Bogalusa School Board Media Center

1705 Sullivan Drive-Bogalusa, LA

Special Board Meeting

July 19, 2012

5:30PM

Proceedings Of The Bogalusa School Board, Taken AT A Special Board Meeting That Was Held On Thursday, July 19, 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 Thursday, June 19, 2012, beginning at 5:30P.M., for the purpose of addressing time sensitive matters regarding the 2012-2013 Fiscal School Year, and additional Budget Revisions.  The agenda included an Executive Session to address the Superintendent’s Evaluation.

1.)        Call to Order

President Paul Kates called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.

2.)        Pledge of Allegiance

Acting Superintendent Patricia Noto 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.)        Recess to Public Session

LeAndras Stribling-Mr. Stribling stated his address as 1154 East 6^th Street, Bogalusa.  “My concern today is I have been working with the school board, the school board and school system, as a sub for a while now. And just recently you all had posted on the website an opening for a facility maintenance worker. I went ahead and did and application, met the requirements, and I was expecting a phone call. Instead, I received this letter. I did not get an equal opportunity for an interview or nothing, and I want to know why.

Statement from President Kates-“We will check into this.”  “Thank you,” replied Mr. Stribling

Kenneth Martin-Mr. Martin stated his address as 2624 South Columbia Road, Bogalusa.  “I’m speaking to the board tonight as Coach Martin and I would just to make the board aware of a couple of things. We all know that next year we will be in competition with what’s called charter schools, and I’m just going to put this on the board’s mind. I want you to think about what I’m about to say.  I know test scores are important, very important, and over the years we’ve been losing kids to other areas. But I we don’t put emphasis on athletics we’re going to lose more kids. If we don’t put emphasis on extracurricular, because I may not go to the charter school if I play football and I’m a good student, I might not go to the charter school if I play basketball and I’m a good student, because I don’t think they’re going to have all these things in place next year. I might not go if there’s a dance team, I might not go if there’s a band, I might not go if there’s a lot more extracurricular things to do. If you don’t emphasize that portion of our program this year then next year we’ll be giving the students a reason to exit the system. As I say that, as we start the season off I note that there’s only one football coach, the head football coach, and one assistant that have contracts; that are hired today. This is unconscionable; unbelievable to me. We’re one week away from school starting.  I’m just going back from the coaching clinic and I look at the boards of all the openings throughout the state.  You’ve got to put some planning in your mind because everybody can’t coach. Just calling somebody a coach is not what we need. We had great coaches in this system, that influenced young people, that helped with discipline, and then we’re all running around talking about we’ve got discipline problems. We’re not hiring men, we’re not hiring coaches. We’re making some mistakes that are going to choke us I believe. I’m real happy about athletics teaching us lessons in life. Those of you who have played sports, you understand that. You get the ball and you get the guy.   I’m really concerned that we’ve got one football coach; one assistant and a head coach; and we’re asking what’s wrong with athletics. What’s wrong with this, what’s wrong with that?  School starts in two weeks. I ask the board to kind of look into that. When we get talent, we get young people. The other systems recognize talent. After Coach Bill came in here, his son, Nate Murray, worked at Franklinton. I know Nate wasn’t certified when he graduated. I know that he worked on it and got it later.  They got a good ma, because I know the young man. I know Ms. Creel; right from Bogalusa. She’s working in Varnado. She wasn’t certified when she first came, but she worked on it, now she’s certified. She’s in Varnado. Donald Frazier, I could go on and on. We’re losing talent from right here. And we go and find people from Mississippi, St. Tammany and other places, whose heart is not here. Again, I’m imploring you, please, look into it, please. Thank you.”

Statement from Mr. Hymel- “Thank you.  Very good. You can’t hold a head coach responsible if we don’t give him any help. I told y’all that when I first came on the board.  I had the same problem when I was coaching one time. You’ve got to have help. One man cannot do it.

Statement from Reverend Mims-“I thought he turned something in for some coaches. He mentioned it to me.”

Statement from President Kates-“I think he did but it wasn’t addressed.

Mrs. Wilda Peters-Mrs. Peters stated her address as 1909 Dolly Avenue, Bogalusa. “I would like to know, where is the Superintendent?  We deserve an answer, there’s rumors going around.   We need to know.

Response from President Kates-“Well, the only answer I can give you is that the secretary called me and said she emailed her and said she was sick. I hadn’t heard. I know it’s required that she report to me; but I haven’t heard anything from her.”

Question from Mrs. Peters- “Why didn’t she report to you? The secretary doesn’t run anything.”

Response from President Kates-“I don’t know. I’m not going to try to force somebody to contact me.”

Question from Mrs. Peters-“And, Mrs. Noto, is the Assistant Superintendent?”

Response from President Kates-“No, she’s the Curriculum Supervisor.”

Question from Mrs. Peters- “So, that gives her the right to sit there?”

Response from President Kates-“She was asked to sit in her place, by the Superintendent.”

Statement from Mrs. Peters- “You going to do the same thing she’s been doing? We need to know.”

Statement from President Kates-“She’s just here for tonight. She’s just sitting here for tonight.”

Statement from Mrs. Peters- “Okay. Well, I’ll wait. I’ll wait. But we want to quite some of these rumors because I’ve got a headache.”

Statement from President Kates-“Ms. Noto was asked to sit in; at least for tonight, and I hope y’all won’t attack her because she doesn’t have anything to do with this.”

Statement from Mrs. Peters- “Thank you sir,” concluded Mrs. Peters.

With no one else to address the Board or public, President Kates preceded with the agenda items.

Prior to the New Business, President Kates stated,” can I get a motion to amend the agenda to add Line items as follow:

 F.) Approval of Memorandum of agreement for Semesters 2012-2013 Academic School Year-Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters, between Southeastern Louisiana and City of Bogalusa Schools. 

G.) Consideration to hold a public hearing regarding Redistricting at the Regular Board Meeting on August 30, 2012.  The plan of choice will be adopted at the September 27, 2012 Regular Board Meeting.  The meetings will convene at 5:30PM, in the School Board Office Media Centr-1705 Sullivan Drive-Bogalusa, Louisiana.  And, delete part of Line item B- Approval of additional revised Budgets and Special Revenue Funds.  “There will only be School Activities Financial Statements for approval.

It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Reverend Mims to amend the agenda to add line items F & G; and delete part of line item B.  The motion was carried unanimously.

6.)        New Business

A.)       Grant permission to attend the Horizon Users Group Conference in Atlanta, Georgia to be held March 26-28, 2013

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

Prior to the approval, President Kates stated, “Okay we know that we’re deleting Revised Budgets and Special Revenue Funds.  School Activities Financial Statements for June 30, 2012, are the only thing we will be approving.  Can I get a motion?

B.)        Approval of additional Revised Budgets, Special Revenue Funds, and School Activities Financial Statements for June 30, 2012.

It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Duke to approve, with the exception of additional Revised Budgets and Special Revenue Funds.  The motion was carried unanimously.

C.         Approval of a Resolution of the Bogalusa School Board authorizing Smith Shellnut Wilson (SSW) as purchaser agent for The First, paying Agent.

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

D.)        Adoption of Policies Files: ABE (School Superintendent Legal Status); BE (School Board Ethics); CBD (Employment of Superintendent); CBF (Evaluation of Superintendent); CDA (School Principals/Building Administrators); GBA (Contracts and Compensation); GBC (Recruitment); GBD (Employment of Personnel); GBE Assignment of Personnel; GBG (Probation); GBL (Tenure); GBN Dismissal of Personnel; GBNA (Reduction of Personnel). 

Statement from Vice President Kemp-“I’d like to make a motion that we table this to our next meeting, even if we have to have a special meeting. I’d like a little bit more time to go through these policies, and with all this with Act 1 to see how it fits our needs here in Bogalusa, to see if we need to seek legal advice as to if we can add or take away from these policies. I’d like just a little more time.”

It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Reverend Mims to table the adoption of all Policies listed at this time.

The motion was not carried unanimously at this point.

Question from the Public-“Are these policies coming from the state?”

Response from President Kates-“Yes, this has the implementation and forethought that they wrote in. We need to review them before we adopt them, but we have to adopt… this system has to adopt these policies before anything can happen.”

Question from the Public- “So these policies are going to override the current policies, per say?

Response from President Kates- “Yes, until we adopt it, what have been put in place could be changed. It can all be revoked; everything that she have done so far.”

Question from the Public- “So, you’re going to approve these policies?”

Response from President Kates-“No, we tabled them; not tonight. We have no choice”

Statement from Mr. Creel-“There may be an opportunity in some of the language that’s in these policies, that we can add a word or delete a word that make it more adaptable to our system. I just got the copies the first of the week and I’ve spent a couple of days reading and making little notes, so it’s… (Pausing and not completing this statement).  Mr. Kemp has a copy of it.  You see how thick it is?

Statement from Vice President Kemp-“This has the old policy and the new ones, according to the state.”

Statement from Mr. Creel-“It’s the old policy and the new state mandates are changing.”

Statement from Vice President Kemp-“We have a lot of questions to make sure some safeguards are put in. Our hands are tied but we can make sure some safeguards are put in there.”

The motion by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Reverend Mims to table the adoption of the policies was carried unanimously at this point

E.)        Approval of the 2012-2013 District Handbook/Code of Conduct

It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve.  The motion was not carried at this point.

There was a question whether Mrs. Gill had anything to say on this issue.

Statement from President Kates-“We’re going to let you come up. We’ve got a motion by Mr. Kemp, second by Mr. Hymel.  Okay, at this time we’ll open it up. Ms. Gill, you may come up.

Statement from Mrs. Gill-“You had asked that the district revise the policy last week and take out the Zero Tolerance. So, we did meet as a district committee. We had some principals, and some other school representatives that were here.  Mr. Kemp came one day and Mrs. Duke came one day. We took St. Tammany’s and compared it against ours; put our information in where applicable; and adopted some new parts.  There were some items from the state that weren’t included in our book that need to be included and we included those in the new one. Basically, we redid the whole Code of Conduct. Zero tolerance has been taken out. There are new charts in there that are a little bit easier for the parents to understand. It says “if this happens then these are the possible actions.” It doesn’t say they call the police for everything. So those things have been removed out of the policy. And, as I said, we added parts from the state that were not in ours and needed to be in there. Not saying it’s perfect, but we did redo the whole thing. We won’t take it to the printer until probably Monday, so if you find anything you do have issues with of if you catch some typos, all of us have looked at it so hard over the past week we can’t see enough. If you catch anything or there’s something you want to talk about before Monday let us know because it won’t go to the printer’s before Monday. Thank you. Do you have any questions?

Question from President Kates-“Does anybody have any questions?

Statement from Vice President Kemp-“I’m going to make a quick statement. I’d like to thank Ms. Gill and the committee that worked on this because it’s a Title I project, above and beyond her duties and the committee’s duties.  I know it took hours upon hours of putting this together; but it is a good beginning. The change, I think people who had questions about Zero Tolerance this will answer your concerns. This will go home with every child.  We encourage everyone to read it.”

Question from Mrs. Peters-“Why the parents can’t get a copy tonight?”

Response from Vice President Kemp-“We don’t have copies. We have to send them to the printer to get them professionally printed.”

Statement from Mrs. Peters-“She got a handful.”

At this point Mrs. Gill hands out photocopied handbooks.  She asks if anyone sees typos to call her.

Question from President Kates-“Do we have anybody else in the public wants to speak on this issue?”

Statement from the Public-“I was concerned. Did you address anything on the buses?

Response from Mr. Creel-“It’s on page 18.

Statement from President Kates- “Okay. Do we have anyone else?”

The motion was carried unanimously at this point to approve the 2012-2013 District Handbook/Code of Conduct.

F.)        Approval of Memorandum of agreement for Semesters 2012-2013 Academic School Year-Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters, between Southeastern Louisiana and City of Bogalusa Schools. 

It was motioned by Mrs. Duke, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve.  The motion was not carried at this point.

G.)        Consideration to hold a public hearing regarding Redistricting at the Regular Board Meeting on August 30, 2012.  The plan of choice will be adopted at the September 27, 2012 Regular Board Meeting.  The meetings will convene at 5:30PM, in the School Board Office Media Center-1705 Sullivan Drive-Bogalusa, Louisiana. 

It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Dr. Williams to hold a public hearing regarding redistricting. The motion was not carried at this point.

Statement from President Kates-“This is about the redistricting of the school board seats. We who sit up here they’ve redistricted us. Does anybody want to ask about them or ask a question or have something to say?”

Statements from Mrs. Peters-“Yes, explain it to us. District where? Tell them. We don’t know what to ask you about that.

Statement from President Kates-“There was a presentation given here at the board office on that Mr. Jenkins came and made the presentation.”

Statement from Mr. Creel-“You were absent, but he’ll be back.  He’ll be here Aug. 30^th “.

Statement from Mrs. Peters-“I’ll be here.”

Question/Statement from President Kates-“All right; do we have anybody else in the public want to speak on this issue? If not, we bring it back to the table.

The motion was carried unanimously at this point to hold the public hearing.

At this point President Kates asked for a motion to enter into an Executive Session

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

7.)        Executive Session-Superintendent’s Evaluation

Returning to the Media Center President Kates asked for a motion to resume the regular session.

It was motioned by Ms. Duke, seconded by Mr. Hymel to resume regular session.  The motion was carried unanimously.

Statement from President Kates-“We went into Executive Session to discuss some personnel issues and we did resolve our issues. We just want to make an announcement. At this time we want to amend the agenda to add this motion: Item H, The Bogalusa School Board Office is at a maximum capacity and no further positions will be considered or filled. This is related only to the central office, administration and staff.

It was motioned by Vice President Kemp, seconded by Reverend Mims to amend the agenda to add Line item: H.)  The Bogalusa School Board Office is at a maximum capacity, and no further positions will be considered or filled.  This is only related to the Central Office, administration and staff.  The motion was carried unanimously.

H.)        Approval of Board action to nor consider or fill any further  positions at the Bogalusa School Board Office due to it being at a maximum capacity.  This is related only to the Central Office, administration and staff.

It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Vice President Kemp to approve the Board’s action.  The motion was not carried at this point.

Mrs. Petersasked President Kates to restate what he said about the Central Office staff positions.  President Kates stated, “The Bogalusa School Board Office is at a maximum capacity and no further positions will be considered or filled.  This is only to the Central Office, administration and staff.”

Question from Mrs. Peters-“Is this the Central Office?”

Response from President Kates- “This is Central Office.”

Question from Peters-“Do all your schools have principals and assistant principals now?

Response from President Kates-“Well, I’m not going to say they all have that.”

Question from Mrs. Peters-“But, you’re not going to fill the positions?’

Statement from President Kates- “No, just the Central Office positions.”

Question from the Public-“So that’s from the back door to the front door?”

Statement from President Kates-“It’s from the back door to the front door.”

Statement from Mrs. Peters-“And the windows?”

The motion was carried unanimously at this point, to approve the Board’s action regarding no consideration or filling of any further positions at the Central Office.

Statement from Mrs. Peters-“I see on the agenda you have evaluation of the Superintendent down there. If you did do something it needs to be made public. We need to know. We need to know.”

Response from President Kates-“We will let you know when that time comes.”

Statement from Mrs. Peters-“Well, you went into Executive Session to evaluate her, y’all didn’t do anything?

Response from President Kates-“She wasn’t here. We couldn’t discuss that with her.”

Statement from Mrs. Peters-“Somebody better get her up here, because we need this to be over, and start out fresh.”

Statement from a gentleman in the audience-“Your motion to not add or subtract from the central office, that’s basically keeping everything at the status quo?”

Statement from President Kates- “Yes, for right now.”

Statement from a gentleman in the audience-“The general public; the general opinion; is that even at its current level, the main office is overstaffed; and we should be considering some reductions.”

Statement from President Kates-“Two other positions will not be filled. That’s what we’re saying.”

Question from the Public-“And what two positions is that?

Response from President Kates-“That’s Child Welfare and Transportation.”

Question from Mrs. Peters-“You say they’re going to be filled?”

Response from President Kates-“No, they are not going to be filled. This is what we’re doing. They will not be filled.”

Statement from Mrs. Peters-“And, let’s not create no jobs either.”

Statement from President Kates-“That’s what we’re saying.”

Statement from Vice President Kemp-“That’s what we’re saying. Through attrition, we’ll downsize as we can. “

Question from Mrs. Peters-“I want to ask a question. Ms. Hoppen, so you say you’re not filling her position?”

Response from Vice President Kemp-“Correct.”

Question from Mrs. Peters-“So who is going to go with the children to the police station?”

Response from President Kates-“Someone within the system, will go with them.”

Statement from Mrs. Peters-“Are they going to be paid extra for that? What she was getting paid?”

Statement from President Kates-“That will be up to the Superintendent; whoever will be our new Superintendent; whoever will be the Superintendent.” 

Statement from Mrs. Peters-“So be it.”

Statement from President Kates-“Well, whoever it will be.

At this point, President Kates asked if there were any more comments.  There were none, and he called for comments from the Acting Superintendent.

 8.)       Acting Superintendent Comments-Patricia Noto

 Mrs. Noto stated that she had no comments.

 9.)        Board Members Comments

Mr. Curtis Creel-“I have a comment regarding the ongoing construction at the high school. I went by there today and we had the assistance of Rayburn Correctional on campus today.  Most all the windows have been abated and boarded up, waiting for insulation on the new windows. We’re moving forward. I’m liking what I’m seeing. I just hope that when we get to where we’re going that our students will take a little pride in what we’ve done over there and take care of it. It’s been a long time coming because we all know that’s it’s been a Band-Aid fix for years and years and years. The improvements that are being made over there hopefully will make a difference in the educational process.  We all know and understand that bricks and mortar don’t education children. But, if you don’t have a safe, clean environment, conducive to education, the teachers are, and I’m not going to say they’re not important; but the teachers are fighting two battles. So, I’m just happy to see the progress that’s being made.”

Mr. Calvin Hymel-“I’d like to add to it by saying that they got people working seven days a week over there just to try and get it finished. The other day; and I’d like to talk about Vic Boyles.   The contractor told me he had never seen a guy that everything they asked for, everything they needed, is being done. He said, ‘This man must never stop.’  They are willing to work seven days a week because they like the people they’re working for and that means a lot.”

Vice President Mr. Adam Kemp-“We’re rapidly approaching the beginning of school, and even with all the controversy that you may hear on the street, we have good leaders at every school, and they are going to be getting those schools ready and taking ownership of their schools and their faculty. We have good leaders within the Central Office in the departments and they’re going to be working with them.   We have to unite as a team and work together, because if we don’t; and I’ve said this one hundred times; if we don’t, it’s not us that lose, it’s the children that lose; and they are our clients. We need to make sure, every decision we make, every statement we make, ask ourselves, how is this going to better the children of Bogalusa?  So no matter if the Superintendent is out ill, no matter what is going on, we have leaders in this system and their job is to lead by example and to be able to work with each other in unity. We need everybody working together so that the children can flourish, not us. It’s not about us; it’s not about our departments; it’s not about the Central Office, it’s about the children.  So, when we put that in perspective and all work together, then we’ll be where we need to be this time next year.”

Statement from Mrs.Peters-“That’s was good icing on the cake, and I still say you give that speech every school board meeting and nothing’s being done. I know new buildings don’t educate children, teachers do.”

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

10.)        Adjourn

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

         _______________________________________________________________________________________________

         Louise Smith                                                                Paul D. Kates

         Secretary                                                                     Board President