East Baton Rouge Parish School Board

Special Meeting Minutes

Thursday, January 5, 2023

A. Meeting Opening

1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

The Invocation was led by School Board Member Michael Gaudet and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by School Board Member Dadrius Lanus.

2. Call to Order and Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Superintendent Narcisse.

Members present were Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Carla Powell, Shashonnie Steward, Cliff Lewis, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Katie Kennison, and Patrick Martin.

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, Kelly Lopez, Chief Financial Officer; James Crochet, Chief Business Operations Officer.

B. Items for Consideration

1. Election of President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board

Superintendent Narcisse opened the floor for nominations for the position of Board President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.

Dadrius Lanus was nominated by Carla Powell.

A motion was offered to close nominations for the position of Board President.

Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Patrick Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Gaudet, Kennison, Steward, Martin, Lewis, Powell, Rust

Dadrius Lanus was elected as the East Baton Rouge School Board President.

Votes For: Bellue, Lanus, Gaudet, Kennison, Steward, Martin, Lewis, Powell, Rust

2. Election of Vice-President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board

President Lanus opened the floor for nominations for the position of School Board Vice-President.

Michael Gaudet was nominated by Mark Bellue.

Patrick Martin was nominated by Nathan Rust.

Carla Powell was nominated by Shashonnie Steward.

A motion was offered to close nominations for the position of Board Vice-President.

Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Michael Gaudet.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Gaudet, Kennison, Steward, Martin, Lewis, Powell, Rust

The vote on the nominees was as follows:

Carla Powell                 3

Powell, Steward, Kennison

Michael Gaudet 2

Vote For: Belleu, Gaudet

Patrick Martin    4

Vote For: Lewis, Rust, Martin, Lanus

Per policy, no Board member received 5 votes so the vote continued with the two highest candidates Carla Powell and Patrick Martin.

Carla Powell                 5

Vote For: Bellue, Powell, Steward, Gaudet, Kennison

Patrick Martin    4

Vote For: Lewis, Rust, Martin, Lanus

Carla Powell was elected as the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Vice-President.

C. Next Meeting Dates/Announcements

There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.

_______________________________              

Sito J. Narcisse, ED.D

Secretary/Treasurer to the Board