ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE
Orleans Parish School Board
3520 General DeGaulle Drive, Suite 4050
New Orleans, LA 70114
October 9, 2014
3:00 PM
(Notice: This meeting may be convened up to 30 minutes prior to the posted schedule to facilitate the orderly conduct of business)
Committee Members: Ms. Leslie Ellison, Chair
Mr. Woody Koppel
Ms. Sarah Usdin
Mr. Nolan Marshall, Jr., Ex-Officio
Mr. Seth Bloom
Ms. Cynthia Cade
AGENDA
Call to Order
Ms. Leslie Ellison
Adoption of the Agenda
Additions/Deletions/Modifications
FINANCE ACTION ITEM(S)
Action Item No. 1: Approval of the New Grant, Innovative Approaches to Literacy
Rationale: (Information provided on Agenda Submission Form)
Recommendation: That the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) approve the acceptance of
the Innovative Approaches to Literacy Grant in the amount of $750,000 for the 1st year
(October 2014- September 2015) to improve literacy for young children at Audubon Charter,
Einstein Charter, McMain Secondary School, Plessy Community School, McDonogh 35
Academy, and New Orleans Science and Math High School.
Action Item No. 2: Approval of the New Grant, School Climate Transformation
Rationale: (Information provided on Agenda Submission Form)
Recommendation: That the Orleans Parish School Board approve the acceptance of the
School Climate Transformation Grant in the amount of $525,000 for the 1st year (October
2014- September 2015) to improve the student behavior and learning conditions at Alice
Harte, Edna Karr, Einstein Charter, Encore Academy, and McDonogh 35 Schools.
PURCHASING ACTION ITEMS
1. Technical Support for Information Technology Department
(Request for Proposal No. 15-0012)
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance at a public meeting of the Orleans Parish
School Board, please contact the Board Office at 504-304-5678, or by email at [email protected] , describing the
assistance that is necessary.
Rationale: (Information provided on Agenda Submission Form)
Recommendation: That the Orleans Parish School Board approve the Proposal
meeting the specifications and recommended by the evaluation committee for
Technical Support Services for the Information Technology Department from
Ultimate Technical Solutions, Incorporated in the not to exceed amount of
$135,000.00 for one (1) year with the option to renew for two (2) additional one
(1) year periods; and authorize General Counsel to prepare the contract for
signatures of the Board President and the Service Provider.
DISCUSSION/INFORMATION ITEM(S)
(No items submitted)
RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Discussion of the character, professional competence, and/or physical or mental health of
Interim Superintendent, Stanley C. Smith.
RECONVENE FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION/ROLL CALL:
EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT/ACTION ITEMS

Discussion of the character, professional competence, and/or physical or mental health of
Interim Superintendent, Stanley C. Smith.
No recommendation. Discussion only.
ADJOURNMENT
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance at a public meeting of the Orleans Parish
School Board, please contact the Board Office at 504-304-5678, or by email at [email protected] , describing the
assistance that is necessary.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION
X
Receive & Refer
Action
Information
Consent Agenda
Executive Session
09/03/2014 (MO/DY/YR)
Requesting Administrator/Presenter:
Lindsay Carter
Executive Cabinet Contact:
Wayne DeLarge, Comptroller
BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE AGENDA
Item #
Title: School Climate Transformation Grant
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Orleans Parish School Board approve the acceptance of the School Climate
Transformation Grant in the amount of $525,000 for the 1st year (October 2014- September 2015)
to improve the student behavior and learning conditions at Alice Harte, Edna Karr, Einstein Charter,
Encore Academy, and McDonogh 35 Schools.
Summary of recommendation or proposed changes:
See attached
Implications of recommendation -- benefits and problematic areas:
Requesting Administrator
General Counsel Review (if required)
Executive Cabinet Reviewer
Superintendent
Page 3 of 12
Orleans Parish School Board
Fiscal Year 2015 Federal Grants Announcement
October 2014 OPSB Accountability Committee Meeting
The Orleans Parish School Board recently applied for, and was granted, two (2) federal grants under the
United States Department of Education. Those grants and details are:
School Climate Transformation Grant
Purpose:
Length:
Amount Awarded
Each Year:
Schools
Participating:
The School Climate Transformation Grant provides competitive grants to local
educational agencies (LEAs) to develop, enhance, or expand systems of support
for, and technical assistance to, schools implementing an evidence-based multitiered behavioral framework for improving behavioral outcomes and learning
conditions for all students.
5 years
$525,000 ($2.625M total)
Alice M. Harte Elementary Charter School
Edna Karr Charter High School
Einstein Charter School
Encore Academy Charter School
McDonogh #35 Academy
Major Budget Items:  Four (4) Mental Health Professionals to serve as PBIS School-site Team
Leaders and Mental Health Services Providers. Einstein, Harte, and Karr will
each receive one (1) MHP, and Encore and McDonogh #35 Academy will each
receive .5 MHP;
 One (1) Part-time Project Director to administer and oversee the grant
program;
 Attendance for the Project Director and one (1) staff member to attend the
PBIS National Leadership forum each year;
 Hiring of an independent evaluation team;
 Professional Development training;
 Fringe benefits, substitute teachers, curriculum and office supplies, and
technology upgrades.
US DOE Information: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/schoolclimatelea/index.html
Page 4 of 12
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
CLIMATE TRANSFORMATION GRANT
EXPENSE BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2015
OBJECT
DESCRIPTION
TOTAL
511100
511300
512300
521000
522000
522500
523100
525000
526000
532000
558200
561000
561100
561200
561500
593300
OFFICIALS/ADMINISTRATORS/MANAG
THERAPISTS/SPECIALISTS/COUNSEL
SUBSTITUTE EMPLOYEE
GROUP INSURANCE
SOCIAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTIONS
MEDICARE/MEDICAID CONTRIBUTION
TEACHERS' RETIREMENT
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
WORKER'S COMPENSATION
PURCHASED EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
TRAVEL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
OFFICE SUPPLIES
INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPLIES
TECHNOLOGY SUPPLIES
INDIRECT COSTS
TOTAL
Page 5 of 12
$
37,500
242,000
2,400
19,565
17,295
4,088
78,260
846
1,410
55,600
6,040
8,000
3,133
15,200
1,600
32,064
$
525,000
That NEW GRANT AWARDS THROUGH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
1) School Climate Transformation Grant
 Purpose: To improve student behavior and learning conditions
o The program will engage school administrators, staff, students, parents/caregivers
and community partners to improve schools’ climates for teaching and learning.
o As part of the program, school-site Mental Health Professionals will be hired to
support students and staff at participating schools and enhance schools’ Positive
Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiatives.
 Participating Schools:
o Alice M. Harte Charter School
o Edna Karr High School
o Einstein Charter Schools
o Encore Academy
o McDonogh 35 Academy
 Projected Duration of Grant: 5 years (Oct. 2014 – Sept. 2019)
 Award Amount:
o Year 1 (Oct. 2014-Sept. 2015): $525,000
o Years 2-5: Estimated at $525,000 per year
o Projected Total: $2,625,000 over 5 years
2) Innovative Approaches to Literacy Grant
 Purpose: To improve literacy
o The program promotes early literacy for young children, motivates older children
to read, and increases student achievement by offering high-quality literacy
activities and using school libraries as partners to improve literacy.
o As part of the program, schools will utilize differentiated literacy interventions,
supported by intensive job-embedded teacher professional development, parental
involvement, rigorous texts, technology integration and connections with library
resources to improve literacy outcomes and student ELA achievement for students
in Pre-K through Grade 10 at participating schools.
 Participating Schools:
o Audubon Charter School
o Einstein Charter Schools
o Eleanor McMain Secondary School
o Homer A. Plessy Community School
o McDonogh 35 Academy
o New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School
 Projected Duration of Grant: 2 years (Oct 2014 – Sept 2016)
 Award Amount:
o Year 1 (Oct 2014-Sept 2015): $750,000
o Years 2: Estimated at $750,000 per year
o Projected Total: $1,500,000 over 2 years
Page 6 of 12
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION
X
Receive & Refer
Action
Information
Consent Agenda
Executive Session
09/03/2014 (MO/DY/YR)
Requesting Administrator/Presenter:
Lindsay Carter
Executive Cabinet Contact:
Wayne DeLarge, Comptroller
BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE AGENDA
Item #
Title: Innovative Approaches to Literacy Grant
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) approve the acceptance of the Innovative
Approaches to Literacy Grant in the amount of $750,000 for the 1st year (October 2014- September
2015) to improve literacy for young children at Audubon Charter, Einstein Charter, McMain
Secondary School, Plessy Community School, McDonogh 35 Academy, and New Orleans Science
and Math High School.
Summary of recommendation or proposed changes:
See attached
Implications of recommendation -- benefits and problematic areas:
Requesting Administrator
General Counsel Review (if required)
Executive Cabinet Reviewer
Superintendent
Page 7 of 12
Orleans Parish School Board
Fiscal Year 2015 Federal Grants Announcement
October 2014 OPSB Accountability Committee Meeting
Innovative Approaches to Literacy Grant
Purpose:
Length:
Amount Awarded
Each Year:
Schools
Participating:
The IAL program supports high-quality programs designed to develop and
improve literacy skills for children and students from birth through 12th grade in
high-need local educational agencies and schools. The Department intends to
support innovative programs that promote early literacy for young children,
motivate older children to read, and increase student achievement by using
school libraries as partners to improve literacy, distributing free books to
children and their families, and offering high-quality literacy activities.
2 years
$750,000 ($1.5M total)
Audubon Charter School
Einstein Charter School
Eleanor McMain Secondary School
Homer A. Plessy Community Charter School
McDonogh #35 Academy
New Orleans Charter Science & Mathematics High School
Major Budget Items:  Hiring of Library Media Specialists (1 full-time & 1 half-time) and Literacy
Interventionists (2 full-time);
 One (1) Part-time Project Director to administer and oversee the grant
program;
 Additional stipends to librarians, teachers, and support staff for afterschool
activities and events;
 Hiring of an independent evaluation team;
 Professional Development training;
 Purchasing of books/texts;
 Fringe benefits, substitute teachers, and technology upgrades.
US DOE Information: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/innovapproaches-literacy/index.html
Page 8 of 12
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO LITERACY
EXPENSE BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2015
OBJECT
DESCRIPTION
TOTAL
511100
511200
512300
515000
521000
522000
522500
523100
525000
526000
532000
553000
558200
561100
561500
564100
593300
OFFICIALS/ADMINISTRATORS/MANAG
TEACHERS
SUBSTITUTE EMPLOYEE
STIPEND PAY
GROUP INSURANCE
SOCIAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTIONS
MEDICARE/MEDICAID CONTRIBUTION
TEACHERS' RETIREMENT
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
WORKER'S COMPENSATION
PURCHASED EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
TELEPHONE AND POSTAGE
TRAVEL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
OFFICE SUPPLIES
TECHNOLOGY SUPPLIES
LIBRARY BOOKS
INDIRECT COSTS
Page 9 of 12
$
37,500
188,750
1,400
39,200
15,838
16,545
3,869
76,964
801
1,334
80,500
36,395
2,590
1,290
85,800
115,420
45,805
$
750,000
That NEW GRANT AWARDS THROUGH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
1) School Climate Transformation Grant
 Purpose: To improve student behavior and learning conditions
o The program will engage school administrators, staff, students, parents/caregivers
and community partners to improve schools’ climates for teaching and learning.
o As part of the program, school-site Mental Health Professionals will be hired to
support students and staff at participating schools and enhance schools’ Positive
Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiatives.
 Participating Schools:
o Alice M. Harte Charter School
o Edna Karr High School
o Einstein Charter Schools
o Encore Academy
o McDonogh 35 Academy
 Projected Duration of Grant: 5 years (Oct. 2014 – Sept. 2019)
 Award Amount:
o Year 1 (Oct. 2014-Sept. 2015): $525,000
o Years 2-5: Estimated at $525,000 per year
o Projected Total: $2,625,000 over 5 years
2) Innovative Approaches to Literacy Grant
 Purpose: To improve literacy
o The program promotes early literacy for young children, motivates older children
to read, and increases student achievement by offering high-quality literacy
activities and using school libraries as partners to improve literacy.
o As part of the program, schools will utilize differentiated literacy interventions,
supported by intensive job-embedded teacher professional development, parental
involvement, rigorous texts, technology integration and connections with library
resources to improve literacy outcomes and student ELA achievement for students
in Pre-K through Grade 10 at participating schools.
 Participating Schools:
o Audubon Charter School
o Einstein Charter Schools
o Eleanor McMain Secondary School
o Homer A. Plessy Community School
o McDonogh 35 Academy
o New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School
 Projected Duration of Grant: 2 years (Oct 2014 – Sept 2016)
 Award Amount:
o Year 1 (Oct 2014-Sept 2015): $750,000
o Years 2: Estimated at $750,000 per year
o Projected Total: $1,500,000 over 2 years
Page 10 of 12
Page 11 of 12
October 6, 2014
TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT (REQUEST FOR
PROPOSAL NO. 15-0012)
Requestor: Peggy Abadie, Executive Director Information Technology
Advertisement Dates: The Times Picayune
August 29, 2014 and September 5, 2014
OPSB website-ongoing from August 29 to September 15, 2014
Publicly Opened: September 15, 2014
Vendors Responding: 3
Principals of the Company:
ULTIMATE TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS, INCORPORATED (HARVEY, LA.)
President: David St. Etienne
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: OPSB direct run schools are now well down the road in
using a technology rich model for instruction in all courses. The need to have resource available
for teachers and staffers to support the technical maintenance of this technology is impossible to
overstate. For many years the technology in classrooms was little more than an add-on or an
option in learning centers. This is no longer the case as the demands to provide richer more
rigorous instruction requires advanced tools. The provision of these tools requires the provision
of resource to support the functionality of them. OPSB considered the option of hiring on staff
trained to support technology help desk functions. During the consideration of the budget for
such a move the decision was made to approach the marketplace to determine what the budget
might be to provide these services. An RFP was done and the district is pleased to discover there
is an option to provide these services at a cost substantially lower than the cost to hire the staff in
house.
On August 29, 2014 the OPSB Purchasing Department released Request for Proposal (RFP) no. 15-0012
for technical support services for the OPSB Information Technology department. The RFP was
advertised in the Times-Picayune and posted to the OPSB website.
Three proposals were received by the deadline of September 15, 2014 at 4:00 P.M. They were reviewed
by an evaluation committee who scored Ultimate Technical Solutions, Incorporated (UTSI) the highest.
UTSI is a DBE certified company and therefore this requirement has 100% DBE participation.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Orleans Parish School Board approve the Proposal meeting the
specifications and recommended by the evaluation committee for
Technical Support Services for the Information Technology Department
from Ultimate Technical Solutions, Incorporated in the not to exceed
amount of $135,000.00 for one (1) year with the option to renew for two
(2) additional one (1) year periods; and authorize General Counsel to
prepare the contract for signatures of the Board President and the Service
Provider.
Page 12 of 12