East Baton Rouge Parish School System
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 22, 2021
Notice and Instructions
Notice
Meeting Opening
The meeting was called to order at 6:09 PM (immediately following Board Workshop) by School Board Vice-President Dawn Collins.
Roll Call
Members present: Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Tramelle Howard, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, and Connie Bernard
David Tatman was absent.
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; Amy Jones, Chief Technology Officer; Barbara Lashley, Chief of Literacy, and Stacey Dupre, Chief Officer for Support and Special Projects.
Minutes
Meeting Minutes
Approval of the School Board minutes of the June 17, 2021, Regular Board meeting, and the July 1, 2021, Committee of the Whole meeting as published in the Official Journal.
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Information Only
Monthly Financial Report
Personnel Changes
Receive As Information
Update from Superintendent
Unfinished Business
Broadmoor Middle School Program and Grade Configuration
Mrs. Bernard offered a friendly amendment to the motion to postpone the consideration of a request for the approval of the recommendation to establish a 6th-12th grade configuration and performing arts magnet program at the Broadmoor Middle School site to a date not certain.
Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Consent Agenda
Consent Vote
The following items were approved as part of the Consent Agenda, excluding items 2, 10, and 16.
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Grants
Resolution: Consideration of a request for approval of the following grants: a) Albertson's Nourishing Neighbors grant in the amount of $25,000.00 to the Child Nutrition Department for the 2021 summer feeding program. b) ADF grant in the amount of $10,000.00 to the Human Resources Department's Connect2Teach pre-educator pathway project during the 2021-2022 school year.
Grants: Pre-K
Approval of the following 2021-2022 Pre-K grants: a) Cecil J. Picard Early Childhood (LA4) in the amount of $5,679,200.00. b) Nonpublic Schools Early Childhood Development (NSECD) in the amount of $627,460.00 c) Birth to 3-Year-Old Seats (B-3 Seats) in the amount of $2,053,083.00.
Memorandums of Understanding (MOU): Expansion of Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 Sites
Approval of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System ("Lead Agency") and childcare centers, microcenters, charter schools, and nonpublic schools in the amount of $6,270,600.00 to expand Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 seats. Funding Source: ESSER, Birth to 3, and LA4.
Memorandums of Understanding (MOU): Dual Enrollments
Approval of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the following: a) Southern University (SU) to provide dual enrollment courses for the 2021-2022 school year. b) Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) to provide dual enrollment courses for the 2021-2022 school year. c) Louisiana State University (LSU) to provide dual enrollment courses for the 2021-2022 school year. d) Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FRANU) to provide dual enrollment courses for the 2021-2022 school year. e) Southeastern Louisiana University (SELU) to provide dual enrollment courses for the 2021-2022 school year. Funding Source: SCA
Approval of Fiscal Agent
Approval of the Fiscal Agent Contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and Capital One Bank, for a period of three years beginning October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2024, including all current provisions and rates.
Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire
Approval of the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire as required for the 2020-2021 financial audit of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
Agreements
Approval of an agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and the following: a) Southeastern Louisiana University (SELU) in the amount of $10,000.00 to provide credit for tuition fees for authorized students enrolled at SELU.
b) Teach for America to provide up to six Corp Members for two Innovation Network schools, Claiborne and Capitol Elementary not to exceed $41,200.00 annually.
Memorandums of Understanding (MOU)
Approval of the Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and the following:
a) LSU-Social Research and Evaluation Center (SREC) to assist with the statewide initiative to promote good attendance practices.
b) Junior Achievement of Greater Baton Rouge and Acadiana to provide a curriculum aligned with Louisiana state standards and provide a robust learning experience for students focused on work readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.
Oversight Committee
Approval of the Semi-Annual Financial Tax Plan update and the revised 2020-2021 Tax Plan Budget for Propositions 1, 2, and 3.
South Baton Rouge Charter Contract
Approval of a charter school contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and South Louisiana Charter Foundation for the operation of South Baton Rouge Charter Academy.
KIPP New Orleans Charter Contract
Approval of a charter school contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and KIPP New Orleans, Inc.
Facility Use Agreement
Authorize the Superintendent and General Counsel to negotiate a facility use agreement with an option for a long-term lease of the Capitol High facility with KIPP and to return to the Board for final approval of the agreement and lease.
RFP: Energy Efficiency Services
Authorize the Superintendent to engage in an independent third-party consultant to develop, issue, and evaluate Request for Proposals (RFP) for energy efficiency services and to provide for related matters.
Administrative Contract Template
Approval of a template for a Contract of Employment for Promotional Appointment.
2021-2022 Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook & Discipline Policy
Approval of the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook and Discipline Policy for the 2021-2022 school year for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System with noted changes including allowance for navy blue bottoms.
Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the following matters: a) Joseph Miles v. Terri G. Cummings, Berkley Insurance Company, and East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, Docket No. 688741, Section 25, 19th Judicial District Court, Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana, and to provide for related matters.
b) Ebony Coleman, individually and on behalf of minor child (name redacted) v. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
End of the Consent Agenda Items
2021 East Baton Rouge Parish School System Strategic Plan
Approval of the 2021 East Baton Rouge Parish School System Strategic Plan.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Professional Services Contracts
Consideration of a request for the approval of the following professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the following:
a) DreamBox Learning, Inc. in the amount of $117,864.00 to provide mathematics student licenses, professional development, and support. Funding Source: ESSER III-Action 2
b) Achieve3000, Inc. in the amount of $1,391,090.00 to provide literacy and mathematics student licenses, professional development, and support. Funding Source: ESSER III-Action 2
c) Jason Learning in the amount of $75,000.00 to provide STEM activities, professional development, and support. Funding Source: ESSER III-Action 2
d) AVID Center in the amount of $27,395.00 to provide support and professional learning. Funding Source: School Redesign
e) Zearn in the amount of $110,000.00 to provide professional development, support, and student activities for elementary grades mathematics. Funding Source: ESSER II
f) Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College on behalf of its Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LASARD) in the amount of $50,000.00 to provide specialized supports for educators to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. Funding Source: IDEA 611
g) Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) in the amount of $25,000.00 and $58,000.00 respectively for the EveryBody Reads and EveryOne Counts Programs. Funding Sources: Title I and General Fund
h) MiraVia LLC to provide literacy, mathematics, and content coaching support not to exceed $50,000.00. Funding Source: ESSER III Action 2
i) Proximity Learning in the amount of $526,000.00 to provide virtual instruction for students in grades six through twelve. Funding Source: ESSER III Action 1
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Mrs. Bernard withdrew her motion.
The motion was then offered by Michael Gaudet, second by Dadrius Lanus.
A friendly amendment was offered to the substitute motion to bifurcate professional service contracts into item f, item g, item i, and the remaining items considered in globo.
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Bernard
Nay: Bellue, Dyason, Gaudet
Approval of the professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College on behalf of its Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LASARD) in the amount of $50,000.00 to provide specialized supports for educators to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. Funding Source: IDEA 611
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Connie Bernard.
Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Approval of the professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) in the amount of $25,000.00 and $58,000.00 respectively for the EveryBody Reads and EveryOne Counts Programs. Funding Sources: Title I and General Fund
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Approval of the professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Proximity Learning in the amount of $526,000.00 to provide virtual instruction for students in grades six through twelve. Funding Source: ESSER III Action 1
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Connie Bernard.
Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Approval of the following professional services contracts in globo between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the following:
a) DreamBox Learning, Inc. in the amount of $117,864.00 to provide mathematics student licenses, professional development, and support. Funding Source: ESSER III-Action 2
b) Achieve3000, Inc. in the amount of $1,391,090.00 to provide literacy and mathematics student licenses, professional development, and support. Funding Source: ESSER III-Action 2
c) Jason Learning in the amount of $75,000.00 to provide STEM activities, professional development, and support. Funding Source: ESSER III-Action 2
d) AVID Center in the amount of $27,395.00 to provide support and professional learning. Funding Source: School Redesign
e) Zearn in the amount of $110,000.00 to provide professional development, support, and student activities for elementary grades mathematics. Funding Source: ESSER II
h) MiraVia LLC to provide literacy, mathematics, and content coaching support not to exceed $50,000.00. Funding Source: ESSER III Action 2
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Nay: Howard, Collins, Bernard
RFP: Facilities Management Services
Authorize the Superintendent of Schools to develop and issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for facility management services and to provide for related matters.
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
New Business
Charter Contract Amendment-Helix Community Schools
Approval to amend the charter school contract with Helix Network of Educational Choices to establish Helix Community Schools as the charter management company for Mentorship Academy.
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Tramelle Howard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
_______________________________
Sito J. Narcisse, Ed.D.
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board