East Baton Rouge Parish School Board

Regular Meeting Minutes

Thursday, August 15, 2024

A. Meeting Opening

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

School Board President Carla Powell Lewis called the meeting to order at 5:32 PM.

Members present were Mark Bellue, Carla Powell Lewis, Cliff Lewis, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, and Patrick Martin.

Shashonnie Steward came in after the roll call.

Dadrius Lanus and Emily Soulé were absent.

B. Minutes

1. Meeting Minutes

Approval of the School Board minutes of the July 18, 2024, Regular Board meeting, the July 23, 2024, Special meeting, and the July 24, 2024, Special Board meetings, as published in the Official Journal.

Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Nathan Rust.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Bellue, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin

C. Information Only

1. Monthly Financial Report

2. Personnel Changes

D. Receive As Information

1. Update from Superintendent

2. Update from Board President

F. Presentations

1. BRAYN

G. Unfinished Business

Board President Carla Powell Lewis requested that items be taken out of order with no objection from the Board. Item G1 Deputy Superintendent Contract will be taken after the Consent Agenda.

2. Professional Services Contract: Kids' Orchestra

Amendment to motion to approve a professional services contract, option 2, as reflected in Board backup between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Kids' Orchestra in the amount of $310,000 to provide services for the Kids' Orchestra after-school program for 2024-2025 with the addition of a request to Kids' Orchestra to present a proposal as a Special Meeting prior to the September Committee of the Whole expanding option 1 to add additional schools. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: General Fund/ESSER & Fine Arts (General Fund)

Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Michael Gaudet.

Substitute motion to defer the consideration of a request for the approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Kids Orchestra in the amount of $210,000 to provide services for the Kid's Orchestra after-school program for 2024-2025 to the September Regular meeting. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: General Fund/ESSER & Fine Arts (General Fund)

Motion by Cliff Lewis, second by Patrick Martin.

The substitute motion was withdrawn.

Return to the amended motion.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Bellue, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin

Board President Carla Powell Lewis requested items I2 Resolution: Adjusted Millage Rate and I3 Resolution: Roll Forward Millge be taken out of order with no objection from the Board.

I 3. Resolution: Roll Forward Millage

Consideration and adoption of a resolution to set forth the adjusted millage rates after reassessment and roll forward the millage to rates not to exceed the prior year's maximum millage for the tax year 2024."

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Cliff Lewis.

The motion was withdrawn.

Table the item with no objection from the Board.

I 2. Resolution: Adjusted Millage Rates

Motion to adopt the resolution to adjust millage rates for the tax year 2024.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Nathan Rust.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

I 3. Resolution: Roll Forward Millage

Motion to adopt a resolution to set forth the adjusted millage rates after reassessment and roll forward the millage to rates not to exceed the prior year's maximum millage for the tax year 2024.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Cliff Lewis.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Bellue, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Gaudet, Martin

Nay: Rust

3. Professional Services Contract: City Year

Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and City Year, Inc. in the amount of $650,000 to provide high-dose tutoring and family engagement support. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: Title I ($200,000)/General Fund ($450,000)

Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Mark Bellue.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Bellue, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin

Not Present at Vote: Powell Lewis

4. Agreement for Services: Center for High School Success

Approval of an agreement for services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Center for High School Success (SCLC) in the amount of $214,332 to provide training, support, and resources. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER (Ms. Williams)

Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Michael Gaudet.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

5. Memorandum of Understanding: 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, LTD.

Motion to defer the request for the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge LTD. in the amount of $100,000 to provide financial literacy to date not certain. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: General Fund

Motion by Cliff Lewis, second by Patrick Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

6. Contract Amendment: HES

Motion to defer the discussion/Consideration of the approval of a request from HES Facilities Management of a contractual increase of $960,000 based on the Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 4% to begin in the school year 2024-2025 to a date uncertain.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Nathan Rust.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Board President Carla Powell Lewis requested that item G1 Deputy Superintendent Contract be taken out of order (prior to G7 & G8 Litigation). With no objection from the Board items will be taken in the following order of G7 Litigation, G8 Litigation, Consent Agenda, G1 Deputy Superintendent Contract, and then any items pulled from the Consent Agenda.

7. Litigation

Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Michelle Caldwell, et al v. East Baton Rouge Parish School System, et al, and to provide for related matters.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Michael Gaudet.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

8. Litigation

Approval of the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Henry McKnight v. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board & Dudley Tillman; Suit No. 7734395; Sec. 24; 19th JDC; EBR Parish and to provide for related matters.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Shashonnie Steward.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

H. Consent Agenda

1. Consent Vote

The following items are to be approved as part of the Consent Agenda, excluding item 10.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Michael Gaudet.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Bellue, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Martin

Nay: Steward

2. Hourly Rate-University Students

Discussion/Consideration of a request to approve a maximum hourly rate of $20.00 for university students seeking professional credentials in areas of employment working extended day school-based programs.

3. Grants: Early Childhood

Approval of the following 2024-2025 Early Childhood Grants: a) Early Childhood Education Fund in the amount of $154,885 to increase early childhood seats for children birth to three years old. b) Family Engagement and Leadership Planning in the amount of $100,000 to support strategic planning for early childhood family engagement. c) 2024-2025 Louisiana Early Educator Investment Collaborative Grant in the amount of $50,000 to gather and analyze data from early educators regarding inadequate compensation and benefits in early childhood programs. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement

4. Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire

Approval of the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire as required for the 2023-2024 financial audit of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.

5. Approval of Fiscal Agent Contract: Capital One

Approval of the Fiscal Agent contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Capital One Bank for a two-year optional extension beginning October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2026.

6. 2024-2025 Salary Schedule Amendment: Registered School Nurses

Amend the 2024-2025 salary schedule to increase the part-time rate for registered school nurses from $18.00 per hour to $35.00 per hour. Strategic Alignment: Operational Excellence & Exemplary Customer Service

7. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Junior Achievement

Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Junior Achievement of Greater Baton Rouge in the amount of $90,500 to provide support services for students. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER

8. Professional Services Contract: Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge

Approval of the following professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge in the amount of $65,000 to provide professional development and arts infusion. (Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER

9. Professional Services Contract: Manship Theatre

Approval of the following professional services contracts between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Douglas Manship, Sr. Theater Complex Holding, Inc. (Manship Theater) in the amount of $43,655 to provide four touring productions for select schools. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER

11. Professional Services Contract: Studyville

Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Studyville in the amount of $75,000 to provide tutoring services. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER

11. Professional Services Contract: Baton Rouge Youth Coalition (BRYC)

Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Baton Rouge Youth Coalition (BRYC) in the amount of $794,519.31 for students to participate in college and career readiness programs. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: General Fund

12. Professional Services Contact: Everyday Labs

Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and EveryDay Labs in the amount of $ 221,558.97 to support student attendance Strategic Alignment: Exemplary Customer Service/Funding Source: ESSER III Incentive

13. Professional Services Contract: Amplify

Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Amplify in the amount of $237,248.00 to support K-4 literacy assessments and intervention. Strategic Alignment: Academic Achievement/Funding Source: Federal Funds

14. Professional Services Contract: Renaissance Learning

Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Renaissance Learning in the amount of $165,158.07 to support a data analytics platform and early warning systems. Strategic Alignment: Academic Achievement/Funding Source: ESSER/EEF

15. Professional Services Contract: Dreambox Learning

Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Dreambox Learning in the amount of $399,984.93. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: General Fund

End of the Consent Agenda

Request to take item I 1 out of order with no objection from the Board.

I 1. Budget Revision: Child Nutrition

Approval of the Revised 2023-2024 and Proposed 2024-2025 Child Nutrition Program budgets for compliance with Louisiana Revised Statute 39:1310 and Louisiana Revised Statute 39:1311.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Mark Bellue.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Motion to extend the meeting to 9:30.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Cliff Lewis.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

G 1. Deputy Superintendent Contract

Motion to approve the Deputy Superintendent employment contract.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Shashonnie Steward.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Bellue, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Gaudet, Martin

Abstain: Rust

H 10. Professional Services Contract: English Learners Engage

Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and English Learners Engage in the amount of $58,800 to provide support and professional development on school improvement best practices. Strategic Alignment: Student Achievement/Funding Source: Redesign

Motion by Michael Gaudet, second by Cliff Lewis.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Abstain: Lewis

J. Organizational Items

1. Announcement of Meetings

K. Adjournment

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