Bogalusa School Board Office-Media Center

Bogalusa, Louisiana

Regular Board Meeting

May 21, 2012

5:30 P.M.

Proceedings of the Bogalusa School Board, Taken At A Regular Meeting That Was Held On Monday, May 21, 2012

The Bogalusa School Board met in a Regular Board Meeting at the Bogalusa City School Board Office Media Center located at 1705 Sullivan Drive, Bogalusa, Louisiana, on Monday, May 21, 2012 beginning at 5:30 P.M. The sole purpose was to continue addressing the needs and plans for the 2012-2013 Fiscal School Year.  The agenda included an Executive Session.

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:  School Based Health Centers-Debbie Craig and Nursing Staff

Mrs. Kathi Adams stated that they were there to give a follow-up.  She went on to say that two (2) months ago she and Mrs. Murray came before the Board when they had received word that the School Based Health Centers were closing at the end of the day last Friday.  At that point she presented three (3) binders of screenings and two (2) binders reflecting the encounters that had been performed at both school sites that housed the School Based Health Centers.  “What that shows us is that this reflects the activities; it also reflects the needs.  The thing is now what direction do we go in.  Mrs. Smith is exploring options.  One of those is that she has entered a Memorandum of Understanding with an outside agency just to see the feasibility of another agency coming in and operating the Health Centers.  We don’t know what direction that will take us; but I’m sure she will let us know of what development come up.  We want to thank you for allowing us to get two (2) additional nurses for this remaining period of time.  They’ve done an excellent job.  We thank you for your support and we appreciate you.  Those two (2) nurses are Judy Drummond and Ana Busby.  Thank you,” concluded Mrs. Adams.

6.         Board Officers and Committee Reports

At this point Mrs. Walker introduced Mr. Kenneth Sprague, Vice President of Fauntleroy Latham Weldon Barre’ Architects.  Mr. Sprague proceeded to give an update of what had transpired.  “We have taken bids as related to the Phase I Project that we had out for Bogalusa High School.  We took bids on Thursday, May 17^th here in the Board Room.  There were ten (10) contractors who were on record as taking out plans as potential bidders.  On bid day, which was Thursday, six (6) bidders turned in their bids.  We opened them here in the room.  The low bidder on Thursday was Kent Construction, Inc., of Mandeville, Louisiana.  Phase I bid was three hundred, thirty seven thousand ($337,000) dollars.  Our opinion for probable construction cost for that phase was three hundred, ninety thousand ($390,000) dollars, so we under bonded; and with Board approval tonight we will push forward with getting Kent Construction under contract.  I think we’ve already sent Mrs. Walker the contract forms for Board legal counsel review.  I highly recommend Kent Construction to the Board and look forward to hearing and answering any questions you may have and hearing approval so we can move forward,” says Mr. Sprague. 

At this point President Kates asked if anyone had any questions.  There were none and he proceeded with the agenda. 

7.)        Recess to Public Session

Phlesher Mingo-“Ms. Mingo stated her address as 734 Avenue G, Bogalusa, Louisiana.  “My question for the Board; maybe my comment to the Board is that I’ve seen advertised on our website that we have some positions at the high school level; secondary level in English, Math and Chemistry.  What I want to say to the Board is my daughter was accepted into Xavier University; and we had to do a placement test.  I am very concerned about the kids that will be following her.  She did extremely well in English; beyond expectance; she exceeded the minimum amount for English; but math is a very, very concern of mines.  I know she was weaker in math, but not quite that weak.  She had an “A” in advance math and “A” in algebra and it’s just not correlating with what these colleges is looking for.  I am concerned that we’re not getting these qualified teachers in these positions.   I want to make sure that when we go out and recruit these teachers that we are recruiting the best and not accepting what other people don’t want.  It’s obvious to me that when people send in a resume it does not tell me anything about that person.  We need to call these districts.  We need to go out and recruit, and get the best; because our kids in Bogalusa deserve the best.  Also, we have people on staff that is qualified in these areas; maybe we just need to move them around or something.  I just know I was very upset; and when she took that placement test and it showed that she was that weak in math; and you come out of that classroom with an “A” in advanced math and an “A” in algebra, and you’re that weak, obviously something is not being taught or grades are given.  I don’t want her given anything.  I want her to earn it.  It upset me so I knew I had to come and address this.  When I look on the website and see we need two (2) secondary math teachers, we don’t need to just accept when people send us resumes.  We need to call those districts; we need to go around; and we need to recruit highly qualified people.  Just because you’re certified does not mean you’re qualified and this is what has happened over the years; taking what St. Tammany and Washington Parish does not want.  We’re just accepting them in.   We need to do some research on these people.  We need to know that we are getting the best.  We pay well in Bogalusa. I don’t see any excuse why we can’t get the qualified people that they’re getting.  My daughter is gone on; there are grandkids that are going to come; I have family members that are still in this system, Bogalusa is not as bad as people say it is.  I know what they produced with my child.   But I also know that we can do better in areas. We need to go out and get those people and stop waiting for them to come to us.  Thank you.”

Susan Magee-Mrs. Magee stated her address as 336 Atlanta Street, Bogalusa.  “I’m probably putting the cart before the horse; because it was a personnel matter.  I met with Mrs. Smith this morning and with Mr. Stewart.  Mrs. Smith was very concerned because I had so many absences this year.   She is not going to recommend me for re-hire.  I have taught the Health Education course since 1997.  I have taught so many kids that are now in the Health Care profession This year in August we found out that my daughter was pregnant.   In November she had a baby.  She had a five pound baby and an eight pound ovarian tumor that was cancerous.  So, I have been out with her quite a bit.  This has not been a good year; and now Mrs. Smith doesn’t want me to be rehired.  I know I’ve done a good job.  This is one of the best programs Bogalusa has.  I know I can be replaced; I know that.  I am not asking you for favor. I am just asking you to consider the circumstances.  There were extenuating circumstances this year.  I had enough time to cover except for five or six days.   I appreciate your consideration.”

8.)        New Business

A.)     Accept/Reject Bids for Phase 1 Renovation to various buildings at Bogalusa High School.

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mr. Hymel to accept the low bid of Kent Construction, Inc. of Mandeville, Louisiana of $337,000.   The motion was not carried unanimously at this point.  President Kates asked for comments from the public on this item. 

“Yes sir, Christopher Penton.  My address is 1629 Thomas Boulevard.  I have been substituting at the high school for the last six weeks and I understand that you go out and get bids but we always go for the lowest bidder.  Where does the second lowest bidder come in as compared to where we want to be; and why do we always accept the lowest bidder?  We just got through talking about what we are going to do with the standards, so why don’t we look at the second lowest and see what qualifications they bring to the plate; and if we’re still under budget we can consider the top three (3) and narrow it down to the other one that we just accept as the lowest bidder.

Response from Kenneth Sprague-“The public Bid Law is if you are a private institution you could accept any bid that you took.  You could accept the low bidder; you could accept the high bidder.  But the public Bid Law is pretty cut and dry you take the low bidder on the bid list.  After you receive bids he has forty-eight (48) hours to withdraw his bid, if he finds he’s made an error in his bid.  Those forty-eight (48) hours were up as of two o’clock today.   I have had conversations with Kent Construction.  They feel good about their bid.  They are looking forward to moving on with the project.  If the Board approves the project tonight we will issue; finalize the contract with everybody’s signature; we’ll issue “Notice to Proceed” and next week Kent Construction will be on site working on the Phase I Project.  I don’t know if the Board has an option of rejecting bids.”

It was noted that Kent Construction was a good choice.  It was also noted that the second lowest bid was three hundred eight four thousand ($384,000) dollars.  Mr. Penton continued to voice concerns regarding the lowest bidder. And the job at hand whether it could be completed for that cost.  President Kates stated that they would have to complete the job with that bid.  “When they sign; when the School Board and Kent Construction enter into a contract Kent Construction is obligated to do everything that’s contained in those contract documents,” says Mr. Sprague.   “And I want to add also Mr. Penton the architect did an opinion cost and their cost came in around three hundred ninety thousand ($390,000).  So the bid came within the probable cost,” says Mrs. Walker.

The motion was carried unanimously at this point for Kent Construction, Inc., of Mandeville Louisiana.

B.)    Grant permission to discard additional District Wide Fixed Assets, i.e. General Fund, Federal Programs and IDEA.

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

C.)    Grant permission to advertise for janitorial supplies for July 1, 2012 thru June 30, 2013. 

It was motion by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mrs. Duke to grant permission.  The motion was carried unanimously. 

D.)    Approval of Financial Statements and revised budgets for April 2012, i.e. General Fund, Food Service and Special Revenue. 

It was motion by Dr. Williams, seconded by Reverend Mims to approve.  The motion was carried unanimously. 

At this point Vice President Kemp asked that the agenda be amended to add line items E and F,  follow:   E.) To accept a motion basically to set a timeframes for the Superintendent to give  the Board detailed plans for this next school year to be implemented.  (Vice President Kemp read exact wording of  the line item in detail).  F.)  Grant permission to hold a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, May 31, 2012.

It was motion by Reverend Mims, seconded by Dr. Williams to amend the agenda to add two (2) line items i.e. E and F.  The

motion was carried unanimously. 

E.)    Grant permission due to the merger of the two middle schools and consolidation of 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade students at the start of 2013-2014 school year, for the Board to instruct the Superintendent that before January 15^th, 2013 a detailed plan will be presented to the Board as to how this consolidation will be implemented.  This plan should include how the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade students’ housing will be segregated from the 9^th through 12^th grade students, classrooms arrangements, staffing and proper security.  Also a list of personnel positions that will be eliminated due to these changes should be presented at that time.

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

G.)    Grant permission to hold a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, May 31, 2012.

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

9.)         Personnel- Superintendent Louise Smith

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATIONS

Hire for 2012 Summer School

Bus Drivers

1. Cemmie Taylor

2. Willie Mae Sumrall

Transfers

1. Deanna Kellar from Bogalusa Middle School to Byrd Avenue K-4 School-Effective 2012-2013 School Year.

2. Debra Pigott-CNA-from Denhamtown PreK to Byrd Avenue-Effective 2012-2013 School Year.

3. Deon Abram-SPED Child Specific Aide- from Denhamtown PreK to Byrd Avenue-Effective 2012-2013 School Year.

4. Lemor James-Custodian-from Central Office to Bogalusa Middle School-Effective July 1, 2012.

5. Rhonda Talley-Custodian-from Denhamtown PreK to Byrd Avenue-Effective July 1, 2012.

6. David Brown-Custodian-from Superior Avenue to Northside  Tech Middle-Effective July 1, 2012

*NOTE:  Line items 4, 5, & 6 were placed on hold until further review of these transfers.

Resignation

1. Miesha Myers-Title I Clerk-Effective May 29, 2012.

Permission to Advertise

1. Permission to advertise for two (2) Bogalusa City School District bus operators.

2. Permission to advertise for School Secretary within the district for Bogalusa Middle School and Bogalusa High School.

NOTE:   The lists of employees are alphabetized by school sites and/or departments.

2012-2013 School Staff

Statement from President Kates-“We are not going to act on Personnel tonight, we’re going to act on Personnel

at our Special Meeting.  At this time can I get a motion to go into “Executive Session”?

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Vice President Kemp to enter into an “Executive Session.  The motion was carried unanimously.

10.)       Executive Session-Personnel

Reentering the Media Center, it was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Reverend Mims to reconvene to regular session.

The motion was carried unanimously.

Statement from President Kates-“We went into an Executive Session to discuss some policy issues on our hiring practice with the Bogalusa City School Board employees.  At this time we are going to exclude the transfers until further notice while we do a more detail search on whether we are doing the correct thing.  Everything on the list except for transfers, we will bevoting on tonight on our personnel.  Can I get a motion on the personnel except the transfers?

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Vice President Kemp to approve the Personnel Agenda with the exclusion of the transfers.  The motion was not carried unanimously at this point.

President Kates asked input from the public.  “You’re putting this off until when,” asked Mr. Morgan?  “Most likely when we have the Special Meeting, when she bring us the information we need,” replied President Kates.  “Basically what we’re looking at; we want to make sure that union; first of all people are notified of these transfers that it’s affecting and that the policy procedures are followed correctly based on  either our policy or the  contract with the maintenance,” added Vice President Kemp. 

At this point it was brought to the attention of the Board that under “Transfers”  along with the custodian transfers, there were teachers and CNA’s which was necessary because children will be leaving Denhamtown and the employees will be needed at the schools that the children will be attending.

The motion was carried to accept the personnel agenda with the exclusion of line items 4, 5, & 6 under Transfers. 

At this point there was a question of concern stating, “We had a speaker to speak tonight when are we going to let her know something in that situation?”  When asked what person, the name was stated Mrs. Magee.  “It hadn’t been brought to us yet.  We can’t speak on something that hadn’t been brought to us yet.  I know she made a comment about what’s going on but until it’s brought to this Board, then we’ll have to discuss that,” replied President Kates.

 11.)       Superintendent Comments-Louise Smith

Superintendent Smith focused the Board’s attention on the Act 2 Resolution of 2012 that was received earlier that day.  She asked that they look at this resolution in possible consideration for action at the Special Meeting on May 31^st.  Next she addressed a bar graph regarding the employee-to-student count for the past ten (10) years, starting with 2003 and going through 2012.  Included also she told them was a list of the best high schools in Louisiana.  “According to the US News on Best High Schools in 2012, Louisiana has seventy-nine (79) Bronze Medal schools; and Bogalusa High School is rated in there among these seventy-nine (79) high schools.  There are three hundred and ninety (390) high schools in the state of Louisiana, and Bogalusa High School received one of those medals as one of the top ranked schools. There is a Newsletter in there from Mrs. Seal.  You also have a chart.  These are the three (3) departments that the state recommended.  We have Operations, Resources and Instructional Services.  We have taken the people in this office and put them under those three departments for you to look at to see how we are organizing under those three departments in this office.  Also look at the facilities plan from our last board meeting there were questions about that.  That’s all I have, thank you.”

At this point President Kates stated, Mr. Conerly can I ask you a question?  Mr. Conerly, our bus drivers, do our children wear seatbelts?”  “No sir.  It is not mandated at this time,” replied Mr. Conerly.

 12.)       Board Members Comments

Curtis Creel-“I have a question concerning this Litigation about Act 2, has it been any ” (Pausing and not completing this sentence).  Superintendent Smith stated that it was for informational purposes and something that they might want to look at.

Calvin Hymel-“I feel that the Superintendent hasn’t been able to make the decisions.  We’ve got a lot of tough decisions ahead of us and we know who’s been making the decisions for her.  I am so sorry I just have to say it I can’t just sit here everybody knows it; and if you sit here and say you don’t know it, I’m sorry for you; but I’m telling you the Superintendent needs to start making her own decisions, and let’s move this school system forward.  I just had to say that; I’m sorry I feel that she has not been able to make the decisions”

Vice President Kemp-“I think as a Board we are working very diligently to make the right decisions and not disturb instruction of students and at the same time put the policies; repairs; and do some positive things; although it’s not published that we are doing these positive things.  If we can save over a million dollars this year it will help in repaying our loan we took on to try to renovate the schools.  We see some good things going on at the high school.  I commend this Board in saying that we are not going to rush but we are getting the job done.  I feel that we’ve put students first in this situation and that we’ve listen to our parents.  It’s the same thing as with the R.I.F. Policy; and how that went about.  I think we have to look at where we go from here.  How do we achieve the things that we need to achieve?  Test scores have not come out yet officially.  We will see those in the near future.  Whether they’re good or bad they are ours.   If they are good we will shout it from the rooftop; if they’re not what we want them to be then we will have to come back and reevaluate where we are; what works and what doesn’t; what teachers are being successful and who aren’t.  If they are performance based; if our teachers are showing a decline in performance for two (2) or more years they need to be on Intensive Assistance; if our schools are showing a decline for two (2) or more years, the Principal needs to be put on Intensive Assistance; if Supervisors know that these things are being done and it is not being documented, they need to be put on Intensive Assistance; and if our policies are not being met at our expectation, then our Superintendent needs to be put on Intensive Assistance.  We have got to hold everybody accountable for their job I think that’s what we’re trying to do; and at the same time promote some positive things within our system.  There are positive things going on in this system.  I don’t think anyone here is spineless.  I don’t think anyone here has backed down.  I think that we have sat back and as a group made education decisions for this system, trying to do the right thing and not rush”   Vice President Kemp addressed Mr. Meek regarding the editorial article in the recent edition.

Reverend Raymond Mims-“I feel the same way.  I’m not spineless either.  You sit behind the pen and call me spineless I don’t like that and I can do something about it.  We spend good money in that paper and we need to stop.  We need to put it in another paper that will report the good that goes on in this system.”

Curtis Creel-“Mr. Creel voiced that he had not read the paper but he had received telephone calls regarding his opinions of different issues.  “The spineless comment was low.  I don’t believe in getting into a letter writing campaign with the paper, that’s something you can’t win. Recently in Boston I attended a session that pretty much dealt with negative press and there are ways to combat that.  I have challenged Mrs. Smith to do that.  If it comes down to printing our factual information; magnifying our good things by standing in a pick-up line and handing it to parent on a flyer then that’s what I’ll do.  We have got to stop magnifying the negative and accentuate the positive.  We’re moving and grant it we may be moving at snail’s pace but we’re moving.  I try to convey this message to everyone that I’ve spoken to that instead of getting up in the morning and being negative, make a positive day out of it by supporting this Board, and school system, and what we’re trying to do.”

Mrs. Duke-“I read two paragraphs in the editorial Friday and threw the newspaper across the room.  I have never done anything like that in my life but it upset me so much.  I did not read the rest of the article.  I would like to say that all seven members of this School Board are products of the Bogalusa School System.  We all graduated from Bogalusa High School or Central Memorial High School; and we are proud of this system.  We would never do anything to bring this system down.   I hope you understand that.”

Dr. Brad Williams-“I’d like to issue a couple of challenges.  Number one, Mr. Hymel and I in the meeting in the Cajundome a month or whatever ago spoke with Superintendent White to come over here to make us more efficient here at the School Board Office.  He punched it in on his phone.  It sounded pretty good and it wasn’t too long; pretty prompt he sent some people over here.  What we got back was nebulousness and generality.  I was expecting; let these people go here; merge these people here.  These are supposedly the top people in our state, they are supposed to know how to do stuff; but all we got was nebulousness and generality.  Another thing was maybe you should hire an outside consulting firm.  Well, that’s why we asked you to do this, so if you got any gripe about it; state people let us know about it.  Number two, whatever you do with consolidating the schools with this; or not consolidating them yet with that, that’s still not the biggest problem this school system faces. I challenge the newspaper, if you can follow me and a couple of sheriff deputies around sometime and go into these homes; look at these negligent environments these kids are coming from, that’s the problem we’re facing in this school system not whether we’re going to consolidate something over here; or move this building over there; or stop this program over here. The challenge I issue to you, the newspaper, is to look into that part of this situation in the school system.”

President Paul Kates-“All I have to say is we do have an accountability problem in the Bogalusa City School System.  Everybody is not being held accountable to these children.”

At this point President Kates asked if there were any further comments.  There were none, and he adjourned.

 13.)      Adjourn

There being no further business to address or comments, President Kates adjourned at 6:55PM.

____________________________________________     ___________________________________________

Louise Smith                                                                           Paul D. Kates

Secretary                                                                                  Board President