Bogalusa School Board
Bogalusa, Louisiana
Special Board Meeting
June 21, 2011
5:30P.M.
Proceedings Of The Bogalusa School Board Taken At A Special Board Meeting That Was Held On Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Bogalusa School Board met in a special session at the Bogalusa School Board Office, in the Media Center, located at 1705 Sullivan Drive, Bogalusa, Louisiana on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, beginning at 5:30P.M. The sole purpose of the meeting was to conduct a candidate interview with Mr. Lionel Jackson utilizing the process for selection of a Superintendent for Bogalusa City Schools, set forth by McPherson & Jacobson Consulting Firm. The agenda included an Executive Session.
1.) Call to Order
President Paul Kates called the meeting to order at 5:30P.M.
2.) Pledge of Allegiance
President Kates led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.) Prayer
Reverend Raymond Mims delivered the opening prayer.
4.) Roll Call
There were present: President Mr. Paul Kates; Vice President Mr. Adam Kemp; Members: Mr. Curtis Creel, Mrs. Eleanor Duke, Mr. Calvin Hymel, Reverend Raymond Mims and Dr. Brad Williams
There was absent: None
Prior to the Executive Session, President Kates stated, ”Mr. Jackson your first question is; tell us about yourself and why you want to be Superintendent of Bogalusa City School System?” Mr. Jackson had a PowerPoint and this was part of his response to the asked question. Mr. Kates stated he would have ten minutes and at 5:40P.M., they would go into an Executive Session.
Response from Mr. Lionel Jackson- Mr. Jackson stated, ”First of all, good evening to the Board. I thank you for the opportunity to come in and interview for this position. It’s an honor. It’s really an honor to take the time to allow me to come in and do this. I’ve had a very, very good day. Ms. Adams, thank you and the staff for keeping me on track; it was a task but you kept me on track. It’s been a wonderful day, and a hopeful opportunity. I say this, your decisions are made by what you believe; that’s how you live on your belief; so why don’t I show you what I believe.” At that point Mr. Jackson began his PowerPoint presentation. Highlights stated from Mr. Jackson were: ”I pride myself as a teacher; and the first thing you’ve got to have is an objective. What is my objective? It is to lead Bogalusa City Schools to break-out performance; not to model a performance; break-out performance. It can happen here by promoting excellence in education in our school system everyday. I am a part of a public school system. I believe in public school systems. There is a place for private schools; there’s a role for charter schools; there is a role for parochial; but public school systems are the backbone of our county. It educates a map and I am proud to say that I support the public schools system. I am a product of the public school system of Tangipahoa Parish. I have earned a Bachelors Degree in Business. I have a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. I have a Masters plus 30 in Educational Administration. I am certified as a Principal; trying to finish up my Ph.D. I’ve done all the course work. I’ve done everything I need to do to finish it up I just need to confirm it; and hopefully I’ll get that done soon. I am the Assistant Superintendent of Tangipahoa Parish School System since 2009; Director of Child Welfare in 2007; Principal at Sumner High School in 2008; Director of Federal Programs at Southeastern, from 2001-2004 I ran two federal programs which were grant programs 3.2 million dollar programs; those programs were designed to help children get into college; and that’s what I did. I had to write the grant in order to keep the program going; general fund cannot support everything. We’ve got to bring in some outside source and I’m prepared to do that. I am an instructor now for University of Phoenix since 2004. I am presently teaching Political Science, Sociology and History. I like face-to-face contact. I’ve been an Assistant Principal two terms around at Hammond High School with a population of about fifteen hundred; 2004 and 2007. I was a counselor at an Alternative School where we worked with our more challenging students, from 2000-2008. I’ve been a teacher since 1988. Somewhere in the midst of all my job duties; all my work experiences, I have been in education about twenty-three years now. I didn’t just wonder out her. I saw there was a potential to come in and do something positive. I still believe that. So, what I believe? I said that the system is made by what you believe; so what I believe? I believe in ”Children First.” Every decision that I make is going to be what’s best for our children.” At that point Mr. Jackson ended his presentation with the data of Bogalusa City Schools. ”Thank you for the opportunity and time I certainly appreciate it,” concluded Mr. Jackson.
At this point President Kates thanked Mr. Jackson and stated, ”At this time I would like to get a motion to go into Executive Session.
5.) New Business
It was motioned by Mrs. Duke, seconded by Dr. Williams to enter into an Executive Session. The motion was carried unanimously.
A.) Executive Session-Superintendent Candidate Interview- Mr. Lionel Jackson
Returning to the Media Center, President Kates stated, ”Coming back from Executive Session I need a motion.”
It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Hymel to resume the special session. The motion was carried unanimously.
Statement from President Kates-”We’ve just come out of an Executive Session in an interview with our candidate Lionel Jackson. The meeting is adjourned.”
6.) Adjourn
There being no further business to address, President Kates adjourned at 7:00P.M.
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Stephanie Hoppen Paul D. Kates
Secretary to the Board Board President