Bogalusa School Board Office-Media Center

Bogalusa, Louisiana

Regular Board Meeting

November 14, 2013

5:30 P.M.

 

Proceedings of the Bogalusa School Board, Taken At A Regular Meeting That Was Held On Thursday, November 14, 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, November 14, 2013 beginning at 5:30 P.M. The purpose of the meeting was to take action on all matters that were presented on Tuesday night, November 12, 2013, at the Committee Meeting, regarding any new or on-going developments, involving the entire district.

 

1.)        Call to Order

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

 

2.)        Pledge of Allegiance

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

 

3.)        Prayer

Rev.  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, and Dr. Brad Williams

 

There was absent:  Board Member-Mr. Adam Kemp

 

5.)        Approval of Minutes of Regular Board Meeting-October 30, 2013

It was motioned by Rev. Mims, seconded by Mrs. Duke, to approve the minutes.  The motion was carried 6-0 with Board Member, Mr. Adam Kemp absent.

 

6.)        Board Officers and Committee Reports

There were no reports at this time.

 

7.)        Recess to Public Session

Kris Cobb-Mrs. Cobb stated her address as 17860 Lang Road, Bogalusa.  “I have handouts for each of you.”  At this point she presented her hand-outs to each Board Member. Mrs. Cobb continued, “I’m here to discuss Central Elementary.  There is no playground equipment at the school; at all. These kids have basketball and football. The playground equipment is sitting at Northside and Pleasant Hill, waiting on the National Guard to get back from Kuwait to move it.  That’s not acceptable.  That’s just excuses at this point.

 

Next, Mrs. Cobb went on to expound on some information she received from an email from Tami Richardson of Central Elementary that she had received.  She also presented a copy of a paper that the students were given to work with.  “If you will look at that paper, you will see the reason the school is failing; it’s not my fault.  That is unacceptable; there’s no reason for that.  When I asked why the copies looks like that, I’m told, ‘We don’t have a copy machine.’  They didn’t have one the day before school started.  I brought my own.  Today, when I got there they kept unplugging the copy machine, because sparks were shooting out of it; and that’s the new one they were given yesterday.  That’s not acceptable; it’s just not” says Mrs. Cobb.  She continued her concerns regarding Central Elementary, to express other matters that she encountered at the school; one being that several of her requests from a registration form she filled out at the beginning of school, had not been addressed, regarding needs of her children.  She stated that she received a form from Mrs. Raborn on November 13th.  “It’s none stop. My point of coming here tonight is to let you know, Mr. Williams and Mr. Kates  that at the last School Board Meeting, you said the reason these schools are failing is because of some parents. There will always be some parents in every school; in every activity that does not participate, period; but you cannot let that be a reason for failure; you can’t.  You have fewer students now, so these students should be getting a phenomenal education.  None of the cameras at the school works. I am beyond disappointed in the school system.  So, when you think it’s us; it’s not.  That’s y’all.

 

Statement from President Kates-“Thank you Mrs. Cobb, Thank you.”

 

Statement from Mr. Hymel-“Thank you.  I appreciate your comment.  We needed that.”

 

Statement from President Kates-“But, I didn’t say all parents.  I said some parents.  But, I also said we have problems inside the system.  We are working on things and we are trying to do what we’re supposed to do to correct them.  And, right now the Superintendent is in charge of running the system.  The Board has no day-to-day operation with the system.  We can’t tell them… (Pausing and not completing this statement).  Go speak to your governor; go speak to your representative; because we can’t give input on the day-to-day operation.  The Superintendent runs the system,” said President Kates.  The discussion continued.

 

Statement from Superintendent Breaux-“I appreciate you coming Mrs. Cobb.  I have not spoken to you, have I ever?”  Mrs. Cobb replied, “No ma’am.”  Superintendent Breaux continued, “Okay, because I got some misinformation.  I promise you that I will do my best; and I would appreciate it from here-on-out, if you would give me a call and come see me if you problems.  I am here for the kids.  No, everything is not right.  We have a lot of problems; but it takes people like you to come in some times and point those things out to us.   Now, all of those things that you said I don’t know if they are true or not, I have not checked on them; but I can tell you, I will.  My policy is an open door policy, and I wished that you would have come to me, and talked to me so we could have sit down and talk about this one-on-one, but it’s okay.  You gave me this list, and you have my word, and you can come back to another meeting and say Mrs. Breaux, you didn’t do this; you didn’t do this; you didn’t do that, because it’s not going to happen.  I’m going to do it.”  Superintendent Breaux expounded on other matters at Central one being, the copier and another being (1) one secretary for six (600) hundred students, stating that there are two (2) secretaries, and the duties are divided.  “I’ll look into that.  I don’t know if the state will say we can have another secretary, because it is a per pupil ratio thing, but I appreciate that comment and I will look into that.  I’ll get with Mrs. Raborn and Mrs. Walker and we will try to fix the situation with the copy machine.  I’ve told teachers, and they can say this; principals can say this, I’ve told them if there is anything that you need that’s going to enhance student’s achievement come to me.  And, I’ve said it in front of the Board, even if we can’t afford it, I am going to find a way to afford it, and I have tried to do that.  Maybe I haven’t done everything that I need to do, but I am really trying, and I appreciate parent input because your children are our products.  I thank you for coming, and I will check into this; and if you give me your telephone number privately I would like to call you and talk to you one-on-one, or even  invite you to my office,” says Superintendent Breaux.

 

There were other matters that were brought to the attention of the Board and Superintendent, concerning a desk situation.  Superintendent Breaux asked that Ms. Debbie Jenkins check into that situation the following day.

 

Statement from Dr. Williams-“I don’t know if you heard my whole talk the other day, but  I did say that there is some need for improvement with our staff, including blaming myself; but I still stick by what  I said, that the biggest problem that we have is parental involvement, like you’re doing.  Thank you for coming.  If we had parents that came up like you, with legitimate complaints; and we don’t always have to air them out in public, we can go on the chain-of-command, but if we do have parents like that, it would be a big factor.”

 

Several additional matters were addressed. To get the totality of all inputs, please feel free to make an appointment to stop by the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent’s office to listen to the taping of this meeting, for all the comments.   Mrs. Cobb, also stated that she and April have worked on fundraisers for the hospital, and she would be more than willing to step up and host fundraisers for the schools.  She gave an example of one that was being done the following night at a school that she and April worked on last year, at the hospital, where you do no work and receive twenty (20%) percent of the funding for it, all they do is use your space, according to Mrs. Cobb.  “One event like that could purchase one piece of equipment that you need; but you have to put forth the effort.  I’m willing to do that as a parent for Central Elementary,” concluded Mrs. Cobb.  President Kates asked her to get with Mrs. Raborn.

 

At this point Mr. Hymel thanked Mrs. Cobb for coming.

 

8.)        New Business 

 

A.)        Grant permission to Commodity Process with, St. Charles Co-Op to include Ascension, Baker, Livingston, Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa Parishes, and City of Bogalusa.

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mrs. Duke to grant permission.  The motion was carried 6-0 with Board Member, Mr. Adam Kemp absent.

 

B.)        Approval of Financial Statements for October 2013, i.e., General Fund, Food Service, Capital Improvement Fund, Special Revenue Funds  and School Activities.

It was motioned by Dr. Williams Mims, seconded by Mr. Creel to approve the statements.  The motion was carried 6-0 with Board Member, Mr. Adam Kemp absent.

C.)        Adoption of 2013 Policy Updates for, BBBC-School Board Member Continuing Education; DFD-Tax and Bond Elections and Sales; EBBC-Emergency/Crisis Management; EBC-Building and Grounds Security; EE-Child Nutrition Program Management; GAMJ-Miscellaneous Conditions of Employment; GBN-Dismissal of Employees; IDDF-Education of Students with Exceptionalities; IDE-Co-Curricular Activities and Extracurricular Activities; IDFA-Interscholastic Athletics; IHH-Credit Recovery; IKDC-Prayer in Schools; JCDAF-Bullying and Hazing; JGC-Student Health Services.  (Superintendent Willie “Toni” Breaux) *Note: The 2013 Policy Updates were given to the Board Attorney, Superintendent Breaux, and Board Members for review, on Monday September 30, 2013, at the Public Meeting that was held.

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mr. Creel to adopt the policies.  The motion was carried 6-0 with Board Member, Mr. Adam Kemp absent.

 

9.)        Personnel-Karla McGehee

“On the handout that I gave you, I made a mistake on the last one; that should be a retirement, not a resignation.  That name was added today.  Mr. Hymel, you made that comment just now that we don’t inform you when we hire someone.”  “They’ve hired people I’ve never heard of,” replied Mr. Hymel.  “Because I usually give a list of new hires,” said Mrs. McGehee.  “They’ve already been hired when I get the list.  I don’t have no say-so, or what.  What I’m saying is we don’t have anything to do with it.  You all hire who you want to,” added Mr. Hymel.  Mrs. McGehee continued, “Right, but we do inform you.”  “Not until; after it’s done, okay,” concluded Mr. Hymel.

 

PERSONNEL AGENDA

 

RESIGNATIONS

1)     Adrian Frazier-Bogalusa High School-Classroom Teacher/Coach- Effective Friday, November 15, 2013

2)     Lori Morris-Bogalusa High School-6th-8th Grade Classroom Teacher-Effective Tuesday, November 12, 2013

3)     Rebecca Thomas - Bogalusa High School-6th-8th Grade Classroom Teacher-Effective Friday, November 8, 2013

RETIREMENT

1)     Virginia Dunaway - Central Elementary School-Classroom Teacher-Effective Friday, November 15, 2013

                            

10.)        Superintendent Comments-(Mrs.) Willie “Toni” Breaux

 Superintendent Breaux indicated that she had no comments.

  

11.)        Board Members Comments

Eleanor Duke-“I went to the Veteran’s Day Program at Bogalusa High.  Veterans were there. It was very nice.”

President Paul Kates-“I’d just like to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.  I know this is the last meeting in November.  I appreciate you all coming to our Board Meetings.  And, Mrs. Cobb, I really appreciate you coming to speak on the issues that you spoke on.  I know we have problems in certain areas; but I believe we’re trying to correct everything that we have a problem with.  If it’s not brought to us, we don’t know anything about it; but when it’s brought to us we try to take action to correct the problem.  We do appreciate you coming.  At this time I would like to get motion to amend the agenda, to include an Executive Session,” concluded President Kates.

 

It was motioned by Mr. Creel, seconded by Reverend Mims, to amend the agenda to add an Executive Session.  The motion was carried 6-0 with Board Member, Mr. Adam Kemp absent.

 

It was motioned by Dr. Williams, seconded by Reverend Mims to enter into an Executive Session to address personnel matters.  The motion was carried 6-0 with Board Member, Mr. Adam Kemp absent.

 

12.)       Executive Session-Personnel

Returning to the Media Center, President Kates asked for a motion to bring the meeting back to order.

 

It was motioned by Reverend Mims, seconded by Mr. Hymel to resume the meeting.  The motion was carried 6-0 with Board Member, Mr. Adam Kemp absent.

 

Statement from President Kates-“We went into Executive Session to take care of personnel.  This is involving a situation.  The Superintendent recused herself from the issue.  Mrs. Walker is heading it up.  She is going to do a little bit more investigation; she and Mrs. Karla McGehee.  They will finish it up, and when the results come in, we’ll know.  We thank you all for being patient with us.  This was an issue that had to be brought to the Board, and discussed,” said President Kates. 

 

At this point President Kates asked if there were any more Board Member comments.

 

Curtis Creel-“I had reason to go by Northside today.  I spoke with Heather, in the Technology Department; and she told me they had finished their TRT Survey Inventory for getting ready for the PARCC Testing.  They were submitting their results to the state for their approval; is that correct,” says Mr. Creel?  The reply was, “That’s correct.”  Mr. Creel continued, “So, I’m just glad to know that our Tech Department is on top of things,” concluded Mr. Creel.

 

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

 

13.)        Adjourn

There being no further business to address or comments, President Kates adjourned at 6:30PM.

 

_________________________________                                      _________________________________

(Mrs.) Willie E. Breaux, Superintendent                                       Mr. Paul D. Kates

Secretary                                                                                  Board President