Bogalusa School Board

Bogalusa, Louisiana

Regular Board Meeting

October 27, 2011

5:30 P.M.

Proceedings Of The Bogalusa School Board, Taken AT A Public Meeting That Was Held On Thursday, October 27, 2011

The Bogalusa School Board met in a Regular Board Meeting at the Bogalusa School Board Office Media Center, located at 1705 Sullivan Drive, Bogalusa, Louisiana, on Thursday, October 27, 2011, beginning at 5:30 P.M., for the purpose of addressing timely matters of concerns for the continued operation of the school district.  The agenda included a presentation.

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

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, Mr. Calvin Hymel, Reverend Raymond Mims, and Dr. Brad Williams

There was absent:  Member- Mrs. Eleanor Duke

At this point President Kates stated, ”At this time we are going to have a little change in what we’re doing.  I’ll have Mr. Alan Offner come up first; and then I’ll have First Bank to come after him.

Alan Offner-”You’ll recall a few weeks ago at you last meeting, Regions Bank was here to offer you a commitment to purchase six million ($6,000,000) dollars in Qualified School Construction Bonds.  I think you all some reservations of the fact that all of your funds except for one would be moved out of Bogalusa; of course Regions is in Covington,” said Mr. Offner.  He then went on to state that the local banks were checked again and First Bank said they were interested and they planned on submitting an offer in the next day or two. ”Your period for getting this accomplished; not delivering the bond, but signing the commitment letter is going to run out on November 1^st.  I talked to Louisiana Public Education and they agreed to extend that period to November 18^th, added Mr. Offner.  There was a suggestion to hold a Special Meeting on November 7^th at 7:00PM.  It was unanimously decided to hold a Special Meeting on Monday, November 7^th, at 7:00PM.  Mr. Offner stated that he would bring the resolution back at the next meeting for approval.

5.)        Presentations

The First Bank-Joan Breland-Williams, Vice President; Eric Waldron & Frank Smith

”I’m Eric Waldron, Northern Region President for The First.  Hoppy Cole, CEO, could not come because he had prior commitments.  We want you guys to know that we appreciate the fact that you gave us the extra time to try and get that worked out for you.  We don’t have a package to present to you now; but we will have one shortly.  It is our desire to continue being your local bank, here in Bogalusa locally.  I have Frank Smith here with us, he is our Investment Advisor; if you have any questions for either one of us we’ll be glad to answer any question you may have at this time,” said Mr. Waldron.  Mr. Frank Smith came forward stating, ”I’ll make a few comments just to update the Board on the process that we’ve gone through thus far; and what we expect to do to try and get this buttoned up for you.  First of all, the bank is keenly aware; and understands how important it is for local representation at the banking level, for you to have a place for your folks to cash checks and do business; and things like that.  The bank is working diligently to make sure that happens.  A couple of things that has been problematic, to lay all the cards out on the table for you, is that six million ($6,000,000) dollars a large investment for a bank of five hundred million.  The bank has grown a lot from zero to five hundred million just a few short years; but six million is a big piece; and with the regulatory pressure that we have right now from the FDIC, it is incumbent upon the bank to structure the deal so that the credit risk is minimized.  So in the last couple of weeks we have worked very feverishly to attempt to get that done; and we’re close.  We do have some thought and ideas on structure so it wouldn’t be overly otiose to you; but would be satisfactory from a bank stand point.  So, it is satisfactory.  Hoppy Cole, the bank CEO is prepared to put the final touches on the package.  It will require Mrs. Smith that we have a conversation with you and Deloris also with you to make sure we’re on  the same page about some of the things we feel like we need to do to button it up.  The bottom line is the bank is working very hard to make sure that we can put together a structure that will accomplishes two things; the bank very much wants to do the loan; but at the same time the bank has to be very careful from a regulatory standpoint that we end up with something that is satisfactory; so putting those two together is where we’re at now; and as I mentioned we’re very close.  Again I hate to delay, but we need a few days to do that and we’ll be back to you very expeditiously and make sure that happen.  I’ll be glad to answer any questions if there’s anything,” said Mr. Smith.

Question from Dr. Williams-”I’d like to know specifically if they have access to what we’ve been offered; just so they can get their best offer to us.  I would personally like us to be local.”

Response from President Kates-”I don’t know about that information; but what I am going to ask Mr. Offner to do is; you’ve heard his presentation and the timeframe of what we’re trying to do is; how will this work out for us when we are going to have a Special Meeting on Monday?”  Mr. Offner stated, ”My personal feeling on that is when you get this type of situation, each bank should go ahead and put their own proposal.  Each bank should give it their best shot.” President Kates continued, ”My first choice is to deal with First Bank, because they’re here local in Bogalusa, and our taxpayers are the ones that pay taxes to help operate this system; and I would hate to see our money move out of our city,” said President Kates.   ”I do think it would be very helpful, to give us an opportunity, if our deal is short; to tweak it a little bit to bring it up to standard,” said Mr. Smith.

There being nothing else, President Kates called for the presentation from Superintendent Smith.

Louisiana Tech University Law Day Certificate-Superintendent Louise Smith

”I have certificates for the Board Members acknowledging your presence at the Louisiana Tech University Law Day Institute; and you participation.  I would like to say that we appreciate you investing yourself in this continuing education.  It was a tremendous institute.  There was a lot of information there; and we sincerely appreciate each of you taking your personal time to attend the institute and becoming aware of the laws our schools operate under.  Those receiving the certificate were:

• Paul D. Kates, Board President

• Adam B. Kemp, Board Vice-President

• Curtis Creel, Board Member

• Eleanor W. Duke, Board Member

• Calvin Hymel, Board Member

• Dr. Hubert ”Brad” Williams, Board Member

Prior to the Board Officers and Committee Reports, President Kates called Mrs. Debbie Craig to address the Board.

Statement from Debbie Craig-”As you know I told you on Monday, Special Ed was monitored Monday through Wednesday.  We have been under ”Corrective Action” for the last two years; and we are thrilled to say that we are no longer in ”Corrective Action,” and I just want to publicly thank everyone.  I sent a letter out today to all of the staff of Bogalusa City Schools because  even though it was Special Ed that was monitored; Bogalusa City Schools was in ”Corrective Action,” and we truly appreciate all of the help from everybody and the hard work that was done.  We are going to keep up the hard work so we can stay this way.”

Next, President Kates called for Mr. Chip Conerly to address the Board.

Statement from Mr. Chip Conerly- ”Good afternoon.  If you’ll look in your folder there is a document Air Environmental Services. The LSU Health Center, Mrs. Marsha Culpepper specifically has written a grant and has been awarded approximately one hundred eighty thousand ($180,000) dollars to refurbish the Health Center at Bogalusa High School and Bogalusa Middle School.  However it has been determined that underneath the carpet is asbestos.  I went over there Thursday a week ago, to try to take up the carpet.  We took some of it up and began to take some of the asbestos up.  The adhesive was not releasing and let us take the carpet up clean.  Once this was determined, I closed it down, called the Air Environmental people in and asked them to give me a quote.  Their quote for removing and securing all the permits and disposing of the asbestos is eighty seven hundred ($8,700) dollars.  Mrs. Culpepper advised me that she does not have it in this budget to help us with this and she call Baton Rouge and they also agreed with her that they do not have it in the budget to help us with this.  So, I’m asking the Board to consider this.  She would like to do this during the Christmas Holidays.  It will take approximately a week to remove it; and dispose of it and then after Christmas bring in the floor people and let them put in the new flooring.  So at this point that’s what I’m asking.”  This is for the high school and the Middle School.

6.)        Board Officers and Committee Reports

There were none.

7.)        Recess to Public Session

Wilda Peters-Ms. Peter stated her address as 1909 Dolly Avenue., Bogalusa.   Mrs. Peters voiced concern was regarding tutoring during the day time.

Curt Hodge- Mr. Hodge stated his address as 260 Keaton Road, Bogalusa, Louisiana.  Mr. Hodges voiced concern was regarding as a parent with a child at the Tech School and the status of the contract, that is to expire this year, and was it going to be renewed.  Superintendent Smith stated that a decision has not been mad and that she was investigating.  According to Superintendent Smith it is her understanding that the contract ends at the end of this school year.  ”We are gathering our information now and hopefully in January we’ll have a recommendation for the Board,” said Superintendent Smith.

James Butler- Mr. Butler sated his address as 633 Lucerne Avenue, Bogalusa, Louisiana. His voiced concerned was his position  of no longer being an assistant Coach at High School because the administration preferred that the high school staff member be utilized.  He then asked if there was a possibility of starting a feeder program at the Middle School.  Superintendent Smith stated that she would speak with the principal at the Middle School and get back with him.

Kenneth Martin- Mr. Martin stated his address 2624 South Columbia Street, Bogalusa.  Mr. Martin voiced two concerns.  One regarding the BESE Board election candidates; the other was regarding the Bogalusa High School Basketball uniforms.  He asked that the district assist him with the purchase of girls and boys Basketball uniforms.  He asked for the amount of five thousand ($5,000) dollars for both groups.  According to Mr. Martin, there are thirty boys and twelve girls; but he lowed for fifteen girls.   President Kates asked that he get the information to the Superintendent and they would look at it; and have a discussion.

There being no one else to come before the Board President Kates resumed the agenda items

8.)        Old Business

A.)        Approval of changes made in the Dress Code Policy

The policy is for all school affiliated hoodies, black gold or white only.  It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Vice President Kemp to approve the policy, with the stipulation that if there seem to be a problem with the wearing of the sweatshirts that goes against the policy, the district will revert back to the original Dress Code Policy for wearing sweatshirts.  The motion was carried unanimously.

B.)        Approval of the sale of Columbia Street and Long Avenue School sites

It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Dr. Williams to approve the sale.  The motion was carried unanimously.

C.)        Approval of September 2011 Financial Statements and School Activities for General Fund, Food Service and Special Revenues

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Vice President Kemp to approve the financial statements.  The motion was carried unanimously.

D.)        Grant permission to distribute Sales Tax checks to all full-time employees of Bogalusa City School District on Friday, November 4, 2011

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

E.)        Approval of 2011-2012 Liability Coverage

This line item was in error and should not have appeared on this agenda.  It was approved at the previous meeting.  It was removed unanimously at Mrs. Walker and President Kates request.

F.)        Grant permission to discard additional District Wide Fixed assets; i.e. General Fund, IDEA & Title I

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

G.)        Approval of updated Charter companies for field trips for the district

It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Dr. Williams to approve the updated. The motion was carried unanimously.

H.)        Approval of Senior Class Trip for Bogalusa High and Bogalusa New Tech High School students, April 20-23, 2012, to Universal Studios-Orlando, FL
It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve the travel.  The motion was carried unanimously.                                                                                                      

I.)         Grant permission to adjust board meeting dates for the month of November, 2011 due to workshops and Thanksgiving holiday, as follow:  Wednesday 16 November 2011-Committee Meeting, at Bogalusa High School in the Library; Thursday 17 November 2011-Regular Board Meeting, at Bogalusa Middle School in the Library.  All meetings will begin at 5:30PM.

It was motioned by Mr. Creel, seconded by Mr. Hymel to grant permission.  The motion was carried unanimously.

J.)       Grant permission for Bogalusa City School Board to replace and/or assist in replacing the Coach Gary Dildy sign at Bogalusa High School Baseball Field

Prior to any action form the Board Mr. Hymel stated, ”I know they have some money left over from what they did for Coach Murray and Coach Barlow, I would like for them to use some of that money and us use some and try to get something real nice for him”  ”I’ve asked for them to get with Mrs. Smith and they haven’t made an appointment yet,” said President Kates.

It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Vice President Kemp to assist with the sign.  The motion was carried unanimously. 

9.)               Personnel-Joanna Dillman

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATIONS:

Hire:

Bogalusa Middle School

1. Claudette Johnson - Special Education Resource Teacher;  Effective Date: October 31, 2011

Northside Tech Middle School

1. Michael Thomas - Custodian; Effective Date: October 10, 2011

After-School Tutoring Staff- To Be Hired On an ”As Needed” Basis

1. Toni Breaux - Teacher - Superior Avenue

2. Betty Brumfield - Teacher - Superior Avenue

3. Charlie Deubler - Teacher - Superior Avenue

4. Theodore Dubuclet - Teacher - Superior Avenue

5. Tiffani Timmons Frazier - Teacher - Superior Avenue

6. Elizabeth Lyle - Teacher - Superior Avenue

7. Gail Marcks - Teacher - Superior Avenue

8. Virgie Moses - Teacher - Superior Avenue

9. Natasha Oatis - Teacher - Superior Avenue

10. Margaret Puissegur - Teacher - Superior Avenue

11. Sharronda Smith - Teacher - Superior Avenue

12. Regina Williams - Teacher - Superior Avenue

13. Macy Villarrubia - Teacher - Superior Avenue

14. Deanna Brown - Teacher - Pleasant Hill

15. Karen Hillhouse - Teacher - Pleasant Hill

16. Barbara Wascom - Teacher - Pleasant Hill

17. Melissa Moses - Teacher - Pleasant Hill

18. Stephanie Mizell-Talley - Teacher - Pleasant Hill

19. Christopher Loewe - Teacher - Pleasant Hill

20. Lita Varnado - Teacher - Pleasant Hill

21. Jamie Vicknair - Teacher - Pleasant Hill

22. Stephanie Fradella - Teacher - Pleasant Hill

23. Tracy Schmidt - Teacher - Byrd Avenue

24. Ashley Santangelo - Teacher - Byrd Avenue

25. Christie Saucier - Teacher - Byrd Avenue

26. Glenda Young - Teacher - Byrd Avenue

27. Kim James - Teacher - Byrd Avenue

28. Ella Dupard - Teacher - Byrd Avenue

29. Jennifer Pounds - Teacher - Byrd Avenue

30. Kristen Singletary - Teacher - Byrd Avenue

31. Debra Culbertson - Teacher - Byrd Avenue

32. Bobby Magee - Teacher - Byrd Avenue

33. Karen Toups - Teacher - Byrd Avenue

Middle Schools

1. Kristie Pittman - Northside Tech Middle

2. Jennifer Beninato - Northside Tech Middle

3. Alicia Dardenne - Northside Tech Middle

4. Ron Edmiston - Northside Tech Middle

5. Mary Lou Revere - Northside Tech Middle

6. Nicole Scott - Northside Tech Middle

7. Raymond Morris - Northside Tech Middle

8. Temicka Johnson - Northside Tech Middle

9. Marianne Mixon - Northside Tech Middle

10. Erin Killingsworth - BMS

11. Darren Williams - BMS

12. Veronica Smith - BMS

High Schools

1. Carmel Grantham - Teacher

2. James Fortenberry - Teacher

3. Michael Cummings - Teacher

4. Russell Johnson - Teacher

5. Cheri Sarmiento - Teacher

6. Cole Loper - Teacher

7. Cathy Magee - Teacher

8. Sherri Breland - Teacher

9. Jimi Bonnette - Teacher

Substitutes

1. John Clark - Substitute Teacher

2. Joan Creel - Substitute Teacher       (Voted on separately)

3. Clara Lopez - Substitute Teacher

4. Diona Sibley - Substitute Teacher

5. Carmeletta Guy - Substitute Teacher

6. Claretta Blackshear - Substitute Teacher

7. Nizoreia Moses - Substitute Teacher

8. Paige Arabie - Substitute Teacher

9. Debra Johnson - Substitute Custodian

10. Burnell Magee - Substitute Custodian

11. Lawrence Morris - Substitute Custodian

12. Constance Hall - Substitute CNP

13. David Davis - Substitute CNP

14. Dessie Norris - Substitute CNP

15. Mike William - Substitute CNP

16. Victoria Grant - Substitute Clerical

Extra-Curricular Activities

1. Glen Smith - Assistant Band Director

2. Carl Moss - Assistant Band Director

3. Daphne Walker - Paperdoll Co-Sponsor

Resignations:

1. Pamela Ard -Principal - Byrd Avenue Elementary School; Effective Date: October 24, 2011

2. Christopher Herrington - Behavioral Specialist - Pleasant Hill Elementary School; Effective Date: November 6, 2011

3. Adam Colley - English/Social Studies Teacher - Bogalusa Middle School; Effective Date: September 23, 2011

4. Joanna Dillman - Supervisor of Human Resources and Community Relations; Effective Date: November 11, 2011

5. Crystal Hill - Human Resources Secretary; Effective Date: November 11, 2011

For Consideration:

1. Advertise for a Supervisor of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction position.

2. Due to the limited number of applicants, request to extend the advertisement of the Byrd Avenue Principal position until December 2, 2011.

3. Hire Bertha Breland as a day-to-day substitute for the Byrd Avenue Principal position until position is filled.  - TABLED

4. Advertise to replace Supervisor of Human Resources and Community Relations position.

5. Advertise to replace Human Resources Secretary position.

 President Kates stated, ”I would ask that under Substitutes, number 2 will vote on that separately; and number 3 under Consideration,, we not vote on it; number 3 would be Tabled.  ”I’d like to say this, we are so overstaffed at this School Board Office; I don’t understand why we can get the some of these people, we got some certified people over here why can’t we fill some of these positions with some of these certified people?  We have more people working at our School Board Office than Washington Parish and they’ve got five times more kids than us.  Something is wrong,” said Mr. Hymel.

It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Reverend Mims to vote on every item on the Personnel agenda with the exception of line item number 2 under Substitutes to vote on separately; and line item number 3 under For Consideration, which will be TABLED.  The motion was carried unanimously. 

SUBSTITUTES

2.)     Joan Creel - Substitute Teacher   (Voted on separately)

YEAS:  Dr. Williams, Reverend Mims, Vice President Kemp, Mr. Hymel, and President Kates

RECUSED:  Mr. Creel

ABSENT:   Mrs. Duke

The motion was carried 5-0 with 1 recused; and 1 absent

Next President Kates asked for a motion to amend the agenda to add an Executive Session.

It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Reverend Mims to amend the agenda to add an Executive Session for the purpose of security issue.  The motion was carried unanimously.

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Vice President Kemp to enter into an Executive Session for the purpose of security issues.  The motion was carried unanimously.

10.        Executive Session-Security Issues

Returning to the Media Center, it was motioned by Vice president Kemp, second by Dr. Williams to return to the regular session.  The motion was carried unanimously.

Statement from President Kates-”We went into Executive Session.  The Superintendent brought us up to date on some security issues that we have in the system.  No decision was made.  She will handle that herself.

11.)       Superintendent Comments-Louise Smith

Superintendent Smith focused the Board members attention on the Special Ed Workshop that is scheduled for November 3^rd, in Baton Rouge.  There was information regarding the Financial Workshop scheduled for November 7^th, in Baton Rouge.  Another item was information on facilities that was given during the Louisiana Public Facilities Workshop that she and several Board members attended. 

12.)       Board Members Comments

There were no additional comments from the Board.  President Kates adjourned.

13.)       Adjourn

There being no further comments or business to address President Kates adjourned at 6:45P.M.

___________________________________        __________________________________

Louise Smith                                                                   Paul D. Kates

Secretary to the Board                                                  Board president