East Baton Rouge Parish School Board

Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes

Thursday, March 13, 2025

A. Meeting Opening

1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

The Invocation was led by School Board Member Powell Lewis, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by School Board Member Cliff Lewis.

2. Call to Order and Roll Call

Board Vice-President Gaudet called the meeting to order at 5:03 PM.

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

Dadrius Lanus came in after the roll call.

Patrick Martin was absent.

Others present were LaMont Cole, Superintendent; Adam Smith, Deputy Superintendent; Gwynn Shamlin Jr., General Counsel; Catasha Edwards, Chief Academic Officer; Amy Jones, Chief Technology Officer; Andrea O’Konski, Chief of Accountability and Assessments; Lisa Smothers, Chief Officer-Human Resources; James Crochet, Chief Business Operations Officer; John McCann, Interim Chief Operations Officer; Kelly Lopez, Chief Financial Officer; Laura Williams, Chief of Schools; Kwesi Gilbert, Chief of Plant Operations; and Stacey Dupre, Chief of Support and Special Projects.

B. Information Only

1. Fiscal Transparency Report

C. Receive as Information

D. Items for Consideration

1. Broadmoor Middle Site

Approval for the use of the Broadmoor Middle Site as an Esports and Athletic Facility on the Broadmoor Middle site.

Motion by Dadrius Lanus, second by Shashonnie Steward.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

2. School Relocation: McKinley High

Approval to relocate McKinley High School to the Kenilworth Middle School site for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years.

Motion by Shashonnie Steward, second by Cliff Lewis.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

3. Demolition of Arlington Preparatory Academy

Authorize for staff to advertise, accept the low bid, meeting specifications, and make the award of contract for demolition of Arlington Preparatory Academy, 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 Shashonnie Steward, second by Emily Soulé.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

4. Job Descriptions

Approval of the following job descriptions:

a) Literacy Mentor

b) Master Teacher

c) Executive Master Teacher

d) Mentor Teacher

Motion by Carla Powell Lewis, second by Cliff Lewis.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

5. Resolution: Millage

Adoption of a Resolution for the purpose of levying millages effective on the 2025 Assessment Roll as required by law by June 1, 2025.

Motion by Shashonnie Steward, second by Nathan Rust.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Not Present at Vote: Lanus

6. Graduation Agreements

Approval of an agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the following:

a) Southern University in the amount of $68,490 for the rental of FG Clark Activity Center for high school graduations.
b) Louisiana State University in the amount of $58,000 for the rental of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for high school graduations.
c) Premier Production & Sound Services, LLC (PSS) in the amount of $62,800 to provide audio and video for graduation live streaming. Funding Source: General Fund

Motion by Shashonnie Steward, second by Dadrius Lanus.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

7. Inter-Governmental Agreement: Baton Rouge Police Department

Approval of an Inter-Governmental Agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the Baton Rouge Police Department in an amount not to exceed the Board approved $42 per hour to provide one full-time School Resource Officer at McKinley High School. Funding Source: General Fund

Motion by Shashonnie Steward, second by Emily Soulé.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Not Present at Vote: Powell Lewis

8. Right-of-Way Instrument: Entergy Louisiana, LLC

Approval of a Right-of-Way Agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Entergy Louisiana, L.L.C. in the amount of $22,800 to provide utility services at the rear of the Crestworth Elementary.

Motion by Nathan Rust, second by Shashonnie Steward.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

9. 2025-2026 Board Meeting Calendar

Approval of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board meeting schedule for the 2025-2026 school year.

Motion by Shashonnie Steward, second by Carla Powell Lewis.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

E. Next Meeting Dates/Announcements

1. Announcement of Meetings

F. Adjournment

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