Bogalusa School Board Office-Media Center

Bogalusa, Louisiana

Regular Board Meeting

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

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 January 28, 2022. The purpose of the meeting is to address information received from Department Supervisors, on January 24, 2022, during the Committee Meeting, regarding updates and approval requests.

Call to Order – President Paul Kates

Pledge of Allegiance – Superintendent Lisa Tanner

Prayer – Mrs. Breaux

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

1.)       Approval of Minutes of Regular Board Meeting December 13, 2021. It was motioned by Mr. Kemp. A second was made by Mrs. Duke. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

2.)       Removal of Item 7a from Agenda – It was motioned by Mr. Creel.  A second was made by Dr. Williams. The motion passed with unanimous approval.  A roll call vote was taken:

Mrs. Breaux – Y, Mrs. Duke – Y, Mr. Kemp – Y, Mr. Creel – Y, Mr. Killingsworth – Y, Dr. Williams – Y, Mr. Kates – Y.  Motion carried unanimously.

3.)       Board Office Committee Report – Mrs. Walker discussed pre-bid meeting for the BHS Track and its progression.

4.)       Superintendent Tanner recognized and awarded Bogalusa City Schools School Board Members for their service for School Board Recognition Month.

5.)       Mr. Mashall Buddy Jenkins updated BCS on the base plans for redistricting due to the 2020 population Census. He expressed concerns about the March 1, 2022 date declared by the U.S. Justice Department and suggested that we follow WPSB in adopting a redistricting resolution adopting a plan by May 31, 2022.  He hit all the high points of the redistricting plans and laws concerning redistricting.  Bogalusa School Board Census is down by 1,947 from 2010 to 2020.  Mr. Jenkins has 4 plans to submit for BCS consideration.  Mr. Jenkins also suggested we get our attorney to work with WPSB in getting March date changed to May, 2022.

6.)       Recess to Public Session –Martha Hall Pate, 110 Coburn Street, Bogalusa, LA  70427.  Mrs. Pate came to speak to the board regarding substitute teacher pay raises.  She is very concerned about substitute teachers not getting the pay they deserve and would like for the board to consider pay raises for subs. Dr. Patricia Keller, 1622 Normell Keller Street, Bogalusa, LA  70427.   Dr. Keller spoke on the same lines as Mrs. Pate about teacher and sub pay raises.  Dr. Keller believes if we give incentives to certified teachers it could maybe help others to work towards certification.  She understands there may not always be money for salary increases but feels there are other ways to reward the teachers and subs with incentives other than money.

6.)     Northshore Charter School Renewal – Superintendent Tanner began by explaining the guidelines of BCS and their roll of overseeing NCS and let everyone know that BCS’s main goal is to work with NCS in order to give all children of our City an equal opportunity to be educated accordingly.  State guideless are the same for all Louisiana Public Schools and charter schools.  BCS & NCS need to work together collaboratively in order to be successful.  Mrs. Walker discussed the audit report and the issues our auditors suggest NCS auditors address accordingly.  IRS isssues were discussed and Mrs. McCullough answered questions regarding the audit and explained how they were working on rectifying all issues.

7.)       New Business

a.     Approval of December, 2021 financial statements, General Fund, Food Service, Special Revenue and School Activities. It was motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Mr. Kemp. The motion passed with unanimous approval

b.     Approval of Resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the Special Election held in the Bogalusa School District of the Parish of Washington on Saturday, December 11, 2021 to authorize the levy of special taxes therein. It was motioned by Mr. Kemp. A second was made by Mr. Creel. The motion passed with unanimous approval

c.     Approval to disburse 12 mils checks to all full time employees on February 4, 2022. It was motioned by Mr. Creel. A second was made by Mrs. Duke. The motion passed with unanimous approval

d.     Approval Board consideration of Northshore Charter School Renewal. It was motioned by Mr. Kemp. A second was made by Dr. Williams. The motion passed with unanimous approval

e.     Approval for BHS Track & Field team to travel out of state for Track Meets to Picayune, Ms. On Thursday, February 24, 2022 and Pass Christian, Ms Saturday, March 26, 2022. It was motioned by Mr. Creel. A second was made by Mr. Killingsworth. Duke. The motion passed with unanimous approval

8.)       Superintendent Comments- Thanked Mr. Jenkins for his Redistricting Presentation and assured Mr. Jenkins we would get our attorney to work with WPSB and the state to have the date moved from March to May 31, 2022.  Thanked Mrs. Pate & Dr. Keller for wanted to help in getting teachers and subs raises.  Superintendent assured everyone that BCS is and will continue looking into incentives to empower our educators and subs to continue educating our children.  Superintendent Tanner assured BCS & NCS that she is going to be work together in educating our children and she pledges to do better in communicating between BCS & NCS and she will call Mrs. McCullough tomorrow to work on getting all documents and answers needed for BCS to make a contract renewal decision.

9.)       Board Member Comments –Ms. Breaux wanted to clarify the pay for retired teachers who sub and sub pay for subs who work 21 + days in the same position and helping with incentives.  Mr. Creel feels like if the sub is not getting the support they need then they need to discuss with the Principal of the school and Superintendent to help rectify the situation and discipline of students.  Dr. Williams thanked President Kates and Vice President Creel for the job they are doing.  He then thanked everyone for coming and encouraged everyone to continue coming out to show their support for BCS.

10.)       Meeting adjourned

_____________________________________                 ___________________________________

Lisa Tanner, Superintendent                                                      Paul Kates, President