East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, October 19, 2023
A. Meeting Opening
1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
The Invocation was led by School Board Member Patrick Martin, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cadet Major Jeremiah Campbell, Liberty Magnet High School, accompanied by Senior Army Instructor Colonel (Retired) Jona M. Hughes.
2. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by School Board President Dadrius Lanus.
Members present were Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Carla Powell Lewis, Shashonnie Steward, Cliff Lewis, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Emily Chatelain, and Patrick Martin.
B. Minutes
1. Meeting Minutes
Approval of the School Board minutes of the August 17, 2023, and September 28, 2023, Regular Board meeting, as published in the Official Journal.
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Carla Powell-Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
C. Information Only
1. Monthly Financial Report
2. Personnel Changes
D. Receive As Information
1. Update from Superintendent
F. Presentation
1. Magnet Survey Report
G. Unfinished Business
1. Professional Services Contract
Motion to defer the request 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 to the November Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Carla Powell Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
2. Policy Revision: DC – Annual Operating Budget
Consideration of a request for the approval of policy revision DC – Annual Operating Budget. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Patrick Martin
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
3. Policy Revision: EBBC–Emergency/Crisis Management
Approval of policy revision EBBC –Emergency/Crisis Management. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence.
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Patrick Martin.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
4. Policy Revision: GBRIB–Sick Leave
Approval of policy revision GBRIB – Sick Leave. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
5. Litigation
Consideration of a request for the approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Dr. James C. Finney v. Dr. Sito J. Narcisse, et al, Docket No. 733531, Section 24, 19th JDC, State of Louisiana.
Motion by Shashonnie Steward, second by Mark Bellue.
Substitute motion to enter executive session.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Cliff Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Dr. James C. Finney v. Dr. Sito J. Narcisse, et al, Docket No. 733531, Section 24, 19th JDC, State of Louisiana.
Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Rust, Chatelain, Martin
Nay: Gaudet
Abstain: Lewis
H. Consent Agenda
1. Consent Vote
The following items are to be approved as part of the Consent Agenda, excluding items 8 and 9.
Motion by Shashonnie Steward, second by Patrick Martin.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powel Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
2. Grant: Joe Burrow Foundation-DO GOOD
Acceptance of the Joe Burrow Foundation's DO GOOD Grant in the amount of $14,856 for a tutoring program at Twin Oaks Elementary targeting 3rd and 4th grade students. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement
3. Grant: Louisiana Department of Education-CCAP-B-3
Acceptance of the 2023-2024 Louisiana Department of Education CCAP B-3 grant in the amount of $4,353,360 to expand access to early childcare seats for infants to three-years-old. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement.
4. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Early Childhood
Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with selected Type III early learning centers to expand seats for infants to age three children with the Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP) Birth to 3 grant. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: CCAP-B-3/Louisiana State General Funds
5. Professional Services Contract: Louisiana Association of the Deaf/Deaf Focus
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Louisiana Association of the Deaf d/b/a Deaf Focus in the amount of $30,000 to provide sign language services. Strategic Alignment: Exemplary Customer Service/Funding Source: General Fund
6. Professional Services Contract: Instructure, Inc.
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Instructure, Inc. (Canvas) in the amount of $34,768 to provide an instructional technology platform for professional development and resources. Strategic Alignment: Employee Development/Funding Source: General Fund
7. Professional Services Contract: Attuned Education Partners, LLC
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Attuned Education Partners, LLC, in the amount of $120,000 to create a multi-year strategic plan for IDEA Public Schools. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: Strong School Systems Strategic Planning Initiative
10. Property Appraisal-Woodlawn High
Authorizing the Superintendent and staff to purchase an appraisal of property adjacent to Woodlawn High.
11. New Job Descriptions
Approval of the following new job descriptions as referenced in the document " New Job Positions." Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
12. Policy Revision: BCBK–Executive Sessions
Approval of policy revision BCBK – Executive Sessions. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence.
13. Policy Revision: DID–Audits
Approval of policy revision DID – Audits. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
14. Policy: EBCB–Video/Audio Monitoring of School Board Property
Approval of new policy EBCB – Video/Audio Monitoring of School Board Property. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
15. Policy Revision: GBRIC–Maternity and Adoptive Leave
Approval of policy revision GBRIC – Maternity and Adoptive Leave Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
16. Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Gregory Payne vs. The EBRPSB, Berkley Insurance Company, and Lance L. Paterson, Suit No: 637,114; Division: D; 19th JDC; Parish of EBR.
End of the Consent Agenda Items
8. Professional Services Contract: Baton Rouge Youth Coalition
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Baton Rouge Youth Coalition (BRYC) in the amount of $1,500,000 for students to participate in career readiness programs.
Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: General Fund
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Carla Powell Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Nay: Steward, Lewis
9. Contract: Ethics
Consideration of a request for the approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Ethics in the amount of $30,960 to provide athletic shoes and apparel to select schools.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Cliff Lewis.
Substitute motion to defer the request for the approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Ethics in the amount of $30,960 to provide athletic shoes and apparel to select schools to a date not certain.
Motion by Shashonnie Steward, second by Cliff Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Fails
Yea: Steward
Nay: Bellue, Lanus, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Abstain: Powell Lewis
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Ethics in the amount of $30,960 to provide athletic shoes and apparel to select schools.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Abstain: Steward
I. New Business
1. Student Expulsion
Discussion/Consideration of a request to appeal a student expulsion.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Nathan Rust, to hear the appeal at the November Regular Meeting.
2. ITEP Application: Exxon Mobil
Discussion/Consideration of an application from Exxon Mobil Corporation (20230071-ITE) for an Industrial Tax Exemption and related matters.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Mark Bellue.
Motion to extend the meeting to 9:30 p.m.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Shashonnie Steward.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Motion to approve the application from Exxon Mobil Corporation (20230071-ITE) for an Industrial Tax Exemption and related matters.
Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Nay: Steward, Lewis
3. Grant: Fostering Diverse Schools Demonstration
Acceptance of the Fostering Diverse Schools Demonstration Grant -Project SEED (School Empowerment through Economic Diversity) in the amount of $13,214,698 to increase access and equity in diverse and inclusive learning environments at Twin Oaks Elementary, Glasgow Middle, and Broadmoor High and related matters.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Patrick Martin.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
4. Litigation
Motion to defer the discussion/consideration of the acceptance or rejection of an offer of a settlement in the case 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 to a date not certain.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Patrick Martin.
Substitute motion to enter into executive session.
Motion by Shashonnie Steward, second by Carla Powell Lewis.
Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Motion to defer the discussion/consideration of the acceptance or rejection of an offer of a settlement in the case 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 to a date not certain.
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
J. Organizational Items
1. Announcement of Meetings
There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Sito J. Narcisse, Ed.D. Dadrius Lanus, M.Ed. JD
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board School Board President