East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, March 21, 2024
A. Meeting Opening
1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
The Invocation will be led by School Board Member Cliff Lewis, and the Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Cadet Private First Class Jaylah Mark, Liberty Magnet High School accompanied by Army Instructor, Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Curtis Davis Jr.
2. Call to Order and Roll Call
The Meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by School Board President
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 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 February 22, 2024, Regular Board meeting, the March 7, 2024, Special Board meeting, and the March 7, 2024, Budget & Finance Committee, Operations Committee, and the Academics, Accountability, Curriculum, Instruction & Student Services Committee meetings as published in the Official Journal.
Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Cliff Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
C. Information Only
1. Monthly Financial Report
2. Personnel Changes
D. Receive As Information
1. Update from Superintendent
F. Unfinished Business
1. 2024-2025 School Calendar
Motion for the approval of the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar A.
Motion by Cliff Lewis, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
G. Consent Agenda
1. Consent Vote
The following items are to be approved as part of the Consent Agenda, excluding item #5.
Motion by Emily Chatelain, second by Cliff Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
2. Professional Services Contract: Inspir-ED Consulting, LLC
Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Inspir-ED Consulting, LLC in the amount of $64,000 to provide professional development for the Diocese of Baton Rouge Summer Leadership Summit. Funding Source: Title II Non-Public
3. Litigation
Resolution: Consideration of a request for the approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Indrea King vs. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Lamel Franklin, Suit No. 721850, Section 21, 19th Judicial District Court, Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana.
4. Litigation
Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Cheryl Cloud vs. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board d/b/a East Baton Rouge Parish School System, et al: Suit No. 721,624, Section 27, 19th JDC, EBR Parish
6. Elementary School In the Southern Part of the EBR School District Tax Plan Project
Authorize the Superintendent and staff to: a) Approve the selection committee's recommendation for Lincoln Builders Inc. to provide Construction Management at Risk (CMaR) services for the new elementary school in the southern part of the East Baton Rouge Parish School District; b) Upon completion of pre-construction services by the selected Construction Manager at Risk, to further authorize the program manager to negotiate a final guaranteed maximum price (GMP) with the Construction Manager at Risk within the project’s budget, and c) Award the contract to the selected CMaR for completion at the negotiated GMP or, should an acceptable GMP not be reached, bid the project in accordance with Louisiana public bid law (La. Revised Statute Title 38, Chapter 10). Strategic Alignment: Exemplary Customer Service/Funding Source: Tax Plan
7. Land Purchase
Approval of the appraisal of a one-acre tract of land identified as 8110 & 8150 Antioch Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 70817, and to authorize the Board President and General Counsel to execute all documents related to the final purchase of the identified property. Strategic Alignment: Exemplary Customer Service/Funding Source: General Fund
8. Policy: Fiscal Transparency
Approval of School Board policy DAB-Fiscal Transparency and related matters.
9. Policy: Professional Services Procurement
Approval of the amendment of School Board policy EH-Professional Services Procurement and related matters.
End of the Consent Agenda Items
5. Naming of the Broadmoor High School Football Stadium the “Rusty Price Stadium”
Naming the Broadmoor High School Football Stadium the “Rusty Price Field.” Strategic Alignment: Employee Development
Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Cliff Lewis.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
H. New Business
1. Settlement
Motion to enter into executive session to discuss the offer of settlement of all claims including the matters entitled “DAL Docket No. 2023-13878-DOE-IDEA” and “DAL Docket No. 2023-14766-DOE-IDEA” re: Ira Wray and Mary-Patricia Wray, et al.
Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Michael Gaudet.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Rust, Gaudet, Chatelain, Martin
Not Present at Vote: Lewis
I. Organizational Items
1. Announcement of Meetings
J. Adjournment
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