East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 22, 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 Cadet Sergeant Skyye Williams, Belaire High School, accompanied by Army Instructor, First Sergeant (Retired) William C. Alsobrook Jr.
2. Call to Order and Roll Call
The Meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by School Board President Carla Powell Lewis.
Members present were Mark Bellue, Carla Powell Lewis, Cliff Lewis, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Emily Chatelain, and Patrick Martin.
Shashonnie Stewart came in after roll call.
Dadrius Lanus was absent.
Others present were Adam Smith, Interim Superintendent; Gwynn Shamlin Jr., General Counsel; Laura Williams, Interim Chief of Schools; Andrea O’Konski, Chief of Accountability and Assessments; Amy Jones, Chief Technology Officer; Shenoa Warren, Chief of 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; John McCann, Interim Chief Operations Officer; Randy Morales II, Chief of Plant Operations; Vickey Silas, Deputy Chief of Policy and Implementation; and Marlon Cousin, Interim Administrative Director-Communications and Public Relations.
B. Minutes
1. Meeting Minutes
Approval of the School Board minutes of the January 25, 2024, Regular Board meeting, January 23, 2024, Special Board meeting, and the February 8, 2024, Committee of the Whole meeting as published in the Official Journal.
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Not Present at Vote: Steward
C. Information Only
1. Monthly Financial Report
2. Personnel Changes
D. Receive As Information
1. Update from Superintendent
F. Consent Agenda
1. Consent Vote
The following items were approved as part of the Consent Agenda, excluding item #10.
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain
Recused: Martin
2. Stipend
Accept the LDOE Differentiated Compensation allocation and approve the one-time nonrecurring teacher stipend. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence
3. 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 FG 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
4. 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
5. Policy Revision: Sick Leave Bank
Approval of the following School Board policy revision and related matters: GBRIBB-Sick Leave Bank.
6. Policy and Policy Revisions
Approval of the following policy and policy revisions: 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).
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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.
End of the Consent Agenda Items
10. Advertising for EBR Superintendent Position
Approval of 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 Michael Gaudet, second by Patrick Martin.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
G. Organizational Items
1. Announcement of Meetings
There being no further business, the Board adjourned by acclamation.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Adam Smith Carla Powell Lewis, M.Ed.
Interim Secretary/Treasurer to the Board School Board President