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| This report is created by Ken Ducote and Rose Drill-Peterson on behalf of the Eastbank Collaborative of Charter Schools
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Greetings!
The Orleans Parish School Board held a Public Hearing to receive input on a proposed Roll Forward of its 2013 Millage Rates and on two internet use policy amendments at 4 p.m. on May 15, 2012, in the Auditorium of McDonogh #35 High School, 1331 Kerlerec Street. After the Public Hearing, the Board held its monthly Business Meeting.
The agendas and back-up documentation for the Public Hearing and the Business Meeting can be read here.
***This email is created by Ken Ducote and Rose Drill-Peterson on behalf of the Eastbank Collaborative of Charter Schools and is not an official correspondence from the Orleans Parish School Board*** |
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The Board received public input on proposed changes; no action taken until Business Meeting
- Proposed resolutions for consideration:
- Resolution 10-12: To set forth and designate the adjusted millage rate on all the property subject to taxation in Orleans Parish
- Resolution 11-12: To set forth and designate the adjusted millage rate and the increased millage levy at the maximum authorized millage on all property subject to taxation in Orleans Parish
- CFO Stan Smith made a presentation on the matters related to the resolutions, which can be reviewed here
- Tax estimates are pending final assessment figures expected in Fall 2012, and per-pupil estimates are pending actual enrollment next year
- Tax estimates are gross, subject to reductions for Assessor's fees and City collection fees
- Traditionally, 85-90% of levied taxes are collected in the first year
- Net impact of roll forward will be $100 to $120 per student, OPSB and RSD, direct-run and charter
- The increase from the roll forward would be mainly in Proposition B, which was dedicated by voters for programs in early childhood education, discipline, and drop-out prevention
- A smaller increase will be realized in Proposition A for books, materials and supplies
- Estimated distribution: 9.5% for Orleans direct-run and 17.5% for Orleans charters
- Estimated distribution: 73% for RSD direct-run, RSD charters, and charges for Orleans students in BESE charters, state-run special schools, voucher students, etc.
- Public input in support of resolutions:
- Eleven persons including representatives from Recovery School District, EducateNow, Cowen Institute, Stand for Children, Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans, Choice Foundation, and several charter boards
- Summary of supportive comments on the need for the roll-forward funds:
- Needed to sustain recent progress
- Students need more support programs due to poverty, homelessness, violence, etc.
- Needed to attack dropout problem
- Fund balances should only be used for one-time needs and not recurring needs
- State MFP funding has not risen in the last three years
- Utilities, insurance, retirement and other costs continue to rise
- Books and equipment need to be kept current
- Money has been well-spent
- Public input in opposition of resolutions:
- Nine persons either spoke in opposition or turned in written statements opposing the resolutions
- Summary of comments in opposition to resolutions:
- Opposed to funds going to RSD or other non-OPSB schools
- Want more oversight and accountability
- Funds proposed were too little, although needed
- Post-Katrina taxes are too high
- Opposed to Teach for America teachers
- Opposed to past layoffs of OPSB teachers
- Opposed to fees for City and Assessor
Policy Amendments
- Proposed amendments to current OPSB policies:
- E522-Computer and Internet Use for Employees
- I809- Computer Access and Use for Students
- OPSB IT Executive Director Peggy Abadie summarized changes:
- Changed guidelines from "should" to "shall" to require compliance
- Extends guidelines to cover all uses on OPSB network regardless of equipment or access
- Prohibits cyber-bullying
- Only one public comment was offered, and it was generally supportive
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| Superintendent's Agenda
Received information from the Administration and took action as indicated
Presentations
Received information; recognized students and teacher indicated
- District Student of the Year Finalists
- Elementary - Amaris Rachael Lewis of Franklin ES
- Middle - Josephine Margerite Lavoie of Audubon Charter ES
- High - Jennifer Young Tu of Franklin Charter HS
- District / Regional Teacher of the Year Finalist
- Janine Murry of Lusher Charter ES
- Architecture, Construction & Engineering (ACE) Mentorship Program
- Mentors HS students pursuing careers in design and construction
- Partnership of schools with private sponsors, such as F H. Myers Construction Co. and Billes Architecture
- Students and partners from ADEP HS were recognized
- Perfect Attendance Automobile Winner
- Sponsored by Premier Automotive Group
- Sixth Year of Stay in School Program, read more at http://www.premierstayinschool.org/
- For HS seniors with perfect attendance in 12th grade - 59 eligible in 2011-2012
- Winner of Scion car this year is Chante' Robinson of N. O. Charter Science and Math HS
- Service Employees International Union (delegation)
- Represents cafeteria and custodial workers
- Presented grievances against RSD vendors about work hours and layoffs
Human Resources
Received recommendations from Administration; took action as indicated
- Routine Personnel Actions
- Approved routine leaves of absence, returns from leave, name changes, terminations and retirements
- Appointments of Certified and Classified Employees
- Written agenda contained a recommendation that Budget Director Wayne DeLarge be appointed as Comptroller replacing Tim Russell, who is retiring
- The recommendation was not presented at the meeting by the Administration, nor acted upon by OPSB.
Committee Reports
Received reports from Committee Chairpersons and approved Consent Agenda OPSBrief on this month's Committee meetings can be read here
Committee Reports Received reports from Chairpersons on this month's meetings - Accountability Committee
- Property Committee
- Policy Committee
- Legal and Legislative Committee
- Budget and Finance Committee
Consent Agenda Received, reviewed and approved items recommended by Budget and Finance Committee - Apple iPad2 Computers & Accessories for Various Schools for Exceptional Children's Services
- Apple Inc. - State contract - $109,540.90
- Renewal of Application Service Provider for Oracle 11i Business Suite
- 41 months for $197,006.75
- Third Party Contractor, Title I Services for Non-Public Schools
- Catapult Learning LLC , Learn It Systems, LLC, Non-Public Educational Services, Inc., and Sylvan Learning Center - 2 years - ($9,140.204.00)
- Third Party Contractor, Title II Services for Non-Public Schools
- Catapult Learning LLC and Non-Public Educational Services, Inc. - 2 years - $2,768,790.00
- Amend Third Party Contract to Provide Title I Supplemental Educational Services for Eligible Students Enrolled in Private Schools
- Catapult Learning LLC ($5,362,973.83 amended total) and Non-Public Educational Services, Inc. ($349,653.59 amended total)
- Amend Third Party Contract to Provide Title II Supplemental Educational Services for Eligible Students Enrolled in Private Schools
- Catapult Learning LLC ($1,688.034.09 amended total) and Non-Public Educational Services, Inc. ($42,459.39 amended total)
- Renovations and Repairs to Benjamin Franklin Senior High School
- Pete Vicari General Contractor LLC - $898,800.00 - out of 13 bidders
- Renewal of MAI Real Estate Appraisal Services
- Thoreen Advisory Group LLC - $115,000 - 25 appraisals at average cost of $ 4600 each
Action Items Discussed the items and took action as indicated
Nomination and Appointment of Interim Superintendent - Nominations were made as follows:
- By Board Member Bonin, current CFO Stan Smith
- By Board Member Cade, 10 current and former OPSB administrators
- A lengthy discussion ensued on process, policies, qualifications, etc. for nominating candidates and selecting Interim Superintendent
- A motion to defer selection and refer process to HR for vetting those and/other candidates failed
- Board elected Stan Smith as Interim Superintendent
- Vote was 5 yeas, 0 nays, 2 abstentions
Deputy Superintendent for Charter Schools - Created the position, approved qualifications and duties for the position, and appointed current Executive Director of Charter Schools Kathy Padian for the position
- Vote was 4 yeas and 3 nays
- Lengthy discussion prior to vote on necessity, process, policies, qualifications, timing, etc. for the position
- Established salary of the position at $145,000 annually
- Vote was 4 yeas and 3 nays
- Lengthy discussion prior to vote on appropriateness of salary
- Lengthy discussion of whether or not a racial disparity in executive salaries was being created without considering responsibilities, qualifications and length of service
- Directed General Counsel to seek opinion of Attorney General on legal issues associated with Board appointing Deputy Superintendent on its own without going through Superintendent
- Vote was 4 yeas and 3 nays
Millage Roll Forward Resolutions - Adopted Resolution 10-12: To set forth and designate the adjusted millage rate on all the property subject to taxation in Orleans Parish
- Adopted Resolution 11-12: To set forth and designate the adjusted millage rate and the increased millage levy at the maximum authorized millage on all property subject to taxation in Orleans Parish
- The vote on each resolution was 5 yeas and 2 nays
Employee Notification of Reasonable Assurance of Employment for the 2012-2013 Academic Year - Approved issuance of such letters to academic year employees expected to be employed next school year
- Required by law to exempt the employees from unemployment insurance payments during the summer
Textbook Adoption - Approved the adoption of Music textbooks for next school year
Calendar at a Glance - Approved the proposed calendar for next school year
Technology Plan for 2012-2015 - Approved the plan
- Increases training for leadership and use of technology
Policy Amendments - Deferred Amended Policy E522 - Computer and Internet Use for Employees
- Deferred Amended Policy I809 - Computer Access and Use for Students
Capital Projects Budget Amendment #7 - Adopted amendment increasing McMain Renovation budget by $1,573,537 for stairs to meet Life Safety egress requirements
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This service is made possible by a Community IMPACT 2011 Grant from the Greater New Orleans Foundation.
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