The OPSBrief

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

 

The Orleans Parish School Board held its monthly Committee Meetings on Thursday, July 11, at the OPSB's Timbers III Office Building. 
 
Committees typically discuss issues prior to formal consideration by the full Board and review the implementation of matters previously approved by the Board. The next monthly OPSB Business Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 16 at 5 p.m. in the McDonogh 35 High School Auditorium, 1331 Kerlerec Street. If it is necessary to conduct a Public Hearing on policy maters, the Board will announce the hearing to be held just before that meeting.
 
The posted agendas and related back-up documentation for each Committee Meeting can be reviewed by clicking on the names of the respective Committees below.  

 

***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***
COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Action Item

Reviewed recommendation from the Administration and forwarded item to full Board with a recommendation for approval

  • Request for an advisory opinion from the Ethics Board regarding a potential conflict of interests in a charter school application
    • Forthcoming charter school application from group associated with SUNO
    • Because Board President is employed by SUNO, opinion is desired prior to evaluation of proposal

Reports and Information Items

Received and discussed information from Administration with no action taken

  • McDonogh 35 HS update
    • School to be structured as two schools within one
    • McDonogh 35 Academy for Grades 7 and 8 will be structured as a supportive middle school emphasizing STEM
      • Will offer program to accelerate HS with Carnegie units in several HS subjects while in MS
    • McDonogh 35 College Preparatory HS will serve Grades 9 through 12
      • Numerous partnerships, including Bard College program, to promote HS acceleration into college courses for credit 
  • Update on new and expanding charter schools:
    • Bricolage
    • Plessy
    • InspireNola (Karr and Harte)
    • Einstein Extension
    • Applications for 3 to 4 other charters are anticipated from current solicitation
Reports and Information Items
Received and discussed reports from Administration with no action taken
  • Capital projects status reports
    • Harte ES New School - 39 days behind schedule
    • Audubon ES Renovation & Addition - approaching 50% complete
    • Franklin HS Stabilization - structural problems found and being addressed
    • Easton ES Windows project - still on hold at 99% completion due to contractor default (BEI)
    • Lake Forest ES New School - bids open July 24th
    • Karr HS New School - design-build project - selection in two phases
      • RFQ to be issued to select shortlist of qualified firms
      • Thereafter, RFP will be issued to the shortlist for proposals to build the school
      • Demolition of the former Jo Ellen Smith Hospital to be included within the plans
    • Lusher ES Refurbishment -to be out for bids on August 6
    • Lusher HS (Fortier Site) - to be out for bids on August 13
    • Mahalia Jackson ES Additional Classrooms - nearing completion
    • McDonogh 35 HS New School - pilings being driven and foundation work beginning
    • McMain HS Renovations and New Gym - delays in getting contractor's bond - may have to repackage and rebid
    • Moton ES New School - Groundbreaking Ceremony on July 17th
    • McDonogh 7 ES (for Audubon ES Extension's use) - repairs delayed for structural investigations
  • Surplus property auction (response to question from attendee)
    • Information on August 22 auction is posted on OPSB website here
  • Jacobs/CSRS Program Management contract (response to question from attendee)
    • OPSB has different contract than the one with RSD in recent media reports
    • OPSB's contract expires in November 2013 and a new RFP is forthcoming 
Action Items
Discussed items listed and took action as indicated
  • Amended contract for Interim Superintendent
    • Approved by a 3-2 voice vote a recommendation to forward the matter to the full Board with a recommendation for approval
    • Committee was open to changes and/or clarifications from General Counsel when it would be considered by full Board
  • Executive Session to discuss litigation
    • Following the Executive Session, the Committee agreed to forward the settlement recommendation for a Personal Injury Litigation to the full Board with a recommendation for approval 
Action Items
Discussed the items listed and took action as indicated
  • Rejected a proposal to add to the agenda consideration of OPSB Policy 303 - Recruitment of Superintendent
  • Second Reading of policy amendments to J939 - Bullying, Intimidation, Harassment, and Hazing
    • Forwarded to full Board for its consideration without a recommendation from the Committee
    • Board members agreed on outlawing bullying and intimidation, but disagreed as to whether or not specific reasons for the prohibited actions should be enumerated in the opening paragraph
    • A separate policy change will be forthcoming relating to employees being harassed 
 

Information and Discussion Item
Received and discussed reports from Administration and Moton Charter School
  • Update on Moton School Research
    • Review of testing practices of school is nearing completion but could not be completed until after summer testing
    • Problems associated with the condition of some building systems at the leased St. James Major site was discussed
      • Follow-up at next Property Committee meeting
Action Items
Received and discussed recommendations from Administration and forwarded to full Board with recommendation for approval
  • Millage rates for 2014
    • Resolution 21-13 to set 2014 millage rates at same rates as 2013
      • Constitutional Millage - 27.65
      • Purpose A - school books, materials and supplies - 1.55
      • Purpose B - early childhood, discipline and dropout programs - 1.55
      • Purpose C - employee salary, benefits, and incentives - 7.27
      • Purpose D - air-conditioning, asbestos removal, and facilities maintenance - 2.32
      • General Obligation Bonds - debt service - 4.97
  • Revenue Anticipation Notes
    • Resolution 22-13 to authorize short-term borrowing of up to $50 million in anticipation of property tax revenues which do not come in until last half of school year
    • Routine, annual measure to ensure necessary cash flow prior to receipt of all revenues
  • General liability insurance renewal rates
    • Renewal of several policies from various carriers offering best rates and coverage to Board
  • Stipend and supplemental compensation scales
    • Routine, annual measures relating to extra duties usually paid by external funds
  • Purchasing items for Child Nutrition Programs - by public bids - no DBE available
    • Processing of USDA commodities
    • Meat, seafood, and poultry
    • Milk
Information Items
Received and discussed information from Administration with no action taken
  • Purchasing items for Child Nutrition Programs forthcoming - by public bid with DBE participation
    • Canned goods and staples 
    • Frozen foods, juices, and vegetables
    • Paper products
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