Bogalusa School Board Office-Media Center
Bogalusa, Louisiana
Regular Board Meeting
October 25, 2012
5:30 P.M.
Proceedings of the Bogalusa School Board, Taken At A Regular Meeting That Was Held On Thursday, October 25, 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 Thursday, October 25, 2012 beginning at 5:35 P.M. The purpose of the meeting was to address any and all updates needing action and other pertinent matters that may need addressing. The agenda included a presentation of achievement, regarding mandated Act 705 School Board training for School Board Members. There was also an Executive Session.
1.) Call to Order
President Paul Kates called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M.
2.) Pledge of Allegiance
Acting Superintendent Willie “Toni” Breaux led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.) Prayer
Reverend Raymond Mims delivered the opening prayer.
4.) Roll Call
There were present: President, Mr. Paul Kates; Members: Mr. Curtis Creel (5:40PM), Mrs. Eleanor Duke, Mr. Calvin Hymel, Reverend Raymond Mims and Dr. Brad Williams
There was absent: Vice President-Mr. Adam Kemp
5.) Presentation: Willie “Toni” Breaux, Acting Superintendent
Ø Recognition of 2012 Law Day Institute Participants
ü Mr. Paul D. Kates, President
ü Mr. Adam B. Kemp, Vice President
ü Mr. Curtis Creel, Board Member
ü Mrs. Eleanor W. Duke, Board Member
ü Mr. Calvin Hymel, Board Member
ü Rev. Raymond E. Mims, Board Member
ü Dr. Hubert “Brad” Williams, Board Member
At this point Acting Superintendent Breaux read one of the certificates that were being presented to each Board Member from the Louisiana Tech University Law Day Institute for their attendance at the School Law Institute two (2) day workshop at Embassy Suites in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on September 27-28, 2012. At that point a certificate was presented to every Board Member. Vice President Kemp was absent; but was recognized as attending the workshop, and received a certificate. Each Board member will receive 9.0 Clock hours or 9.0 Continuing Education Units (CLUs).
6.) Approval of Minutes of Public Hearing/Meeting-August 30, 2012
It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Reverend Mims to approve the minutes. The motion was carried 6-0, with 1 absent.
7.) Approval of Minutes of Regular Board Meeting-September 13, 2012
It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve the minutes. The motion was carried 6-0 with 1 absent.
8. Board Officers and Committee Reports
There were no reports at this time.
9.) Recess to Public Session
James Butler, Jr.-Mr. Butler stated his address as 633 Lucerne Avenue, Bogalusa, Louisiana. His voiced concern was regarding a track team at Bogalusa Middle School that would be a feeder program for Bogalusa High School. It was stated that this could be addressed through the Acting Superintendent. “At the present all you had to do is to get with the Acting Superintendent. Right now the Acting Superintendent is in control of operation of the school system. We have no day-to-day operation with it. She’s in charge of that,” says President Kates. “I didn’t know, I thought I had to come to the board first,” replied Mr. Butler. “No, you talk to me and I bring it to the Board,” says Acting Superintendent Breaux. “I can tell you this that the program sounds good, and I’m in favor of anything that’s going to promote and help our kids. I think that educating the whole child is very essential, but we have had problems, and I have talked with the Board about that on Monday night. I am not in favor of paraprofessionals being over programs. I think that it has to be a professional person. A Para can assist. We’re having some problems with that right now, in some areas, so we are going to change that. I was going to wait until next year and change it because it’s not working out. It’s okay for you to be a coach, but you need a professional person over you. You can be the Assistant Coach. That’s what we’re thinking about doing. I think your idea is good and your program is good, but we’ll have to look into that. Also, a lot of schools when they hire a lot of people, are asking them; if they are hired as a teacher, if they would be willing to be a Cheerleader Sponsor, or a Paper Doll sponsor or whatever. We are going to have to do more of that because it’s kind of gotten away from the professional, and they don’t want to do it, but that’s part of extracurricular. It’s alright for the paras to work with those people but we need a professional person that’s leading that particular program. I’ll talk to you about that, but I think the idea is wonderful. Thank you,” concluded Acting Superintendent Breaux.
10.) Old Business
A.) Remove from tabled status for no action line item J.) Adopt Plan B of City of Bogalusa Ward 4 School Board District Redistricting Proposal Based on the 2010 Census as presented and recommended by Marshall O. Buddy Jenkins, Washington Parish Election Commission Chairman. (NOTE: This line item was tabled at the Regular Board Meeting held September 13, 2012, following a discussion that the plan was actually Plan E.
It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mrs. Duke to remove from tabled status for no action. The motion was carried 6-0 with 1 absent.
11.) New Business
A.) Accept/Reject the low bid from CM Combs Construction for Phase 2 of the Renovation to Bogalusa High School and enter into value engineering of the project with the General Contractor and the A&E team to lower the construction cost a minimum of 10% and upon completion of the value engineering process enter into a construction agreement with CM Combs Construction for Phase 2 Renovation.
It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Reverend Mims to accept the low bid from CM Combs Construction. The motion was not carried at this point.
At this point President Kates recognized Mr. Boyles. Mr. Boyles came forward to discuss in detail the process regarding the acceptance of the low bid from CM Combs Construction. “You have a white folder. The first page is just reiteration of what Mr. Kates just said from the agenda. The second page is, we did meet yesterday and these are some of the items that did come up to more than 10%, that hopefully can be reduced. I will have to say that the largest figure there is to move the new electrical service to the north. This will save a total of one hundred thousand ($100,000) dollars; but they have not been able to meet with Entergy. We have an appointment on Tuesday morning at nine o’clock to see if that can be approved. What I wanted to say is everything here is pretty much set, except that figure; but that brought it down by three hundred eighty two thousand, three hundred fifty ($382,350) dollars. The low bid is three million, four hundred thirty two thousand ($3,432,000) dollars, and that’s what has to be voted on. I also wanted to say that it would bring it down to a little more than 10%, three hundred eighty two thousand, three hundred fifty ($382,350). There is also a contingency fee of one hundred seventy- one thousand ($171,000) dollars in there,” says Mr. Boyles. Reverend Mims interrupted stating, “I thought the contingency fee was four hundred and thirty some thousand ($430(some, 000) dollars.” Mr. Boyles continued “The contingency fee was three hundred forty three thousand, two hundred ($343,200) which was 10% of the low bid, but we cut the contingency to 5%, which would make it one hundred seventy- one thousand ($171,000),” says Mr. Boyles. “Now,” says Reverend Mims, this is what I’m trying to get this understanding; that contingency fee, now they may or may not use that, right?” “They may not use it; hopefully we will not use it,” replied Mr. Boyles it. “Okay, okay that was the concern I had,” says Reverend Mims. “To be honest with you, I do not foresee that; but I also do not foresee using all of it; just a portion of it,” says Mr. Boyles. Mr. Hymel asked, “Five hundred thousand ($500,000), is that what you’re more or less, looking at?” “Well, part of it,” replied Mr. Boyles. Before he could respond any further, Mrs. Walker interrupted stating, “What we’re going to have to do is to say that we are accepting the bid at the three-point-four (3.4). When speaking with the attorney today, he said we have to accept the three- point-four (3.4), and then if we can get into a negotiation; and not change the bid; like supplies, so we have to be careful in what we’re saying. Like, the copper to the aluminum; something like that; we just cannot (Pausing)…because some of the bidders, (Pausing and not completing this statement). We have to accept it at the three-point-four (3.4). Mr. Creel added, “That contingency is basically like a little safety net. It saves time if the money is there for that, and you don’t have to go through Change Order, and getting approved. Anytime you’re dealing with a remodeling process and you open up a wall here is no telling what you might find; you’ll have to spend a little more money here and there,” concluded Mr. Creel. “Thanks, Mr. Boyles. Does anyone else in the public have anything to speak on this issue? If not we bring it back to the table. Does anyone at the table have any more discussion? There were none, and President Kates proceeded to complete the motion.
The motion was carried at this point 6-0 with 1 absent, to accept the low Bid from CM Combs Construction as presented.
B.) Approval of contract with Nellie Byers and Pinewood.
It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve the contract. The motion was carried 6-0 with 1 absent. This is a Feeding program contract.
C.) Adoption of Proclamation from President Barack Obama for the 2012 National School Lunch Week.
It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mrs. Duke to adopt the Proclamation. The motion was carried 6-0 with 1 absent.
D.) Approval of Seclusion/Restraint Procedures.
It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve the procedures. The motion was carried 6-0 with 1 absent.
E.) Approval of updated Hospital/Homebound Policy.
It was motioned by Mrs. Duke, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve the policy. The motion was carried 6-0 with 1 absent.
F.) Approval of Policy for administration of Diastat in the school setting (Confidential).
It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mrs. Duke to approve the policy. The motion was not carried at this point
Question from Reverend Mims-“What is that? Is that the proper name? What is that?”
Response from Mrs. Craig-“It is. It is for seizures; for students that have uncontrollable seizures. It’s just an addition to our medication policy. It’s a law that we have to have that.”
The motion was carried at this point 6-0 with 1 absent to approve the polic.
G.) Grant permission for Ben’s Ford Christian School to attend a conference in Jackson, MS scheduled to be held December 7, 2012.
It was motioned by Mrs. Duke, seconded by Mr. Hymel to grant permission. The motion was carried 6-0 with 1 absent.
H.) Approval of Financial Statements for September 2012, i.e. General Fund, Sinking Debt Service Fund, Capital Projects Fund, School Food Service, Special Revenue Fund and School Activities.
It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Dr. Williams to approve the Financial Statements. The motion was not carried at this point.
Statement from Mrs. Walker-“I just want to bring it to your attention, I did put an additional Financial Statement in there; Superior Avenue. I did get with the secretary, and we adjusted that negative balance, and I corrected it. It looks like they’re okay for right now. Mrs. Breaux and I are going to address the issue.”
Statement from President Kates-“You all heard Mrs. Walker say that they made the adjustment and corrected it; the Superior Avenue funds.
Question from Mr. Creel-“Was that just a matter of bookkeeping?”
Response from Mrs. Walker-“Well, they were low on money that month. They didn’t have money. They had a little in, what you call that; uh, PBS which they had raised, so what I did, I adjusted it. I moved some to the General Fund because they had raised it from the General Fund, so I just moved it there to get the balance of the General Fund out of a negative.”
The motion was carried at this point 6-0, with 1 absent to approve the Financial Statements.
I.) Grant permission to issue Sales Tax Checks to all full time employees of Bogalusa City School District on Friday, November 2, 2012. (Deloris Walker
It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mrs. Duke to grant permission. The motion was carried 6-0 with 1 absent.
J.) Post approval of “verbal” permission for Patricia Noto, Shelley Gill to attend the Scholastic College and Career Literacy Summit 2012 to be held November 7-9, 2012 in Nashville, TN. (NOTE: The registration date was October 17, 2012, the week of the Washington Parish Free Fair).
It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Duke to approve the post approval. The motion was carried 6-0 with 1 absent.
K.) Grant permission to adjust Board Meeting dates for November and December 2012, due to conferences and Christmas Holiday as follow: Committee Meeting-November 13, 2012; December10, 2012; Regular Board Meeting-November 14, 2012; December13, 2012. All meetings will convene at 5:30PM, in the School Board Office Media Center, located at 1705 Sullivan Drive, Bogalusa, LA.
It was motioned by Mr. Hymel, seconded by Mr. Creel to grant permission. The motion was carried 6-0 with 1 absent.
L.) Adopt Plan E of City of Bogalusa Ward 4 School Board Redistricting Proposal Based on the 2010 Census as presented and recommended by Marshall O. Buddy Jenkins, Washington Parish Election Commission Chairman.
It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mr. Hymel to adopt Plan E. The motion was carried 6-0 with 1 absent.
At this point Reverend Mims addressed President Kates stating, “Mr. Kates, may I have a recess for just a moment. I’d like to speak to the Superintendent about something. May I have a recess to speak with her?”
At this point President Kates asked for a motion to recess for five (5) minutes.
It was motioned by Mr. Creel, seconded by Mr. Hymel to recess for five (5) minutes, per the request of Reverend Mims. The motion was carried 6-0, with 1 absent.
Returning to the Media Center, President Kates asked for a motion to resume the regular meeting.
It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mrs. Duke to resume the regular session. The motion was carried 6-0 with 1 absent.
M.) Approval of Resolution for the adoption of Plan E of City of Bogalusa Ward 4 School Board Redistricting Proposal Based on the 2010 Census as presented.
It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Dr. Williams to approve the Resolution for the adoption of Plan E. The motion was carried 6-0 with 1 absent.
At this point President Kates asked for a motion to enter into an Executive Session.
It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Reverend Mims, to enter into an Executive Session. The motion was carried 6-0 with 1 absent.
12.) Executive Session-Personnel
Returning to the Media Center, President Kates asked for a motion to resume the regular meeting.
It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mr. Hymel to resume the regular session. The motion was carried 6-0 with 1 absent.
Statement from President Kates-“We went into an Executive Session to take care of some issues. We had three (3) issues, and I think the Superintendent can handle all three (3) of them; and that will take care of that. Next we’ll have the Acting Superintendent’s Comments,” says President Kates.
13.) Acting Superintendent Comments-Willie “Toni” Breaux
“I’d just like to say, and I did say it earlier, that we had a wonderful time at the Staff Development Luncheon. I thanked those that came; and those that did not come, they called, and they had valid excuses; but you really missed a treat. I have been getting texts from teachers almost every day; and it just fills my heart with joy because they thought it was so wonderful that they were thought about and they were recognized. There were all kinds of comments about the decoration; about just everything. So, anyway I just want you to know, and the principals that it’s just good to pat those people on the back, because they are the ones that are going to make the difference.
We have made some changes tonight that the Board has looked at, and I am hoping that these changes will help us to get to where we need to be. They are tough decisions. They are hard decisions, but to me, it’s wrong to sit back and know that something is not working and wait on time or whatever; and time is against us, because if we don’t grow and get out of AUS and everything, we might be a goner. So, they were not easy. I think about people and I think about their jobs, but at the same time, I think about, you know, if I had my grandson, would I want him under that situation. I’d want the best for him, so I’ve got to want the best for every child in the Bogalusa City School System. I’m hoping that the changes that I presented to you tonight will make a difference.in the students. I just want to thank everybody. They have been really good. Everybody has been working together. Everybody seems like there is joy in their heart now. When you’re happy, you work better. So, I just want to thank them for their wonderful service and their good deeds. Again, I just want to thank the Board for giving me the opportunity. I promise you I will not let you down,” concluded Acting Superintendent Breaux.
ACTING SUPERINTENDENT APPOINTMENTS
1.) Mechele Frazier-Teacher-Superior AvenueK-4-Effective November 5, 2012
2.) Tonyah Jefferson-Acting Principal-Byrd Avenue-Transfer from position of Behavior Specialist-Byrd Avenue K-4-Effective October 29, 2012
3.) Lisa Miles-Substitute Teacher
4.) Phlesher Mingo-Coordinator-Child Welfare & Transportation-Transfer from Principal-Byrd Avenue K-4-Effective October 29, 2012
5.) Montrell Morris-Assistant Boys Basketball Coach-Bogalusa Middle School
6.) Raymond Morris-Acting Principal-Superior Avenue K-4Transfer from Disciplinarian-Pleasant Hill K-4-Effective October 29, 2012
7.) Janice Osby-Assistant Girls Basketball Coach-Bogalusa Middle School
8.) Melessa Petty-Assistant Principal-Bogalusa Middle School-Transfer from Principal-Superior Avenue K-4-Effective October 29, 2012
9.) Tami Richardson-Teacher-Northside Tech Middle School-Effective October 29, 2012
RETIREMENTS
1.) David Brown-Custodian-Northside Technology Middle School-Effective November 8, 2012
2.) Lillie Morris-Custodian-Superior AvenueK-4-Effective November 21, 2012
3.) Robert Temple-Custodian-Bogalusa High School-effective November 8, 2012
14.) Board Members Comments
There were no further comments at this time.
15.) Adjourn
There being no further business to address or comments, President Kates adjourned at 7:00PM.
_______________________________________________ ________________________________________
Willie “Toni” Breaux Paul D. Kates
Secretary Board President