East Baton Rouge Parish School Board

Special Meeting Minutes

Thursday, January 30, 2025

A. Meeting Opening

1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

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

2. Call to Order and Roll Call

School Board President Shashonnie Steward called the meeting to order at 5:01 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; Gwynn Shamlin Jr., General Counsel; Adam Smith, Deputy Superintendent; Catasha Edwards, Chief Academic Officer; Andrea O’Konski, Chief of Accountability and Assessments; Beanka Williams, Chief Officer-Human Resources; John McCann, Interim Chief Operations Officer; Kelly Lopez, Chief Financial Officer; Laura Williams, Interim Chief of Schools; Stacey Dupre, Chief of Support and Special Projects.

B. Items for Consideration

1. 2024-2025 Amended School Year Calendar

Approval to amend the 2024-2025 school year calendar.

Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Dadrius Lanus.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

2. Subscription: Alliance Technology Group

Accept the subscription with Alliance Technology Group and authorize the Superintendent and General Counsel to negotiate and enter a contract to provide four metal detectors in an amount not to exceed $334,708.44 over a four-year period.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Dadrius Lanus.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

3. Partnership Agreement: Third Future Schools

Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Third Future Schools to operate a school.

Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Carla Powell Lewis.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

4. Partnership Agreement: French and Montessori Education Incorporated d/b/a Audubon Schools

Approval of a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and French and Montessori Education Incorporated d/b/a Audubon Schools) to operate a school.

Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Michael Gaudet.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

C. Next Meeting Dates/Announcements

1. Announcement of Meetings

D. Adjournment