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This report is created by Ken Ducote and Rose Drill-Peterson on behalf of the Eastbank Collaborative of Charter Schools 

Greetings!

The Board conducted a Public Hearing to discuss and to receive public comments on the following amendments to existing Board policies:

• G737 - Reduction in Force (amendment to current policy)
• C306 - School Principals / Building Administrators (amendment to current policy)
• G734 - Tenure (amendment to current policy)
• G748 - Sabbatical Leave (amendment to current policy)
• G751 - Sick Leave (amendment to current policy) 

The amendments were proposed in order to conform to new state laws. There was general discussion of the items, but no public comments were given.

Superintendent's Agenda

Presentations

Received and discussed information and recognized contributions to School District 

• Premier Stay In School Program RE: Perfect Attendance Annual Car Giveaway
  • Deferred - representative not available
• Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA)
• Proposed partnership among LRA, Leah Chase family and McDonogh 35 HS
• Would create commercial teaching kitchen and restaurant business elective courses
• Proposal will come back to Board
• OPSB Collection at UNO
• Presentation by Dr. Al Kennedy of UNO on OPSB Archives within UNO library (4th floor)
• Archives contains minutes, reports, documents, photos, papers, files, plans, etc.
• Includes items since founding of OPSB in 1841
• Individuals, schools, and organizations urged to deposit photos, papers, documents, etc. to preserve the record of the service of schools to the community
• Materials used routinely by researchers, authors, presenters, attorneys, FEMA, etc.
• Gold Award of Distinction
• Gold Award in the Healthier US School Challenge as part of "Let's Move" initiative
• Won by schools participating in partnership of OPSB Child Nutrition Department, School Principals, School Team Nutrition and Wellness Committees.
• Due to accomplishments through education, nutritious foods, healthy beverages, and physical activities
• Winners include the following:
• Charter ES: Audubon, Einstein, Hynes, Lusher, McDonogh City Park, McDonogh 42, Moton, Singleton
• Direct-run ES: Franklin, Bethune, M. Jackson
• Child Nutrition Director Rosie Jackson recognized for contributions
• Ron Leone Retirement
  • Recognized retiring Staff Architect Ron Leone for his 30 years of service to the OPSB
  • Was instrumental in reopening schools after Hurricane Katrina
  • Won BGR's Merit Award for Excellence in Government for his role in air-conditioning the schools
  • Retirement is a loss not only of service but also of institutional memory

Discussion Item

Discussed item pending before Board

• Superintendent Search
  • Board retreat will be held on date TBD to plan search and define characteristics desired for new superintendent

Committee Reports

Received reports from Committee Chairpersons and approved Consent Items as indicated

Committee Reports

Activities of Board Committees over past two months

• Accountability Committee
• Property Committee
  • Additional discussion on need for RSD to expedite stabilization repairs at Einstein ES
• Legal and Legislative Committee
• Policy Committee
• Announcement of DBE Orientation at SUNO Gym on Saturday 9/22/12 (Click here for more information Link to yesterday's brief)
• Budget and Finance Committee
• More details of FY 2013 Budget to be posted on website soon

Consent Agenda

Received recommendation of Administration and took action as indicated 

• Mahalia Jackson School Office Space Conversion (Revised)
  • Approved contract award by public bid - E.T.I. Incorporated - $335,500
  • Revision of preliminary recommendation at Budget & Finance Committee Meeting
  • Under state law, 4 of the 6 bidders were "non-responsive"
  • State law grants little or no discretion to Board in waiving technicalities
  • Project converts several offices at the school into classrooms to serve more students

Action Items

Received, reviewed and approved recommendations from Administration

Policy Amendments

• Adopted the following policy amendments as reviewed during the earlier Public Hearing
• Policies were amended to conform to new state laws
  • G737 - Reduction in Force (amendment to current policy)
  • C306 - School Principals / Building Administrators (amendment to current policy)
  • G734 - Tenure (amendment to current policy)
  • G748 - Sabbatical Leave (amendment to current policy)
  • G751 - Sick Leave (amendment to current policy)

Pupil Progression Plan

• Adopted proposed changes

Textbook Adoption

• Adopted new textbooks for Music, Health and Physical Education

Property Purchases

• Authorized expropriation of two condos within vacant building, if necessary, to clear title on Patterson Avenue property being acquired for new Algiers ES for RSD in Master Plan
• Authorized non-binding purchase agreement to acquire Archdiocese of New Orleans property across South Rendon Street from Fisk-Howard campus to expand the site for the new RSD ES in Master Plan
• Authorized letter of intent to negotiate with Xavier University for property at 1212 South Roman Street to expand Booker T. Washington HS campus for new RSD school in Master Plan

Construction Commissioning Services

• Approved use of collaborative list with RSD of professional firms for Master Plan Phase II projects

Medical Stop Loss Insurance Renewal

• Approved Houston Casualty Company - 12 months - $276,213

Master Plan Stabilization Projects - Designer Services for Four Schools

• Approved Chenevert Architects - $164,452.60
• Includes McDonogh #35 HS, Easton HS, Audubon ES (Carrollton Campus) and Karr HS

Executive Session

Recessed into Executive Session to discuss legal matters and then reconvened in Public Session to take action as indicated

• Approved settlement recommendations for two Personal Injury cases
• Reported receiving status reports on two Employee cases
• Reported receiving status report on Potential Litigation for the BP Oil Spill claim
• Adopted Resolution 16-12 authorizing its General Counsel to seek Louisiana Attorney General's approval to enter into a contingency fee contract to pursue BP Oil Spill claims