Bogalusa School Board Office-Media Center
Bogalusa, Louisiana
Regular Board Meeting
Thursday, March 31, 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 March 31, 2022. The purpose of the meeting is to address information received from Department Supervisors, on March 27, 2022, during the Committee Meeting, regarding updates and approval requests.
Call to Order – President Paul Kates
Pledge of Allegiance – Superintendent Lisa Tanner
Prayer – Mr. Killingsworth
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 February 10, 2022. Mrs. Breaux stated that the minutes had multiple grammatical errors and it looks bad on the board. Mrs. Breaux asked that we correct all mistakes before minutes are published because it looks bad on us. It was motioned by Mr. Creel. A second was made by Dr. Williams. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
2.) Board Office Committee Report – Charmaine Reeves did a presentation on Bench Mark testing. Mrs. Breaux wanted to know about Bench Marks and using Mastery Connect. Mrs. Reeves explained the difference in the old Bench Mark and the new is that Mastery Connect is much faster in getting us results.
3.) Superintendent Tanner – Presented Teacher of the Year as follows:
Byrd Avenue – Sheila Cook 1st grade 21-22 Teacher of the Year
Central Avenue – La Darrus Brister 5th grade English/Language Arts 21-22 Teacher of the Year
BMS – Yolanda Brumfield IBCA 21-22 Teacher of the Year
BHS – Zack McGovern English 1 21-22 Teacher of the Year
4.) Public Session – Randy Strickland, 32383 Hwy. 62, Franklinton, LA. I am here to remind you all how very important it is that you not wait until the last minute to get this Redistricting for BCS done. It needs to be done no later than mid May, earlier would be better. Once we get the finalized plan we need to provide an approved map of the new district. Mr. Kates thanked Mr. Strickland for coming.
Lazette Watterson – 59376 Mitchell City Road, Bogalusa, LA. I came tonight on behalf of the TRSLA. I will serve as President beginning April 25. We need to speak to our legislators to make sure this year’s COLA gets push through. Haven’t had a COLA in 5 years, and it is looking like a 2% raise. Mr. Kates said they are working on letting us bring retired teachers back because there is such a shortage of teachers. St. Paul church will be giving vaccinations and boosters from 12 -4 Saturday, April 4, 2022.
Marlaine Addison – 1110 Founders Drive, Bogalusa, LA. First I would like to thank everyone for working with our children. I come here to express my concern about the lack of recess in our schools. They would be able to absorb more of what the teachers are teaching them. It is vital they get the socialization and communication skills they need to be future leaders. I came 2 years ago and it is a big issue and kids need more free time. My kids all go to BHS. Recess and lunch is only 30 minutes and they do not get the socialization needed. I feel more recess and free time would help. Mr. Kates thanked her for having her 3 boys at BCS and advised that Superintendent Tanner would look into this and get back to you.
Patricia Keller – 1622 Jackie Robinson Street, Bogalusa, LA. The NAACP would like to thank everyone for support of one another. Thank you to Dr. Greely for hosting the breakfast and we are excited over his great ideas. The board members need to support all school programs by going to their programs and show support. If the school board represents our kids and they look out and never see any of you, how do they know you all are supporting them. Mr. Kates thanked her for coming.
Stephanie Warren - 907 Marshall Richardson Road, Bogalusa, LA. I know you are tired of looking at me. I asked to do this in private I was denied. One of the worst things is to be accused of something you did not do. I came last month and I was told to do my concerns in private. I was denied. On 2/15/2022 I was called into a meeting with Mrs. Hanson, who made false statements about me putting her food on the floor. She stated she was the minority. On 2/16/2022 I had to move out of my office and I was no longer going to be Grad Coach. I have asked over and over again why was this happening. What have I done to deserve this. I was told Mrs. Hanson was intimidated by me. I was blindsided in this meeting. I do not and have not disrespected anyone and if I do nothing wrong then why am I being harassed and bullied. I was told all of these orders came straight down from the Superintendent. Mr. Kates thanked her for coming.
4.) President Kates requested that an Item K be added to New Business to reflect a vote on the Charter School Contract. Mr. Killingsworth asked why it was not on the Agenda and Superintendent Tanner explained all the issues going on with the format of the document that was sent for us to approve. It was motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Mrs. Breaux to add this item. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
6.) New Business
a. Approval of June 30, 2021 Audit Report. It was motioned by Mr. Kemp. A second was made by Mrs. Breaux. The motion passed with unanimous approval. Mrs. Breaux wanted to tell Mrs. Walker what a wonderful job she has always done. Mrs. Walker thanked her staff and the board. Mr. Kates also thanked her for her hard work. No public comments.
b. Approval to discard Fixed Assets. It was motioned by Mrs. Duke. A second was made by Mr. Killingsworth. The motion passed with unanimous approval. No public comments.
c. Approval of February, 2022 Revised Budgets, 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. No public comments.
d. Approval of Ricoh Copier Lease for General Fund, Food Service & Special Ed. It was motioned by Mr. Killingsworth. A second was made by Mrs. Duke. The motion passed with unanimous approval. No public comments.
e. Approval of Bus Driver Pay stipend of $500.00 per month for March, April & May, 2022. It was motioned by Mr. Creel. A second was made by Mr. Kemp. No public comments. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
f. Approval for BHS Seniors to travel to PRCC in Poplarville, MS on March 31, 2022 to tour the campus. It was motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Mr. Creel. The motion passed with unanimous approval. No public comments.
g. Approval of School Calendar for 2022 – 2023 (Option 1). It was motioned by Mr. Kemp. A second was made by Mrs. Duke. No public comments. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
h. Approval to reconfigure grades at Central & BHS (Move 2nd grade to Central, 6th grade to BHS). It was motioned by Mr. Creel. A second was made by Dr. Williams.
Audience Participation with this item:
Jessica Oree, 622 Avenue D, Bogalusa, LA. Why are we cramming kids into these schools when there are buildings not being used. We are hurting the kids. Second graders do not belong with 3, 4, & 5th graders. They need to stay with PreK, Kindergarten and 1st graders. I also do not agree with 6th graders going to BHS Middle School. Kids are growing up way too fast. Portable buildings are not deplorable. Mr. Kates said we have the space at Central. The portable buildings are deplorable and we are paying a fortune for them. I have been in the schools and I am here probably more than you. Babies need to stay with babies. The separation you speak of has not happened at BHS vs. Middle School. Mr. Kates believes all employees need to be held accountable for their jobs and everyone needs to be responsible and there should be no problems.
Van Jackson 1300 Highland Park Loop # 34, Bogalusa, LA. Why do we not have a middle school separate from high school? 2nd graders are not mature enough to go to school with 3rd, 4th & 5th graders. They need to stay at Byrd Avenue. I see people moving out of Bogalusa to keep from moving children from having to be put with these older kids. We need a middle school for 4th – 6th grade. I do not think all elementary should be riding the buses with the middle and high school students. Please make a middle school. Mr. Kates thanked her for coming.
Desiree Barber, 1911 Byrd Avenue, Bogalusa, LA. Very concerned about my second grader going to Central regular classes. What are your intentions for self-contained students? Superintendent Tanner explained they will be with one teacher and if main stream they will go to regular classes.
Tonyah Jefferson, Principal of Byrd Avenue, Bogalusa City Schools. I understand finances are a problem, but my concern as I work my butt off at that school and as parents put their trust in me. I am working hard to give you that A/B school. I do not want these restrictions for my school. I want things to stay as they are at Byrd Avenue. I bust my butt for my school. I believe in my kids, parents and my staff. I have cried every day since I heard this news. I haven’t seen the deplorable conditions you speak of. Please leave my working family alone. It is just not fair, please reconsider and leave our 2nd graders at Byrd Avenue.
Gerald Jackson, 701 Columbia Street, Bogalusa, LA. Why are you moving 2nd graders? They need to stay with the younger students at Byrd Avenue and not going to school with 6th graders. Mrs. Jefferson is doing a great job. Please do not make this move. Mr. Kates thanked him.
Mrs. Breaux wanted to apologize to the parents and Mrs. Jefferson for not having a public meeting to discuss these possible moves. We must do what is best for the kids. It is not right we did not meet with the parents to help make this decision. Superintendent Tanner wanted to reassure everyone this decision was made with a lot of forethought and consideration. We are now working on the transition plan. The 2nd graders will be in the Central Annex. Mrs. Breaux asked Mrs. Walker if this was strictly a financial decision. Mrs. Walker, Finance Director said each building will be looked at and all issues will be addressed. This decision is not purely financial. There are 430 students at Byrd and they are overcrowded. There are a lot of safety issues. Central Elementary can hold up to 600 students. BHS can hold close to 2,000 students. That is why we find it in the best interest to move the 6th graders to BHS. The school is large enough to keep middle school & high school separate. There is no more room at Byrd Avenue. As far as the portables, we are getting rid of them because the old ones are deplorable and it will take way too long to get new ones. We do not have enough room at Byrd Avenue. We need a new school for K-5 We need a millage for a new school. Mr. Creel said several years ago it took 6 million dollars to rebuild BHS, 1.6 was spent at Central. I feel we misused taxpayer dollars. SPED buildings at Byrd are beyond repair, they are a safety hazard. It is in the best interest of the children to make these moves. Yes, we should have gotten parental input. This move has to be made now to be ready for the 2022 – 2023 school year. Facilitating this move will make a little room to add another Pre-K class. We need to meet with parents and show them exactly how we plan to keep them separated and that this plan will work with a nice learning environment for all. Lots of cameras are being added to all schools and buses. Mr. Killingsworth feels that the board, parents and all parties involved need to be made accountable first and foremost. Ms. Kewanda August, Principal Central Elementary, said she would do everything in her power to keep everyone safe and held accountable and loved. There will be an Administrator just for middle school. It will be run as an individual school. Mr. Creel said he feels these buildings are safety hazards and we need to make this move towards making this change
and I agree with Mrs. Breaux and there should be parent involvement but we need to make the move to be ready for school in the fall. The motion passed with unanimous approval. Mr. Kates said we must make this move in order to make sure all kids are safe the number one responsibility on everyone is accountability. We must be accountable for our jobs and must make things safe for the kids and we need to be ready for school in the fall and we will again be criticized for what we are not doing. Mr. Kemp wanted to thank Mrs. Jefferson for her hard work and he feels under her leadership your school will continue to flourish and he wants us to walk through these changes with the parents. Mrs. Walker wanted everyone to know that we are adding cameras. Mr. Killingsworth wanted to let everyone know he too was against it but after listening to all pros and cons I feel this is something that is doable and I want everyone to know time is of the essence and we need to have a meeting to show everyone how this is going to look and follow up to make sure the plan is followed through with. Superintendent Tanner said she will call a parental meeting to discuss all plans and recommendations between now and the next board meeting, with parents and principals. We will vote tonight and go through the formalities at a special board meeting. Mr. Kates said we still need to vote on the plan and facilitate a meeting also. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
i. Approval to advertise for an SEL Behavior Interventionist at BHS. It was motioned by Mr. Kemp. A second was made by Mr. Creel. No public comments. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
j. Approval to pay BHS teachers who volunteer to sub during their planning period, $20.00. It was motioned by Mr. Kemp. A second was made by Dr. Williams. No public comments. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
k. Approval to approve NCS contract with shared services for 3 years. Superintendent Tanner wanted everyone to know we have had several meetings regarding shared services and this is almost the exact contract as before except it is a 3 year contract and we will not share our Alternative School. It was also mentioned that there will be more monitoring and working together. It was motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Mr. Kemp. No public comments. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
5.) Superintendent Comments – Thank you for coming. We will set up meetings with parents regarding the safety concerns for the 2nd and 6th grader moves. We will also hold a special board meeting with Mr. Buddy Jenkins for redistricting. We will get this done next Wednesday, April 7, 2022 at 5:30 p.m., Thank you to all Principals and Assistant Principals they are all moving in the right direction. We also got our ACT scores and it appears our students are scoring higher and we are moving in the right direction. Charmaine Reeves explained to Mrs. Breaux that the Benchmark Program is very user friendly for the teachers.
6.) Board Member Comments-Mrs. Duke thanked everyone for coming and discussing their issues. I think a parent meeting will be wonderful. Mrs. Breaux said she had talked and asked about Executive Sessions and the situation with Stephanie. Can a teacher ask to go into Executive Session and where do you get that an employee can’t ask for an Executive Session? Superintendent Tanner explained she spoke to Mr. Hammonds and he said. Mrs. Breaux began by asking about Executive Sessions and employee, Stephanie Warren not being allowed to have an executive session. We do not all have to agree but I feel you all think I am a trouble maker and executive sessions should be……then she asked the secretary, Robin Day, if she had a problem. Ms. Day stated no, why? Ms. Day then told Mrs. Breaux how rude she was. Mrs. Breaux continued saying Ms. Day was talking about her and she doesn’t like it. Mr. Kates gaveled the meeting and meeting was adjourned.
7.) Meeting adjourned
____________________________________ ___________________________________
Lisa Tanner, Superintendent Paul Kates, President