Bogalusa School Board Office-Media Center

Bogalusa, Louisiana

Regular Board Meeting

January 29, 2013

5:30 P.M.

 

 

Proceedings of the Bogalusa School Board, Taken At A Regular Meeting That Was Held On Tuesday, January 29, 2013

 

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 Tuesday, January 29, 2013 beginning at 5:30 P.M. The purpose of the meeting was to address any and all upcoming and previous matters of operation of the entire district, for 2013 to include plans of reconfiguration of schools.  The agenda included an Executive Session regarding personnel issues.

 

1.)        Call to Order

President Paul Kates called the meeting to order at 5:30 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; Vice President, Rev. Raymond Mims; Members:  Mr. Curtis Creel, Mrs. Eleanor Duke, Mr. Calvin Hymel, Mr. Adam Kemp, and Dr. Brad Williams (Answered Roll Call at 5:32PM)

 

There was absent: None

 

Presentation-Bee Fit VIII Health Fair-Kathi Adams

Mrs. Kathi Adams came forward to present awards to students that were present,  who were winners of the Bee Fit VIII Get in Shape Health Fair, that was held on Friday, November 2, 2012 at the YMCA, located at 411 Avenue B of Bogalusa, Louisiana.

 

 

K-1 Division Winners

 

2, 3, 4 Division Winners

 

 

The “Overall Winners” received a plaque and a Bee Fit VIII Get in Shape Health Fair bag filled with assorted health items.  Other winners received a framed certificate and a Bee Fit VIII Get in Shape Health Fair bag, filled with assorted heath items.  

 

5.)        Approval of Minutes of Regular Board Meeting-December 13, 2012

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

 

6.)        Board Officers and Committee Reports

At this point Mr. Curtis Creel gave an update on the work being performed at Bogalusa Middle School and Bogalusa High School.  “The only thing is I went down to the Middle School to look at the progress down there.  They are moving forward.  They are still slinging mortar, and throwing bricks at the High School.  It’s all good right now. We’re just hoping that the weather that’s coming through doesn’t interfere.”  President Kates thanked Mr. Creel for the update.

 

7.)        Recess to Public Session

Angelo Pepe-Mr. Pepe did not state his address, but listed his post office box as his resident address on his Request for Recognition as a Speaker card.  “I just wanted to let the Board know that we’re working on the sign situation.  I understand that you all have approved it; that everything is ready from your end.  We’re getting ready from our end.   We’ve got somebody that is going to build us the sign.   We’re going to have a concrete slab, and then a brick wall with a big bronze flag, stating what all Coach Dildy did while he was here.  We will be putting the sign up shortly.  We’d like to put it behind the home-plate on the hill right where the little building is facing Avenue B.  I just came before the Board to let y’all know that; and to thank y’all for approving it.  It’s not going to cost the school nothing.  We’re going to pay for it.   It’s always a pleasure to deal with local hometown people, that why I’m giving my vote of confidence to Mrs. Breaux for our next Superintendent.  Take that “Acting” away from there, says Mr. Pepe”

 

8.)        New Business

 

A.)       Grant permission to travel to the 41st Legislative Action Conference in Washington, DC, March 3-6. 2013 as the Public Policy and Legislative Chairperson for the School Nutrition Association of Louisiana (SNAL).  Paid for by SNAL

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

 

B.)        Grant permission for Tonda Collett and Debbie Craig to attend the 34th Annual National Institute on Legal Issues of Educating Individuals with Disabilities Conference in Long Beach, California, on April 28-May 1, 2013.  Funding will be through IDEA B Funds.

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

 

C.)        Grant permission to change instructional schedule at Bogalusa High School, effective 2013-2014 School Year, from 4X4 to a seven (7) period day. 

It was motioned by Mr. Kemp, seconded by Dr. Williams to grant permission.  The motion was not carried unanimously at this point.

 

At this point, President Kates opened it to the public, asking if anyone in the public wanted to speak on this issue.  Acting Superintendent Breaux stated, “I’d like to say, Mr. Kemp had mentioned yesterday about eight periods; and what we’re going to do is look at some other schools, and we’re going to investigate that.  If we find that is better, we will come back; but seven periods now, is what we’re asking.”

 

The motion was carried unanimously, at this point.

 

D.)       Approval of Financial Statements for December 2012, i.e., General Fund, Food Service, Special Revenue Funds, School Activities, Revised Budgets, and Capital Projects Funds

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

 

E.)        Grant permission to distribute the 12-Mills check to all full-time employees of the Bogalusa City School System, on Friday, March 1, 2013.

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

 

F.)        Approval to delete via Forethought Consulting, the following policies, that were approved on August 30, 2012:CBB-Superintendent  Powers and Responsibilities- (It contained information duplicated in other policies); GBKA-Suspension (Provisions were added to policy GBK, Discipline); GBRI-Personal Leaves and Absences (The information was moved to policy GBRB, Employee Attendance)

It was motioned by Mr. Kemp, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve all deletions.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

G.)        Approval  of  Bogalusa City School District’s Re-Configuration of Schools, effective for 2013-2014, with minor Dress Code change of shirt colors per school sites; and black as the primary color for jackets at all schools, as presented at December 10, 2012 Committee Meeting. 

It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Creel to approve the Re-Configuration.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

H.)        Grant permission for several Board Members to travel to the 73rd Annual NSBA Conference, scheduled to be held on April 13-15, 2013, in San Diego, California. 

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

 

It was noted that Acting Superintendent Willie “Toni” Breaux will also be attending the conference.

 

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 unanimously.

 

 9.)       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 meeting.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

Statement from President Kates-“We went into Executive Session to discuss some personnel issues on all of our re-configurations, with the person that works for the state department.  She and the superintendent will work it out.

 

10.)       Acting Superintendent Comments/Personnel Report-Willie “Toni” Breaux

“I’d like to just say that I appreciate the Rotary for their concern for education.  They invited our Teachers of the Year, and also the principals today.  It was a marvelous activity.  I was so elated because I don’t think teachers get enough recognition; and we do have some good teachers.  Yes, we have some we do need to weed out; and I’m working on that; but we have some extremely, extremely good teachers.  I was so proud of them.  I want to thank Mrs. Duke, she came, and she represented the Board.  I thank the Rotary for that.”

 

Also, I want to thank Gayle Sloan, because this was not in her regular schedule, she took out time; in fact she was in Plaquemine today, and came all the way to Bogalusa.  She is truly an educator, so I want to thank her.  That’s all I have,” says Acting Superintendent Breaux.

 

Acting Superintendent’s Personnel Report

 

Retirees

 

1)     Demple Barber-Denhamtown PreK-Child Nutrition Manager-Effective, May 23, 2013

2)     Burnadette Bradford-Central Office-Receptionist-Effective, June 30, 2013

3)     Alvin C. Burt-Bus Driver-Effective, May 23, 2013

4)     Geraldine Connerson-Bogalusa High School-Para Educator-Effective date to be determined

5)     Geneann Hill-Bogalusa Middle School-Classroom Teacher-Effective, March 4, 2013

6)     Joyce Irvine-Superior Avenue K-4 School-Food Service Technician-Effective, May 23, 2013

7)     Sherry Irvine-Superior Avenue K-4 School-Para- Educator-Effective, May 24, 2013

8)     Frieda Jones-Pleasant Hill K-4 School-Classroom Teacher-Effective, May 31, 2013

9)     Mary Ann Keys-Superior Avenue K-4 School-Para-Educator-Effective, May 24, 2013

 

Retirees Cont’d

 

10)  Dianne Mathews-Central Office-Food Service Bookkeeper-Effective, May 17, 2013

11)  Mary Lou Revere-Northside Tech Middle School-Classroom Teacher-Effective, May 23, 2013

12)  Gary Rushing-Northside Tech Middle School-Counselor-Effective, May 30, 2013

13)  Lita Varnado-Pleasant Hill K-4 School-Classroom Teacher-Effective, June 26, 2013

14)  Mildred Williams-Superior Avenue K-4 School-Food Service Technician-Effective, May 23, 2013

 

11.)       Board Members Comments

Mrs. Eleanor Duke-“I was very proud for the teachers today.  They were all excellent; excellent choices.”

 

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

 

12.)       Adjourn

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

 

_________________________________                        _______________________________

Mrs. Willie “Toni” Breaux                                                Mr. Paul D. Kates

Secretary                                                                      Board President