Bogalusa School Board Office-Media Center
Bogalusa, Louisiana
Regular Board Meeting
June 20, 2012
5:30 P.M.
Proceedings of the Bogalusa School Board, Taken At A Regular Meeting That Was Held On Wednesday, June 20, 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 Wednesday, June 20, 2012 beginning at 5:30 P.M. The sole purpose was to address the long and shortfall of matters regarding the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year for the district. There was a presentation on Redistricting of School Board Districts.
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: Election Commission of Washington Parish-Buddy Jenkins, Chairman (At this point President Kates stated that the “Presentation” will follow the Personnel.
6.) Approval of Minutes of Special Board Meeting-May 7, 2012
It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Vice President Kemp to approve the minutes. The motion was carried unanimously.
7.) Approval of Minutes of Special Board Meeting-May 14, 2012
It was motioned by Mrs. Duke, seconded by Reverend Mims to approve the minutes. The motion was carried unanimously.
8.) Approval of Minutes of Regular Board Meeting-May 21, 2012
It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Mrs. Duke to approve the minutes. The motion was carried unanimously.
9.) Board Officers and Committee Reports
Question from Vice President Kemp- “Where are we as far as the numbers at Northside Tech and the temporary housing? Do we know our numbers as of right now?
Response from Superintendent Smith- “We do not know all of our numbers right now, but we are working on modular buildings. Mr. Boyles and I are working on that.”
10.) Recess to Public Session
There was no one that came forward the address the Board or public. President Kates resumed regular session.
11.) New Business
A.) Approval of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program (FFVP) for Pleasant Hill Elementary for Fiscal Year 2012-2013.
It was motioned by Mrs. Duke, seconded by Vice President Kemp to approve. The motion was carried unanimously.
B.) Grant permission to award the Child Nutrition Bids for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 for Frozen and Processed Foods, Supplies, Milk, Bread and Produce to the lowest bidder meeting specifications.
It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mr. Hymel to grant permission. The motion was carried unanimously.
C.) Approval of a ten-cent ($.10) Meal Price Equity School Lunch Price Increase for paying students in the elementary and secondary schools as set forth by the state.
It was motioned by Mrs. Duke, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve. The motion was carried unanimously.
D.) Grant travel permission for Sherri Breland, Cathy Magee, Steven Sanders, Cheri Sarmiento and Karren Sharp to attend the New Tech Network Annual Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The conference is scheduled to be held July 17-19, 2012.
It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Reverend Mims to grant permission. The motion was carried unanimously.
E.) Approval of Revised Budgets, and Financial Statements i.e. General Fund, Food Service, Special Revenue and School Activities for May 31, 2012.
It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve. The motion was carried unanimously.
F.) Approval of Property Insurance for Fiscal Year 2012-2013.
It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Vice President Kemp to approve. The motion was carried unanimously.
G.) Grant permission to discard additional District Wide Fixed Assets i.e. General Fund, IDEA and Federal Programs.
It was motioned by Mr. Duke, seconded by Mr. Hymel to grant permission. The motion was carried unanimously.
H.) Grant permission to adjust the July 2012 Meetings due to the NSBA Southern Region Conference scheduled for July 23-26, 2012 in Biloxi, Mississippi. The meetings will be as follow: Committee Meeting- Tuesday 10 July 2012 at 5:00PM; Regular Board Meeting-Wednesday 11 July 2012 at 5:30PM
It was motioned by Mrs. Duke, seconded by Mr. Hymel to grant permission. The motion was carried unanimously.
I.) Approval of School Board Retreat scheduled for Tuesday 10 July 2012. The retreat will be held from 5:30PM-8:30PM in the School Board Office Media Center-1705 Sullivan Drive-Bogalusa, LA. Board Members attending will receive 3.0 Credit Training hours from LSBA toward Act 705
It was motioned by Mr. Creel, seconded by Reverend Mims to approve. The motion was carried unanimously.
J.) Grant permission to hire Attorney Robert L. (Bob) Hammonds of Hammonds and Sills Law Firm to represent the Board on litigation against the state seeking to have Act 2 and SCR99 (MFP) of the 2012 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature declared unconstitutional and a violation of state law.
It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Reverend Mims to grant permission. The motion was not carried unanimously at this point.
President Kates asked whether anyone wanted to speak on this issue. A gentleman in the audience stated, “Yes. What is Act 2? President Kates responded by stating, “That’s something the legislature, they passed all of those acts about school vouchers and a lot of other issues about private schools where parents could apply for vouchers for their kids to go to other schools.” The gentleman continued, “So Bogalusa Is going to hire an attorney to fight that.” President Kates reply was, “No, the whole state, all the School Boards throughout the state. We’re just passing this resolution so that it will be on record. All School Boards in the state is filing this same act.” As the gentleman continued about hiring someone to represent us in litigation, President Kates responded, “The Louisiana School Board Association is hiring; so we are a part of the School Board System in the state, so the state is hiring Bob Hammonds.” “So the state is telling you to do this,” asked the gentleman? “No. no, no, no,” replied President Kates. Reverend Mims stated, “We’re doing this ourselves because that’s an attempt to kill public education.” “That was the reason I asked that, says the gentleman. “Correct me if I’m wrong, Act 2 is where the MFP money is used to fund charter and private schools; students attending there; and the constitution say that federal money should not be used for private entities. So, that’s the entire state. Every Board has been asked to offer their support in fighting this, because it’s unconstitutional,” says Vice President Kemp. “So somebody at the state told the Bogalusa City School Board that they had to do this, asked the gentleman? “No, no, no, no, no, no; they offered us the opportunity to join in with them, and we took them up on their offer,” replied Vice President Kemp. “Oh, okay so you decided to go ahead and join the bandwagon. That’s all I’m saying,” added the gentleman. “We decided to join in support with other School Boards in the state, to unite as one front rather than one each individual system,” concluded Vice President Kemp. “Okay, that’s fine,” conclude the gentleman.
The motion to grant permission, was carried unanimously at this point.
K.) Approval of Political Subdivision Contract Educator Participant Training and Instruction between Southeastern Louisiana University and City of Bogalusa School System.
It was motioned by Mr. Creel, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve. The motion was carried unanimously.
12.) Personnel- Superintendent Louise Smith
SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDTIONS:
SUMMER TEACHERS TESTING STAFF
Bobbie Weary
Paulette Young
Erin Killingsworth
Veronica Smith
Michael Cummings
Mia Kennerson
Heather Boyet
Cole Loper
Karen Hillhouse
Melissa Moses
Jena LaFleur
HIRE FOR 2012-2013
Teachers
1. Kristen Wilkinson-6th Grade Social Studies Teacher Northside Technology Middle School-Effective 2012-2013 School Year.
2. Barbara E. Brewster-Read 180 Teacher/ELA-Bogalusa Middle School-Effective 2012-2013 School Year. *
3. Kathleen Landry-Math Teacher-Bogalusa Middle School-Effective 2012-2013 School Year. *
4. Janie McKim-ELA Teacher-Bogalusa Middle School-Effective 2012-2013 School Year. *
TRANSFERS
1. Amy Adams –Librarian-From Bogalusa Middle School to Bogalusa High School-Effective July 16, 2012
2. Ann Young-Secretary-From Denhamtown PreK to Bogalusa High School-Effective July 16, 2012
PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE:
Principal for Bogalusa High School due to the resignation of Bryan Stewart.
RESIGNATIONS:
Jennifer Bravata-Teacher-Bogalusa Middle School-Effective June 11, 2012.
Bryan Stewart-Principal-Bogalusa High School-Effective end of business July 31, 2012
RETIREMENT:
Michael Adams-Maintenance Worker-Effective end of business June 30, 2012.
RETIREMENT INCENTIVE:
To be eligible to receive the incentive pay package for retirement, letters must be submitted to the Superintendent on or before the end of business June 25, 2012.
It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Dr. Williams to approve the personnel as presented by the Superintendent. The motion was carried unanimously.
At this point President Kates called for the Presentation that was to be presented following the Personnel Agenda.
5.) Presentation: election Commission of Washington Parish-Buddy Jenkins, Chairman
“My name is Buddy Jenkins and I am Chairman of the Washington Parish Election Commissions. You guys passed a resolution a few months ago to have us to work up a redistricting plan for you. We worked up three plans. We met and reviewed those three (3) plans and have one (1)for recommendation for you. Mrs. Smith has asked me to present you with all three (3) plans, rather than just one (1) in particular. I’ll show you all three (3) plans here tonight. You have a packet of everything that is in the presentation. If you have any questions at any time don’t hesitate to interrupt me, and ask the question. School Board Redistricting is covered by Bulletin R.S. 17:71. In that statue there is a section that talks specifically about the boundaries of any of the election district being made up of whole precinct, in other words no split precincts. But the second part of that gives you a provision for splitting precincts if it is not possible to redistrict each district without splitting precincts; but it limits how many splits you can have into how many districts one precinct can be split. In other words, our limitation is no precinct is being split into more than two (2) Council Districts or two (2) School Board Districts; and no School Board Districts contain more than three (3) split precincts. That’s our limitation by law; and that’s important because any plan that is adopted by the School Board that violates that law is subject to be overturned by the state; refused by the state and we have to start over again. What are our goals for coming up with a plan? What are we trying to establish? First of all we want to develop a plan that brings Bogalusa City School Board District in compliance with the Louisiana State Law R.S. 17. Right now as the district exist based on the 2010 Census they are out of compliance. We want to maintain the seven (7) continuous districts per the current plan. We want to create districts that are compacted and continuous as possible based on the 2010 data. We want to maintain the two (2) current majority/minority districts with School Board District 1 and School Board District 3 as part of our new plan. We want to create a third district that reflects the racial split of the 2010 population totals of fifty-nine-point four-one (59.41%) percent white; and forty-point-five-nine (40.59%) percent minority. If you take the forty-point-five-nine (40.59%) percent; multiply it times the seven districts and you should have two-point-eight-four or three (2.84 or 3) minority districts within the Bogalusa City School Board. We want to take the incumbency where possible without sacrificing any of the other goals to the plan. Each one of these goals; each one of these seven/six items here carries equal weight. We don’t want to sacrifice compacted and continuous districts just for the sake of establishing another minority district. Everything carries equal weight. The spreadsheet down below shows you the breakdown of the 2010 census population. Bogalusa School Board District has seventeen thousand, three hundred and eighty-two (17,382) total population; ten thousand, two hundred, twenty-six (10,226) of those are white, or fifty nine point four-one (59.41%) percent; the black population is thirty seven-point five, seven (37.57%) percent. This is how the census breaks down the data. This is what you get when you go on their website and download the census information. Now, I’m sure you’re aware that the census does not properly recognize the Bogalusa School Board District. The census data confines the Bogalusa City School Board to the city limits of Bogalusa. If you look at the census data it’ll tell you that the Bogalusa City School Board has twelve thousand, two hundred and thirty two (12,232) people in it, which is the same population of Bogalusa. We all know that the Bogalusa City School Board includes all of fourth ward, so data has to be compiled. You have to compile that data using precincts and using census blocks, which is the smallest measurement that the census takes. Each precinct is made up of census blocks. Bogalusa City School Board has nineteen (19) precincts either wholly or partially within the jurisdiction. Thirteen (13) of those precincts are wholly within the district; six (6) of those districts are split by the Ward 4 boundary. The problem we have there is the Ward 4 Boundary is not an identifiable landmark except for a couple of places where there is a road or something else. It is not identifiable. So we have to determine where the boundary ends; where does it cross Louisiana Highway 60; where does it cross Louisiana Highway 21; and decide; and determine who lives on which side of that line. I spent a lot of time determining making sure that everybody that actually lives in the Bogalusa City School Board District got counted in the Bogalusa School Board District; and those outside got included with the Washington Parish School District. I went to great details. I am confident that I have counted everybody in the right place. I am also working with Washington Parish School Board on their redistricting plan and everyone is either counted in that plan or in this plan for the Bogalusa City Schools.” At this point Mr. Jenkins proceeded to present the PowerPoint. Referring to the information on the PowerPoint, Mr. Jenkins gave data from 2000 to 2010. According to the data, in 2000 Bogalusa City School Board had eighteen thousand, four hundred thirty nine (18,439) total population, for 2010 Bogalusa City School Board has seventeen thousand, three hundred eighty two (17,382) total population. Overall, Bogalusa City School Board loss one thousand, fifty seven (1,057) people. Basically the City of Bogalusa loss fourteen hundred, sixty one (1,461) people. Most of your losses were in the City of Bogalusa. Everything works off the Base Plan. The Mean Population; you determine the Mean Population by taking the total population of seventeen thousand, three hundred, eighty two (17,382) people and divide it by the number of School Board Districts, that becomes your new Mean. In other words in the perfect world all seven (7) School Board Districts will have two thousand, four hundred, eighty three (2,483) people; each one of them equally split. That’s what’s meant by the Mean. The state law allows for a plus or minus of five (5%) percent deviation from that Mean. You can have five (5%) percent less than the Mean or five (5%) more than the Mean and still be within the state law. This chart shows each School Board District and where it currently stands under the Base Plan or the current plan. The bottom line for School Board Districts to be within the population range acceptable by law is; District 1 is 173 under the Mean and needs to add a minimum of 49 to a maximum of 297; District 2 is 198 under the Mean and needs to add a minimum of 74 to a maximum of 322; District 3 is within tolerance; District 4 is 189 over the Mean and needs to subtract a minimum of 65 to a maximum of 313; District 5 is within tolerance; District 6 is 165 over the Mean and needs to subtract a minimum of 41 to a maximum of 289; and District 7 is within tolerance. Of the seven (7) School Board Districts we have four (4) that is out of tolerance. We have three (3) districts that we have to do something with.”
At this point using the issued information Mr. Jenkins outlined how the process of bringing all School Board Districts within tolerance will be performed. “Any plan that we come up with to get the numbers where they have to be by state law is going to have five (5) split precincts. That’s the best we’re going to be able to do.” A gentleman posed several questions of concern regarding the splitting of the School Board Districts. “Once you all approve a plan, and we know what that plan is, we will get some big maps made up,” concluded Mr. Jenkins.
13.) Superintendent Comments-Louise Smith
“In your folder there is some information. Someone had requested some information on Act 691 and Act 386. This has to do with term limits for Board Members of three (3) terms limits that will begin in 2014. This will be put on the ballot. There is also a reminder of the tenure meeting. That’s all I have.
14.) Board Members Comments
Mr. Curtis Creel-“This morning I attended another Construction Meeting concerning our progress at Bogalusa High School. The lead contractor of Kent Construction was in charge of the meeting today. Most of it revolved around what they’re doing. The gentlemen from Ventalite told us this morning that it is very possible that they would be installing the glass by Friday, which is a step in the right direction, so that process is moving forward. Bits was on the scene today with the cameras. I believe all the cameras are in place. They are waiting for a little of renovation work in one area so that they can fix; they can put the DVR control center in a specific place. They have two (2) of the DVR’s installed already and the monitor, so that project is moving forward. Pretty much it looks like everything is falling in place.”
Vice President Adam Kemp-“I just want to wish our students that are going to take the LEAP test for Summer School next week, the best of luck when they attempt to do so.” Next he commented on the band and that there are now seventy (70) in the band and he encouraged the news media to do an interview with Chad Harry.
Attorney Dale Branch-“I just want to say that we thank Mr. Jenkins. This is an unusual amount of work that you had to do to get this done.”
President Paul Kates-“Yes, I was going to thank him for that work.”
Dr. Brad Williams-“I just want to make sure on those positive things that the newspaper knew that we were seventy-fourth (74th) out of three hundred and twenty (320) school districts in the state.”
President Paul Kates-“I was absent at the last meeting, I want to thank Mrs. Lawrence. In the three (3) years she has been at Pleasant Hill, she has really turned that school around. They were in the eighty-eight (88th) percentile. I want to thank her teachers and everybody for the hard work that they did to work with these children. She really did a phenomenal job and I am very, very proud of you Mrs. Lawrence. I’m proud of all of our staff in our school system. I know you all work hard each and every day, but I also know that we still have to be more accountable in putting our focus on our children, because they are supposed to come first and that’s what we want. Mr. Jenkins I want to thank you for sitting down and taking out the time to do this. I know a little bit was taken from my district but that’s not a worry. I understand that you moved it from this block to that block. I do understand because I’ve been in it for a little while. I know that’s a lot of hard work. I just want to thank you for taking out the time to do this for us. Thank you, I appreciate it. Does anybody have anything else,” asked President Kates?”
Mr. Calvin Hymel-‘Buddy I just want to say I appreciate everything that you have done. He is a Bogalusa product. You all don’t know this but he was the best short-stop that ever played Baseball at Bogalusa High School.”
President Kates asked if there were any more comments. There were none, and he adjourned
15.) Adjourn
There being no further comments are business to address, President Kates adjourned at 6:30PM.
___________________________ __________________________
Louise Smith Paul D. Kates
Secretary Board President