East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Notice and Instructions
Notice
Meeting Opening
Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance
The meeting was called to order at 6:08 PM by School Board Vice-President Dawn Collins.
The Invocation was led by School Board Member Michael Gaudet, and Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Idaneth Garcia-Rodriguez, Woodlawn High School accompanied by Colonel Eric Keys, Senior Army Instructor.
Roll Call
Members present were Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, and Connie Bernard.
Tramelle Howard and David Tatman were 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; Alexandra 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 November 18, 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 Jill Dyason.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Information Only
Monthly Financial Report
Personnel Changes
Receive As Information
Update from Superintendent
Presentation
Redistricting
Presentation on the redistricting process.
Consent Agenda
Consent Vote
The following items are to be approved as part of the Consent Agenda excluding item #7-Professional Services Contracts-Arizona State University Prep Digital.
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Test Security Policy
Approval of the 2021-2022 East Baton Rouge Parish School System Test Security Policy.
Copy Machine RFP
Authorize of the Superintendent and staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to seek proposals for district-wide copiers.
Extern Agreement
Approval of an amendment to the extern agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in the amount of $187,740.00 to extend the agreement for one year to provide externs at Liberty Magnet High School and Woodlawn High Schools.
Professional Services Contracts: Pre-K
Approval of professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and the following: a) ResourceFull Consulting, LLC in the amount of $75,000.00 to develop a plan to expand birth to 4-year-old access and open early learning centers based on national trends, growing demand, and space. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER II, Action 1 (Ms. Webb/Dr. Lashley) b) Lexia Learning in the amount of $ 31,120.00 to provide a comprehensive training on the science of teaching reading, language and writing for pre-k teachers, literacy coaches, Head Start, and childcare providers. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant
Professional Services Contracts: Literacy
Approval of professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and The New Teacher Project (TNTP) in the amount of $150,000.00 to provide K-2 literacy professional development. Strategic Alignment: Employee Development/Funding Source: Redesign, Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): BREC
Authorize the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board President and the General Counsel to negotiate and execute an MOU with BREC to facilitate a joint endeavor related to the development of tax plan projects, subject to final approval of any project by the Board.
Architect Selection-South Baton Rouge Pre-K to 12th Grade School Facility Complex
Approval of the Architectural Selection Committee of Grace Hebert Curtis Architects, APAC for Architectural Design Consulting- Services for Pre K to 12 Grade School Facility Complex RFQ Solicitation No 4-21. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence/Funding Source: Tax Plan
End of The Consent Agenda Items
Professional Services Contract
Consideration of a request for the approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Arizona State University Prep Digital. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: General Fund
A friendly amendment by Ms. Dyason was offered to approve a professional services contract for virtual instruction between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Arizona State University Prep Digital. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: General Fund
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Nay: Collins
New Business
Redistricting Timeline
Motion to adopt a proposed Redistricting Plan development timeline for the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board based on the 2020 Census allowing for the flexibility to adjust date, time, and location.
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Michael Gaudet.
Substitute motion offered to adopt the January 6th workshop and defer the consideration of the remainder of the timeline to a Special meeting on January 13, 2022.
Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Jill Dyason.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Nay: Collins
Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Rachel Riley v. East Baton Rouge Parish School System, et al. Suit No. C-699143-Sec. 25; 19th JDC; EBR Parish, and to provide for related matters.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Superintendent Performance Evaluation
Motion to enter into executive session to discuss the Superintendent evaluation.
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, 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