East Baton Rouge Parish School Board

1-Special Meeting Minutes

Thursday, January 9, 2025

A. Meeting Opening

1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

The Invocation was led by Board Member Mark Bellue, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Board Member Patrick Martin.

2. Call to Order and Roll Call

Superintendent LaMont Cole called the meeting to order at 5:02 PM.

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

Others present were LaMont Cole, Superintendent; Adam Smith, Deputy Superintendent; Catasha Edwards, Chief of Academic Officer; Andrea O’Konski, Chief of Accountability and Assessments; Amy Jones, Chief Technology Officer; Stacey Dupre, Chief of Support and Special Projects; Kelly Lopez, Chief Financial Officer; James Crochet, Chief Business Operations Officer; John McCann, Interim Chief Operations Officer; Randy Morales II, Chief of Plant Operations; Chief Officer-Human Resources.

B. Items for Consideration

1. Election of President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board

Superintendent Cole opened the floor for nominations for the position of Board President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.

Carla Powell Lewis nominated Shashonnie Steward.

Mark Bellue nominated Patrick Martin.

Motion to close the floor for nominations for the election of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board President.

Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Cliff Lewis.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Shashonnie Steward     8

Votes for: Lanus, Powell Lewis, Steward, Lewis, Rust, Gaudet, Soulé, Martin

Patrick Martin                1

Mark Bellue

Emily Soulé                   0

Shashonnie Steward was elected as the East Baton Rouge School Board President.

2. Election of Vice-President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board

Superintendent Cole opened the floor for nominations for the position of Board Vice-President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.

Dadrius Lanus nominated Michael Gaudet.

Patrick Martin nominated Emily Soulé.

Motion to close the floor for nominations for the election of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board President.

Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Carla Powell Lewis.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Michael Gaudet             5

Votes for: Lanus, Powell Lewis, Lewis, Steward, Gaudet

Emily Soulé                   4

Votes for: Bellue, Rust, Soulé, Martin

Michael Gaudet was elected as East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Vice-President.

C. Adjournment

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