Bogalusa School Board Office-Media Center

Bogalusa, Louisiana

Regular Board Meeting

THURSDAY, September 26, 2019

Proceedings of the Bogalusa School Board taken at the Regular Meeting that was held on Monday, September 26, 2019

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 September 23, 2019. The purpose of the meeting is to address information received from Department Supervisors, on September 26, 2019, during the Committee Meeting, regarding updates and approval requests.

1.)         Call to Order – President Curtis Creel

2.)         Pledge of Allegiance – Superintendent Lisa Tanner

3.)         Prayer – Ricky Killingsworth

4.)         Roll Call:  X President Creel, X Vice President Kates, _X_ Mrs. Breaux, A Mrs. Duke, A Mr. Kemp, X Mr. Killingsworth, XDr. Williams arrived 5:45

5.)         Approval of Minutes of Regular Board Meeting August 29, 2019. It was motioned by Mr. Kates. A second was made by Mrs. Duke. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

6.)         Board Office Committee Report – None

7.)         Recess to Public Session –

a.        Mrs. Lazette Watterson, 59376 Mitchell City Road, Bogalusa, LA  70427. Mrs. Lazette began with letting the Board know she had so many concerns that if she only had 3 minutes she would have to come back 10 times. She stated that she was with the system for many years and loves the system but things that could be done are not being done.  The first few weeks of school the email nor the Odessyware was not working for many reasons and that we do not have a Spanish Teacher in place.  Mrs. Lazette’s 3 minutes were up and a discussion was held to ask Mrs. Lazette to be put on the next Agenda in order for her to express all of her concerns.  Mr. Killingsworth told Mrs. Lazette that she was in his district and he would be glad to meet with her one on one.

b.        Dr. Vickie Auguste, P. O. Box 33, Praireville, LA   Dr. Auguste thanked the Board for allowing her to come and introduce herself as one of the candidates running in District 6 BESE Board Campaign.  She is a veteran education with 23 years’ experience.  She is a graduate of Southern University with her Doctorate from Southeastern University. She is running to make a change: (a) Eliminate John White (b) Fight for Rural Funded Districts (c) Revise Compass Evaluation System (d) Eliminate Voucher System and (e) Impose a Moratorium on Charter Schools

8.)         Old Business

a.           Approval of June, 2019, Revised Financial Statements, General Fund, Food Service, Special Revenue and School Activities. It was motioned by Mrs. Duke. A second was made by Mr. Kates. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

9.)         Old Business - Continued

b.      Approval of August, 2019 Financial Statements, General Fund, Special Revenue, Food Service and School Activities. It was motioned by Mr. Kates. A second was made by Mrs. Duke. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

c.      Approval of LARMA Resolution authorizing the Superintendent to sign the required Louisiana Uninsured/Underinsured motorist form reflecting of or rejection of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage. It was motioned by Mrs. Duke. A second was made by Mr. Kates. The motion passed with unanimous approval. (See attached Rejection Resolution)

d.      Approval of 2019-2020 General Liability, Automobile, School Errors and Omission, Commercial Crime and Medical Professional Insurance. It was motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Mrs. Duke. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

e.      Approval of Request for 3 BHS students and teacher, Brittany Gandalf, to travel to Atlanta on Monday, October 14, 2019 via vehicle.  On Wednesday, October 16, 2019 they will join forces with our partner school students and fly to California to the Bioneers Conference. It was motioned by Mr. Kates. A second was made by Mrs. Duke. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

10.)      New Business

a.      A motion was made to Amend the Agenda to add a line item for a Historical Marker at Central Elementary for Gayle Jenkins. A Roll Call Vote was taken as follows:

Mr. Paul Kates – Yes, Mr. Killingsworth – Yes, Dr. Williams – Yes, Mrs. Breaux – Yes, Mr. Kemp Absent, Mr. Creel – Yes.

The Motion to Amend the Agenda was passed with unanimous approval The public was asked to speak on this matter and Mrs. Gloria Kates spoke requesting approval for the Historical Marker.

b.      Approval of putting a Historical Marker at Central Elementary honoring Mrs. Gayle Jenkins.It was motioned by Mr. Kates.  A second was made by Mrs. Duke.  The motion passed with unanimous approval.

11.)      Superintendent Comments – October Committee & Board meetings will be held October 28, 2019.

Board Members Comments –  Mrs. Breauxstarted by thanking the Board for the approval of the placing of a Historical Marker for Gayle Jenkins.  She then stated that there are a lot of things going on at schools and the Board needs to visit the schools instead of just showing up at the monthly meetings.  She stated the Board needs to do more than discuss the business affairs of the schools.  We are doing nothing as a Board.  If something is not done immediately to address this she is going to the BESE Board and the Ethics Board.  She also stated that the teachers need to do their job and try working with these poor kids and their families and treat the kids like human beings.  It’s a two-way street and the teachers need to let the kids know they are loved.  It may be the only way they know they are loved. Dr. Williams stated that everyone should go to the Superintendent with their concerns and discuss the issues with her.  He also stated that teachers have a right to have a non-disruptive classroom and we need to support hem by providing the necessary means to restore law and order to the classrooms. With that being said “GO LUMBERJACKS”.  Mr. Kates stated a lot of things need to be addressed with this system.  There are too many fights and the administration needs to be held accountable for their job descriptions.  A lot needs to be addressed and corrected in the immediate future if we intend to turn the schools around.  The Board needs to step up and do whatever is necessary to get this job done.  Mr. Creel then stated that as everyone knows the Board is ruled by ACT I & II which gives all the power to the Superintendent.  We did not get where we are today, overnight.  He stated that he goes and visits the schools regularly and speaks to members of the community on a daily basis.  He agrees there are a lot of things that needs improvement and it will take up to 3 years to turn it around and that he is grossly aware of these situations.

12.)      Adjourn

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Lisa Tanner, Superintendent                                                         Curtis Creel, President