East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Notice and Instructions
Notice
Meeting Opening
Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance
The meeting was called to order at 5:03 by School Board President David Tatman.
The Invocation was led by School Board Member Connie Bernard, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cadet Command Sergeant Major Zairey Patterson of McKinley High accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Copple, Senior Army Instructor.
Roll Call
Members present were Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, and David Tatman
Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, and Dawn Collins came in after roll call.
Tramelle Howard 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; Andrea O’Konski, Chief Officer for Accountability and Assessments; 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 August 19, 2021, Regular Board meeting, and the September 9, 2021, Committee of the Whole meeting as published in the Official Journal.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Jill Dyason.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Information Only
Monthly Financial Report
Personnel Changes
Receive As Information
Update from Superintendent
Presentation
Reapportionment and Redistricting Overview
Consent Agenda
Consent Vote
The following items were approved as part of the Consent Agenda excluding items I4, I5, I8, I9, I10.
Motion by Evelyn Ware-Jackson, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Lanus, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Grants
Approval of the following grants: a) 2021 Supply Building and Access Expansion grant in the amount of $100,000.00 to develop a strategic plan to expand seats and sustain funding for children under five. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement
b) Project Lead the Way DOW/Southern University grant in the amount of $90,000.00 to provide STEM training, project-based lessons, and materials needed to nine schools ($10,000.00 per school). Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement
Cooperative Endeavor Agreement
Approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and Louisiana Department of the Treasury and the State of Louisiana in the amount of $200,000.00 for Act 119 of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session-State Aid to Local Government Entities to provide materials and supplies for EBR Pathways to Bright Futures. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement
Professional Services Contract: Security
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and Navigate360 in the amount of $81,000.00 for Emergency Management Suite Platform subscription. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence/Funding Source: Schools
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Grads Give
Approval of an MOU between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and Grads Give to provide alumni fundraising. Strategic Alignment: Exemplary Customer Service
Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Mr. Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the following matters: a) Nicholas Perron v. Berkley Insurance Company, et al, Suit No. 660465, Section 27, 19th Judicial District Court, Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana.
b) Francis Stedge vs. EBRPSB and Jessica Smart; Suit No: 667205; Section/Division: 22; 19th JDC; Parish of East Baton Rouge.
End of The Consent Agenda Items
Professional Services Contracts: Pre-K
Consideration of a request for the approval of professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and the following:
a) Kitamba Management, Inc. in the amount of $200,000.00 to provide data collection and support services. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence/Funding Source: ESSER II
b) ResourceFull Consulting, LLC in the amount of $75,000.00 to develop a multi-year strategic plan to sustain funding and expand access to high-quality care and education for children under five. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: Supply Building and Access Expansion Grant
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Fails
Yea: Lanus, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Nay: Collins, Bernard, Tatman
Professional Services Contracts: ESSER
Motion to bifurcate the item into separate items 5a and b and 5c and d.
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Dawn Collins.
Motion Fails
Yea: Bellue, Collins, Bernard, Tatman
Nay: Lanus, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Approval of professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and the following:
a) Arbinger in the amount of $211,810.50 to provide professional development and school support. Strategic Alignment: Employee Development/Funding Source: ESSER II, Action 2 and ESSER III, Action 2 (Dr. Narcisse)
b) Louisiana Business Inc. d/b/a The Leadership Academy in the amount of $ 182,720.00 to develop and enhance the organizational leadership skills and professionalism of EBRPSS Central Office Leaders. Strategic Alignment: Employee Development/Funding Source: ESSER III, Action 2 (Dr. Narcisse)
c) Edgenuity Inc. in the amount of $161,633.00 to provide grades K-2 EL Education web-based licenses. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER III, Action 2 (Dr. Rutledge/Dr. Bethley/Dr. Robinson)
d) Edgenuity Inc. in the amount of $119,364.00 to provide grades 3-5 guidebooks web-based licenses. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER III, Action 2 (Dr. Rutledge/Dr. Bethley/Dr. Robinson)
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Nay: Collins, Bernard, Tatman
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health
Approval of an MOU between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and Our Lady of The Lake Children's Health to provide athletic training services (3 full-time athletic trainers) to support middle schools. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence/Funding Source: In-Kind Grant
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Bernard, Tatman
Recuse: Michael Gaudet
Pupil Progression Plan
Motion to adopt the Pupil Progression Plan with language amending the provision to provide valedictorian and salutatorian honors for "gifted students" and "all other students" in high schools with Board approved gifted programs.
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Policy
Approval of the following School Board policy revisions and related matters: JD: Discipline, JCDAB-Student Alcohol and Drug Use, JCDAC: Dangerous Weapons and Firearms, JDD: Out-of-School Suspension, JDDA: In-School Suspension, and JDE: Expulsion. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
New Business
Teacher Stipend
Approval of a stipend of $1000.00/semester for East Baton Rouge Parish School System teachers who teach students virtually and face to face based (HYBRID) for the 2021-2022 school year. Strategic Alignment: Employee Development/Funding Source: General Fund-Staffing
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Nay: Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Bernard
There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
_______________________________
Sito J. Narcisse, ED.D
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board