The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board

Special Meeting Minutes

Thursday, July 13, 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 Nathan Rust.

2. Call to Order and Roll Call

The Meeting was called to order at 4:00 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; Amy Jones, Chief Technology Officer; Shenoa Warren, Interim Chief of Literacy, Nichola Hall, Chief of Human Resources; James Crochet, Chief Business Operations Officer; and Randy Morales II, Chief of Plant Operations.

B. Items for Consideration

1. Budget Selection

Motion to select a general fund 4B and special revenue fund budget 4A and to authorize staff to advertise and provide public notice for that budget prior to final approval, as required by law.

Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Shashonnie Steward.

Friendly amendment by Mr. Martin to select the general fund budget version 4B and special fund budget version 4A and to authorize the Board President, with input from the Superintendent and the CFO, to amend and approve changes to the budget prior to publication as needed.

Substitute motion to select Option 2 general fund and special revenue fund budgets.

Motion by Katie Kennison, second by Cliff Lewis.

Final Resolution: Motion Fails

Yea: Powell, Lewis, Kennison

Nay: Bellue, Lanus, Steward, Rust, Gaudet, Martin

Return to the friendly amendment.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Steward, Rust, Gaudet, Martin

Nay: Lewis, Kennison

Abstain: Powell

2. Professional Services Contracts: Empower

Approval of the professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the following:

a) Empower Schools in the amount of $49,500 to provide support and resources to Helix Charter for the implementation phase of the Reimagine Grant

b) Empower Schools in the amount of $80,000 to provide support and resources to Capitol High for the implementation phase of the Reimagine Grant.

c) Empower Schools in the amount of $80,000 to provide support and resources to Baton Rouge Foreign Language Academic Immersion Magnet (BRFLAIM) for the implementation phase of the Reimagine Grant.

d) Empower Schools in the amount of $80,000 to provide support and resources to Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts (BRCVPA) for the implementation phase of the Reimagine Grant.

Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER III, Incentive (Reimagine Grant)

Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Shashonnie Steward.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Nay: Kennison

Not Present at Vote: Rust

3. Professional Services Contract: Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS)

Approval of the professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge and Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) in the amount of $25,000 and $58,000 respectively for the EveryBody Reads and EveryOne Counts Programs. Funding Sources: Title I and General

Motion by Cliff Lewis, second by Carla Powell.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Not Present at Vote: Rust, Gaudet

4. Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire

Approval of the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire as required for the 2022-2023 financial audit of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.

Motion by Shashonnie Steward, second by Patrick Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Not Present at Vote: Rust

5. Litigation

Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Shaneka Hopkins v. Michelle Stevenson, East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, and ACB Insurance Company; Suit No. 719043; Sec.25; 19th JDC; EBR Parish and to provide for related matters.

Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Shashonnie Steward.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Not Present at Vote: Rust

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