East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, January 25, 2024
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 Cadet Second Lieutenant Haley Washington, Broadmoor High, accompanied by her Army Instructor, First Sergeant, Retired Shaun E. Furr.
2. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by Board President Carla Powell-Lewis.
Members present were Mark Bellue, Carla Powell Lewis, Shashonnie Steward, Cliff Lewis, Michael Gaudet, Emily Chatelain, and Patrick Martin.
Dadrius Lanus came in after the roll call.
Nathan Rust was absent.
Others present were Adam Smith, Interim 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; James Crochet, Chief Business Operations Officer; Randy Morales II, Chief of Plant Operations; and Vickey Silas, Deputy Chief of Policy and Implementation.
B. Minutes
1. Meeting Minutes
Approval of the School Board minutes of the December 14, 2023, Regular Board meeting, January 11, 2024, Special Board meeting, and the January 11, 2024, Committee of the Whole meeting as published in the Official Journal.
Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
C. Information Only
1. Monthly Financial Report
2. Personnel Changes
3. Point of Information
Announcement of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Members who have successfully completed annual training for 2023 mandated by Louisiana Revised Statutes, Title 17, Section 53 and the total credit hours received: Mark Bellue (18.75 Hours), Dadrius Lanus (27.5 hours), Carla Powell (22 hours), Cliff Lewis (32 hours), Shashonnie Steward (22.5 hours), Nathan Rust (12.25 hours), Mike Gaudet (17.5 hours), Emily Chatelain (1 hour), Patrick Martin (16 hours).
The following Board Members are recognized as Certified School Board Members for 2023: Dadrius Lanus, Carla Powell, Shashonnie Steward, and Cliff Lewis.
D. Receive As Information
1. Update from Superintendent
F. Presentations
1. DM Group Survey Results
G. Unfinished Business
1. Stipend
Motion to defer the consideration of a request to accept the LDOE Differentiated Compensation allocation and approve the one-time nonrecurring teacher stipend to the February Committee of the Whole. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Cliff Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
H. Consent Agenda
1. Consent Vote
The following items are to be approved as part of the Consent Agenda, excluding item 5.
Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Shashonnie Steward.
The Chair elected to vacate the vote on the consent agenda with no objection from the Board to hear additional public comment, and the vote was retaken.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
6. RFP-Medical Oversight: School Nursing
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
End of the Consent Agenda Items
5. Classroom Renovation Project: BR FLAIM
Motion to approve the 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 and authorize the consideration to utilize the General Fund or other funding source. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: General Fund or other funding source (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
I. New Business
1. ITEP Application: Bopot, LLC
Motion to approve the application from Bopot, LLC (20230245-ITE) for an Industrial Tax Exemption and related matters.
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Dadrius Lanus.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Powell Lewis, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Nay: Lewis
Abstain: Lanus
Not Present at Vote: Steward
2. ITEP Application: BBP Sales, LLC
Motion to approve the application from BBP Sales, LLC (20220326-ITE) for an Industrial Tax Exemption and related matters.
Motion by Emily Chatelain, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Powell Lewis, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Nay: Steward, Lewis
Abstain: Lanus
J. Organizational Items
1. Announcement of Meetings
There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Adam Smith Carla Powell Lewis, M.Ed.
Secretary/Treasurer to the Board School Board President