Bogalusa School Board Office-Media Center

Bogalusa, Louisiana

Regular Board Meeting

March 19, 2013

5:30 P.M.

 

 

Proceedings of the Bogalusa School Board, Taken At A Regular Meeting That Was Held On Tuesday, March 19, 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, March 19, 2013 beginning at 5:30 P.M. The purpose of the meeting was to address all matters presented to the Board regarding the closing of the 2012-2013 Fiscal School Year, and plans for preparation of the 2013-2014 Fiscal School Year.  The agenda included two (2) presentations.

 

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, Reverend Raymond Mims; Members:  Mr. Curtis Creel, Mr. Calvin Hymel, Mr. Adam Kemp, and Dr. Brad Williams (Answered Roll Call at 5:31PM)

 

There was absent: Member:  Mrs. Eleanor Duke

 

At this point President Kates called for the recognition of Students of the Year presentation.

 

Ms. Jenkins was not available, due to the checking-in of test material, as stated by Acting Superintendent Breaux, but Mrs. April Nobles was in her stead to make the presentations.

 

Presentations-Recognition of Students of the Year-Debbie Jenkins (By Mrs. April Nobles)

 

 

Mrs. Nobles standing in for Ms. Jenkins, called the Principals forward to assist in the presentation of the students.  Each student received a certificate, bearing the signature of Board President Mr. Paul Kates, and Acting Superintendent Mrs. Willie “Toni” Breaux.  The family members of each Student of the Year were recognized.

 

Statement from President Kates- “We want to thank you all for being present.  We are proud of all these young people, and the performance that they have given the Bogalusa School System.  You all are making us proud.  Thank you,” concluded President Kates.

 

Recognition of LSBA 2012 Voluntary Certificated School Board Members Development Program-Certificate of Merit

Acting Superintendent (Mrs.) Willie E. Breaux

 

“Good evening. This year during the 2013 LSBA Convention held in Marksville, Louisiana on March 4-6, 2013, Board Members across the State of Louisiana were awarded a “Certificate of Merit” for completing twenty (20) or more hours in Professional Development related to ACT 705, officially designating them as a Certified School Board Member for 2012.  I am proud tonight to present to the seven (7) School Board Members of Bogalusa City School Board, the “Certificate of Merit for 2012.”  At this point  Acting Superintendent Breaux presented the certificates as follow:

 

 

Mrs. Eleanor Duke was absent, but Acting Superintendent Breaux recognized her as receiving the Certificate of Merit.

 

5.)                     Approval of Minutes of Regular Board Meeting-February 28, 2013

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Dr. Williams to approve the minutes.  The motion was carried unanimously, with one (1) absent.

 

6.)                     Board Officers and Committee Reports

There were no reports at this time. 

 

Statement from Acting Superintendent Breaux-“I just have one thing to add for Phlesher.  I asked her to do this, and she is really on her job.  I am proud of Phlesher.  I asked her to check to see if you all needed to be at that Bullying in-service.  I had her to get it in writing, and it said, ‘While School Board Members are not required by law to take this training, they are certainly welcome.  Awareness of this important new law is an issue surrounding bullying, and it is important.’  So, you don’t have to go, but if you want to go you can.  Thank you Phlesher,” concluded Acting Superintendent Breaux.

 

7.)                     Recess to Public Session

There was no one to come forward to address the Board or public.

 

8.)                     New Business  

 

A.)                     Approval of updated Transportation Policy; and Louisiana Department of Education School Bus Behavior Report. 

It was motioned by Mr. Kemp, seconded by Reverend Mims to approve the line item.  The motion was not carried unanimously, at this point.

 

Statement from President Kates-“I don’t know if anyone of you all were here on Monday night; last night. At our Committee Meeting we discussed this; and at this time we’d like to turn it over to the public.  Do we have anyone in the public that would like to speak on this issue?  Well, I can give you a little information.  This is about the bus.  If a kid acts up on the bus, I think Ms. Mingo; a Principal can expel them from the bus; if they act up, and don’t want their disciplinary action taken against them.  That’s what this item is about.  So, if we have anyone in the public want to speak on it, you may.  If  not, we bring it back to the table.

 

The motion was carried unanimously at this point, with one (1) absent.

 

B.)                     Grant permission to bid for Frozen and Processed Foods, Kitchen Supplies, Bread, Milk, Produce, Large and Small Equipment for Fiscal School Year 2013-2014. 

It was motioned by Mr. Hymel, seconded by Reverend Mims to grant permission.  The motion was carried unanimously, with one (1) absent.

 

C.)                     Grant permission to Sponsor the Summer Food Service Program in summer 2013. 

It was motioned by Mr. Kemp, seconded by Mr. Hymel to grant permission.  The motion was carried unanimously, with one (1) absent.

 

D.)                     Grant permission for Bogalusa High School JROTC to attend the Gulfport High School Rifle Match in Gulfport, Mississippi scheduled for April 20, 2013; also, permission for Bogalusa High School JROTC to attend JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge at Camp Shelby, in Mississippi, on May 30, 2013-June 4, 2013.  

It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Hymel to grant permission.  The motion was carried unanimously, with one (1) absent.

 

E.)                     Grant permission for April Nobles to attend the Advanced Placement Summer Institute for Administrators, in Jacksonville, Florida, scheduled for June 19-21, 2013.  *The Louisiana Department of Education will reimburse all travel expenses.

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mr. Kemp to grant permission.  The motion was carried unanimously, with one (1) absent.

 

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

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve the line item.  The motion was carried unanimously, with one (1) absent.

 

G.)Approval of Policies:  BCBB-Notification of Board Meetings; BCBD-Agenda Preparation and Dissemination; EBBH-Use  of Automated External Defibrillator (AED); GAMIA-Electronic Communications Between Employees and Students; GBA-Contracts and Compensation; GBDA-Employment of Retired Personnel; IDDG-Alternative Schools Education Program; IFBGA-Student Computer Access and Use; IHAD-Parent Conferences; JCD-Student Conduct; JCDAF-Bullying and Hazing; JD-Student Discipline; JDD-Suspension: JDE Expulsion; JGCE-Child Abuse.

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mr. Hymel to approve the policies.  The motion was carried unanimously, with one (1) absent.

 

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

 “I’m not going to keep you all long.  I was invited to be the guest speaker for Rotary.  It is always an honor to go out and represent Bogalusa School System, because I love Bogalusa Schools.  I love public schools, and I am going to do everything to keep it alive.  I spoke today on what’s happening in the Bogalusa School System.  After I spoke, I gave them a chance to ask questions.  We didn’t get out of there until one-thirty (1:30PM).  They had goo-gobs of questions, but that told me that they were at least interested in Bogalusa City School System, so for me that was a plus.  I had in attendance from here, Mr. Creel.  I had him to speak for a moment; and I had my good friend Joannie there.  It really went well.”

 

“We were doing testing today, and I haven’t even asked the testing people; but I know they got it all covered.  After we get back from the break, the supervisors are going to be working diligently.  At least a half-day; so I’m saying this in front of the Board Members; don’t have anything else to do; at least a half-day, each school day, because I want to get everything in place from the teachers, to the custodians; to everything, so that you all can look at that before we start finalizing our plans, and see if you have anything that you want to add, or  suggestions that you might have, so we’re going to work on that and get that out to you.”

 

“Mrs. Walker, I think you told them about the big cut, didn’t you?  They had something that I got on my email today, and I emailed it to the Board Members, I don’t know if you’ve gotten it yet, it was kind of late. They are meeting; the Superintendents are really keeping in communication and they are going to court on tomorrow on some of those things about Jindal; tomorrow in New Orleans, and we should have some results the following day.  So, I did send it, but I sent it kind of late this afternoon.  I was checking through my emails.”  Mrs. Walker added, “I did have another thing to add, I didn’t bring it, but school employees retirement is going up to thirty-something (30-something %) percent. It’s very... (Pausing and not completing this statement).  So, on top of the cuts, that’s also an expenditure that we are going to have to be looking at.”  “Is that what we pay,” asked Reverend Mims?  “We pay that portion. This year it’s twenty-eight (28%) percent, for school employees; bur for teachers I haven’t received theirs yet; for teachers we pay the largest portion on.  Right now, we’re paying twenty-four, point seven (24.7%) percent on teachers and I think it’s going up,” says Mrs. Walker. “We found out at the conference that the state is supposed to be paying that, but I know they’re not,” says President Kates.  Mrs. Walker continued, “And you know what,  Bob Hammonds sent me an email, and I was trying to get something to the state; saying that we need to do an affidavit on something that they’re filing.  We’ll let you all know what that was; but it’s something that he wanted us to get.  I’ll get with Dale.  It’s something that we have to get an affidavit on.  It’s something on the filing of that lawsuit.”

 

Acting Superintendent Breaux continued, “And one other thing, I just wanted to once again thank the Board Members for their confidence in me.  I am going to continue to work hard   for Bogalusa City Schools, because it is the love of my life, as is education; and do everything that I can possibly to first of all bring our kids back.  I want all of our kids back.  I also had an article that I emailed, and I’m not going to get into that..  But, anyway, I emailed Debbie Jenkins and April Nobles today. There was a lawsuit, and the lawsuit was won, where they took one student who was going to a school out of district; you have to be at least one hundred (100) miles; and what they did was, they took that kid’s family to court and they loss.  So, it really is illegal, and I don’t know why nothing has been done about it.”  “It’s in the stature.  We brought it up to the Senator, and he wouldn’t listen to us.  We have to file a suit I guess,” says Mrs. Walker.  “We’ve been fighting that for two (2) or three (3) years,” says President Kates.  Mrs. Breaux continued, “But I want all of the kids back.  We are going to prove ourselves.  We’re working extremely hard this year.  We are not going to get the results that I would have  hoped for,  because when I got in here it was a mess, and I’m not trying to make excuses, but we are progressing  and I think  we’re going to have much, much better results next year, because we’ve put a lot of things in place.  We are getting ready now to place our administrators, and that’s going to be a hard decision.  It’s not going to be based on like or personality, we are strictly going by… (Pausing and not completing this statement).  As we interviewed; you know how you sometimes have people in your mind; and that person come and you say, ‘Ooh yes, he was good; and then you have somebody that you really hadn’t had any idea about, and say, ooh, he tore it up; he tore it up.’  So, what we are going to do is set at the table, and look at all areas; and we’re going to be honest and open.  We’re not going to get somebody that we like.  I want somebody that’s going to bring this system forward, because I tell my Principals, that when you look good, your supervisor looks good; when your supervisor looks good, I look good; and I can’t look bad.  I just can’t do it.  So, that’s why I have to have competent, trustworthy people working in this.  I did tell them today that I feel like I almost have me a dream team here.  Anyway, I just want to thank you all; and I want to thank my supervisors, my teachers, my principals, assistant principals, and the parents for allowing us to educate their students in Bogalusa City Schools.  Thank you,” concluded Acting Superintendent Breaux.

 

Statement from Reverend Mims-“I think Mr. Kates, the judge found the voucher thing unconstitutional today.  I think Jindal administration is going to take it before the state supreme court.”  Mrs. Walker stated,” It went to the state supreme court today.”  “Mr. Kemp/President Kates-They went   today for that; we just don’t know what the ruling was.”

 

Acting Superintendent Personnel Report

 

There were no personnel reports presented by Human Resources, for Monday, March 18, 2013, or Tuesday, March 19, 2013.

 

10.)                   Board Members Comments

Mr. Adam Kemp-“I just want to thank Mrs. Breaux for representing our School System and our School Board and doing such a professional job with what she is doing. Thank you.  I know it’s sometimes a thankless job, but we appreciate all your efforts.  Thank you, Ms. Lois, for keeping up with our hours.  I know I don’t do a good job with that, and I thank Ms. Lois for being there to fall back on.”

 

Dr. Brad Williams-“I’d like to express my confidence also in the system.  This is the most positive I’ve felt, since I’ve been on the Board, in a while. And, I want to say that before any of the LEAP score results come out.  We’re praying that that’s going to get better too.  I hate that it’s such a benchmark they go by to see how the system is doing , but I still say however that  goes, I think we’ve got some good people; some good supervisors in place, and they’ve got some hard jobs.  I’ve seen some of the hard things they have to deal with.  Thank y’all.”

 

Reverend Raymond Mims-“I’d just like to add on to that.  I guess I’ve been on the Board longer than anyone else.  It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the Superintendent and the supervisors working together in harmony, and it looks like it flows down to the schools also.  Look like we’re seeing changes there.  So we just thank God for better days; and with your leadership, I think we’ll get there.”

 

President Paul Kate-“I just want to thank everyone for coming; and most of all I want to thank Mrs. Breaux for stepping up and pulling us through what we’re in.  She’s been doing a marvelous job. She’s working on something that nobody else; or nobody sitting in that seat worked on. She’s working on this consolidation plan. She is putting it together, and all the supervisors are working with her.  I just want to commend her job she’s done.  This is a hard job because we’re getting ready to close down some schools and consolidate; and she’s on top of it.  And most of all, we don’t have to come down here anymore; she sends us the information we need, something we’ve never gotten before.  She keeps us informed of everything that goes on in this system; and that’s what we need.  The state tells us that we are not to be involved in the day-to-day operation, but she keeps us informed.  I just want to thank her for doing a good job; and I know she’s going to take this system forward.  All we need now is our community to trust in us once again, and for us to move forward.  We need our children back; we want them back; and we want to let them know that we‘re going to give them a quality education.  I just want to thank y’all.  If nothing else meeting is adjourned,” says President Kates.

 

11.)                    Adjourn

There being no further business or comments, President Kates adjourned at 6:05PM.

 

_______________________________________               _____________________________________

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

Secretary                                                                      Board President