East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 8, 2024
A. Meeting Opening
1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
The Invocation was led by School Board Member Nathan Rust, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by School Board Member Emily Chatelain.
2. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by School Board Vice-President Patrick Martin.
Members present were Mark Bellue, Carla Powell Lewis, Cliff Lewis, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Emily Chatelain, and Patrick Martin.
Dadrius Lanus came in after the roll call.
Shashonnie Steward was absent.
B. Unfinished Business
1. Stipend
Accept the LDOE Differentiated Compensation allocation and approve the one-time nonrecurring teacher stipend. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
Motion by Cliff Lewis, second by Carla Powell Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
C. Items for Consideration
1. Graduation Agreements
Approval of an agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the following:
a) Southern University in the amount of $60,500 for the rental of F.G. Clark Activity Center for high school graduations.
b) Louisiana State University in the amount of $55,360 for the rental of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for high school graduations. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence/Funding Source: General Fund
Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Emily Chatelain.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain
Recuse: Martin
2. Professional Services Contract: Youth Educational Services, Inc.
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Youth Educational Services, Inc. (YES) in the amount of $47,925 to provide instruction to ACT classes at Broadmoor High. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement and Development/Funding Source: Title I Schoolwide
Motion by Cliff Lewis, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
3. Policy Revision: Sick Leave Bank
Approval of the following School Board policy revision and related matters: GBRIBB-Sick Leave Bank
Motion by Cliff Lewis, second by Nathan Rust.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
4. Policy and Policy Revisions
Motion to approve the designated policies and policy revisions, but to include a revision to policy BCB – School Board Meeting Rules of Procedure, to allow for a vote of five Board Members to approve any item not receiving a favorable approval of a standing committee, but placed on a regular board meeting agenda for consideration.
a) BBC-Board Committees (new)
b) BCB-School Board Meeting Rules of Procedure (revised)
c) BC-Meetings (revised)
d) BCBA-Notice of School Board Meetings (revised)
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Carla Powell Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
5. Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Anna Suydam v. EBRPSS and Kristy L. Woods, Suit No: 656,588: Section: 25; 19th JDC; Parish of East Baton Rouge, and to provide for related matters.
Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Nathan Rust.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
6. Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Samya Brimmer vs. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, C-703-368, Section 26, 19th JDC, and to provide for related matters.
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Emily Chatelain.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
7. Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Ashley Dewey v. Marie Babin, East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Berkley Insurance Company; Docket No. C-690900, Section 21/D, 19th JDC, Parish of East Baton Rouge, and to provide for related matters.
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Mark Bellue.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
8. Advertising for EBR Superintendent Position
Discussion/Consideration for the advertisement for the position of Superintendent.
Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Cliff Lewis.
Substitute motion to approve the following: a) Board leadership convene a vision planning retreat followed by a series of Board workshops and a series of community engagement meetings across the district between February 2024 and April 30, 2024, holding no less than 4 meetings (3 in person meetings, each held in a different Board district, and one virtual meeting). Each community engagement meeting will allow members of the public to express their perspectives and opinions regarding the district's vision and the superintendent search process.
b) That the goal of these workshops and community engagement meetings be the development of a community vision for our schools and a framework of priorities for the types of schools and students the district should develop, all building on our current foundations and strategic plans;
c) That along with the vision, this work will develop a set of criteria sought in a permanent superintendent for the district;
d) That the vision, framework of priorities, and superintendent criteria be presented to the Board for potential adoption no later than April 30; and
e) That the position of Superintendent will be advertised, based on the adopted vision, framework of priorities, and criteria, for at least 30 days beginning no later than May 6, 2024.
Motion by Carla Powell Lewis, second by Nathan Rust.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
D. Next Meeting Dates/Announcements
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 East Baton School Board President
Rouge Parish School Board
Committee of the Whole