East Baton Rouge Parish School

Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes

Thursday, February 6, 2025

A. Meeting Opening

1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

The Invocation was led by School Board Member Nathan Rust, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by School Board Member Emily Soulé.

2. Call to Order and Roll Call

Vice-President Gaudet called the Meeting to order at 5:01 PM.

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

Dadrius Lanus came in after the roll call.

Carla Powell Lewis was absent.

Others present were LaMont Cole, Superintendent; Adam Smith, Deputy Superintendent; Gwynn Shamlin Jr., General Counsel; Andrea O'Konski, Chief of Accountability and Assessments; Amy Jones, Chief Technology Officer; Stacey Dupre, Chief of Support and Special Projects; Beanka Williams, Interim 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; and Catasha Edwards, Chief of Academics.

B. Fiscal Transparency Report

1. Fiscal Transparency Report

C. Information Only

1. School Presentation

2. Update-OT/PT Provider Selection

D. Unfinished Business

1. 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 not certain.

Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Patrick Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

E. Items for Consideration

1. Extern Agreement: Louisiana State University

Motion to approve an amendment to the Extern Agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College not to exceed $115,919 to extend the agreement for one year to provide up to 9 externs. Funding Source: General Fund

Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Nathan Rust.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Recuse: Martin

2. Grant: Real-time Early Access to Literacy (REAL)

Motion to accept the Real-time Early Access to Literacy (REAL) Grant and approval of the related budget in the amount of $192,750 to provide effective literacy tutoring, training, and support and related matters.

Motion by Cliff Lewis, second by Emily Soulé.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

3. Grant: Academic Distinction Fund (ADF)

Motion to accept the Academic Distinction Fund (ADF) grant in the amount of $15,000 to build a playhouse at Southdowns Pre-K Center.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Emily Soulé.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

4. Professional Services Contract: K12 Insights

Motion to approve a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and K12 Insights in the amount of $190,000 to provide a cloud-based platform to enhance customer service.

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Cliff Lewis.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

5. Professional Services Contract: Bailey Education Group, LLC

Motion to approve a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Bailey Education Group, LLC in the amount of $107,800 to provide professional development and coaching sessions for special education teachers and administrators. Funding Source: Redesign

Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Dadrius Lanus.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

6. Professional Services Contract: Amplify Education Inc.

Motion to approve a professional services contract between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Amplify Education Inc. in the amount of $288,400 to provide coaching for teachers on science resources in CIR and UIR schools. Funding Source: Redesign

Motion by Patrick Martin, second by Emily Soulé.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Not Present at Vote: Gaudet

7. RFP E-Rate Selection

Motion to accept the RFP Committee recommendation and to authorize the Superintendent and staff to negotiate and execute a contract between East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Lockstep Group dba Transformyx to provide E-Rate qualified services and equipment as specified in the related Request for Proposals.

Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Nathan Rust.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

8. 2025-2026 School Year Calendar

A friendly amendment to send the consideration of a request for the approval of the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar to the full Board without recommendation.

Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Patrick Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

9. Demolition of Banks Elementary

Motion to authorization for staff to advertise, accept the low bid, meeting specifications, and make the award of contract for demolition of Banks Elementary School, as specified in the "A Plan to Improve Facilities/Technology, Discipline, and Compensation in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System" (the "Plan") as revised through February 22, 2018, or reject any and all bids for just cause in accordance with the Louisiana Public Bid Law.

Motion by Cliff Lewis, second by Patrick Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

10. Litigation

Motion to approve the recommendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Counsel, EBRPSB, in the matter of: Nina Dillon v. EBR Parish School Board and Vincent Woodard, Docket No. 735131, Division O, 19th Judicial District Court of East Baton Rouge Parish and to provide for related matters.

Motion by Mark Bellue, second by Nathan Rust.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

F. Next Meeting Dates/Announcements

1. Announcement of Meetings

G. Adjournment

There being no further business, the Committee of the Whole adjourned by acclamation.