East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Regular Meeting
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Notice and Instructions
Notice and Instructions
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 by School Board Member Jill Dyason, and Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cadet Captain Idaneth Garcia, Woodlawn High accompanied by Colonel Eric Keys, Senior Army Instructor.
Roll Call
Members present: Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Tramelle Howard, Dawn Collins, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, and David Tatman. Evelyn Ware-Jackson came in after the roll call.
Others present were: Dr, Sito Narcisse, Superintendent (Virtually); Gwynn Shamlin Jr., General Counsel; Adam Smith, Associate Superintendent; Ben Necaise, Associate Superintendent; Andrea O’Konski, Chief Officer for Accountability and Assessments; Stacey Dupre, Chief Officer for Support and Special Projects; Daphne Donaldson, Director for Human Resources; Amy Jones, Director-Management for Information Technology; Sharmayne Rutledge, Executive Director for School Leadership, and Kelly Lopez, Chief Financial Officer.
Minutes
Meeting Minutes
Approval of the School Board Minutes of December 17, 2020, Regular Board meeting, January 6, 2021, and January 14, 2021, Special Board meetings, and January 14, 2021, Committee of the Whole meeting as published in the Official Journal.
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Tramelle Howard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Stand Alone
Election of President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Superintendent Narcisse opened the floor for nominations for the position of President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
David Tatman was nominated by Michael Gaudet.
A motion was offered to close nominations for the position of President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
David Tatman was elected as East Baton Rouge School Board President.
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Election of Vice-President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Superintendent Narcisse opened the floor for nominations for the position of Vice-President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
Dawn Collins was nominated by David Tatman.
Dadrius Lanus was nominated by Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
A motion was offered to close nominations for the position of Vice-President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
Motion by David Tatman, second by Jill Dyason.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
The votes on the nominees were as follows:
Dawn Collins 6
Vote For: Bellue, Collins, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernar, Tatman
Dadrius Lanus 3
Vote For: Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson
Dawn Collins was elected as East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Vice-President.
Resolution "National School Counseling Week"
Adoption of a resolution proclaiming February 3-7, 2020 as “School Counseling Week.”
Motion by Dawn Collins, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Resolution: "National Magnet School Month"
Adoption of a resolution proclaiming the month of February as "Nation Magnet School Month."
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Resolution: "Black History Month"
Adoption of a resolution proclaiming the month of February as "Black History Month."
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Resolution: "Board Member Recognition Month"
Adoption of a resolution proclaiming January 2020 as “Louisiana School Board Recognition Month.”
Motion by Jill Dyason, second by Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Information Only
Monthly Financial Report
Personnel Changes
Superintendent's Contract
Consent Agenda
Consent Vote
The following items to be approved as part of the Consent Agenda.
Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Grants
Approval of the following grants: a) Albertson's Nourishing Neighbors grant in the amount of $25,000.00 to feed local families in need during this crisis. b) T-Mobile Project 10Million in the amount of $1,247,500.00 to award families hotspot devices and connectivity for one year.
Professional Services Contract
Approval of a contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Louisiana Business Inc.-Professional Educators Leadership Academy in the amount of $66,000.00 for professional development. Funding Source: Title II
Contracts: Charter Schools
Approval of the contracts between East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the following charter schools:
a) Inspire Charter School (January 2021 - June 2021)
b) Inspire Charter School (July 2021 – June 2024)
c) Community School for Apprentice Learning (CSAL Middle School) (2016)
d) Community School for Apprentice Learning (CSAL Elementary School) (July 2021)
Bid: University Terrace Contractor
Authorize staff to advertise, accept the low bids meeting specifications and make the award of a contract for construction of University Terrace/ Buchanan Elementary School – New 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.
Policy: BCAD, GBRIB, and GBRIBC
Approval of the following policies: BCAD (Teleconference/Remote Participation in School Board Meetings), GBRIB (Sick Leave), and GBRIBC (Covid-19 Emergency Leave).
ITEP Guidelines
Approval of the revised Industrial Tax Exemption Program Guidelines.
Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Blake Wingett v. Ortemishia Montgomery, East Baton Rouge Parish School System and Berkley Insurance; Suit No: 640,387; Section26; 19th Judicial District Court; Parish of East Baton Rouge, and to provide for related matters
End of the Consent Agenda Items
New Business
Request for Proposal (RFP)-VoIP Phone Services
Authorize staff to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to seek proposals to provide VoIP phone services for the District.
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Lanus
Contract: Helix Mentorship STEAM Academy
Approval of the contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Helix Mentorship STEAM Academy.
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Job Positions and Descriptions
A friendly amendment to the motion to approve the following job descriptions: Chief Academic Officer; Chief of Schools; Chief of Staff; amend the title of Deputy Chief of Operations to read as Chief Operations Officer; and exclude the option to work virtually or remotely from each description.
Motion by Jill Dyason, second by Tramelle Howard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Tatman
Nay: Collins
Not Present at Vote: Bernard
There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
_______________________________
Dr. Sito Narcisse,
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board