East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 28, 2023
A. Meeting Opening
1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
The Invocation was led by School Board President Dadrius Lanus, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cadet Corporal Amiyah Thomas, Scotlandville Magnet High School, accompanied by Army Instructor, Sergeant First Class (Retired) Ronald F. Kennedy.
2. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 5:02 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, and Patrick Martin.
Emily Chatelain joined the meeting after being sworn in.
Others present were Sito Narcisse, Superintendent; Gwynn Shamlin Jr., General Counsel; Caron Smith, Chief of Staff; Arcelius Brickhouse Jr., Chief of Schools; Andrea O’Konski, Chief of Accountability and Assessments; 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 Ben Lemoine, Administrative Director-Communications Division.
B. Minutes
1. Meeting Minutes
Approval of the School Board minutes of the following meetings as published in the Official Journal: a) July 20, 2023, Regular Meeting; b) July 31, 2023, Special Meeting; c) August 3, 2023, Special Meeting; d) August 3, 2023 Committee of the Whole Meeting; e) August 24, 2023, Special Meeting; f) September 7, 2023, Special Meeting; g) September 7, 2023 Committee of the Whole.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Nathan Rust.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
C. Information Only
1. Monthly Financial Report
2. Personnel Changes
D. Receive As Information
1. Update from Superintendent
E. Reports from Board Appointees to Committees/Agencies
F. Stand Alone
1. Policy Revision: ABCDA-Unexpired Term Fulfillment
Approval of the policy revisions to the School Board policy ABCDA-Unexpired Term Fulfillment.
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
2. Declaration of Vacancy/Call for Special Election
Declaration of vacancy and to call for a special election pursuant to law and to provide for related matters.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Cliff Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
3. Appointment
Candidates Emily Chatelain, Steve Crump, Jenny Hastings, and Michael Hendrick addressed the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
President Lanus opened the floor for nominations for the District 8 vacancy.
Emily Chatelain was nominated by Carla Powell-Lewis.
Jenny Hastings was nominated by Cliff Lewis.
A motion was offered to close the floor for nominations.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Shashonnie Steward.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
The votes on the nominees were as follows:
Emily Chatelain 6
Vote For: Bellue, Lanus, Powell-Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, and Martin
Jenny Hastings 2
Vote For: Steward, Lewis
Emily Chatelain was elected to fill the temporary vacancy in District 8.
G. Presentation
The DM Group presentation was pulled by Dr. Narcisse.
H. Unfinished Business
1. Professional Services Contract: ReThinkEd
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. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement & Employee Development/Funding Source: ESSER III, Action 2
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Nay: Rust
Not Present at Vote: Lanus
2. Professional Services Contract
A friendly amendment by Ms. Steward to defer the request to the October Regular Meeting to authorize the Superintendent to enter into a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and an appropriate and qualified firm in an amount not to exceed $95,000 to provide a review of the Board’s fiscal policies and practices for both the general fund and the special funds (to include interviews with board members and key stakeholders, a board workshop focused on the FY ‘23 budget and collection of public input) and make recommendations to streamline the Board’s operating procedures in such a way as to increase financial transparency, accountability, meaningful public engagement, and long-range budget planning, as well as, to the extent possible, assist with the initial implementation of those policies and procedures such that may be approved and adopted by the Board. Funding Source: General Fund
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Nathan Rust.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Not Present at Vote: Lanus
I. Consent Agenda
1. Consent Vote
The following items are approved as part of the Consent Agenda excluding item #9.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Powell-Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Not Present at Vote: Lanus, Steward
2. LDOE Stipend Distribution
Approval of the distribution of the LDOE certified and support staff stipends for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
3. Grant-State of Louisiana, Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health
Approval of the acceptance of a grant from the State of Louisiana, Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health in the amount of $1,505,000 to expand, train, and sustain a response-ready public health workforce and related matters.
4. Grant-Louisiana Kids Matter Campaign
Approval of the acceptance of a literacy grant from the Louisiana Kids Matter Campaign in the amount of $700,000 to receive tutoring through Booknook for the 2023-2024 school year and related matters.
5. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Open Health Care Clinic
Approval of an MOU between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and HIV/AIDS Alliance for Region Two, Inc. (HAART) dba Open Health Care Clinic (OHCC) to provide on-site health and behavioral health services and mobile clinical health services to students and staff at mutual agreed upon EBRPSS sites. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
6. Professional Services Contract: Nearpod, Inc.
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Nearpod, Inc. in the amount of $206,450 to provide an interactive digital platform. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: General
7. Professional Services Contract: Notable, Inc. (Kami)
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Notabel, Inc. (Kami) in the amount of $76,822 to provide an online annotation system. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: General Fund
8. Professional Services Contract: Capital Area Human Services District
Approval of the professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the Capital Area Human Services District in the amount of $280,000 to provide behavioral health and support services. Strategic Alignment: Academic Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER III Incentive
10. Professional Services Contract: District Management Group, LLC
Approval of professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the District Management Group, LLC for the following: a) Breakthrough Results (BTR) Program for 25 elementary school-based teams to focus on improving proficiency in early literacy in the amount of $245,875. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement and Employment Development/Funding Source: General Fund
b) Breakthrough Results (BTR) Program to focus on improving culture and climate in the amount of $49,375. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement, Operational Excellence, and Employee Development/Funding Source: General Fund
11. Professional Services Contract-Studyville
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Studyville in the amount of $75,000 to provide tutoring services. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: General Fund.
12. Policy and Policy Revisions
Approval of the following policies and policy revisions: a) BCAD - Teleconference/Remote Participation in School Board Meetings b) BCB - School Board Meeting Rules of Procedure c) DJD - Expense Reimbursement d) EDCB - Carpool and Bus Line Safety e) IDCJ - Continuous Learning f) JB - Attendance g) JBD - Student Absences and Excuses Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
13. Policy Revision: EBBB School and Student Safety
Approval of policy revision EBBB - School and Student Safety. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
End of the Consent Agenda Items
9. 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 Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College on behalf of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in the amount of $68,875 to provide professional learning services for specialized supports and services for students with disabilities. Strategic Alignment: Employee Development/Funding Source: Redesign IDEA 611
Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Cliff Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Powell-Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain
Not Present at Vote: Lanus, Steward
J. New Business
1. Human Resources Policies
Consideration of a request for the approval of the following policies and policy revisions:
a) EEA-Good Food Purchasing Policy
b) JGB-School Wellness and Initiative Local School Policy (LWP)
c) EBR School Immigration Policy
Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Cliff Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Powell-Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin
Not Present at Vote: Lanus, Steward, Chatelain
2. Prorated Transportation Stipends
Approval of the transportation staff stipends to be prorated on a percentage basis, depending upon the employee's hire date. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence/Funding Source: General Fund.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Patrick Martin.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Powell-Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Patrick artin
Not Present at Vote: Lanus, Steward
3. Cooperative Endeavor Agreement: Housing Authority of East Baton Rouge Parish
Consideration of a request for the approval of a cooperative endeavor agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and the Housing Authority of East Baton Rouge Parish for the use of a tract of property to support the Choice Neighborhood Initiative, such endeavor to include provisions by the Housing Authority for afterschool enrichment and tutoring services, job training and employment opportunities, physical and mental health services and conflict resolution for the benefit of residents of the Ardenwood Village community and construction of roads and sidewalks improvements that will provide safe access for students and faculty attending Melrose Elementary School and Capitol Middle School.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Nathan Rust.
A friendly amendment by Mr. Gaudet to approve a cooperative endeavor agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and the Housing Authority of East Baton Rouge Parish for the use of a tract of property to support the Choice Neighborhood Initiative, such endeavor to include provisions by the Housing Authority for afterschool enrichment and tutoring services, job training and employment opportunities, physical and mental health services and conflict resolution for the benefit of residents of the Ardenwood Village community and construction of roads and sidewalks improvements that will provide safe access for students and faculty attending Melrose Elementary School and Capitol Middle School giving Superintendent and staff the authority to amend the title description if needed and include a 20-year time limit upon the donation.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Not Present at Vote: Lanus
4. Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Chastity L. Pattan, Individually and on behalf of minors (names redacted) v. Henry Wallace and The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Suit No. 665,549: Sec. 24; 19th JDC, EBR Parish and to provide for related matters.
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Patrick Martin.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Chatelain, Martin
Not Present at Vote: Lanus, Gaudet
5. Litigation
Discussion of information related to the matter of Singleton, Kees, Nyman, and Finney versus East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Suit Number C-719057, Division 30, 19th Judicial District Court, and to provide for related matters.
Motion to enter into executive session.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Not Present at Vote: Lanus
6. Resolution
Approval of an amended resolution regarding the retention of Phelps Dunbar, LLP as special counsel for the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and related matters.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Cliff Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Powell-Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Not Present at Vote: Lanus
K. Organizational Items
1. Announcement of Meetings
There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Sito J. Narcisse, ED.D Dadrius Lanus,
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board School Board President