East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Notice and Instructions
Notice
Meeting Opening
Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by School Board President David Tatman.
The Invocation was led by School Board Member Mark Bellue and Pledge of Allegiance led by Cadet Second Lieutenant Layden Jack, of Scotlandville High, accompanied by Sergeant First Class Ronald Kennedy.
Roll Call
Members present were Mark Bellue, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, and David Tatman.
Dadrius Lanus, Tramelle Howard, Jill Dyason 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; 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 October 21, 2021, Regular Board meeting, and the November 4, 2021, Committee of the Whole meeting as published in the Official Journal.
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Information Only
Monthly Financial Report
Personnel Changes
Receive As Information
Update from Superintendent
A motion offered to take Unfinished Business items (I1-I3) out of order and move before the consent agenda.
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Tramelle Howard.
Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Bernard
Nay: Gaudet, Tatman
Unfinished Business
Broadmoor Middle School Site
Approval of the reopening of the former Broadmoor Middle School site as a conservatory school serving students in grades 6-12. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Lanus
Charter School Contract Extensions
Consideration of a request for the approval of a one-year charter contract extension between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the following charter schools and operators:
a) South Baton Rouge Charter School (South Louisiana Charter Foundation, Inc.)
b) J.K. Haynes Elementary Charter School Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Michael Gaudet.
Discussion followed.
A friendly amendment for the approval of General Counsel to negotiate a one year extension with South Baton Rouge Charter School and J.K. Haynes Elementary Charter School conditioned upon the parties mutual agreement and the agreement to delay renewal consideration for one year.
Discussion followed.
Substitute motion offered to postpone the consideration of a request for the approval of a one-year charter contract extension between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the following charter schools and operators:
a) South Baton Rouge Charter School (South Louisiana Charter Foundation, Inc.)
b) J.K. Haynes Elementary Charter School
to the January meeting. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement
Motion by Connie Bernard, second NONE.
Motion failed for the lack of a second.
Return to the main motion.
A friendly amendment for the approval of General Counsel to negotiate a one year extension with South Baton Rouge Charter School and J.K. Haynes Elementary Charter School conditioned upon the parties mutual agreement and agreement to delay renewal consideration for one year.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Tatman
Nay: Bernard
Not Present at Vote: Lanus
Reapportionment/Redistricting Consultant
Consideration of a request for the approval of the recommendation to hire Data Center as the consultant for reapportionment and redistricting services for the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
Motion by Evelyn Ware-Jackson, second by Dawn Collins.
Discussion followed.
Substitute motion to approve Geographic Planning & Demographic Services as the consultant for reapportionment and redistricting services for the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Jill Dyason.
Discussion followed.
Motion to call the question.
Motion by Dawn Collins, second by Michael Gaudet.
Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Howard, Collins, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Nay: Ware-Jackson
Not Present at Vote: Lanus
Substitute motion to approve Geographic Planning & Demographic Services as the consultant for reapportionment and redistricting services for the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Nay: Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson
Not Present at Vote: Lanus
Consent Agenda
Consent Vote
The following items are to be approved as part of the Consent Agenda.
Motion by Evelyn Ware-Jackson, second by Tramelle Howard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Lanus, Collins
Contract-Request to Withdraw
Accept the request of Strategic Demographics, L.L.C. to withdraw from its contract for reapportionment and redistricting services.
Grant
Approval of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean Diesel grant in the amount of $733,975.00 to replace 20 diesel fueled buses. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) Grant
Approval of a voluntary desegregation plan for the cohort of schools for the 2022-2027 Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) Grant. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
Grants: ESSER
Resolution: Consideration of a request for the approval of the following grants:
a) ESSER II-Action 2, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Grant in the amount of $32,191,911.00.
b) ESSER III-Action 2, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant in the amount of $115,677,532.00. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement, Exemplary Customer Service, Operational Excellence, and Employee Development
Professional Services Contracts
Approval of the professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and the following:
a) Presence Learning, Inc. in the amount of $50,000.00 to provide synchronous, individualized, one-on-one counseling teletherapy. Funding Source: IDEA 611/Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement
b) Deaf Focus in the amount of $18,000.00 to provide sign language services during the Committee of The Whole and Regular Board Meetings. Funding Source: General Fund/Strategic Alignment: Exemplary Customer Service
Revenue Anticipation Note
Approval of the resolution giving preliminary approval to the issuance of not exceeding Thirty-Five Million Dollars ($35,000,000) of Revenue Anticipation Note, of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, State of Louisiana; providing certain terms of said Notes; making application to the State Bond Commission for approval of said Notes; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Bond Resolution
Approval of a resolution authorizing 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.
Oversight Committee
Approval of the Semi-Annual Financial Tax Plan Update and the 2020-2021 Preliminary Actual Results for propositions 1, 2, and 3. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
Oversight Committee: Forest Heights Academy of Excellence Expansion
Approval of the recommendation to the Oversight Committee to modify "A Plan to Improve Facilities/Technology, Discipline, and Compensation" in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System "Tax Plan" to allow for the construction of a 6-8 grade visual and performing arts middle school facility on the Forest Heights Academy of Excellence property. Funding Source: Tax Plan/Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement
Charter Contract: Great Hearts Louisiana, Inc.
Approval of a charter school contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Great Hearts Louisiana, Inc.
Superintendent Performance Targets
Approval of the Superintendent Performance Targets.
End of The Consent Agenda Items
New Business
Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of Genevieve Robinson vs. Mac Wallace and East Baton Rouge Parish School Board; Suit No. 668,963; Section 27; 19th Judicial District Court; Parish of East Baton Rouge and to provide for related matters
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Jill Dyason.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Lanus
ITEP Non-Compliance: Tin Roof Brewing Company
Motion to approve a resolution providing written notice to the Board of Commerce and Industry outlining the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board's recommendation regarding Tin Roof Brewing Company's non-compliance with the Industrial Tax Exemption Program Contract for the years 2018, 2019, 2020 to take no action regarding the matter and send a strongly worded letter regarding the non-compliance.
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Howard, Collins, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Lanus, Ware-Jackson
ITEP Non-Compliance: International Mezzo Technology Inc.
Motion to approve a resolution providing written notice to the Board of Commerce and Industry outlining the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board's recommendation regarding International Mezzo Technology Inc. non-compliance with the Industrial Tax Exemption Program Contract for the years 2019 to take no action regarding the matter.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Jill Dyason.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Howard, Collins, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Lanus, Ware-Jackson
Adding Item To Agenda
Motion to add an item to the agenda to create a resolution thanking the Miami-Dade School System for the apprection related district wide program visits.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Howard, Collins, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Lanus, Ware-Jackson
Resolution
Motion to approve a resolution to thank the Miami-Dade School System.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Tramelle Howard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Howard, Collins, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Lanus, Ware-Jackson
There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
_______________________________
Sito J. Narcisse, ED.D
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board