2012-01-10 SP

Bogalusa School Board Office-Media Center

1705 Sullivan Drive-Bogalusa, LA

Special Board Meeting

January 10, 2012

5:30 P.M.

Proceedings Of The Bogalusa School Board, Taken AT A Special Board Meeting That Was Held On Tuesday, January 10, 2012

The Bogalusa School Board met in a Special Board Meeting at Bogalusa School Board Office, in the Media Center located at 1705 Sullivan Drive, Bogalusa, Louisiana, on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, beginning at 5:30P.M., for the purpose of issuing the Oath of Office to the recent elected School Board Officers for 2012; and to address some personnel matters. There was a presentation by Scott Warren of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).

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

There was absent: None

5.) Oath of Office-Honorable Judge Robert “Bobby” Black

Honorable Judge Robert “Bobby” Black of City of Bogalusa gave the Oath of Office to:

F Mr. Paul Kates as Board President

F Mr. Adam Kemp as Vice President to the Board

Prior to continuing, President Kates welcomed and thanked Senator Nevers for attending the meeting.

6.) Presentation

F Sreb-Scott Warren

Mr. Warren stated, “Good evening. First of all thank you for allowing me the opportunity to come and give a progress report to the Board. The last time I was here I came to you with some information about High School That Works and Making Middle Grades Work; and we’ve kind of moved forward from that point and began working in the schools.” He introduced one of the consultants that was present, Brenda Joubert, who is working at Bogalusa Middle School. He stated that Virginia Dean is working at Bogalusa High School; Mr. Jason Ogle who is one of the Literacy Consultants working with both schools in terms of literacy; two (2) math consultants from the East Coast, Debbie Lemon at Bogalusa Middle School and Paige Graiser at Bogalusa High School. Mr. Warren went on to say that one of the challenges is that the SREB team is coming in working with the schools and then there is the state that is coming in; so that is a challenge. “The real challenge of High Schools That Work and Making Middle Grades Work is getting teachers to move from being victims of change to the owners of change. If you are really going to change, if you are going to change the culture, it takes three (3) years,” says Mr. Warren. He went on to explain the five (5) steps of “connection,” that are being utilized in some of the schools in their circle. According to Mr. Warren this helps more students to graduate. The steps were: 1) Connect every student to a goal beyond high school. 2) Connect them to a plan to achieve that goal. 3) Connect every student to an adult in the building. 4) Connect their parents in a positive way to the school. 5) Connect every student to their peers in a positive way. “This is not a quick fix,” added Mr. Warren. Mrs. Duke voiced a question of concern regarding if we were to be rated, A, B, C, D, or F what would it be. Mrs. Joubert asked if she could answer that” She stated, “We don’t want to do that. We have an end goal and how we get there is going to be different according to who we are; where we started.” President Kates asked what percentage of the faculty has bought into what they are trying to give them, to give to the children. “It would be a pure guess based on the conversations that I have had with the consultants; but I will say the percentage is higher at the high school; but it has grown more at the middle school,” says Mr. Warren. He stated that he would go back and ask the consultants to give a sure answer. Vice President Kemp voiced a concern about the PBIS program. As the discussion continued, Mr. Warren and Mrs. Joubert gave insight to the progress at Bogalusa Middle School. President Kates talked briefly about the trip that he and others went on where they toured a facility in Dalton, GA. Vice President Kemp voiced a question of concern of whether a 4X4 program or seven (7) hour period would work better with the SREB program or does it really matter. “As far as the SREB goes, which would be more sufficient for your program to more effective,” asked Vice President Kemp? “It’s about how you teach. In your situation, you have so many kids in need of remediation to get them caught up, I would look for ways to ensure remediation could occur during the school day,” replied Mr. Warren.

The next item discussed was the District Review. Mr. Warren stated, “I have given you a packet. When we did the original discussions with the previous Superintendent, and a few other folks about our work in Bogalusa, one of the things that was requested was a District Review. I will be honest with you we had not done one of those; but it is something that we were looking at doing because we had just come out with some publications dealing with ‘The Role of the District Office.’ I have provided you a copy of both of those publications. What we did is based upon your request for such a review. We hired a former Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of large districts around the country to take this information and create a review process similar to our technical assistance visit,” says Mr. Warren. At this point he focused the Boards attention on pages six (6) and seven (7) of one of the publications, that outlined seven (7) strategies outlining the roles of the district office. He went on to say a plan was developed to conduct the review looking at where the district office is in terms of the seven (7) strategies. “We developed the plan for the visit around those. And, I’ll just say up-front that the original conversations were around that, the idea of us looking to see how the district could best support the schools. There is another type of review that we do not do, but I know some people that do them actually one of my school districts that I work with just had one; and that is a review that comes in and look at your staffing, very specifically; looks at your policies and procedures in hiring, things of that nature. That is a different type of review. Those are not our areas of expertise. If that is something you prefer the focus be on we would sub-contract for somebody to come in and do that, and we can do that. But, the plan that we put together was centered around how the district can best support the schools for change, and looking at where the district is at in that process. It is not looking at the staffing. We’re open. Like I said, it was the previous Superintendent that these discussions were held with. You are our customer, and we want to meet your needs.” Mr. Warren mentioned the name of Mr. English saying that there are also others that perform this review. He also mentioned the team that would come in if we plan to do the District Review. “When we first started this I wanted someone to come into this building and say, ‘Okay this department how efficient are we; what can be tweaked; how many personnel people do we need in that department; look at job descriptions to see who could be moved to be more efficient to make sure this central office runs smooth everyday,” says Vice President Kemp. “Like I said you are our customer and we want to meet your need. “I’ll just tell you the latter that you were talking about I will get someone that is experienced in that to come in and do that rather than SREB,” says Mr. Warren. He mentioned maybe LSU in Shreveport would come in and do that, since he has connection with them. “I believe wholeheartedly that we can find someone if that is the direction that you want go in this year. That’s fine with us. We were using you as a pilot. We will meet your needs,” added Mr. Warren. President Kates sated that the Board would discuss it and get back with him. “We are pleased with the progress that has been made, and I have seen some tipping points that has occurred recently. We appreciate the opportunity to work here,” concluded Mr. Warren. President Kates thanked Mr. Warren for coming.

7.) Recess To Public Session

At this point Senator Ben Nevers addressed the Board stating, “First let me congratulate all of you. We are entering a new year; and there is no more important job than each of you fill. I heard a question a moment ago of do we have time. I don’t think we have time. I really think we have to do whatever it takes. And, that’s easy for me to say, hard for me to do. Three years is a long time; and let me say, SREB is nationally recognized; and they are great organizations. These people have paid hard earned tax dollars for SREB to perform and show us the way; and we expect no less. We expect these Board Members to be informed of the positive and the negative. And, if in fact the Board, the Superintendent, administration and others are not satisfied with SREB, then there need to be a healthy discussion about how to either improve it or to disengage with them and find something that’s better. I’m known for being straight forward. While I have tremendous respect and I am personal friends with the president of SREB we cannot afford to play games with one another or to accept excuses from anyone; and that includes me, your state senator. I was sworn in yesterday for my last term as your state senator. You will have a new State Superintendent of Education. I ask you to invite him here; let’s talk to him and let’s see how we might engage his help or her help. We cannot continue or we cannot be on an island by ourselves. My first day in office, I got sworn in yesterday, I spent with the Parish President of Washington Parish and the Mayor of Bogalusa. I attended a Strategic Planning Meeting over in the Senior Adult Center, and I’m here tonight. In every place that I’ve been education has been the topic. There is absolutely no way that this parish nor this city can move forward without addressing our educational needs. For my last four years serving you as Senator, I want to help you in every way that I can. So please be open and honest with SREB, and SREB you need to be open and honest with these Board Members and this Superintendent. I thank you for your boldness. I thank you for the initiative that you have taken on. I thank the previous Superintendent that really engaged SREB, or began to work with them; and School Board Members that visited other places and saw some of the result of some of the implemented programs. I thank all of you for that. There are many people out there who say, ‘He’ll never change. Those children will never learn. The City of Bogalusa will never come out of situation that they find themselves; but I happen to be one that thinks differently, and I hope you will join me in that belief and let’s do what’s necessary to move this community and this parish forward. Thank you again for the time that you’ve given me Mr. President,” concluded Senator Nevers.

At this point President Kates asked for a motion to amend the agenda a to add a line item, per Joannie Miller, i.e., “Grant permission for Bogalusa City Schools to enter into a contract with Therapeutic Counseling Clinic DBA Pinewood, hereinafter referred to as the Contracted Agency for providing food service in the National School Lunch Program.” (This will be labeled as Line item B.)

It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Reverend Mims to amend the agenda to add line item B. The motion was carried unanimously.

8.) New Business

A.) Personnel

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDTIONS

Hire

Bogalusa Middle School

1. Kristy Haik-5^th Grade Teacher replacing Marie Childs, Effective January 17,2012

Byrd Avenue Elementary

1. Joan Creel-Resource Teacher replacing Phyllis Bryant, Effective January 9, 2012

Retirement

1. Barbara Benne-Child Nutrition Programs, Effective October 28, 2011

Extended Sick Leave

1. Jennifer Bravata-Reading Teacher-Bogalusa Middle School, Effective January 4 through May 14, 2012

Substitutes

1. Christopher Penton-Teacher

2. Victoria Evans-Teacher

Resignations

1. Marie Childs-5^th Grade Teacher-Bogalusa Middle School, Effective January 13, 2012

2. Kimberly Picou- Foreign Language Teacher-Bogalusa High School, Effective January 10, 2012

3. Monika Rogan-Talented Art Teacher, Effective January 3, 2012

It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Reverend Mims to approve the Superintendent’s Recommendations. The motion was not carried unanimously at this point. The result was a Roll Call Vote as follow:

YEAS: Dr. Brad Williams, Reverend Raymond Mims, Vice President Adam Kemp, Mr. Calvin Hymel, Mrs. Eleanor Duke, and President Paul Kates.

NAYS: None

RECUSED: Mr. Curtis Creel

The motion was carried 6-0 with 1 recuse.

B.) Grant permission for Bogalusa City Schools to enter into a contract with Therapeutic Counseling Clinic DBA Pinewood, hereinafter referred to as the Contracted Agency for providing food service in the National School Lunch Program

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

9.) Superintendent Comments-Louise Smith

Superintendent Smith stated that SREB has been more than above board with us. She thanked them for their presentation. “I think that we are very, very fortunate to have SREB in Bogalusa, and I think that they are going to help us make tremendous strides.” She then went on to focus their attention on items in their folders as follow: The RFQ & P paperwork regarding the QSCB Loan process and the improvements; the fourth Facilities Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at Northside Tech Middle School in the auditorium, at 5:00PM; an application for School Board Member of the Year through LSBA; LSBA Convention registration information for March 1-3, 2012 in Lafayette, Louisiana; copy of Superintendent’s Evaluation; copy of Race To The Top application. She stated that she was contacted by Gayle Sloan and Ms. Sloan asked if we would like to be a part of the Race To The Top in the third round and she did commit to it, since we were previously a part of it.

10.) Board Members Comments

Vice President Adam Kemp- Mr. Kemp stated that he attended the State Superintendent’s inauguration on the day before. Like he said “Teaching and the teachers are the most important components in a child’s education.”

President Paul Kates- Mr. Kates stated that we do not have a lot of time; and that he feels that the Board is committed to making this system work. “We brought SREB in here to better our system. If you are not in this system for the betterment of our children education, I don’t feel we need you here,” says President Kates.

Mrs. Eleanor Duke- Mrs. Duke stated, “I appreciate Senator Nevers being here tonight. That let’s us know that you are behind us. So, you being here mean a lot. Thank you,” says Mrs. Duke.

Again Scott I want to thank you for coming; and we appreciate you. I feel that the number one thing now is that we trust one another and do what is best for our children; because without trust in this system we are going to fall by the wayside,” concluded President Kates.

At this point President Kates asked if there were any further business or comments to address. There were none and he adjourned.

11.) Adjourn

There being no further business or comments, President Kates adjourned at 7:30PM.

___________________________ _______________________________

Louise Smith Paul D. Kates

Secretary Board President