Bogalusa School Board Office-Media Center

Bogalusa, Louisiana

Regular Board Meeting

Thursday, December 19, 2019

@ 5:30 p.m.

 

 

Proceedings of the Bogalusa School Board taken at the Regular Meeting that was held on Thursday, December 19, 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 December 19, 2019. The purpose of the meeting is to address information received from Department Supervisors, on December 16, 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 – Reverend Raymond E. Mims

 

4.)         Roll Call:  X President Creel, X Vice President Kates, _X_ Mrs. Breaux, X Mrs. Duke, A Mr. Kemp, XMr. Killingsworth, X Dr. Williams

 

5.)         Approval of Minutes of Regular Board Meeting November 21, 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.)         The Board presented Rev. Raymond E. Mims with a Certificate of Appreciation for his 26 years of service to the Bogalusa City Schools as a School Board Member.  In appreciation for his service the Bogalusa School Board Media Center is now the Rev. Raymond E. Mims Media Center.

 

8.)         Public Session

1.      Dana Walker – 1607 Hillsdale St., Bogalusa, LA  70427 – Wanted to let everyone know that the Teach One Lead One Mentoring Program is held every Tuesday at BHS.  The program is going great. Also wanted to let everyone that the BHS PTO has started and is also going very well.  The BHS PTO with PBIS held a rewards party to celebrate all 362 children who went their first semester without any referrals. Also, very happy to say that the BHS Administration has been working very well and attending the PTO meetings.

2.      Daryll Smith – 15054 Hwy. 1075 Bogalusa, LA  70427 – Stated his military career of 30 years and discussed him applying for a job at BHS where he was hired 2 x’s and fired 3 x’s.  Since that did not work out he plans to volunteer.  He then began chastising the board and audience for celebrating the 362 children who had no referrals during their first semester, because he substituted for three weeks and he knows all about the discipline problems so there are too many discipline issues to be celebrating anyone. 

 

He then addressed President Creel about the certified letter he sent to him and how he was not pleased with Mr. Creel’s response from Mr. Creels staff members.  He also stated he had to tried to reach out to President Creel about the certified letter he sent and how he was not pleased with Mr. Creel’s response.  He also stated he had to tried to reach out to board members and was unsuccessful due to the website not being accurate.  He continued to address discipline and accountability issues and the employee turnover rate. Mr. Creel addressed him regarding the certified letter and explained to Mr. Smith that he does not have a staff and that he wrote that letter himself.  Mr. Smith again suggested that Mr. Creel does not really know what ACT 1 is nor does he understand the FERPA regulations and student rights.  Mr. Creel assured him he is fully versed on both.

3.      Lazette Watterson – 59376 Mitchell City Road, Bogalusa, LA  70427 -  Thanked the Board for allowing her to address all of her concerns during the November, 2019 Board Meeting and that she has noticed things are being worked on and changes are being made.  She also stated that the PTO is very active and very appreciated. Discipline is a problem but we need to appreciate and celebrate the children who are performing well.  She also wanted to thank Chad Harry for the wonderful Christmas Concert at BHS.  She also thanked Mrs. Tanner, Mrs. Breaux and Mrs. Walker for attending.  She then stated that the Odyssey Wear for Spanish is still not working properly.  She also stated that she understands there is a teacher flight issue and we need to have an Exit Summary Ticket.  Superintendent Tanner let her know there is an Exit Summary.

4.      Stephanie Warren – 907 Marshall Richardson Road, Bogalusa, LA  70427– Stated she was here to address the student Dual Enrollment Classes and how the Drone class has had no instructor.  Math students are struggling and having to learn on their own because there is no consistency with Math teachers.  Please help make these needed changes because the children are the ones who are suffering.  She also stated we are in need of more Academic Counseling.

5.      Gloria Kates - 1012 Poplas Street, Bogalusa, LA  70427– Invited everyone to the District A 6th Annual Christmas Santa Give Away to be held December 20, 2019 from 2 to 4 at the Davis Street Ball Park.  She thanked everyone for their hard work at Bogalusa City Schools.

6.      Marvin Austin – 736 Florence Avenue, Bogalusa, LA  70427 – Congratulated Rev. Mims and began speaking on how some of our smartest people are leaving our community and taking their education elsewhere.  He feels the system is giving up on the children, personnel issue is failing them.  In addition, he is very concerned that there are 4 disciplinary positions available and all were given to white people and we need to do better for the children.

7.      Tonishia Johnson – 514 Erie Avenue, Bogalusa, LA  70427 – There are too many subs.  Some students have had subs and not one sub but multiple subs in the same class since October. She said we are in desperate need of Math Teachers and we allow one to go from being the Math teacher to being a disciplinary coach.  She stated that she felt she was more appropriate for the position because of her many years of experience.

 

President Creel asked to amend the Agenda to add Karla McGehee – Human Resources to the Agenda. It was motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Mr. Kemp.  The motion to add to the Agenda was passed with unanimous approval.  Roll Call Vote Followed:   Y – Mr. Kates, Y – Mr. Killingsworth, Y – Dr. Williams, Y – Mrs. Breaux, Y – Mrs. Duke, Y – Mr. Kemp, Y – Mr. Creel.

 

9.)         Human Resources – Karla McGehee – Presented the board with an updated employment Departures & New Hire list.  She also stated she had put in their folders a copy of the Superintendent’s Contract since a 120 notice must be given by February, 2020 and addressed at the January 2020 Board Meeting.

 

10.)          New Business

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

b.   Approval to Student Fees Policy. It was motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Mr. Kates. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

c.    Approval to advertise for ERATE Bids in all Categories. It was motioned by Mr. Kemp. A second was made by Dr. Williams. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

d.    Approval of Forethought Consulting Policy Update 2019: Tax & Bond Elections & Sales, Sexual Harassment, Dismissal of Employees and Holidays. It was motioned by Mrs Duke. A second was made by Mr. Killingsworth. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

 

11,)        Election of Officers – Mrs. Breaux nominated Mr. Kates for President. No other nominations were made.  Roll Call vote followed -  – Y – Mr. Kates, Y – Mr. Killingsworth, Y – Dr. Williams, Y – Mrs. Breaux, Y – Mrs. Duke, Y – Mr. Kemp, Y – Mr. Creel.

               Mrs. Breaux nominated Mr. Killingsworth for Vice President.  No other nominations were made. Roll Call vote followed - Y – Mr. Kates, Y – Mr. Killingsworth, Y – Dr. Williams, Y – Mrs. Breaux, Y – Mrs. Duke, Y – Mr. Kemp, Y – Mr. Creel.

 

12.)        Superintendent Tanner Comments - Thanked everyone for coming out and thanking Reverend Mims for his years of service and congratulated him.  Thanked Mr. Creel for his many years as President of the Board and welcomed Mr. Kates as President and Mr. Killingsworth as Vice President.  Superintendent expressed her thoughts on how talented the BHS Chorus is and wanted every to know Central Elementary was having their Christmas Program tonight and that Byrd had held theirs earlier in the week and it was wonderful also.  She stated that everyone is always welcome to come and speak and we welcome you.  Teacher flight issues are being addressed but the exit summaries are confidential.  I always do things with the childrens best interest at heart.  It is very hard to get Math teachers and we are working diligently to fix these issues.  Math teachers are a huge commodity.  In addition the Drone Class issues have been addressed. She thanked everyone again and wished everyone a Merry Chirstmas..

 

13.)              Board Members Comments –  Mrs. Breaux began by thanking everyone for coming out and let everyone know their comments and attendance is always welcome.  She thanked Mr. Kates and Mr. Killingsworth for stepping up and accepting their nominations.  She wanted to let everyone know she may be a little partial but Chad Harry is excellent and care deeply for the children and works with them in every way possible.  She thanked Mrs. Tanner for giving the weekly updates and thanked Mr. Creel for his years of service as President of the Board.  She wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and stated that we all want better for our system and we will be #1 again.  She inadvertently forgot to mention her beloved pastor and thanked him for his years of service. 

Mrs. Duke thanked everyone for coming out and congratulated Reverend Mims. She wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Mr. Kemp thanked everyone for coming and thanked Rev. Mims for being his mentor.  He expressed that the teacher shortage is a nationwide problem and even St. Tammany has these issues.

Dr. Williams Congratulated Reverend Mims and also stated that he was his mentor.  Let everyone know we know we have work to do and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Mr. Kates thanked God for this nomination for President.  Thank you all for coming out and voicing their concerns regarding accountability and that the children should be our #1 focus.  The children can’t be failing and the teachers all passing.  Wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Mr. Creel thanked everyone for his 3 terms as President and looks forward to working with Mr. Kates and Mr. Killingsworth moving forward.  He thanked the public for showing up and letting them know they are always welcome.  We have policies and procedures in daily operations and can have our hands tied as Board Members. Thanked Reverend Mims for his years of service to Bogalusa City Schools and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

 

12.)            Adjourn

 

___________________________________                              _______________________________________

Lisa Tanner, Superintendent                                                         Curtis Creel, President