East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes
Thursday, January 11, 2024
A. Meeting Opening
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
The Meeting was called to order at 7:57 PM by School Board Vice-President Patrick Martin.
Members present were Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Carla Powell Lewis, Shashonnie Steward, Cliff Lewis, Michael Gaudet, Emily Chatelain, and Patrick Martin.
Nathan Rust was absent.
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; 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; Vickey Silas, Deputy Chief of Policy and Implementation; and Ben Lemoine, Administrative Director-Communications Division.
B. Items for Consideration
1. Professional Services Contract: ResourceFull Consulting, LLC
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and ResourceFull Consulting, LLC in the amount of $45,000 to implement strategies and activities of a comprehensive year two plan to expand seat access for children under the age of five. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: Ready Start Network CCFD
Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Nay: Steward
2. Professional Services Contract: Amira Learning, Inc.
Approval of a professional service contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Amira Learning, Inc in the amount of $380,987 to provide content support in English Language Arts and improve alignment with state standards using a technology platform. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER III Incentive
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
3. Professional Services Contract: Riverside Insights
Approval of a professional service contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Riverside Insights in the amount of $49,425 to provide universal screenings to identify gifted students. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER III
Motion by Cliff Lewis, second by Emily Chatelain.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
4. Classroom Renovation Project: BR FLAIM
Authorization to design, advertise, accept, and award the contract for construction to the lowest bidder and complete construction of the classroom renovations at BRFLAIM for approximately $2,000,000 and provide for related matters. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: General Fund (Physical Plant Operations Budget)
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Shashonnie Steward.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
5. RFP-Medical Oversight: School Nursing
Motion to authorize the Superintendent and staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for qualified medical oversight: school nursing and for related matters. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence/Funding Source: General Fund
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Cliff Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
C. Next Meeting Dates/Announcements
1. Announcement of Meetings
D. Adjournment
There being no further business, the Committee of the Whole adjourned by acclamation.
______________________________ ______________________________
Sito J. Narcisse, Ed.D. Carla Powell Lewis, M.Ed.
Secretary/Treasurer to the East Baton School Board President
Rouge Parish School Board
Committee of the Whole