East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes
Thursday, December 1, 2022
A. Meeting Opening
1. Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance
The Invocation will be led by School Board Member Dadrius Lanus, and the Pledge of Allegiance will be led by School Board President David Tatman.
2. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by School Board Vice-President Dawn Collins.
Members present were Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Dawn Collins, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, and David Tatman.
Tramelle Howard Evelyn Ware-Jackson came in after the roll call.
Connie Bernard was absent.
Others present were Sito Narcisse, Superintendent; Gwynn Shamlin Jr., General Counsel; Caron Smith, Chief of Staff; Monique Scott-Spaulding, Chief Operations Officer; Letrece Griffin, Chief Communication/Public Relations; Andrea O’Konski, Chief Officer for Accountability and Assessments; Amy Jones, Chief Technology Officer; James Crochet, Chief Business Operations Officer; and Randy Morales II, Chief of Plant Operations.
B. Receive as Information
1. Update(s) from the Superintendent
C. Items for Consideration
1. Naming of the Tara High Softball Field the "Barry Jackson Field"
Approval of the request to name the Tara High School Softball Field the "Barry Jackson Field."
Motion by David Tatman, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Tatman
2. Grant: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Approval of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's R&D Partnerships for the Math Equity Grant in the amount of $3,499,026 to provide K-8th grade research partnership with Dreambox Learning and LSU Social Research & Evaluation Center to increase student math performance and related matters. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Tatman
3. Mid-Year Sign-On Bonus
A friendly amendment was offered to send the consideration of a request for the approval of a $2000 mid-year sign-on bonus for teachers hired in January 2023 to the full Board without recommendation. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence and Exemplary Customer Service/Funding Source: ESSER II, Action 2
Motion by David Tatman, second by Jill Dyason.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Tatman
4. Part-Time Bus Operator Pay Increase
Approval to increase the part-time bus operator rate from $10.50 per hour to $13.29 per hour to create recruitment opportunities for internal and external candidates to fill 62 bus operator vacancies. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence & Exemplary Customer Service
Motion by Jill Dyason, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Tatman
5. Memorandum of Understanding(MOU): External Healthcare Providers
A friendly amendment was offered to send the consideration of a request for the approval of an MOU template between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and various external healthcare providers to support the recruitment of Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Paraprofessionals to the district to the full Board without recommendation. Strategic Alignment: Employee Development and Recruitment
Motion by David Tatman, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Tatman
6. Transportation Software RFP Selection
Approval of the recommendation of the committee for the selection of TripSpark as the provider for bus transportation software and to authorize the Superintendent and General Counsel to negotiate and execute a contract. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence/Funding Source: General Fund
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Tatman
7. Property Casualty Insurance RFP Selection
The item was pulled by Superintendent Narcisse.
8. CMAR Selection: Broadmoor Middle Site
Approval of the recommendation of the CMAR selection committee of Lemoine/Luster Group to provide construction management services for the Broadmoor Middle Site (Broadmoor Conservatory). Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence/Funding Source: Tax Plan
Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Tatman
9. RFQ Architectural Design Consulting Services: Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts
Authorize staff to issue an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) to provide architectural design consulting services for Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts Elementary School. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence/Funding Source: Tax Plan
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Jill Dyason.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Not Present at Vote: Tatman
10. RFQ-Energy Management Services
Authorize staff to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to seek proposals to provide energy management consulting services. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence/Funding Source: Tax Plan-Phase 4
Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Not Present at Vote: Tatman
11. Professional Services Contracts: Federal
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the following:
a) Lexia Learning Systems LLC in the amount of $318,260 to provide professional development to improve literacy development. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement and Employee Development/Funding Source: Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) CIR/UIR K-5
b) City Year in the amount of $115,000 to provide instructional support. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER II, Action 2
c) SPED Strategies in the amount of $27,000 to provide exceptional student services professional development. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: IDEA 611 and IDEA 619B
d) Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana (A+PEL) in the amount of $48,000 to provide mentor training and certification. Strategic Alignment: Employee Development/Funding Source: ESSER II, Action 2
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Dyason, Gaudet
Abstain: Ware-Jackson
Not Present at Vote: Tatman
12. Professional Services Contract: General Fund
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Manship Theatre in the amount of $41,206 to provide tickets and fees associated with various touring productions. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source General Fund
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Jill Dyason.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Not Present at Vote: Tatman
13. Contract Renewal: City of Baton Rouge (Adult Education-EBR Prison):
Approval to renew a contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the City of Baton Rouge in the amount of $134,110 to allow the EBRPSS Department of Adult and Continuing Education to continue providing adult education classes and HiSET testing for inmates at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. Funding Source: City of Baton Rouge Grant (Dr. Hall Fleming/Ms. Scott-Spaulding)
Motion by Evelyn Ware-Jackson, second by Tramelle Howard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Not Present at Vote: Tatman
14. Policy: JGCDA
Approval of School Board policy JGCDA–Narcan Policy.
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Not Present at Vote: Tatman
15. Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Raneisha Sims v. EBRPSB and Tracey Martin Docket No. 679,822, 19th JDC, EBR Parish, LA and to provide for related matters.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Not Present at Vote: Tatman
D. Next Meeting Dates/Announcements
1. Announcement of Meetings
There being no further business, the Committee of the Whole adjourned by acclamation.
_____________________________________
Sito J. Narcisse, Ed.D.
Secretary/Treasurer to the East Baton Rouge
Parish School Board Committee of the Whole