East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Notice and Instructions
Notice
Meeting Opening
Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance
Meeting called to order at 5:00 PM by School Board President David Tatman.
The Invocation was led by School Board Member Michael Gaudet, and Pledge of Allegiance was led by School Board Member Mark Bellue.
Roll Call
Members present were Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Dawn Collins, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, and David Tatman.
Tramelle Howard, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Connie Bernard came in after roll call.
Others present were Sito Narcisse, Superintendent; Gwynn Shamlin Jr., General Counsel; Caron Smith, Chief of Staff; Michael Robinson, Chief Academic Officer; Frank Chester, Chief Operations Officer; Sharon Williams, Chief of Schools; Alex Stubbs, Chief Communication/Public Relations; Andrea O’Konski, Chief Officer for Accountability and Assessments; Amy Jones, Chief Technology Officer; Barbara Lashley, Chief of Literacy.
Minutes
Meeting Minutes
Approval of the School Board Minutes of the May 20, 2021, Regular Board meeting, and the June 3, 2021, Committee of the Whole meeting as published in the Official Journal.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Collins, Dyason, Gaudet, Tatman
Recognitions
Proclamation
Adoption of a proclamation declaring June 19th (Juneteenth) as a day of celebration and recognition across The East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Dawn Collins.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Collins, Gaudet, Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Dyason
Information Only
Monthly Financial Report
Personnel Changes
Point of Information
Announcement of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board members who have successfully completed annual training for 2020 mandated by Louisiana Revised Statutes, Title 17, Section 53 and the total credit hours received: Mark Bellue (6 hours), Dadrius Lanus (5.75 hours), Tramelle Howard (13.5 hours), Dawn Collins (5.5 hours), Evelyn Ware-Jackson (17.5 hours), Jill Dyason (7 hours), Mike Gaudet (19), Connie Bernard (10 hours), and David Tatman (10 hours).
Receive As Information
Update from Superintendent
Public Hearing/Workshop
Discussion of the Proposed 2021-2022 General Fund Budget, the Budget Resolution, and the 2020-2021 Salary Schedules, and the Proposed 2021-2022 Special Revenue Budgets.
Unfinished Business
Cooperative Agreement: Capital Area Human Services District
Approval of a Cooperative Agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Capital Area Human Services District Baton Rouge Mental Health Center/Children's Behavioral Health Services.
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Abstain: Collins, Dyason
Consent Agenda
Consent Vote
The following items are to be approved as part of the Consent Agenda, excluding items #4, #10, and #14.
Motion by Jill Dyason, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
2021-2022 Property and Casualty Insurance Program Policies
Authorize the administration to approve the most cost effective Property and Casualty Insurance Program Policy Renewal package for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and to provide for related matters.
Resolution: Reject Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Approval of the Resolution authorizing the Board President and the Superintendent to execute and sign all documents to reject Uninsured Motorist Coverage in connection with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System's automobile liability coverage and its Self-Insured Retention Program for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
Extern Agreement: Board of Supervisors of LSU & Agricultural and Mechanical College
Approval of an extern agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Board of Supervisors of LSU & Agricultural and Mechanical College in the amount of $22,742.20 for the provision of psychological services, professional development and educational quality improvement services, and the collection of data for research and program evaluation. Funding Source: ICARE
Grant
Approval of the Cox Charities Innovation and Education grant in the amount of $11,031.00 for a total of seven teachers to provide for innovative classroom ideas for the 2021-2022 school year.
Agreement: Center for Educational Leadership
Approval of the agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the Center for Educational Leadership in the amount of $89,650.00 to provide leadership coaching/professional development. Funding Source: ESSER III
Professional Services Contracts
Approval of professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the following:
a) National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) in the amount of $397,450.00 to provide support and professional development on school improvement best practices. Funding Source: Redesign
b) Dreambox Learning in the amount of $580,848.00 to provide mathematics student licenses, professional development, and support. Funding Source: ESSER III
c) OneGoal in the amount of $78,900.00 to provide teacher training, curriculum, personalized platform, and analytics. Funding Source: Redesign
d) Baton Rouge Early Childhood Education Collaborative, Inc. (BRECEC) in the amount of $266,000.00 to provide evidence-base school readiness services to address the needs of East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority (EBRPHA) families with preschoolers, who are not enrolled in a learning center, daycare or Head Start. Funding Source: ESSER II
Advertising in Official Journal FY 2021-2022
Approval to select "The Advocate" as the Official Journal (newspaper advertising) of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System for FY 2021-2022.
Advertising of Bids for FY 2021-2022
Authorize staff to advertise, receive, and award bids for materials, equipment, supplies, and services, through June 30, 2022, to the lowest responsible bidder/proposer meeting specifications and all state and federal requirements for quotes and formal invitations to bid.
Request for Proposal (RFP): Third Party Administrator Claims
Authorize staff to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to seek proposals for a Third Party Claims Administrator for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System's Liability and Workers' Compensation claims.
Child Nutrition Summer Stipend
Approval of a $500.00 stipend for Child Nutrition summer program staff (38 days). Funding Source: Child Nutrition Program
Professional Services Contract: Council of Great City Schools
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the Council of Great City Schools to provide district departmental audits not to exceed $80,000.00. Funding Source: General Fund
End of The Consent Agenda
Healthcare and Ancillary Benefits Plan
Approval/authorization of the following:
a) Proposed 2022 Healthcare rates for active Employees, non-Medicare and Medicare-eligible retirees participating in the BlueCross BlueShield of Louisiana administered medical plans for Core, Buy-Up, and Community Blue.
b) Proposed contract renewal with BlueCross BlueShield of Louisiana for claims administrative services for 2022-2024.
c) Proposed contract renewal with Unum for Dental for 2022.
d) Proposed contract renewal with Selerix to continue HRIS system administration of all benefits for active, non-Medicare, and Medicare Eligible Retirees for 2022.
e) Proposed contract renewal with Optum EAP for Employee Assistance Program for all active employees and household members for 2022-2024.
f) Proposed contract with Accredo for administering specialty pharmaceuticals for 2021-2022.
g) Proposed contract renewal with Express Scripts pharmacy for 2022.
h) Authorize the Superintendent to negotiate and execute the 2022 contract for stop loss insurance coverage.
i) Proposed contract renewal for various Voluntary Benefits including Discount Program, Group Auto and/or Home, Critical Illness, Accident, Hospital Indemnity, Legal Services, Identity Theft, and Employee Purchase Program for 2022.
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Abstain: Dyason
Job Positions/Descriptions
Approval of the following job positions and descriptions:
a) 504 Facilitator
b) Virtual Classroom Teacher
c) District 504 Coordinator
d) Director of Multi-Tiered Systems Of Support (MTSS)
e) Lead Social Worker
f) Literacy Innovation Coordinator
g) School Social Worker
h) Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialist
Motion by Evelyn Ware-Jackson, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Nay: Collins
Agreement: Substitute Privatization
Approval of an agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and ESS South Central, LLC to privatize substitutes for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Tramelle Howard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Nay: Collins, Bernard, Tatman
New Business
2021-2022 Proposed General Fund Budget
Approval of the Proposed 2021-2022 General Fund Budget, the Budget Resolution, and the 2021-2022 Salary Schedules.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Nay: Collins
2021-2022 Proposed Special Revenue Fund Budgets
Approval of the 2021-2022 Proposed Special Revenue Fund Budgets:
a) Proposed 2021-2022 Adult and Continuing Education
b) Revised 2020-2021 and Proposed 2021-2022 All Parish Music Concerts
c) Proposed 2021-2022 Radio Training Program
d) Proposed 2021-2022 Believe & Prepare Formula Transition
e) Proposed 2021-2022 Career & Technical Education Program # 998 (Voc. Ed/Basic Grant for States)
f) Proposed 2021-2022 Child Nutrition Program
g) Revised 2020-2021 and Proposed 2021-2022 Decathlon and Fitness Meet
h) Revised 2020-2021 and Proposed 2021-2022 EBR Kick-off Classic
i) Proposed 2021-2022 Education Excellence Fund (EEF)
j) Proposed 2021-2022 ESSA Redesign Grant Round 4 Redesign
k) Revised 2020-2021 and Proposed 2021-2022 High School Summer School
l) Proposed 2021-2022 ICARE Program
m) Proposed 2021-2022 IDEA
n) Proposed 2021-2022 IDEA Preschools 619
o) Revised 2020-2021 and Proposed 2021-2022 JRAA Athletics
p) Proposed 2021-2022 Magnet School Assistance (Project Explore)
q) Revised 2020-2021 and Proposed 2021-2022 Middle School Summer School
r) Revised 2020-2021 and Proposed 2021-2022 Music Instrument User Fees
s) Revised 2020-2021 and Proposed 2021-2022 Proposition 2 – Tax Plan
t) Revised 2020-2021 and Proposed 2021-2022 Proposition 3 – Tax Plan
u) Proposed 2021-2022 Pre-K
1) Approval Letter for all Pre-K Budgets
2) Cecil J. Picard LA4 (State)
3) Early Childhood Community Network Lead Agency (Federal/CCDF)
4) Early Childhood Community Network Lead Agency (State)
5) Early Childhood Program 8g
6) COVID – 19
7) PDG Seats
8) Pre-K Tuition (Local)
v) Proposed 2021-2022 Every Student Succeed Act (ESSA) Consolidated
1) Approval Letter for all ESSA Consolidated Budgets
2) Title 1 – Improving Academic Achievement
3) Title II, Part A
4) Title III
5) Title III, Immigrant
6) Title IV, Part A
7) Title IX – Education for Homeless Children and Youth
8) Direct Student Services (DSS)
w) School Activity
x) Strong Start Achieve
1) Approval Letter for all Strong Start Budgets
2) Strong Start Achieve ESSER II
3) Strong Start Achieve ESSER III
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Tatman
Nay: Collins, Bernard
2020-2021 Charter School Application: Kenilworth Science and Technology Charter School
Motion to accept the recommendation to deny the Kenilworth Science and Technology Charter School application and related matters.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
2020-2021 Charter School Application: Baton Rouge Discovery Academy Charter School
Motion to accept the recommendation to deny the Baton Rouge Discovery Charter School application and related matters.
Motion by Evelyn Ware-Jackson, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Bernard, Tatman
Nay: Dyason
Recuse: Gaudet
2020-2021 Charter School Application: Great Hearts of Baton Rouge #1, #2, #3
A friendly amendment to the motion to approve the Great Hearts of Baton Rouge #1 School application.
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Bernard, Tatman
Nay: Lanus, Howard, Collins, Gaudet
There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
_______________________________
Dr. Sito Narcisse,
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board