East Baton Rouge Parish School
Regular Meeting
Thursday, July 20, 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 led by Cadet Captain Dawson Woods, Liberty Magnet High, accompanied by his Senior Army Instructor, Colonel (Retired) Jona M. Hughes.
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-Lewis, Cliff Lewis, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Katie Kennison, and Patrick Martin.
Shashonnie Steward was absent.
Others present were Sito Narcisse, Superintendent; Gwynn Shamlin Jr., General Counsel; Monique Scott-Spaulding, Chief Operations Officer; Arcelius Brickhouse Jr., Chief of Schools; Andrea O’Konski, Chief of Accountability and Assessments; Amy Jones, Chief Technology Officer; Stacey Dupre, Chief of Support and Special Projects; Nichola Hall, Chief of Human Resources; and James Crochet, Chief Business Operations Officer.
B. Minutes
1. Meeting Minutes
Approval of the School Board minutes of the June 15, 2023, Regular Board meeting, June 29, 2023, Special Board meeting, as published in the Official Journal.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Patrick Martin.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, 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. Presentations
1. Achieve3000 Presentation
2. Center for High School Success
3. ANET
G. Unfinished Business
1. Professional Services Contract: Achieve 3000
Approval of the professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Achieve 3000 in the amount of $1,391,090 to provide a literacy web-based supplemental program and professional development. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER III, Action 2
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
Nay: Powell-Lewis, Kennison
Abstain: Lewis
2. Professional Services Contract: Dreambox
Approval of a professional services contract in the amount of $491,530 to provide a digital mathematics program. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER III, Action 2
Motion by Cliff Lewis, second by Nathan Rust.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
Nay: Kennison
Abstain: Powell-Lewis
3. Alternative Schools
Approve the following modifications to the alternative education program:
a) Close EBR Readiness Middle School at the Beechwood campus.
b) Expand the EBR Readiness Elementary School grade configuration from K-5 to K-7.
c) Expand the EBR Readiness High School grade configuration from 9-12 to 8-12. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement
Motion by Carla Powell-Lewis, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Fails
Yea: Mark Bellue, Michael Gaudet
Nay: Dadrius Lanus, Cliff Lewis, Nathan Rust, Katie Kennison, Patrick Martin
Abstain: Carla Powell-Lewis
H. Consent Agenda
1. Consent Vote
The following items are to be approved as part of the Consent Agenda, excluding items 3 and 7.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
2. Policy: KF-Use of School Facilities
Approval of policy KF-Use of School Facilities.
4. Grants: Early Childhood
Approval of the following 2023-2024 Early Childhood grants: a) Student Enhancement Block (8g) in the amount of $388,235. b) Community Network Lead Agency in the amount of $408,181.43 c) Believe! in the amount of $732,154 d) Ready Start Networks in the amount of $522,412 e) Early Childhood Guides in the amount of $200,000 Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement
5. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Early Childhood (B-3)
Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board ("Lead Agency") and the following: a) Kidz Karousel at Crestworth Elementary in the amount of $195,000 b) London Bridge at Westminster Elementary in the amount of $63,000 c) Little Dreamers at Northeast Elementary in the amount of $63,000 to expand early childhood seats. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: Preschool Development Grant (PDG), Birth to 3 (B-3), Seats Bridge Funding
6. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Early Childhood (LA4)
Resolution: Consideration of a request for the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board ("Lead Agency") and the following: a) South Baton Rouge (SBR) Charter Academy in the amount of $223,200 b) Impact Charter School in the amount of $111,600 c) Juz Us Childcare of Baton Rouge in the amount of $111,600 d) Greater Bridge Academy Childcare in the amount of $111,600 e) God's Little Angels Childcare in the amount of $55,800 f) Little Dreamers Academy Childcare in the amount of $50,220 to expand early childhood seats. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: Preschool Development Grant (PDG), Birth to 3 (B-3), Seats Bridge Funding
End of the Consent Agenda Items
3. Superintendent Contract Negotiation
Move to approve the request to authorize the Board President and Vice President to begin discussions with Dr. Narcisse and negotiating attorney regarding the terms of a contract to replace the current contract that exists between Dr. Narcisse and the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and, in lieu of the authorization to appoint a group of up to four (4) Board members to review all details of the contractual negotiations, to further authorize the Board President and Vice President to consult with individual Board members regarding the negotiation of terms related to the contract.
Such negotiations may only begin after the holding of a Board Workshop, the purpose of which is to come to a set of priorities, including annual and long-term performance objectives for the Superintendent, to be contained in such a contract proposal. The Board Workshop shall be held at any time at the pleasure of the Board President, but no later than August 5, 2023. No recommendations regarding a proposed contract shall be made to the Board until final approval of the 2023-2024 General Fund Budget and 2023-2024 Special Fund Budget by the Board.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Nathan Rust.
Meeting Extension
Motion to extend the meeting by thirty minutes to 9:30.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Nathan Rust.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Katie Kennison, Patrick Martin
Return to the item Superintendent Contract Negotiation.
Discussion followed.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
Nay: Kennison
7. Healthcare and Ancillary Benefits Plans
Approval/Authorize of the following
a) Proposed 2024 Healthcare rates for active Employees, non-Medicare, and Medicare-eligible retirees participating in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana administered medical plans for Core, Buy-Up, and Community Blue.
b) Proposed $0 Primary Care Physician (PCP) copay incentive added for active, non-Medicare, and Medicare-eligible retirees participating in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana administered medical plans for Core, Buy-Up, and Community Blue effective October 1, 2023 (estimated 90 day implementation after Board approval by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana).
c) Authorize the Superintendent to negotiate and execute the 2023 contract for stop loss insurance coverage.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Nathan Rust.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Kennison, Martin
I. 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