East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, April 20, 2023
A. Meeting Opening
1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
The invocation was led by School Board Member Patrick Martin, and the Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Cadet Second Lieutenant Jada Phenix, Glen Oaks High School, accompanied by Senior Army Instructor Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Ronald T. Mahome.
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, Cliff Lewis, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Katie Kennison, and Patrick Martin.
Shashonnie Steward was absent.
B. Minutes
1. Meeting Minutes
Approval of the School Board minutes of the March 16, 2023, Regular Board meeting and the April 6, 2023, Committee of the Whole meeting as published in the Official Journal.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Nathan Rust.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Kennison, Martin
C. Information Only
1. Monthly Financial Report
2. Personnel Changes
3. Public Records Request Monthly Report
D. Receive As Information
1. Update from Superintendent
F. Unfinished Business
1. Policy: JCDAE-Telecommunications
Consideration of a request for the approval of School Board Policy Policy: JCDAE-Telecommunications and related matters.
Motion by Cliff Lewis, second by Nathan Rust.
Substitute motion to refer the item back to the administration for further study and to bring it back to a committee of the whole meeting at a date to be determined.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Katie Kennison.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Kennison, Martin
2. Policy: KGA-Public Conduct
Consideration of a request for the approval of School Board Policy KGA- Public Conduct on School Property and related matters.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Carla Powell.
Substitute motion to refer the item back to the administration for further study and to bring it back to a committee of the whole meeting at a date to be determined.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Katie Kennison.
Final Resolution: Motion Fails
Yea: Kennison, Martin
Nay: Bellue, Lanus, Powell, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet
Approval of School Board Policy KGA- Public Conduct on School Property and related matters.
Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
Nay: Kennison
3. 2023-2024 School Year Calendar
Consideration of a request for the approval of the 2023-2024 School Year Calendar.
Motion by Cliff Lewis, second by Carla Powell.
A substitute motion to approve the 2023-2024 School Year Calendar and to require the system administration to present at the next Committee of the Whole meeting: (1) all the considerations that go into the development of a calendar and bell schedule and (2) a draft policy for consideration for adoption by the Board setting the criteria which must be met by any school day and/or bell schedule adopted by the Superintendent or principals for the 2023-24 academic year and beyond, with such criteria to be focused on creating the most conducive learning environment possible while also meeting all legal, contractual, and other compliance concerns.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Katie Kennison.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell, Rust, Kennison, Martin
Nay: Lewis, Gaudet
G. Consent Agenda
1. Consent Vote
The following items were approved as part of the Consent Agenda.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Patrick Martin.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Kennison, Martin
2. Grants
Approval of the Special Olympics Louisiana Funding Unified Champion Schools Grant in the amount of $20,500 to build and expand inclusive programming for ESS students.
3. Summer Compensation Modification
Approval to amend the Summer 2023 salary schedule to approve a forty percent increase in compensation of specified Summer part-time employees. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence/Funding Source: Federal & General Fund
4. Summer Compensation Modification: Child Nutrition Program
Approval to amend the Summer 2023 Child Nutrition Program (CNP) salary schedule to approve CNP employees' regular hourly 9-month rate. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence & Exemplary Customer Service/Funding Source: Child Nutrition Program
5. Comprehensive Summer Program: Memorandums of Understanding (MOU)/Professional Services Contracts
Approval of the following complimentary Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) and Contracts for the comprehensive summer program between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the following: a) Big Buddy Program MOU b) Boys and Girls Club Metro Louisiana MOU c) YMCA of the Capital Area MOU and professional services contract not to exceed $94,080 to provide summer enrichment programming. d) BREC MOU and professional services contract not to exceed $76,800 to provide summer recreational programming. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: Title I
6. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): BRAYN
Approval of an MOU between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and BRAYN (Baton Rouge Area Youth Network) to implement a model to strengthen school and community partnerships.
7. Naming of Capitol High School Site
Approval of the recommendation of the naming committee to name the new school located at the Capitol High Site as Capitol High School.
8. Request for Qualifications: Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts
Authorize staff to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to seek proposals to provide Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) services for the Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts tax plan project. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence/Funding Source: Tax Plan
9. Architect Selection: Baton Rouge Center Visual and Performing Arts (BRCVPA)
Approval of the Architectural Selection Committee’s recommendation of RHH/Tipton to provide architectural design consulting services for the Baton Rouge Center of Visual and Performing Arts Project. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence/Funding Source: Tax Plan
10. Professional Services Contract: Great Minds PBC
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Great Minds PBC in the amount of $22,200 to provide professional development sessions in the Eureka Math Squared Algebra I curriculum. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement & Employee Development/Funding Source: ESSER II Math Incentive
11. Professional Services Contract: Literacy
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) in the amount of $231,000 to develop a standard operating process for analyzing district data, improving instructional strategies, and building the capacity of educators. Strategic Alignment: Employee Development/Funding Source: Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant (CLSD)
12. Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the following matters:
a) Vedia Hawkins v. The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Suit No: C-689,380; Section: 23; 19th JDC; Parish of EBR and to provide for related matters.
b) Randolph v. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, et al.; MDLA Docket No. 15-654.
13. Resolution: Magnet Enrollment Application
Adoption of a resolution instructing the Superintendent to conduct a parent/guardian satisfaction survey regarding the magnet enrollment application process beginning with the recently closed 2023-2024 school year.
14. Resolution-Safety and Culture Survey
Adoption of a resolution authorizing a district-wide safety and culture survey.
H. New Business
1. Resolution: Canvassing Returns
Approval to take action with respect to adopting a resolution canvassing the returns and declaring
the results of the special election held in Consolidated School District No. 1 of the Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, March 25, 2023, to authorize the renewal of special taxes therein.
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Patrick Martin.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell, Rust, Gaudet, Kennison, Martin
Not Present at Vote: Lewis
2. Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the following matter: Terry Washington v. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, Case No.: 21-00192-BAJ-RLB; in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana and related matters.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Nathan Rust.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell, Rust, Gaudet, Kennison, Martin
Not Present at Vote: Lewis
I. Presentations
1. Security Plan
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