Bogalusa School Board Office-Media Center

Bogalusa, Louisiana

Regular Board Meeting

February 28, 2013

5:30 P.M.

 

 

Proceedings of the Bogalusa School Board, Taken At A Regular Meeting That Was Held On Thursday, February 28, 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 Thursday, February 28, 2013 beginning at 5:33 P.M. The purpose of the meeting was to address all business as related to the operation of district-wide schools, and other matters involving the entire district.  The agenda included a presentation.

 

1.)        Call to Order

President Paul Kates called the meeting to order at 5:33 P.M.

 

2.)        Pledge of Allegiance

Acting Superintendent Willie “Toni” Breaux led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

3.)        Prayer

Dr. Brad Williams delivered the opening prayer.

 

4.)        Roll Call

There were present:  President, Mr. Paul Kates; Members:  Mr. Curtis Creel, Mrs. Eleanor Duke, Mr. Calvin Hymel, Mr. Adam Kemp, and Dr. Brad Williams

 

There was absent: Vice President-Reverend Raymond Mims

 

At this point President Kates asked for a motion to amend the agenda to add a line item regarding a Health Center at Bogalusa High School.

 

It was motioned by Mr. Creel, seconded by Dr. Williams to amend the agenda to add a line item.  The motion as carried unanimously.

 

It was motioned by Mr. Creel, seconded by Mrs. Duke to add the line item.  It was noted that this would be Line item J.  Grant permission to enter into a contract with Louisiana Clinical Services, Incorporated.  The motion was not carried at this point.

 

At this point President Kates asked if anyone wanted to speak on this issue.

 

1.     Kristy Parker-Reed- Mrs. Reed gave her address as 500 Harlow Street, Apartment 509, Bogalusa.  “I graduated from Bogalusa High in ’99; and when I was there we had a Health Center.  I really feel like it will cut down on students going home when they feel bad.  We couldn’t get nothing more than a Tylenol or something like that, but we would at least be able to go if we were not feeling well; we could go to the health center.  There were nurses there, and they really took good care of us.  I think it would cut down on the absenteeism and students leaving school early because they don’t have a Tylenol or something like that.  I feel like the health center should be reopened.  I think it would be very beneficial for the students.  Thank you.”

 

The motion was carried unanimously at this point.

 

Presentations-Recognition of Louisiana School Boards Association artwork contest winners-April Nobles

 

 

Mrs. Nobles recognized students that had artwork at the Louisiana School Boards Association contest as winners.  “Tonight I am very honored to present to you our school system participants that are going to have art work presented at the Louisiana School Boards Association Art contest.  When you go to your conference, you will get a chance to see these students artwork.  We were able to send a representative from our K-4 Schools; from our 5-8 Schools; and from our 9-12 school.  Tonight we would like to recognize them publicly to let you see who they are; let the public see who they are; and again award them for having this accomplishment.  At this point Mrs. Nobles made her presentation.  All students received a certificate signed by Acting Superintendent Mrs. Willie Breaux, and Board President Mr. Paul Kates.  The honorees family was also recognized.   Bailee Wascom was absent, but was recognized for this accomplishment.

 

5.)        Approval of Minutes of Regular Board Meeting-January 29, 2013

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

 

Prior to the next line item, Mrs. Walker asked President Kates if she could make a statement.  Mrs. Walker stated, “In your packet I gave you some information on MFP.  This is hot off the press.  We just received it right before the meeting.  This is just a draft telling us what our projected MFP is going to be next year. When you take a little time to look at it, you’ll see right now we’re looking at losing right at seventy-one thousand ($71,000); but it is in different areas.  We did lose some on Level One; two hundred, thousand ($200,000).  We received some from the local funding.  That’s from our sales taxes and property taxes; and they also take that into consideration.   You’ll see that our bottom line right now, is a negative, seventy-one thousand (-$71,000).  But, that could change because we don’t know how many students will be going to the Charter School, or will be getting a scholarship.  Also, you will see, the per-pupil, what we’re spending on each student.  This year we spent ten thousand, four hundred twenty-nine thousand ($10,492) per student; next year we will be spending ten thousand-eight hundred dollars ($10,800) per student.  And you see the local level we’re spending thirty six hundred ($3,600); and the state we’ll be doing seventy-one hundred ($7,100).  This is something that we’ve just received.  Also in the packet you’ll see how the MFP works and how they come up with this data.  This is supposed to be voted upon next week.  I just wanted to give you this handout to let you kind of know what we’re looking at and how we can plan for next year in our staffing.”

 

Statement from President Kates-“While we’re on funds tomorrow you’ll probably get a little more information on the federal; Special Education cuts, and the Title I cuts.”  “Yes, and we’re going to take all of that into consideration,” replied Mrs. Walker.   Mrs. Gill added, “They haven’t broken it down by school districts, but I actually went to a webinar yesterday and they did tell us, and gave us numbers of how much Louisiana would be cut in each of those areas.  I tried to get some of that E-rate information to y’alls emails; and not everybody’s went through, some of them bounced back, but I can try that; but if y’all would like hard copies mailed, I could get Ms. Lois to actually mail y’all the hard copy of  what those copies would be if everybody would like that.  Is that something you all would like?”  “Yes, for our district, so we’ll find out how much money we will lose,” said President Kates.  “But, did they say for 2013-2014; or 2014-2015,” asked Mrs. Walker?  Mrs. Gill stated, “It’s fiscal year 2014, so it’s not actually going to affect us until next year.  I can tell you like Title I is a five percent (5%) cut.  So, if you did it for Title I here in this district, I estimated that’s like an eighty thousand ($80,000) dollar cut that we will get off the top there.  Title II, they said will be impacted more because they’re trying to get rid of that.  “That’s our concern when we’re doing our staffing for next year; we have to take all of this into consideration.  And, with the retirees, we have, we’re still hoping more people retire.  We do have a good list right now.  Hopefully, we’re going to tighten up; and stay within our budget,” said Mrs. Walker.

 

6.)        Board Officers and Committee Reports

There were no reports at this point.

 

7.)        Recess to Public Session

Kyle Poulson-Mr. Poulson stated that he was from Covington.  His Request for Recognition as a Speaker card indicated his residence as 15 Cardinal Road-Covington, Louisiana 70433.  Mr. Poulson stated that he was at the meeting to briefly talk to the Board about the E-Rate Bids for Internal Connections that was on the agenda for approval.  “I represent a company called Aruba Networks.  We’ve partnered with a local business out of Greater New Orleans area; Executone Orleans, that was presented in that proposal.  I just want to share with you; we’re excited about the opportunity to present to you the difference of really infrastructure; I hear you talking about construction projects, health clinics, budget cuts, funding cuts; it all makes a difference today.  We present high performance mobile network, meaning Wi-Fi infrastructure that can handle the capacity that you can always be connected.  What we’re proposing in this proposal is taking your existing infrastructure which meets the needs of the district today; it’s not that it’s broken; continue to do what you’re doing in there today, but overlay a high performance infrastructure which will actually give what you’re doing today, new life.” 

 

8.)        New Business 

 

A.)        Approval of Louisiana School Lunch Week official Proclamation for March 4-8, 2013.

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

 

President Kates read the Proclamation to the Board and public.

 

The motion was carried unanimously at this point.

 

B.)        Approval of E-Rate Bids. 

Prior to any action, Mrs. Shelley Gill gave the details to how the decisions were made for the selections of the E-Rate Bids.

 

It was motioned by Mr. Creel, seconded by Dr. Williams to approve the following bids; Metro Ethernet to Hunt Telecom; Cellular/Wireless Data to ATT; Internet Access to Hunt Telecom, and Internal Connections to Hunt Telecom.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

 C.)       Grant permission to travel for Bogalusa Middle School to take fifteen (15) students to Washington, D.C., on March 23-29, 2013.

It was motioned by Mrs. Duke, seconded by Dr. Williams grant permission.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

D.)        Grant permission to adopt the 2013-2014 Academic School Year Calendar for Bogalusa City School District. 

Prior to the adoption to the calendar, Mrs. April Nobles made a statement regarding a change since Monday night at the Committee Meeting.  “In your blue folder that’s on the table tonight, based on some of the recommendations that was made at Committee Meeting on Monday.  The addition of President’s Day was placed on the calendar; therefore, it extended the school year by one (1) day.  That was at this point the only extension; or the only change to the calendar that you saw on Monday, that was voted on by an employee.  Also, on your calendar you’ll see; I know there were questions about number of minutes; instructional minutes and days that are required.  The original Bulletin 741, the first sheet that you have in the stapled portion of your packet, has now gone away.  So, you now have the new revised Bulletin 741 that is in there behind that, and all instructional minutes and/or days, as far as recommendation from the state are null and void.  They have given districts and schools the ability to be able to, think outside of the box, and craft a schedule that fit their students and their needs.  However, looking at all the calendars that we saw from all of our neighboring districts, and ours, everyone is sticking with a traditional calendar; but it does give us an opportunity if we chose to; to  extend our school day, or shorten our school day; or extend our school year; or shorten our school year.  It gives us the opportunity to do that.  The calendar that you see before you is a traditional calendar, as is all  of our neighboring calendars,  that sticks with what we’ve always had; the same number of days on that calendar,  as we have this year,” says Mrs. Nobles.

 

It was motioned by Mr. Creel/Dr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Hymel to grant permission to adopt Calendar #2, with the noted change of addition of President’s Day, resulting in the extension of the school year by one (1) day.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Creel voiced a concern regarding the number of Professional Development days, targeting a summit that was held prior to the beginning of the school year.  His concern was if that was something that is done every year.  Ms. Debbie Jenkins stated that that was something that was done last year, because there were not enough professional development especially with Common Core Compass coming in, and she wanted the teachers to feel like they knew what was going on before then.  “And, our teachers were paid to come,” said Ms. Jenkins.  “Was that a required attendance, or was that at their option,” asked Mr. Creel?  “That was at their option, but we had a wonderful turn-out in attendance for the most part with all of our teachers,” said Ms. Jenkins

 

E.)        Approval of Financial Statements and Revised Budgets for January, 2013, i.e., General Fund, Food Service, Special Revenue Funds, Capital Improvement Project Funds and School Activities. 

It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Creel to approve the line items.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

F.)        Grant permission to discard system wide Fixed Assets 

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

 

G.)        Grant permission to adjust meetings for March 2013, due to Spring Break. The tentative dates are, March 18, 2013-  Committee Meeting; March 19, 2013-Regular Board Meeting. All meetings will convene at 5:30PM, in the School Board Office Media Center at 1705 Sullivan Drive, in Bogalusa, Louisiana

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

 

H.)        Grant permission to advertise for Superintendent of Bogalusa City School District.

It was motioned by Mr. Creel, seconded by Mr. Hymel grant permission.  The motion was not carried unanimously, at this point.  President Kates asked if there was anyone in the public that wanted to speak on this issue.

 

Individual in the public-“I think we can save a lot of time, and money if we take “Acting” of Mrs. Breaux’s title, and make her Superintendent.

 

Response from President Kates-“I hear you sir.  Do we have anyone else?  I like to bring it back to the table.  Do we have any discussion?  And, you know I feel the same way.  I know we have to try and put stability in this system, and we don’t need an Acting Superintendent, we need a Superintendent.  I hope we can get done with this real soon.

 

Additional comment from the Individual in the public-“Can I say something else Mr. Kates?  I just want to say Mrs. Breaux I appreciate how you  went over to the high  school Wednesday morning an let those kids know who run  this school system.  I think you did a great job.  And, I think Mr. McKinley did an excellent job, after the altercation, the other night.  He and his staff, Mrs. Raborn, in defusing the situation, helping those youngsters get back home safely.  Thank you.”

 

Comment from Mr. Creel-“My motion has no bearing on the job Mrs. Breaux is doing.  It’s something that I feel like the Board needs to do.  That’s all I want to say.”

 

Statement from Acting Superintendent Breaux—“I called Bob Hammonds and talked with him; and this is the way it has to be handled.  So, I understand Mr. Creel; I want you to know that.  This is the way we must handle it.  We have to follow procedures, but I respect that.  Thank you.”

 

Statement from President Kates- Mrs. Walker, you and Mrs. Karla can go through with the advertisement, and get it done.”

 

Statement from Acting Superintendent Breaux-“One correction please, it’s just a misprint.  In advertisement of Principals and Assistant Principals at all schools; we’re going to advertise for Principals at all schools; but Assistant Principals at schools that are needed.”

 

I.)         Grant permission to advertise for Principals, Assistant Principals for all schools; Elementary Librarian, Elementary Band Teacher, and Foreign Language Teacher; Social Worker, Data Clerk, Nurse Practitioner/Physician’s Assistant, and Part-time Director for Bogalusa High School Health Center

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

*NOTED CORRECTION-The advertisement will be for Principals at all schools; and Assistant Principals as needed.  All other items remain as stated for the advertisements. 

 

J.)        Grant permission to enter into a contract with Louisiana Clinical Services Incorporated

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

 

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

 “I’d just like to say that Mr. Creel, Mr. Hymel and I attended a School Board Meeting for  four (4) parishes; Washington Parish, City of Bogalusa, St. Tammany Parish, and Tangipahoa, in Amite.  It was very informative.  They gave us a lot of information.  I will share it with the Board Members.  It’s too much.  They talked about some of the things Mrs. Walker talked about; cutting federal programs and also they talked about the BAM Score.  The Superintendents are not in agreement with the BAM Scores, they said that should have been piloted, because a teacher’s whole life and career depends on that score; and to just take this year and do that, they didn’t think that was right, so they’re looking into that.”

 

“They also talked about; and I agree with it even as an Acting Superintendent, I think that they have given the Superintendents too much power, because what that means, even for me, it could be a situation where you had somebody in there who does not have the system at heart, and was thinking only about their personal feelings, and their friends, and that type of thing, so what they’re doing is thinking about giving some of that control back to the Board.  I think that is absolutely necessary.  You as a Board have to vote four (4) to three (3); but me as a Superintendent, I can just kind of do whatever I want to do, and I just don’t think that’s fair.  I think that is something that should be reconsidered, and that is why I have tried to make you trust me, and let you know that I’m fair and always bring things  to you even before I do them.  I don’t have to do that, but I do that as a courtesy, because I want your respect and I want your approval.  There were some other things that Mr. Creel and Mr. Hymel wanted to speak on; but I will get you a copy of that.”

 

“As I told you on Monday night, we are going to start working with supervisors every day.  We’re going to start working on placements, getting these schools ready, because I want my job.  We need to get this in place so Mrs. Walker can look at figures and tell us; not only do we want it in place, but fact is, we want teachers and students, when we start school  in August, we don’t want to be confused.  We want people to know where they’re going; and know what they’re doing.  Also, we are doing this as a cost-saving measure so we want Mrs. Deloris to be able to give us some financial proof that this is going to be a cost-saving thing.  And hopefully, hopefully, well not hopefully; in our April meeting I promise we’ll have that kind of tied up together.  I want to thank you again for the opportunity, and again I want to praise my teachers, and my supervisors, and my students.  I love Bogalusa City Schools, and I’m hoping that the community would change their view of us and began to work with us, because a school cannot exist without a community.  We need your help and your support.  We are trying to do the right thing  We are going to make some mistakes, we’re only human; we’re not Jesus Christ, and the thing about me is when I make a mistake I’m  not ashamed, because I am human;  to tell you that that  was a mistake that I made, and give you my reason why.  So, thank you again, and hopefully we can bring this system back to where it was.  I am itching for it.”

 

“As far as the Charter Schools, don’t go there.  It’s bad news baby.  We are going to have a forum.  I’m not putting them down but they’re not good.  The truth is the light.  We are going to have a forum sometime after testing at the high school auditorium; and I’m going to invite parents; they can bring their kids if they want too, I don’t care; but we are going to come and we are going to discuss the pros and cons of Chartered Schools.  Hopefully the public will give us a couple more years to prove ourselves.  I’m not going to go into details about that now, but I want to just thank you all and thank you for your support.  My office is an open door.  Anytime you want to come and see me, you can call Ms. Adams and get an appointment, and I will see you.  I don’t turn anybody away. I try to give everybody the same kind of respect that I want for myself.  Thank you,” concluded Acting Superintendent Breaux.”

 

Acting Superintendent Personnel Report

 

Substitutes

 

1.)   Kasey Wagner, Teacher

2.)   Aubry Watson, Teacher

3.)   Ashley Peters, Paraprofessional

 

Retirees

1.)   Dana Dodds-Special Education Teacher-Northside Technology Middle School-Effective-May 23, 2013

2.)   Debbie Lusco-Educational Diagnostician-Bogalusa School Board Office-Effective-July 1, 2013

3.)   Cynthia McGehee-Social Studies/LVS Teacher-Bogalusa High School-Effective May 24, 2013

 

Retirees Withdrawals

1.)   Demple Barber-Child Nutrition Manager-Denhamtown PreK (Date was May 23, 2013)

2.)   Diane Mathews-Bookkeeper-Child Nutrition Programs-Bogalusa School Board Office (Date was May 17, 2013)

 

 10.)      Board Members Comments

Dr. Brad Williams-“We need to be all on one accord when we select.  Drop our egos at the door as they say, and get at it.”

 

Mr. Calvin Hymel-“All of the things we got in the mail from Ms. Adams, did we approve these things?  Did we have time to look it over?”

 

Response from Ms. Adams-“Yes, the ones that you received with the three-ring holes in it, you have looked over them and they have been approved, and sent back to Forethought to be  placed in our policy.  A letter was sent from Forethought stating that those policies were approved by the Board at the August 30th meeting.   Those are to be placed in your policy three-ring binder.  The ones you received in the comb-binder at the Committee Meeting on February 25, 2013, are the ones for you to review for approval, at our March meeting.” 

 

President Paul Kates-“We have struggled in Bogalusa for a while, and when I first took the seat of President I asked the staff , superintendent and  Board Members for all of us to work together.  It takes this entire community to build this school system.  Board Members, I think we all should be talking to parents trying to get them to send their kids back to Bogalusa School System.  We are striving on the right path.  I still feel that we have internal problems with people trying to still cut us down, to help the others.  I feel that way.  I can see it.  I hear it all the time.  But, my feeling now is, if you don’t want to be on the Bogalusa team, you ought to leave; because if we can’t trust one another and work together for the benefit and betterment of our children, put them first and try to educate them, you don’t need to be on the Bogalusa team.  If we’re going to be on the Bogalusa team, we’ve got to support the Bogalusa Schools.  We’re not here to be compared with nobody else; we’re here to move our system forward, and to show our community, that our kids can learn just like any other school system.  We all have to be on that same team.  I ask that we get behind whoever will be the superintendent; our next superintendent, in which I do hope it do be Mrs. Breaux myself, because she’s doing a wonderful job, but each Board Member have their own decision to make, and now that we are to that point; we’re advertising for that job, it’s time for us to put stability in the Bogalusa School System.  I hope all the Board Members feel the same way.  I love Bogalusa High School.  I love Bogalusa City Schools.  I’m a product of it; my son was a product of it; and I hope everybody supports this system.   I ask for the community to get back on board with us.  Thank you.”

 

Comment from Acting Superintendent Breaux-“Will you all please keep Reverend Mims in your prayers.  I’m just asking that you lift him up in prayer.”

 

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

 

11.)      Adjourn

There being no further business to address or comments, President Kates adjourned at 6:20PM.

 

____________________________________                    ____________________________________

(Mrs.) Willie E. Breaux                                                   Paul D. Kates

Secretary                                                                      Board President