Bogalusa School Board

Bogalusa, Louisiana

Regular Board Meeting

March 29, 2012

5:30 P.M.

 

Proceedings of The Bogalusa School Board, Taken At A Regular Meeting That Was Held On Thursday, March 29, 2012

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, March 29, 2012 beginning at 5:30 P.M. The sole purpose was to address timely matters of concern that will be affecting the remainder of 2012 School Year; and look at all aspects regarding 2012-2013 School Year, and the impact it will have on the 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, Mrs. Eleanor Duke, Mr. Calvin Hymel, Reverend Raymond Mims and Dr. Brad Williams

 

There was absent:  None

 

5.)        Presentation:  LSU Ag Center-Henry Harrison-Washington Parish County Agent-Franklinton, LA

Mr. Harrison addressed Superintendent Smith, President Kates and Board Members thanking them for allowing him the opportunity to make a presentation regarding the LSU Ag Center.  He then called upon a member of his staff that was recently hired in Washington Parish to introduce herself to the Bogalusa School Board and the general public. She introduced herself as Kate Fabre, stating that she is the Assistant County Agent for Nutritional Programs dealing with the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) working with low to moderate income families on nutrition.  She went on to say that the main goal of the program is to target childhood obesity.  Next he focused their attention on the Washington Parish Profile sheet in a packet that was presented to the Board Members for review, stating that this gives kind of a summary of the things relative to the LSU Ag Center, highlighting the things that the Ag Center does and the manner in which they are done to include all program areas.  It also included the Washington Parish Stakeholders report. “I want to say thank you all for helping to have this young lady here in the parish, along with the other staff that we have in our parish doing 4-H and other agriculture related activities.  So, again I just want to say thank you for giving us this opportunity; thank you all for providing us with some support; and I hope that it will continue.  Are there any questions?” concluded Mr. Harrison.

 

Statement from Dr. Williams-“I just want to thank you for being such a good community person.  Are you still going to give us some tips for the gardening?”  “If you all go by the Northside Tech School you will see the tip that we are giving our children; and not only at Northside Tech, but we probably will have a couple other schools that we are going to be doing some gardening to try and reach them while they are small so that they know it’s not coming out of Winn-Dixie,” concluded Mr. Harrison.

 

6.)        Approval of Minutes of Regular Board Meeting-February 16, 2012

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

 

7.)        Approval of Minutes of Special Board Meeting-March 12, 2012

It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve the minutes. The motion was carried unanimously.

 

8.)        Board Officers and Committee Reports

There were no reports at this time.

 

9.)        Recess to Public Session

 

1.)        Sheila Lawrence-Mrs. Lawrence stated that she was withdrawing at this time.

 

2.)        Antonia Self-Mrs. Self stated her address as 104 Central Drive, Bogalusa.  Her voiced concern was regarding the calendar that was to be approved at the Board Meeting. “I found out that I guess Calendar #1 is the one that is supposed to be voted on tonight.  I disagree with that calendar.   I would love if you all would just look at it again,” says Mrs. Self.   Her voiced concern was mainly regarding the week off for Mardi Gras; and the end of the day time for school employees.

 

3.)        Jeffery Simon-Mr. Simon stated his address as 3 Amanda Court, Bogalusa, Louisiana.  He stated, “First I’d like to address Paul Kates.  I’d like to apologize to you from the last meeting we had at the high school.  I am not apologizing for what I said, I apologize for the way I handled it.  I should have come to you, but I took the coward way out, so I apologize to you for that.”  He went on to voice a concern regarding race, and according to him, there being different rules for different people.

 

4.)        Tameka Jones-Ms. Jones stated her address as 120 Ponderosa Road, Bogalusa.  Her voiced concern was regarding the merge of 6th-8th grade students with high school students.  Also she mentioned that to her memory she remembers another school being discussed and land proposal, during Mr. Genco’s time. “Well to answer your question, what we had on the ballot then, that proposal for the new school failed; it did not pass.  The only thing passed was the salaries for the teachers.  That’s what passed; and the public just renewed that for the teachers and the school system this Saturday passed.  So the one about the school, it failed; so we didn’t have any money from the public in our plans to build a new school,” says President Kates.

 

10.)       Old Business

                                   

A.)                Grant permission to act on asbestos issue at Columbia Street School site. 

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

 

B.)                Grant permission to bid for Frozen Processed Foods, Kitchen Supplies, Equipment, Milk, Bread, and Produce for Fiscal Year 2012-2013. 

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

C.)                Approval of “Revised” Reduction In Force (RIF) Policy File:  GBNA.

It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Mr. Creel to approve the “revised” policy.  The motion was not carried unanimously at this point.

 

At this point President Kates opened it to the public to speak on this issue. One question was, “Has there been any changes since the other night to that policy?”  President Kates’ response was, “To my knowledge, this is what we’re going to vote on.”  (President Kates held up a document on green paper).  The question was asked from the public again, “Has there been any changes to that policy since the other night?”  “I don’t know, when I got off work; and I got down here nobody told me there were any changes Mr. Morgan,” says President Kates. Another statement was, “You’re the President and they didn’t tell you.”  “No ma’am, you know sometime I am the last to know anyway,” says President Kates.  “A public question was, “Well if you’re the president doesn’t it supposed to come to you?”  “Well it supposed to but sometime they just go around me,” replied President Kates.  An individual in the audience “I just want to make sure that it is the same way it was Monday night, that’s all.”  “We’re voting on this policy that was given to us on Monday night.  There are no changes,” says Mr. Creel.  It has my original notes on it.  That’s what we’re voting on,” says Mr. Creel.

 

The motion was carried at this point to approve the revised policy. The motion was carried unanimously.

 

D.)             Grant permission to extend/increase contract of licensed Speech Pathologist Linda Kellar for 2011-2012  School Year due to larger than anticipated number of students to be assessed. 

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

 

E.)             Approval of Substitutes Job Description. 

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

 

F.)                 Approval of Field Trip travel request for Darren Williams to take six (6) students to Washington, DC during Spring Break. 

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

 

G.)             Approval of the updated list for transportation providers for district field trips.

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

 

H.)              Approval of 2012-2013 District School Calendar.

It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve Calendar #1.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

I.)                Approval of General Fund, Food Service, Special Revenue and School Activities Financial Statements for

            February2012. 

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

 

J.)                 Grant permission to adjust April 2012 dates for Committee and Board Meeting due to Spring Break. The dates are as follow:  Monday 16 April 2012-Committee Meeting; Tuesday 17 April 2012-Regular Board Meeting. All meetings will convene at 5:30PM.

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

 

K.)                Grant permission to implement a Reduction In Force due to declining enrollment and reduced funding. 

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

 

There was an in-depth discussion regarding the individuals that would be involved in the R.I.F. process.  President Kates stated that the Superintendent will handle the process.

 

11.)           Personnel- Superintendent Louise Smith

 

Superintendent’s Recommendations:

Hire:

 

Substitutes

1.)   Terry L. Stewart-Clerical-Effective, March 30, 2012

2.)   Joanie T. Knight-Clerical-Effective, March 30, 2012

3.)   Patricia N. Campbell-Teacher-Effective, March 30, 2012

 

Bogalusa High School

1.)   Master Sergeant (Retired) Joseph C. Brown-Army Instructor-JROTC to replace

Master Sergeant Danny Strahan-Effective July 1, 2012

 

Abolish Position at Bogalusa New Tech High School

1.)   Grant permission to abolish the Principalship position-Effective June 30, 2012

 

Resignation:

1.)   Cole Loper-English Teacher-Bogalusa New Tech High School-Effective end of Business, May 23, 2012

 

Retirement Incentive

1.)   Grant permission to offer a Retirement Incentive pay for all current Bogalusa City School District employees to retire no later than June 30, 2012.   The incentive will be as follow:

 

a)                          Five thousand ($5,000) dollars for certified or professional staff;

b)                         Three thousand ($3,000) dollars for classified personnel

 

Contract service for Bulletin 130 Personnel Evaluation Revision

1.)   Approval of Professional Services Contract between Gavin Vitter and Bogalusa City School System to revise the Personnel Evaluation Plan to reflect Bulletin 130 changes.

 

It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Dr. Williams to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation except Contract Service.  It would be voted on separately.    The motion was carried unanimously.

 

Contract service for Bulletin 130 Personnel Evaluation Revision

1.)   Approval of Professional Services Contract between Gavin Vitter and Bogalusa City School System to revise the Personnel Evaluation Plan to reflect Bulletin 130 changes.

 

Prior to any action, Mr. Creel voiced a concern regarding the content of the contract stating, “If I understand it Mr. Vitter is going to write the rules and guidelines for an evaluation process.  Is that what I’m reading?”  Superintendent Smith replied, “Let me explain it to you.  This comes under the new teacher evaluation instrument; and this gentleman has become an expert on this. He is writing an evaluation plan for several other districts. It is an extensive process.  He’s writing it for several other districts, he’s writing it for his district, for St. Tammany and some other districts in Louisiana.  It would be a tremendous help to us to have it.”  “My question is; is he the only person that can write this policy?  They don’t have anybody else in the state that can write this policy?” asked President Kates.  “Well, he had volunteered after he had made the presentation to us; and I don’t know of any other expert,” says Superintendent Smith.  “He volunteered his service for a contract,” says Mr. Creel.  “Well it’s already signed anyway, so I don’t know,” added President Kates.  “Why don’t we find out Mrs. Smith if there is someone else that can do this?” asked Mrs. Duke.  The discussion continued. “This is my other question concerning the contract.  The terms of agreement say from Monday, March 19th, which has passed….,” added Mr. Creel. (This statement was interrupted by Mrs. Walker stating, “You have an updated one in your folder, Mr. Creel.” ….”to Wednesday August 1st 2012, continued Mr. Creel.   The in-depth discussion continued regarding the contract, the timeframe and the cost.  Mr. Creel stated, “Twenty-five hundred ($2,500) dollars sounds pretty steep to me.  The length of the contract is what I’m getting at. Is there not an individual in this Board Office that is knowledgeable enough to go through Act 130 and set guidelines for teacher evaluations,” says Mr. Creel.  Superintendent Smith replied that there was, but that Mr. Vitter would align it with Compass, the new teacher evaluation, and he would save us some time.  “But yes, there is somebody in this office that can do that,” says Superintendent Smith.  The discussion continued.

 

It was motioned by Mr. Hymel, seconded by Vice President Kemp to approve the Contract Service for Bulletin 130 Personnel Evaluation.  The motion led to a Roll Call Vote as follow:

 

YEAS:     None

NAYS:    Dr. Williams, Reverend Mims, Vice President Kemp, Mr. Creel, Mrs. Duke, Mr. Hymel and President Kates

 

The motion failed 7-0 to approve the contract service.

             

 12.)      Superintendent Comments-Louise Smith

“I just want to thank all the members of the R.I.F Committee for the time and effort that you put into the R.I.F. Policy.  It was a very time consuming process; and I just want to say thank you to all the members of the R.I.F. Committee who stayed with us and worked really hard to bring this policy to fruition.”

                                                     

 13.)      Board Members Comments

Calvin Hymel-Thank you all for being on that committee.  I really appreciate it and that’s what’s going to make this system work when we go through this together.  This Board is going to do what is best for these kids.”

Vice President Adam Kemp-“I just want to wish our students and teachers well as we are headed toward LEAP and iLEAP.  I want to wish them the best of luck.”

Statement from Mrs. Walker- “On May 2nd Teachers Retirement System will meet in this room (Media Center) at 4:00 PM to discuss the new retirement issues and all the legislatures that’s out there now.  If we get a lot of response we may have to change it to the High School.  If you don’t mind, get the word out and email me back if you are going to attend the meeting.”

 

President Paul Kates-“At this time I just want to let all of you know how I feel.  Bogalusa School System is in desperate trouble at the present; and I am praying myself and hoping that our children pass the LEAP test; because if not that gives the state the right to come in and take us over.  I wanted to do the merger for a reason; to save this school system.  We talked about this for four or five months.  I thought everyone was in agreement; but they went around me and chose to do other things, which everyone have their own opinion and they can do whatever they want and vote the way they want to vote; but I did compromise with the  and went along with them; but I still disagree with what happened.  I feel that we should have made the merger in the Fall.  They feel that because architecture said that construction would have been in the way, but I don’t feel that way.  There are only four hundred (400) children at high school; there’s only four hundred (400) at the junior high school.  The school hold sixteen to eighteen (1,600-1,800) hundred children, construction could have still gone on and the merger could have happened.  We could have saved money, so we didn’t do that.  It was postponed for a year.  It’s going to put the district  in critical trouble financially; some may not believe that but I know that’s what’s going to happen because we are going to spend money trying to maintain and keep all of these facilities open when we don’t have the  funds  to maintain these facilities.  But, what have been done, have been done, but I disagree with it and I just had to get this off my chest, because I don’t feel it was the right thing to do.  I think we should have gone on with the merger and the state would have even worked with us more. But, now the state will have a chance to come in and take it if they want too; if we don’t make the grade.  And, like I said the other night, all of our staff is getting excellent evaluation but our children are not performing; they’re not passing the test so something is wrong with that.  So we’ll see how the evaluation is with the state.  Thank you.”

 

Reverend Raymond Mims-“You know Mr. Kates you have your opinion, but I think the community had some concerns; and this Board; and I think that  it’s incumbent upon this Board to listen to  those concerns because there was some serious concerns.  That’s just my opinion; and I think this Board heard the concern and acted upon it.  Now if we can get the construction done and move faster, we can do that; but we heard the concern of the public.  That’s my comment.”

 

Dr. Brad Williams-“If you look into this, when the state takes over systems don’t do any better.  And the other thing is on the merging situation, kids and parents were misinformed about us not having the New Tech program, all we were doing was changing the buildings.  It was going to be enhanced if anything, the New Tech Program.  I just want the public to know that.  Thank you all for your concern.”

 

Mr. Curtis Creel-“Most of you may be aware or may not be aware, but I volunteered to be a member of the Facility Planning Committee. I was a firefighter here in Bogalusa for a number of years and I also worked in construction, so I felt with my experience in construction that I could help out in that way.  I attended every facility management meeting that was held in every facility that we had school in.  At the majority, had it not been for the Principal, requiring there staff to be there it would not have been anyone at those meetings; very, very poor parental participation. We all know that our facilities are antiquated.  We had a vision; and I apologize for not having a plan of action along with the vision that we had; but the reconfiguration and consolidation in my opinion as one member of the Board was our only recourse to save our school system.”

 

Mrs. Eleanor Duke-I applaud what Mr. Creel said also.  We appreciate everybody and your concern.  We have been working so hard to try and improve this system.  Stay with us, we are going to do it.”

 

President Kates asked if there were any more comments.  There were none, and he adjourned. 

 

 14.)      Adjourn

There being no further business or comments President Kates adjourned at 6:35 PM.

 

___________________________________________    ___________________________________________

Louise Smith                                                                 Paul D. Kates

Secretary                                                                      Board President