East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Committee of the Whole Minutes
Thursday, August 3, 2023
A. Meeting Opening
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
The Meeting was called to order at 5:45 PM by School Board Vice-President Carla Powsell-Lewis.
Members present were Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Carla Powell-Lewis, Shashonnie Steward, Cliff Lewis, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, and Patrick Martin.
Katie Kennison was absent.
Others present were Sito Narcisse, Superintendent; Gwynn Shamlin Jr., General Counsel; Caron Smith, Chief of Staff; 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; Shenoa Warren, Chief of Academics and Literacy, Stacey Dupre, Chief of Support and Special Projects; Nichola Hall, Chief of Human Resources; Kelly Lopez, Chief Financial Officer; James Crochet, Chief Business Operations Officer; and Randy Morales II, Chief of Plant Operations.
B. Items for Consideration
1. Grant
Acceptance of the Deborah Rochelle Teacher Grant from the Kelly G. Cook Foundation for six teachers for a total of $25,170 to provide for classroom projects. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Cliff Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
2. 2023-2024 Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook & Discipline Policy
Approval of the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook and Discipline Policy for the 2023-2024 school year for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System with noted changes. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
Motion by Shashonnie Steward, second by Cliff Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
3. Pupil Progression Plan
Approval of the 2023-2024 school year district Pupil Progression Plan. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
4. Extern Agreement
Approval of an amendment to the Extern Agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College not to exceed $220,000 to extend the agreement for one year to provide up to 9 externs. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: General Fund
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Nathan Rust.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet
Recuse: Martin
5. Memorandums of Understanding (MOU): Dual Enrollments
Approval of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the following:
a) Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) to provide dual enrollment courses for the 2023-2024 school year.
b) Louisiana State University (LSU) to provide dual enrollment courses for the 2023-2024 school year.
c) Louisiana State University at Alexandria (LSUA) to provide dual enrollment courses for the 2023-2024 school year.
d) Louisiana State University at Eunice (LSUE) courses for the 2023-2024 school year.
e) Southern Univeristy to provide dual enrollment courses for the 2023-2024 school year.
Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: SCA
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Shashonnie Steward.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet
Recuse: Martin
6. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Future Scholars Program
Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College to implement the LSU Future Scholars Program (LSUFS). Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Shashonnie Steward.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet
Recuse: Martin
7. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Community Based Behavioral Health Agencies
Approval of the following Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and:
a) Care One Health dba Peak Behavioral Health
b) Focused Family Services, LLC
c) Hope Community Services, Inc
d) Louisiana Empowerment Services
e) New Horizons Behavioral Health Center
f) NIALife Center for Counseling, LLC
g) Restore Outreach Center, LLC
h) Seaside Health Care INC dba Cognitive Development Center
to provide on-sight school base behavioral health services. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Nathan Rust.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
8. Professional Services Contract: Board of Supervisors of LSU and Agricultural and Mechanical College
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the Board of Supervisors of LSU and Agricultural and Mechanical College on behalf of Louisiana State University Health Science Center in the amount of $70,750 to provide professional learning and specialized support for autism services. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: IDEA 611
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Shashonnie Steward.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet
Recuse: Martin
9. Professional Services Contract: Illuminate
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Illuminate (also known as Renaissance Learning) in the amount of $204,646 to implement eduClimber data platform services. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER II
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
10. Professional Services Contract: ReThinkEd
Motion to send the consideration of a request for the approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and ReThinkEd in the amount of $175,000 to support social-emotional learning to the full Board without recommendation. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement & Employee Development/Funding Source: ESSER III, Action 2
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Shashonnie Steward.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
11. Professional Services Contract: Amira Learning, Inc.
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Amira Learning, Inc. in the amount of $141,000 to provide ESL instructional support. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER III Incentive
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
Not Present at Vote: Powell-Lewis
12. Professional Services Contracts: Fine Arts
Approval of the following professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and:
a) Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge in the amount of $130,000 to provide arts integration and education and residencies/performances for schools.
b) Douglas Manship, Sr. Theater Complex Holding, Inc. (Manship Theater) in the amount of $91,594 to provide four touring productions for select schools.
c) Kids' Orchestra in the amount of $250,000 to provide after school enrichment and orchestral instruction program for K-8 students. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/
Funding Source: General Fund
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
13. Professional Services Contract: LetServe, LLC
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and LetServe in the amount of $95,000 to facilitate and monitor student community service. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER III, Incentive
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Shashonnie Steward.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
Nay: Lewis
14. Professional Services Contract: Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana (APEL)
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana (APEL) in the amount of $67,158 to provide professional development for content leaders. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement & Employee Development/Funding Source: Redesign
Motion by Shashonnie Steward, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet
Not Present at Vote: Martin
15. Professional Services Contract: City Year, Inc.
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and
City Year, Inc. in the amount of $480,000 to provide instructional support. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: Title I
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Cliff Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
16. CMAR Selection: Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts (BRCVPA) Project
Approval of the recommendation of the CMAR selection committee of Ratcliff-VPG to provide construction management at risk (CMAR) services for the BRCVPA project. Strategic Alignment: Exemplary Customer Service/Funding Source: Tax Plan
Motion by Cliff Lewis, second by Patrick Martin.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Martin
Not Present at Vote: Gaudet
17. Westdale Middle School Property/Servitude Appraisal
Authorize the Superintendent to purchase an appraisal of one acre of land on the southwest portion of the Westdale Middle School property.
Motion by Shashonnie Steward, second by Cliff Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
18. McKinley Middle Right of Way Sale
Accept the appraisal of parcels 8-3 and 11-1-D-1 identified as "Appraisal Report - Form C -State Project Number H.004100" and to authorize the Board President and General Counsel to execute all documents related to a final sale of the identified parcels.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Patrick Martin.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
19. Mileage Rate Increase
Approval to increase the travel mileage rate for employees, not including Board members, from the current rate of 50 cents per mile to the current federal rate of 65 cents per mile.
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Patrick Martin.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
20. Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Randolph v. East Baton Rouge Parish School, et al. Middle District of Louisiana Docket No. 15-654: U.S. Fifth Circuit Docket No. 23-30222.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Shashonnie Steward.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
C. Next Meeting Dates/Announcements
1. Announcement of Meetings
There being no further business, the Committee of the Whole adjourned by acclamation.
______________________________
Sito J. Narcisse, Ed.D.
Secretary/Treasurer to the East Baton
Rouge Parish School Board
Committee of the Whole