East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Regular Meeting Agenda
Thursday, December 15, 2022
A. Meeting Opening
1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
The Invocation was led by Vice-President Dawn Collins, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cadet Second Lieutenant Freddie Davidson of Belaire High accompanied by First Sergeant William Alsobrook.
2. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by School Board President David Tatman.
Members present were Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Tramelle Howard, Dawn Collins, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Jill Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard, and David Tatman
Others present were Sito Narcisse, Superintendent; Gwynn Shamlin Jr., General Counsel; Caron Smith, Chief of Staff; Michael Robinson, Chief Academic Officer; Monique Scott-Spaulding, Chief Operations Officer; Arcelius Brickhouse Jr., Chief of Schools; Letrece Griffin, Chief Communication/Public Relations; Andrea O’Konski, Chief Officer for Accountability and Assessments; Amy Jones, Chief Technology Officer; Shenoa Warren, Interim Chief of Literacy, Stacey Dupre, Chief Officer for Support and Special Projects; Kelly Lopez, Chief Financial Officer; James Crochet, Chief Business Operations Officer; and Randy Morales II, Chief of Plant Operations.
B. Minutes
1. Meeting Minutes
Approval of the School Board minutes of the November 17, 2022, Regular Board meeting, and the December 1, 2022, Committee of the Whole meeting as published in the Official Journal.
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Collins, Ware-Jackson, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
C. Information Only
1. Monthly Financial Report
2. Personnel Changes
3. Public Records Request Monthly Report
4. 2021-2022 Audit Results
D. Receive As Information
1. Update from Superintendent
F. Unfinished Business
1. Mid-Year Sign-On Bonus
Consideration of a request for the approval of a $2000 mid-year sign-on bonus for teachers hired in January 2023. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence and Exemplary Customer Service/Funding Source: ESSER II, Action 2
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Jill Dyason.
A friendly amendment to approve a $2000 mid-year sign-on bonus for teachers and a $1000 for support staff hired between October 2, 2022, through January 2023. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence and Exemplary Customer Service/Funding Source: ESSER II, Action 2
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Jill Dyason.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Not Present at Vote: Collins
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): External Healthcare Providers
Approval of an MOU template with revisions 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. Strategic Alignment: Employee Development and Recruitment
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard, Tatman
Abstain: Ware-Jackson
Not Present at Vote: Collins
G. Consent Agenda
1. Consent Vote
The following items were approved as part of the Consent Agenda excluding items 5, 6, and 7.
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Connie Bernard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Not Present at Vote: Collins, Tatman
2. Naming of the Tara High Softball Field the "Barry Jackson Field"
Approval of the naming of the Tara High School Softball Field the "Barry Jackson Field."
3. 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
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 (Ms. Hall)
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
11. 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
12. Policy: JGCDA
Approval of School Board policy JGCDA–Narcan Policy.
13. 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.
End of the Consent Agenda Items
5. 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 Connie Bernard, second by Jill Dyason.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Michael Gaudet, Connie Bernard
Not Present at Vote: Collins, Tatman
6. 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 Dadrius Lanus, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Not Present at Vote: Collins, Tatman
7. 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 Connie Bernard, second by Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Not Present at Vote: Collins, Tatman
H. New Business
1. Superintendent Evaluation
Motion to go into executive session to review the Superintendent evaluation.
Motion by Connie Bernard, second by Jill Dyason.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Dyason, Gaudet, Bernard
Abstain: Ware-Jackson
Not Present at Vote: Collins, Tatman
2. Capitol High School Resolution
A friendly amendment to consider the request for the approval of a resolution authorizing the Superintendent and General Counsel, subject to further legal review, to take all necessary actions to establish a Louisiana non-profit organization for the benefit of Capitol High School and to authorize the Superintendent to appoint members of that Board in compliance with state law.
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Not Present at Vote: Collins, Bernard, Tatman
3. J. K. Haynes Charter School-Charter Surrender
Accept the surrender of a charter by the J.K. Haynes Charter School Board.
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Not Present at Vote: Collins, Bernard, Tatman
4. Extension of Board Meeting
Approval of the extension of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Regular Meeting by thirty minutes.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Evelyn Ware-Jackson.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Not Present at Vote: Collins, Bernard, Tatman
5. Pupil Progression Plan-Revised
Approval of the addendum to the 2022-2023 Pupil Progression Plan as required by the Louisiana Department of Education.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Jill Dyason.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Not Present at Vote: Collins, Bernard, Tatman
6. Test Security Policy
Approval of the 2022-2023 East Baton Rouge Parish School System's Test Security Policy.
Motion by Tramelle Howard, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Not Present at Vote: Collins, Bernard, Tatman
7. Property Casualty Insurance RFP Selection
Approval of the recommendation of the committee for the selection of Marsh McLennan Agency/Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Services to provide property and casualty insurance broker services and to authorize the Superintendent and General Counsel to negotiate and execute a contract. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence/Funding Source: General Fund
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Tramelle Howard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Howard, Ware-Jackson, Dyason, Gaudet
Not Present at Vote: Collins, Bernard, Tatman
I. Presentations
1. Litigation Expenses
2. Day of Hope Litigation Update
J. Organizational Items
1. Announcement of Meetings
There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
_______________________________
Sito J. Narcisse, Ed.D.
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board