Bogalusa School Board Office-Media Center

Bogalusa, Louisiana

Regular Board Meeting

Thursday, August 26, 2021

5:30 p.m.

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 August 26, 2021. The purpose of the meeting is to address information received from Department Supervisors, on August 23, 2021, during the Committee Meeting, regarding updates and approval requests.

Call to Order – President Paul Kates

Pledge of Allegiance – Superintendent Lisa Tanner

Prayer – Willie “Toni” Breaux

Roll Call:  X President Kates,  X Vice President Creel,  X Mrs. Breaux,  X Mrs. Duke, X  Mr. Kemp,

        A Mr. Killingsworth,  X  Dr. Williams

1.)       Approval of Minutes of Regular Board Meeting July 26, 2021. It was motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Mrs. Duke. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

2.)       Board Office Committee Report – Mr. Creel reported Maintenance & Facilities & Finance Committees met with Northshore Charter to discuss Lease Agreement for Pleasant Hill

3.)       Recess to Public Session – Joseph D. Smith, 15054 Hwy. 1073, Bogalusa, LA  70427 For the ACT, Good evening School Board Members and Superintendent.  I am here tonight for several reasons.  I want to remind everyone of where we are at with our school system, I want to express opposition to the $1-2 thousand dollar supplement that you guys plan to vote for yourselves.  And finally, I want to query each of you on your action to fix this mess.  At the last board meeting, I didn’t hear anyone talk about how the students or our school is doing. Let me just refresh your memory-for the benefit of the group: Let’s start by dispelling any thoughts that we are a broke or poor school:  We have the 11^th richest school in the State. Bogalusa spent $14,435 per student in 2019.  Washington Parish spent $10,272.  St. Tammany spends about $2,000 less per student than Bogalusa at $12,094 per student. Teacher pay is in the top 30% across the state.  Bogalusa teachers have an average salary of $50,230.00 This is $2,500 more than what the average teacher makes in Louisiana and $9,000 more than what the Parish School teachers make.  Now let’s look at what we get for our money.  In 2019 BHS is ranked 137 out of 142 in School Performance Data.  For 2020 Leap: Leap Data, 5 of students that don’t have a basic understanding of: English 1, 59%, English II, 70%, Algebra 1, 78%, Geometry, 92%, US History, 82% & Biology, 75%. Bogalusa ranked in the bottom 5% of the state with an average score of 15.  We are the worst of the worst with LA ranked at 48 out of 50 nationally.  Changes since the heyday of the 60’s: Our leadership hasn’t changed. Our existing school board has been on board since before 2011.  Our Superintendent has been on board since 2017.  Leadership Folks.  What’s changed:  We have a prorated change of 10% less classroom teachers since 2011.  What do we do:  What are your actions plans School Board and Superintendent?  Here is mine: (1) Put administration, which is our best of the best, in the classroom.  One class per administrator.  These classes should be focused on where we are the weakest.  (2) Throw teachers at the problem.  Multiple teachers in a classroom.  Two teachers teaching math for example.  (3) Give teachers the authority to restrict participation in extracurricular activities such as football and band.  Eliminate additional holidays such as Mardi Gras.  Maximize the school year versus having the minimal school days. (4) Have a more robust parent engagement program. (5) Establish a high standard.  JROTC is an example of where the standards are being lowered.  It’s indicative of the school.(6) Implement the Baldrige Excellence Framework into the way we do business.  Why is this so important to me and why am I on this kick?  I am glad that you asked.  I have encountered several students over the last year that can’t multiply.  These kids have no hope.  They can’t even join the military with these levels of education.  I recently saw a post where a Bogalusan said the he was going to be rich no matter what.  If he couldn’t do it legally, then he would do it illegally.  I blame our high rate of crime on our low level of education.  I blame our blight on education.  Education is so important. I implore that you use this 2 million for something that supports the mission of educating our kids. Thank you.

Howard West Vaughn – 16107 Boyt Road, Bogalusa, LA. Students in Algebra II cannot pass and cannot get to the level they need to be at with current curriculum. I believe we need financial literacy and construction math.  We need to call our Representatives & Senators to get required courses changed and get this bill pushed through the State.

Dana Walker – 1607 Hillsdale, Bogalusa, LA   NAACP spoke to the kids and let them know we are all partnering together to show them they are loved.  Counselors to be made available at all times and need to be more pro-active.

Cody Magee – 51401 Thigpen Road, Franklinton, LA  I am a BHS employee who came tonight to listen to what Mr. Smith has to say….I feel statistics can be spouted all day long but it doesn’t change the fact that we need every one in place who are glad to see our children being happy at our schools.  Mr. Smith you should work on being part of the solution and not continue to be so negative and part of the problem.  Mr. Smith you are riding close to defamation of character and stalking.  BHS is far from perfect but as an educator and person who loves these students…..we are moving in the right direction.

4.)       Executive Session – Tomeka Smith, individually and on behalf of Tylen Smith and Tonica Johnson v. ABC Ins. Co., Jane Doe, Bogalusa City School Board, Willie Johnson, and XYZ Ins., Co., 22^nd JDC, Washington Parish, #113242, Div. D

a.     Approval of Item #113242, Div. D

It was motioned by Dr. Williams to recess to Executive Session.  A second was made by Mr. Creel.  The motion passed with unanimous approval. It was motioned by Mr. Kemp to resume to regular board meeting.  A second was made by Dr. Williams.  The motion passed with unanimous approval and proceeded with a roll call vote.

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

5.)       New Business

a.     Approval of revised budgets and financial statements for June 30, 2021 & July, 2021.General Fund, Special Revenue, Food Service; and School Activities It was motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Mrs. Duke. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

b.     Approval of 2021-2022 General Fund and Special Revenue Budgets. It was motioned by Mr. Creel. A second was made by Mr. Kemp. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

c.     Approval to advertise for Central Elementary School Auditorium HVAC installation and Byrd Avenue Roof. It was motioned by Mr. Kemp. A second was made by Mr. Creel. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

d.     Approval to accept bids on BHS Gymnasium HVAC. It was motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Mr. Creel. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

e.     Approval to accept bids on BHS Classroom HVAC. It was motioned by Mr. Kemp. A second was made by Mrs. Duke. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

f.      Approval of a one-time supplement in the amount of $1,500 to all full time employees. It was motioned by Mrs. Breaux. A second was made by Mr. Kemp. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

8.)         Superintendent Comments- Thanked everyone for coming.  Wanted to reassure everyone that the safety of our students is our priority.  Counselors at BHS are working with all students to assist with their fear and anxiety.  BPD are understaffed and has no extra officer for us to use as SRO Officer.  BHS campus will continue to be on lockdown.  We have ordered clear back packs for all BHS students and additional metal detector wands for scanning students. The hotline is also open.  We will make Hurricane Ida plans tomorrow.  Phlesher Mingo and I went and visited to with Aaron Brown’s mother.

9.)         Board Member Comments – Ms. Breaux stated that she would pray for Mr. Smith because of his bad attitude and he should be trying to help instead of making all these derogatory negative statements around town and on Social Media.  Most statements Mr. Smith makes are wrong and he is trying to kill our system, only because he did not get the job he wanted at BHS.  Ms. Breaux also stated that she had passed out some COVID information to all board members.  She then thanked everyone who thinks and understands that BCS employees are essential workers and I would like to thank them for their continued work through this pandemic.  Mr. Kemp also thanked everyone for recognizing that BCS and all teachers and employees of school systems are considered essential employees.

10.)       Meeting adjourned

_____________________________________                 ___________________________________

Lisa Tanner, Superintendent                                                      Paul Kates, President