East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Special Meeting Minutes
Thursday, August 24, 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 was led by School Board President Dadrius Lanus.
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, 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; 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; Randy Morales II, Chief of Plant Operations; and Vickey Silas, Deputy Chief of Policy and Implementation.
B. Presentations
1. Transportation Plan Update
C. Items for Consideration
1. Modify School Start and End Times for 2023-2024
Consideration of a request authorizing the Superintendent to modify the school start and end times for the 2023-2024 school year.
Motion by Cliff Lewis, second by Shashonnie Steward.
Substitute motion to request daily transportation updates from the administration to the Board and the public and to authorize the Superintendent to reinstate the elementary transfer point and develop a plan for school start and end times for the Board's consideration that utilizes the transfer point to minimize adjustments to the typical school start and end times and maintain the number of instructional minutes required by state law and policy.
Motion by Carla Powell-Lewis, second by Nathan Rust.
Friendly amendments by President Lanus and Mr. Martin to the substitute motion to (1) request twice-a-day transportation updates from the administration to the Board and the public, (2) authorize the Superintendent to reinstate the elementary transfer point, and (3) develop a plan for school start and end times for the Board's consideration that utilizes transfer point, collection points, and additional resources to avoid or minimize adjustments to the typical school start and end times, while maintaining the number of instructional minutes required by state law and policy.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Martin
Nay: Bellue, Steward, Gaudet, Kennison
Motion to suspend the rule to allow the meeting to extend past 9:30.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Kennison, Martin
2. Professional Services Contract: Routing Software
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Bus Planner Inc. in the amount of $103,655 to provide transportation software and related services. Funding Source: General Fund
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
Abstain: Powell-Lewis
Not Present at Vote: Kennison
President Lanus requested C4 Stipends be taken out of order, with no objections from the Board.
4. Stipends
Approval of a stipend in the amount of $3,000 for all child nutrition employees.
Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence/Funding Source: General Fund & Child Nutrition
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Carla Powell-Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
Not Present at Vote: Kennison
President Lanus requested C3 Overtime: Mechanics be taken out of order, with no objections from the Board.
3. Overtime: Mechanics
Approval of a call-out rate for bus mechanics in the amount of $40.00 per hour. Funding Source: General Fund
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Carla Powell-Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
Not Present at Vote: Kennison
5. Stipend Payment Schedule
Consideration of a request for the approval of the stipend disbursement schedules for the 2023-2024 school year for all authorized stipends as identified in the attached schedules A & B.
Motion by Cliff Lewis, second by Carla Powell-Lewis.
Substitution motion for the approval of the stipend disbursement schedules for the 2023-2024 school year for all authorized stipends as identified in the attached schedule B for all employees.
Motion by Shashonnie Steward.
Discussion followed.
The motion was withdrawn by the maker.
Approval of the stipend disbursement schedules for the 2023-2024 school year for all authorized stipends as identified in the attached schedules A & B.
Final Resolution: Motion Fails
Nay: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
Not Present at Vote: Kennison
D. Next Meeting Dates/Announcements
There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
_______________________________
Sito J. Narcisse, Ed.D.
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board