East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Special Meeting: Charter Renewals Minutes
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
A. Meeting Opening
1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
The Invocation was led by School Board Vice-President Carla Powell, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by School Board Member Cliff Lewis.
2. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by School Board President Dadrius Lanus.
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, Stacey Dupre, Chief Officer for Support and Special Projects; Kelly Lopez, Chief Financial Officer; and James Crochet, Chief Business Operations Officer.
B. Receive as Information
1. Update(s) from the Superintendent
C. Items for Consideration
1. BASIS Materra Charter School Contract Renewal
Motion to approve the recommendation of the Superintendent for the initial renewal of the contract with BASIS Materra Charter School for four years.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Nathan Rust.
Substitute motion to approve the recommendation of the Superintendent for the initial renewal of the contract with BASIS Materra Charter School for four years with the provision that BASIS and EBR staff report back to the Board at the April COW a review of plans and progress toward achievement of each and every category where a "Does Not Meet" was earned in the recent evaluation, where there is a disagreement between the BASIS and EBR systems, that report to include progress toward agreement on the definition and measurement of all items with the further condition that no final contract shall be approved before each agreement is reached.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
Nay: Kennison
2. South Baton Rouge Charter Academy Contract Renewal
Motion to approve the recommendation of the Superintendent for the subsequent renewal of the contract with South Baton Rouge Charter Academy for three years with the provision that Baton Rouge Charter and EBR staff report back to the Board at the April COW a review of plans and progress toward achievement of each and every category where a "Does Not Meet" was earned in the recent evaluation, where there is a disagreement between the South Baton Rouge Charter Academy and EBR systems, that report to include progress toward agreement on the definition and measurement of all items with the further condition that no final contract shall be approved before each agreement is reached.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Shashonnie Steward.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
Nay: Kennison
3. IDEA Innovation Public Schools Contract Renewal
Motion to approve the recommendation of the Superintendent for the initial renewal of the contract with IDEA Innovation Charter School for three years with the provision that IDEA Innovation Charter and EBR staff report back to the Board at the April COW a review of plans and progress toward achievement of each and every category where a "Does Not Meet" was earned in the recent evaluation, where there is a disagreement between the IDEA Innovation Charter and EBR systems, that report to include progress toward agreement on the definition and measurement of all items with the further condition that no final contract shall be approved before each agreement is reached.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Patrick Martin.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
Nay: Kennison
4. IDEA Bridge Public Schools Contract Renewal
Motion to approve a one-year extension of the contract with IDEA Bridge Charter School with the provision that IDEA Bridge Charter and EBR staff report back to the Board with a quarterly review starting with the April COW a review of plans and progress toward achievement of each and every category where a "Does Not Meet" was earned in the recent evaluation, where there is a disagreement between the IDEA Bridge Charter and EBR systems, that report to include progress toward agreement on the definition and measurement of all items.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Mark Bellue.
Substitute motion to approve the initial renewal of the contract with IDEA Bridge Charter School for three years with the provision that IDEA Bridge Charter and EBR staff report back to the Board at the April COW a review of plans and progress toward achievement of each and every category where a "Does Not Meet" was earned in the recent evaluation, where there is a disagreement between the IDEA Bridge Charter and EBR systems, that report to include progress toward agreement on the definition and measurement of all items with the further condition that no final contract shall be approved before each agreement is reached.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Nathan Rust.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
Nay: Steward, Kennison
5. The Emerge School For Autism Contract Renewal
Motion to approve the initial renewal of the contract with The Emerge School for Autism Charter School for three years with the provision that The Emerge School for Autism Charter School staff and EBR staff report back to the Board at the April COW a review of plans and progress toward achievement of each and every category where a "Does Not Meet" was earned in the recent evaluation, where there is a disagreement between The Emerge School for Autism Charter and EBR systems, that report to include progress toward agreement on the definition and measurement of all items with the further condition that no final contract shall be approved before each agreement is reached.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Nathan Rust.
Substitute motion to approve the initial renewal of the contract with The Emerge School for Autism for 5 years.
Motion by Katie Kennison, second NONE.
The motion dies for a lack of a second.
Return to the main motion.
Discussion followed.
6. Extension of Board Meeting
Approval of the extension of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Regular Meeting by thirty minutes to 9:30 pm.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Kennison, Martin
The meeting returned to the main motion for item C5 “The Emerge School For Autism Contract Renewal”
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Kennison, Martin
D. Next Meeting Dates/Announcements
1. Announcement of Meetings
There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
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Sito J. Narcisse, Ed.D.
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board