East Baton Rouge Parish School Board

Regular Meeting Minutes

Thursday, June 20, 2024

A. Meeting Opening

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

Members present are Mark Bellue, Dadrius Lanus, Carla Powell Lewis, Shashonnie Steward, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Emily Soulé, and Patrick Martin.

Others present were Adam Smith, Interim Superintendent; Gwynn Shamlin Jr., General Counsel; ; Andrea O’Konski, Chief of Accountability and Assessments; Stacey Dupre, Chief of Support and Special Projects; Nichola Hall, Chief of Human Resources; Kelly Lopez, Chief Financial Officer; John McCann, Interim Chief Operations Officer; and Marlon Cousin, Interim Administrative Director-Communications and Public Relations.

B. Minutes

1. Meeting Minutes

Approval of the School Board minutes of the May 23, 2024, Regular Board meeting, the June 6, 2024, Special Board meeting, the June 6, 2024, Committee of the Whole meeting, and the June 6 Ad Hoc Committee meeting as published in the Official Journal.

Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Dadrius Lanus.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

C. Information Only

1. Monthly Financial Report

2. Personnel Changes

D. Receive As Information

1. Update from the Superintendent

2. Update from the Board President

E. Reports from Board Appointees to Committees/Agencies

1. Board Members

F. Unfinished Business

1. 2024-2025 Property and Casualty Insurance Program Policies

Authorize the administration to approve the most cost effective Property and Casualty Insurance Program Policy Renewal package for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and to provide for related matters. (Mr. Crochet)

Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Shashonnie Steward.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Rust, Gaudet, Soulé, Martin

2. Timeline

Motion to approve Option A1 of the revised timeline.

Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Shashonnie Steward.

A friendly amendment to the substitute motion to approve Option A3 (as presented by SSA) of the revised timeline to change June 27th to June 28th at 5:00 PM and to require five votes of the Board to select a Superintendent and to submit names to SSA for community participation by June 25th an to allow executive session on July 11th if necessary.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Mark Bellue.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Bellue, Lanus, Steward, Rust, Gaudet, Soulé, Patrick Martin

Abstain: Powell Lewis

G. Consent Agenda

1. Consent Vote

The following items are to be approved as part of the Consent Agenda.

Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Shashonnie Steward.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

2. Advertising in Official Journal: 2024-2025

Approval to select "The Advocate" as the Official Journal (newspaper advertising) of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System for the fiscal year 2024-2025.

3. Advertising of Bids: 2024-2025

Authorize staff to advertise, receive, and award bids for materials, equipment, supplies, and services, through June 30, 2025, to the lowest responsible bidder/proposer meeting specifications and all state and federal requirements for quotes and formal invitations to bid.

4. Semi Annual Financial Tax Plan Update

Approval of the Actual December 2023 Semi-Annual Financial Tax Plan Update and the 2023-2024 Revised Budgets for propositions 1, 2, and 3. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence

5. Resolution: Reject Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Approval of the resolution authorizing the Board President and the Superintendent to execute and sign all documents to reject Uninsured Motorist Coverage in connection with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System's automobile liability coverage and its Self-Insured Retention Program for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

6. Professional Services Contracts: Exceptional Student Services

Approval of professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the following: a) Deaf Resource Center of Greater Baton Rouge, LLC, in the amount of $80,000 to provide qualified sign language interpreter services to students. Funding Source: IDEA 611 b) Dr. Kashunda L. Williams, LP, BCBA-D, NCSP, Sundry Behavioral Services in the amount of $60,000, to provide applied behavior analysis services. Funding Source: IDEA 611 c) Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College on behalf of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in the amount of $78,450 to provide professional development and specialized support for students with disabilities. Funding Source: Redesign IDEA 611 d) Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College on behalf of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in the amount of $84,000 to provide professional development and specialized support for autism services. Funding Source: Redesign IDEA 611 e) Egan Healthcare Corporation d/b/a Egan-Ochsner HCBS River Parishes in the amount of $198,000 to provide nursing services to students with disabilities. Funding Source: IDEA 611 f) Chase Healthcare in the amount of $93,200 to provide nursing services to students with disabilities. Funding Source: IDEA 611 g) Turner, LLC, in the amount of $1,211,600, to provide nursing services to students with disabilities. Funding Source: IDEA 611 h) Pediatric Services of America, LLC d/b/a Aveanna Healthcare in the amount of $932,000 to provide nursing services to students with disabilities. Funding Source: IDEA 611 Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement

7. Grants: Early Childhood

Approval of the following 2024-2025 Early Childhood Grants: a) Early Childhood Workforce Planning Grant in the amount of $100,000 for workforce planning. b) Early Childhood Ready Start Network Grant in the amount of $100,000 for the Ready Start Initiative. c) Early Childhood Community Network Lead Agency (CNLA) grant in the amount of $356,475 to support the EBR Early Childhood Community Network. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement.

8. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Early Childhood (LA4)

Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board ("Lead Agency") and the following: a) Baton Rouge Ochsner Discovery in the amount of $223,200 b) God's Little Angels Childcare in the amount of $55,800 c) Greater Bridge Academy Childcare in the amount of $111,600 d) Impact Charter School in the amount of $111,600 e) Juz Us Childcare of Baton Rouge in the amount of $111,600 f) Kiddoscope in the amount of $55,800 g) Little Dreamers Academy Childcare in the amount of $111,600 h) South Baton Rouge (SBR) Charter Academy in the amount of $223,200 i) Second Baptist Christian Academy in the amount of $55,800 to expand early childhood seats. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: Cecil J. Picard LA4 Grant

9. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Early Childhood Microcenters

Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board ("Lead Agency") and the following: a) Kidz Karousel at Crestworth Elementary b) Kidz Karousel at Baton Rouge Foreign Language Academic Immersion Magnet (BR FLAIM) c) London Bridge at Westminster Elementary d) London Bridge at Baton Rouge Center Visual & Performing Arts (BRCVPA) e) Little Dreamers at Northeast Elementary to expand early childhood seats. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement

10. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Early Childhood Microcenter (Louisiana's Early Childhood)

Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board ("Lead Agency") and the YWCA at Capitol Elementary in the amount of $309,770 to expand early childhood seats. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: Louisiana's Early Childhood Grant

11. Contract: Genuine Parts Company (d/b/a NAPA Auto Parts)

Approval of a contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Genuine Parts Company d/b/a NAPA Auto Parts to purchase automotive parts and services at a discounted rate.

12. Litigation

Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Tremaine M. Sanders v. Emma Davis, et al., Docket No. 690192, Section 21, 19th Judicial District Court, Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana.

End of Consent Agenda Items

H. New Business

1. 2024-2025 Proposed General Fund Budget

Motion to approve the budget and include a line item allocating an amount to provide for an amendment to the HES contract to provide for a 3% cost of living adjustment.

Motion to approve of the Proposed 2024-2025 General Fund Budget, the Budget Resolution, and the 2024-2025 Salary Schedules.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Dadrius Lanus.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

2. General Fund Reserve Resolution

Friendly amendment to the motion to approve a resolution authorizing the Superintendent to transfer funds resulting from the unassigned General Fund balance in excess of $2 million to a specified reserved account for the assigned use of staff raises and performance stipends effective for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to limit the authorization to a one time transfer of $12 million dollars to an assigned account.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Dadrius Lanus.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

3. 2024-2025 Proposed Special Revenue Fund Budgets

Approval of the 2024-2025 Special Revenue Budgets:

a) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 Adult and Continuing Education
b) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 Baton Rouge High Radio Training Program
c) Proposed 2024-2025 Believe & Prepare Formula Transition
d) Proposed 2024-2025 Career & Technical Education Program (Voc. Ed/Basic Grant for States)
e) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 Child Nutrition Program
f) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 EBR Kick-Off Classic
g) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 EBR Basketball - Red Stick Tourney
h) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 Educational Excellence Fund (EEF)
i) Revised 2023-2024 ESSER III Formula
j) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 Federal Programs (Consolidated)

1) Federal Program - Redesign 1003a
2) Federal Program – Comprehensive Literacy State Development B-5
3) Federal Program – Comprehensive Literacy State Development 6-8
4) Federal Program – Comprehensive Literacy State Development 9-12
5) Federal Program – Comprehensive Literacy State Development K-5
6) Federal Program – Comprehensive Literacy State Development UIN K-5
7) Federal Program – Comprehensive Literacy State Development UIN 6-8
8) Federal Program – Comprehensive Literacy State Development UIN 9-12
9) Title I
10) Title II
11) Title III
12) Title III Immigrant
13) Title IV
14) Title IX – McKinney Vento Homeless
15) Real Time Early Access to Literacy

k) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 Gates Foundation
l) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 21st Century Community Learning Center
m) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 High School Summer School
n) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 ICARE Program 710
o) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 ICARE COVID-19 Workforce Grant
p) Revised 2023-2204 and Proposed 2024-2025 IDEA 611
q) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 IDEA Preschool 619
r) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 ERAA Athletics
s) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 JRAA Athletics
t) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 Project S.E.E.D.
u) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 Middle School Summer School
v) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 Music Instrument User Fees
w) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 All Parish Music Concerts
x) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 Proposition 2 – Tax Plan
y) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 Proposition 3 – Tax Plan
z) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 Pre-K – Early Childhood

1) Early Childhood – LA4
2) Early Childhood – Ready Start Network CCAP B-3
3) Early Childhood – Ready Start Network CCDBG
4) Early Childhood – Ready Start Network PDG
5) Early Childhood – Ready Start Network CCDF
6) Early Childhood – Lead Agency CCDF
7) Early Childhood – Lead Agency SGF
8) Early Childhood – Guides PDG
9) Early Childhood – Believe Cat 2 PDG
10) Early Childhood – Believe Cat 4
11) Early Childhood – Guides CCDF
12) Early Childhood – 8g

aa) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 School Activity Accounts
bb) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 Summer Arts Enrichment Program
cc) Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 Gifted Summer Camp Program
dd) Proposed 2024-2025 General Fund Reserve Budget
ee) Proposed 2024-2025 Project Redstick (Redefining Educational Development of Students to Teach, Inspire and Connect Knowledge

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Emily Soulé.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

4. Student Expulsion

Discussion/Consideration of a request to appeal a student expulsion.

Motion by Emily Soulé, second by Patrick Martin.

The appeal will be heard at the July Regular Board Meeting.

5. Student Expulsion

No motion received.

6. Student Expulsion

Discussion/Consideration of a request to appeal a student expulsion.

Motion by Shashonnie Steward, second by Dadrius Lanus.

The appeal will be heard at the July Regular Board Meeting.

7. Student Expulsion

No motion received.

8. Student Expulsion

No motion received.

9. Student Expulsion

Discussion/Consideration of a request to appeal a student expulsion.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Emily Soulé.

The appeal will be heard at the July Regular Board Meeting.

Motion to set aside policy to allow the meeting to extend beyond 9:30 PM.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Dadrius Lanus.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

10. Appeal Hearing-Student Expulsion

Motion to enter into executive session to hear an appeal.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Nathan Rust.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Motion to affirm the Superintendent's recommendation for a student expulsion.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Dadrius Lanus.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

11. Appeal Hearing-Student Expulsion

No motion received.

12. Appeal Hearing-Student Expulsion

Motion to enter into executive session to hear an appeal.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Shashonnie Steward.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Motion to modify the Superintendent's recommendation for a student expulsion allowing the student to return on the first day of school for the 2024-2025 school year with a behavior modification contract.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Emily Soulé.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

I. Organizational Items

1. Announcement of Meetings

J. Adjournment

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