Bogalusa, Louisiana

Public Meeting

September 15, 2011

5:30 P.M.

 

Proceedings Of The Bogalusa School Board, Taken AT A Public Meeting That Was Held On Thursday, September 15, 2011

 

The Bogalusa School Board met in a Public Meeting at the Bogalusa School Board Office Media Center, located at 1705 Sullivan Drive, Bogalusa, Louisiana, on Thursday, September 15, 2011, beginning at 5:30 P.M., for the purpose of adopting the Tax Millage for 2011; and to continue to address matters for the 2011-2012 School Year for Bogalusa City Schools District.

 

1.)        Call to Order

President Paul Kates called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.

 

2.)        Pledge of Allegiance

Superintendent Louise Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

3.)        Prayer

Dr. Brad Williams 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 (Answered roll call at 5:40PM), and Dr. Brad Williams

 

There was absent:  None

 

At this point President Kates stated, ”At this time I would like to amend the agenda for two items.  One is a plaque for Mrs. Deloris Walker for her department; and the other is to add Mrs. Jessica Martinez and Mrs. Peggy Brandal to speak to the Board.  It probably will be split, Mrs. Martinez will speak and then Mrs. Brandal will speak.  Can I get a motion to amend the agenda to add this to the agenda?

 

It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Mr. Hymel to amend the agenda to add two (2) items. Reverend Mims answered the roll at 5:40P.M., and was given the same opportunity to vote.   The motion was carried unanimously.

 

Presentation-ASBO Award-Deloris Walker

At this point Mrs. Walker read a press release regarding the award. The award was a certificate of excellence in financial reporting award.   ”I just want to commend my department for the hard work and commitment that we have done throughout the year.  I want to commend you for a job well done; and also to our support staff; our fellow colleagues, we want to thank you for helping us to make sure our district stay in compliance,” said Mrs. Walker.  ”And I have the privilege of presenting this plaque to these ladies; and I also commend you for your performance in your Annual Financing Reporting.  This is from the Association of School Business Officials and the National Certificate of Financial Reporting is presented to the City of Bogalusa for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2010,” said Superintendent Smith.  Those present to receive the award were: Deloris Walker, Cynthia August, Sara Rayburn, Lynn Jenkins, and Mary Jenkins. 

 

 Mrs. Peggy Brandal- ”Good evening Mr. President, Board Members; and Superintendent.  My name is Peggy Brandal.  I live at 26441 Highway 62, Franklinton, Louisiana.  She read her PowerPoint to the Board voicing her concern regarding the ESL position that was once held by her in the district.  Mrs. Brandal ended her PowerPoint presentation by thanking the Board, Board President, and Superintendent Smith for allowing her to present her concerns.  (Supporting PowerPoint is on file with the minutes).

 

Mrs. Jessica Martinez- Mrs. Martinez stated her address as 1630 Azalea Court, Bogalusa, Louisiana.  Mrs. Martinez was giving an update to a meeting that she had with Superintendent Smith on September 1st.  She went on to say that she had contacted the state, regarding the ESL matter for the Bogalusa City School District.  As the conversation continued, Mrs. Martinez was voicing all concerns regarding someone being available to meet the needs of the children of ESL and wanted a name of a contact person.  Superintendent Smith stated that someone would be available to address the needs of the children, at the schools.

 

5.)        Approval of Regular Board Meeting Minutes-August 25, 2011

It was motioned by Mrs. Duke, seconded by Dr. Williams to approve the minutes.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

At this point President Kates recessed to Public Session.

 

6.)        Recess To Public Session

 

Wilda Peters- Mrs. Peters stated, ”Yes, it’s Wilda Peters and her daughter Ashley.  We live at 1909 Dolly Avenue, Bogalusa, Louisiana.  Ashley is a senior at Bogalusa High School; and I am here to support her; but I have a question for the Board after she has finished.”  Her daughter Ashley Peters’ voiced concern was regarding Bullying.  ”It’s everyday somebody is being bullied.  I don’t think it’s right,” says Ashley.  ”Mrs. Peters returned voicing a concern of the football players walking home after the game.  ”Do they not have a way home after the game?”  ”We’re not responsible for getting them home.  It has been like that for a long time,” says President Kates.  At that point Mr. Hymel agreed with President Kates. 

 

There being no one else to come forward, President Kates addressed the other agenda items.

 

7.)        Old Business

 

A.)        Approval of the revised School Wellness Policy, originally approved on February 24, 2011 to incorporate the Tobacco-Free Schools Policy, approved on October 28, 2010. 

It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Duke to approve the revised policy.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

B.)        Grant permission to enter into a contract with Karen Sheridan, Ph.D., to provide psychological consultations for the purpose of developing effective behavior interventions for students with disabilities.

It was motioned by Rev. Mims, seconded by Vice President Kemp to grant permission.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

C.)       Approval of General Fund, Food Service and Special Revenue Budgets for 2011-2012.

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve the budgets. The motion was carried unanimously.

 

D.)      Approval of Financial Statements for General Fund, Food Service, Special Revenue and School Activities  for July and August 2011. 

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mrs. Duke to approve the financial statements.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

E.)      Approval of Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for Audit engagement. 

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve the questionnaire. The motion was carried      

unanimously.

 

F.)    Grant permission to lease copiers for Pleasant Hill K-4 School, IDEA, Federal Programs, Food Service Business Department.

It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Reverend Mims to grant permission.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

G.)    Grant authorization for Bogalusa City School District to pay the expense for extracurricular activities travel for 2011-2012 School Year.

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mr. Hymel to grant authorization.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

H.)    Approval for Bogalusa High School Band to enter into a contract with Covington Carnival Club.                                                       

It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Mrs. Duke to approve the contract.  The motion was carried

unanimously.

 

I.)    Approval of Memorandum of Understanding between CRIMESTOPPERS, INC., Safe School Hotline and Bogalusa City Schools.

It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Duke to approve the memorandum.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

J.)    Approval of Memorandum of Understanding for Dual Enrollment for Fall, 2011-Spring, 2012 between Northshore Technical Community College-Sullivan Campus and Bogalusa City School System.

It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve the memorandum.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

8.)     Executive Session

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mr. Creel to remove this line item.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

9.)        Personnel-Joanna Dillman

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATIONS:

Hire:

 

Bogalusa Middle School

  1. Adam Colley - English/Social Studies Teacher; Effective Date: September 6, 2011

  2. Rasheda Towns - 5th Grade Teacher; Effective Date: September 19, 2011

  3. Marie Goff - Faculty Coordinator; Effective Date: September 19, 2011 - May 31, 2012
     

Bogalusa High School

  1. Leslie Rayborn - Faculty Coordinator; Effective Date: September 19, 2011 - May 31, 2012

 

Substitutes

  1. Josephine Termine - Substitute CNP

  2. Tuwanda Williams - Substitute CNP 

  3. Michael Dowdy - Substitute Bus Driver

  4. Victoria Grant - Substitute Clerical

 

2011 - 2012 Extra Curricular Activities

 

Bogalusa High School

  1. Aisha Lathan Majorette/Flag Team Co-Sponsor

  2. Claire Oviedo Majorette/Flag Team Co-Sponsor

 

Request to Advertise:

  1. Resource Teacher - Bogalusa Middle School; temporary, one year position

 

Medical Sabbatical Leave:

  1. Anita Morris - PE Teacher - Bogalusa Middle School; Fall 2011 Semester

 

Termination:

  1. Yolander Freeman, Custodian, Northside Tech Middle School - In compliance with District Dismissal of Employees Policy (GBN), please see the attached written recommendation for termination letter.
     

Policy Updates:

  1. 2011 - 2012 Bogalusa City Schools Personnel Evaluation Plan  (Document is on file in HR)

  2. BCBK - Executive Sessions

  3. BE - School Board Ethics

  4. GBDA - Employment of Retired Personnel

  5. IDCC - Kindergarten

  6. IDFA - Interscholastic Athletics

  7. JBA - Compulsory School Attendance Ages
     

Policy Code

Policy Name

Revisions Applied

BCBK

Executive Sessions

As a result of Act 188, one of the exceptions to the open meetings law has been revised.  The exception involving discussion of the character, professional competence, or health of an individual has been altered to prevent this exception from being used for discussing the award of a public contract, except those contracts which may be awarded in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 39:1593.

BE

School Board Ethics

Act 167 created a new ethics exception to the Nepotism law, La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 42:1119.  This exception, which became effective on June 24, 2011, allows a School Board in a parish of less than 60,000 people, based the latest federal census, to employ any member of the of the immediate family of any Board Member or the Superintendent as a special education professional, provided the family member is licensed in an appropriate field for special education related services.  The statue also requires the family member to be the only applicant who meets the qualifications set by the School Board for the position after the position has been advertised for at least thirty (30) days in the School Board's official journal.  A special education related services professional shall include: a social worker, occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech therapist/pathologist, teacher of hearing impaired students, teacher of visually impaired students, or nurse.  As is customary, the Board member or Superintendent whose immediate family member may be so employed shall recuse himself/herself from any decision involving the promotion or assignment of the employee.

GBDA

Employment of Retired Personnel

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 11:710, governing the eligibility of those retired employees that can be rehired as a retired teacher by the School Board, has been changed by Act 347 to include those persons who retired on or after May 1, 2009 and returned to active employment service on or before June 30, 2010, in a position requiring a valid Louisiana Teaching Certificate or a valid Louisiana ancillary certificate.  Due to an error on our part in the interpretation of provisions of Act 347, we are sending you a corrected version of policy GBDA, Employment of Retired Personnel.  The corrected provisions state that under La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §11:710, a retired teacher shall also include those persons who retired between May 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010, and who return to a position that require a teaching or ancillary certificate.

IDCC

Kindergarten

This is a new policy created by the refinement of La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 17:391.11.  Act 249, which became effective on August 15, 2011, altered somewhat the administration of school readiness testing for children entering kindergarten.  The assessment instruments approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) are to be used to assess the child's readiness for kindergarten, instead of for placement.  The results of these assessments are still to be reported annually.  The Act provides that this mandatory assessment of every child entering kindergarten for the first time shall be implemented as state funds become available and is supposed to be fully implemented by the 2015-2016 school year.  In addition, deleted from the law was the requirement that the Pupil Progression Plan for each Board include the criteria for placement, as well as including in the assessment a measurement of the child's vision and hearing proficiency.

IDFA

Interscholastic Athletics

This policy is being revised based on the amendment to La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 17:176.  The amendment requires BESE to adopt as policy the scholastic eligibility rule of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association that was adopted in January 2010. 

JBA

Compulsory School Attendance Ages

Louisiana compulsory attendance laws require children to attend school from the age of 7 until their 18th birthday, with limited exceptions outlined in state law.  Act 166, in amending the compulsory attendance statute La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 17:221, has added another exception, effective August 15, 2011.  Any child of at least 17 years of age, who after completing a program established by BESE has been issued a Louisiana high school equivalency diploma, shall be considered to have completed high school and no longer subject to the compulsory attendance requirements.

 

2011 - 2012 BCS Personnel Evaluation Plan

LDOE requires each district to review the Personnel Eval Plan and update as necessary each year.  BSC Personnel Eval Plan committee convened and recommends the following revisions to ensure compliance with Bulletin 130 and for the good of the order: 1) All professional employees will be observed once each semester.  In the 2006 revision, observations were conducted on a rotational basis after the third year of employment.  2) All BCS employees will be evaluated on annual basis.  In the 2006 revision, evaluations were conducted on a rotational basis after the third year of employment. 3) Teacher Informal Observation Form FN 113 was revised to include additional items.  4) Teacher and Principal evaluation rubrics will be included to aide in evaluations. 5)  Forms FN 116, FN 117, FN 118, FN 119, & FN 120 will be added to be used for clerical, para-educator, custodian/maintenance, CNP Tech, CNP Manager evaluations. 6) Appendix will be added to include Bogalusa F.I.R.S.T. New Teacher Induction Program.

 

 

At this point, President Kates asked whether any Board Member had any questions regarding the Personnel Agenda; there were none.

 

It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Reverend Mims to approve the Personnel agenda.  The motion was Carried unanimously.

 

At this point President Kates recognized and allowed Ms. Leonida Alonzo to address the Board.  Mrs. Martinez translated her concern to the Board.  Ms. Alonzo’s voiced concern as translated by Mrs. Martinez was who would be the contact person for her daughter at her school?  President Kates replied, ”Ms. Ard.” 

 

10.)       Superintendent Comments-Louise Smith

 

”Superintendent Smith focused the Board Members attention on items in their folders; one being information regarding the First Annual Special Education Workshop that has been scheduled for Thursday, November 3, 2011 at the Embassy Suites, in Baton Rouge. There was information regarding the tuition assistance that was requested by Vice President Kemp.  Also there was information regarding the Drug Testing Policy.

 

Superintendent Smith stated to the Board that she had a meeting with the Student Leadership Council at Bogalusa High School, that morning.  It was a Breakfast Meeting.  The information was in their folder.

 

Next, she informed the Board that Homecoming was on Friday, September 16, 2011.  She then presented them with a Homecoming ribbon. 

 

11.)       Board Members Comments

 

Reverend Raymond Mims, stated that he had attended the Bogalusa High School Homecoming Parade, and that the band sounded really good.

 

Mr. Curtis Creel, voiced a question of concern regarding the drug testing policy and did he understand it to be said  that in this system we could not institute a random drug testing.  Superintendent Smith stated, ”Not only was it a state law; but also a federal law.”  Mrs. Dillman responded, ”That’s correct.”

 

President Paul Kates, thanked Mr. Meek for the nice article; of the last meeting; and that it was positive, and appreciated.

 

Mr. Calvin Hymel, thanked the young lady that came forward.  He went on to say that she did a super job.  ”And the CRIMESTOPPERS Organization is a really good way to report bullying.  So we’ll make sure that you get that in your hands,” says Superintendent Smith.

 

At that point President Kates thanked everyone for coming out to the board meeting; and asked if there was anything else.  There was nothing else, and President Kates adjourned. 

 

12.)       Adjournment

There being no further business to address, President Kates adjourned at 6:25P.M.

 

______________________________                  ____________________________________

Louise Smith                                                                 Paul D. Kates

Secretary to the Board                                                 Board President