East Baton Rouge Parish School Board

Special Meeting Minutes

Thursday, January 11, 2024

A. Meeting Opening

1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

The Invocation was led by School Board Member Mark Bellue, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by School Board Member Patrick Martin.

2. Call to Order and Roll Call

The Meeting was called 5o order at 6:03 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, Emily Chatelain, and Patrick Martin.

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; Stacey Dupre, Chief of Support and Special Projects; 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. Election of President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board

Superintendent Narcisse opened the floor for nominations for the position of Board President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.

Shashonnie Steward nominated Dadrius Lanus.

Cliff Lewis nominated Carla Powell.

Mr. Lanus declined the nomination.

Motion to close the floor for nominations for the election of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board President.

Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Patrick Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin

Carla Powell Lewis        8

Votes for: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin

Abstain: Steward

Carla Powell Lewis was elected as the East Baton Rouge School Board President.

2. Election of Vice-President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board

Superintendent Narcisse opened the floor for nominations for the position of Board Vice-President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.

Mark Bellue nominated Patrick Martin.

Michael Gaudet nominated Shashonnie Steward.

Motion to close the floor for nominations for the election of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Vice-President.

Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Patrick Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin

Patrick Martin                5

Bellue, Lewis, Rust, Chatelain, Martin

Shashonnie Steward      4

Lanus, Steward, Gaudet, Powell Lewis

Patrick Martin was elected as East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Vice-President.

3. Community School for Apprenticeship (CSAL) Elementary Contract Extension

Approval of a one-year charter contract extension between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Community School for Apprenticeship (CSAL) Elementary.

Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Cliff Lewis.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin

Not Present at Vote: Rust

4. Inspire Charter Academy Contract Renewal

Approval of the subsequent contract renewal with Inspire Charter Academy.

Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Cliff Lewis.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin

Nay: Steward

Abstain: Lewis

Not Present at Vote: Rust

5. Charter School Application: Louisiana Academy of Production (LAAP)

Motion to accept the recommendation to deny Louisiana Academy of Production (LAAP) application and related matters.

Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Shashonnie Steward.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin

Not Present at Vote: Rust

6. Charter School Application: Third Future Schools

Motion to accept the recommendation to deny Third Future Schools' application and related matters.

Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Shashonnie Steward.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin

Not Present at Vote: Rust

C. Adjournment

There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.

______________________________                              ______________________________

Sito J. Narcisse, Ed.D.                                                  Carla Powell Lewis, M.Ed.

Secretary/Treasurer to the Board                                   School Board President