Director of Communications and Public Relations; Daphne Donaldson, Director for Human Resources; and James Crochet, Chief Officer for Business Operations
Others present were: Andrea O’Konski, Chief Officer for Accountability and Assessments; Amy Jones, Director-Management for Information Technology; Sharmayne Rutledge, Executive Director for School Leadership, and Kelly Lopez, Chief Financial Officer; Stacey Dupre, Chief Officer for Support and Special Projects.
Minutes
Meeting Minutes
Approval of the School Board Minutes of the November 19, 2020, Regular Board meeting, and December 3, 2020, Committee of the Whole meeting as published in the Official Journal.
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Howard, Collins, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Information Only
Monthly Financial Report
Personnel Changes
Unfinished Business
Contract: The Emerge Center
Consideration of a request for the approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and The Emerge Center for the 2021-2022 school year.
Motion by Mark Bellue, second by David Tatman.
Substitute motion to consider the request for the approval of the amended contract to include services only reimbursable by Medicaid including Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and The Emerge Center for the 2021-2022 school year.
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Dawn Collins.
The motion was withdrawn by the maker and the second.
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and The Emerge Center for the 2021-2022 school year.
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Nay: Howard
Abstain: Collins
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Relocation of EBR Readiness (HS) Campus
Consideration of a request for the approval to relocate EBR Readiness (HS) Campus from the old Banks Elementary on 72nd Avenue to Glen Oaks Middle School
Motion by Evelyn Ware-Jackson, second by Mark Bellue.
Substitute Motion for EBR Readiness to move off the Banks campus and operate in a temporary office to be determined by staff for the upcoming semester while the staff prepares additional options for a permanent location for the 2021-2022 school year.
Motion by Dawn Collins, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Inspire Charter Academy School Contract Renewal
Friendly amendment to approve the request for the renewal of the charter with Inspire Charter Academy.
Motion by David Tatman, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Collins, Bernard
Consent Agenda
Consent Vote
The following items to be approved as part of the Consent Agenda.
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Bernard
Not Present at Vote: Dyason, Tatman
Grant
Approval of the First Tee of East Baton Rouge Grant in the amount of $24,500.00 to provide 7 elementary schools ($3500.00) with training, equipment, and lesson plans.
Professional Services Contracts
Approval of the professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the following: a) Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in the amount of $28,000.00 to provide professional development. Funding Source: Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy
b) Great Minds PBC in the amount of $26,875.00 to provide professional development Funding Source: Redesign
c) Quality Matters in the amount of $60,200.00 to provide professional development and support. Funding Source: CARES Act-Strong Start
Bond Resolution
Authorize the issuance and sale by the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, State of Louisiana of its not exceeding Thirty-Five Million Dollars ($35,000,000) Revenue Anticipation Note; providing for the terms and payment thereof; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Policy-Water Access
Adoption of the following policies: FECCA - Water Bottle Filling Station, GAMJA - Water Bottles - Staff, and JCDAG - Water Bottles – Students, and to provide for related matters.
Construction of Belfair Montessori Magnet School Building Addition
Authorize staff to advertise, accept the low bids meeting specifications, and make the award of a contract for construction of the Belfair Montessori Magnet School Classroom Addition, or reject any and all bids for just cause in accordance with the Louisiana Public Bid Law; Louisiana Revised Statutes, Title 38; Chapter 10. Funding Source: Phase 4 Tax Plan - Proposition 1
Demolition of University Terrace Elementary
Authorize staff to advertise, accept the low bids meeting specifications and make the award of contract for demolition of University Terrace Elementary School as specified in the "A Plan to Improve Facilities/Technology, Discipline, and Compensation in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System" (the "Plan") as revised through February 22, 2018, or reject any and all bids for just cause in accordance with the Louisiana Public Bid Law; Louisiana Revised Statute, Title 38; Chapter 10.
Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Juan Flores vs Naila Butler, The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, and Berkley Insurance Company; Suit No: 669,492; Section/Division: 22; 19th JDC; Parish of East Baton Rouge and to provide for related matters.
End of the Consent Agenda
New Business
Selection of Superintendent Applicants
Motion for the selection of candidate nominations to receive interviews for the Superintendent of Schools proceed as follows:
• Each Board Member will nominate up to FOUR names on the ballot provided by the Board Secretary.
• The Board President (or the Board Member) will read the nominations into the record.
• The Board Secretary will tally the votes and announce the results.
From these results, a ballot will be prepared with the names of all candidates receiving a minimum of four votes in the previous vote.
• Each Board Member will nominate up to THREE names on the ballot provided by the Board Secretary.
• The Board President (or the Board Member) will read the nominations into the record.
• The Board Secretary will tally the votes and announce the results.
• From these results, the Board will invite all candidates receiving a minimum of FIVE votes to participate in the finalist interviews in January.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by David Tatman.
The results are as follows:
Adam Smith- Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Jeremy Couvillion-Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Bernard
Khaleel Desaque-Bernard
Marla Sheppard-Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Tatman
Sito Narcisse-Bellue, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Tatman
Tawana Grover- Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Gaudet
Adam Smith, Jeremy Couvillion, Marla Sheppard, Sito Narcisse, and Tawana Grover were moved to the next round.
The results of the second round were as follows:
Adam Smith- Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Bernard, Tatman
Jeremy Couvillion-Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Bernard
Marla Sheppard-Lanus, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Sito Narcisse-Bellue, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Tatman
Tawana Grover-Howard, Gaudet
Adam Smith, Marla Sheppard, and Sito Narcisse were selected to be interviewed for the position of Superintendent of Schools for East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
Land Purchase: South Baton Rouge
Motion to authorize the Board President in consultation with our legal counsel and real estate consultant to negotiate and execute the purchase of the land as outlined in the current tax plan for the land purchase for new schools in the southern part of the East Baton Rouge Parish School District as identified by our real estate consultant as item "D" on the property near the intersection of Siegan Lane and Interstate 10.
Motion by David Tatman, second by Jill Dyason.
Substitute motion to authorize the Board President in consultation with our legal counsel and real estate consultant to negotiate and execute the purchase of the land as outlined in the current tax plan for the land purchase for new schools in the southern part of the East Baton Rouge Parish School District as identified by our real estate consultant as items "C" and "D".
Motion by Dawn Collins, second by Tramelle Howard.
Motion Fails
Yea: Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Gaudet
Nay: Bellue, Lanus, Dyason, Bernard, Tatman
Authorize the Board President in consultation with our legal counsel and real estate consultant to negotiate and execute the purchase of the land as outlined in the current tax plan for the land purchase for new schools in the southern part of the East Baton Rouge Parish School District as identified by our real estate consultant as item "D" on the property near the intersection of Siegan Lane and Interstate 10.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Test Security Policy 2020-2021
Approval of the 2020-2021 East Baton Rouge Parish School System Test Security Policy.
Motion by David Tatman, second by Tramelle Howard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Policy
Adoption of policies JD – Discipline and JDE - Expulsion and a Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook revision related to virtual learning and discipline. (Gwynn Shamlin)
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Tramelle Howard.
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.
___________________________
Adam Smith
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board