2023-02-16

Bogalusa School Board Office-Media Center

Bogalusa, Louisiana

Regular Board Meeting

Thursday, FEBRUARY 16, 2023

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 February 16, 2023. The purpose of the meeting is to address information received from Department Supervisors, on February 13, 2023, during the Committee Meeting, regarding updates and approval requests.

Call to Order – President Paul Kates.

Pledge of Allegiance – Superintendent Lisa Tanner.

Prayer – Dr. Cook.

Roll Call: X President Kates, A Vice President Creel, X Ms. Breaux, X Dr. Cook, X Odie Hughes, X Ms. Mitchell, X Dr. Williams

1. Approval of Minutes of Regular Board Meeting – January 2023. It was motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Mr. Hughes. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

2. Board Officers and Committee Reports. President Kates reminded everyone to attend the Track Dedication on behalf of Coach Gary Magee; that will be held at the Bogalusa High School’s track.

3. Special Populations – Marie Goff. Informed the board the SPED Dept. wasn’t able to accumulate an accurate child count until January 19, 2023, due to some program issues with the state department. The state department is continuing to work on those issues.

The SPED Advisory Council meetings have been a success. The parents came and expressed concerns and gave suggestions as well as feedback for services they are receiving.

Assistant Technology: An IT representative from each school site will receive some training and will be the support for our teachers - as well as our students and families as we determine what assistant technology will be appropriate for children. They will have low tech and high tech options.

Bogalusa SPED Department has partnered with a company called Blackfield’s Cooperative Group. A few representatives from the BCS SPED Department attended a 2-day data retreat where they presented the data they gathered from observations and surveys.

The data will be used to develop action plans to improve services they provide through SPED, but also ways to improve each school to provide the services.

Trainings: SPED Self-Contained Teachers and Paraprofessionals received CPR training and will receive other needed trainings to be incompliance with state regulations when assisting special needs students.

4. Presentation – Carr, Riggs and Ingram – Becky Hammonds – June 30, 2022 audit report. Had to reschedule presentation until next meeting due to the weather.

5. Ben Nevers – Proposal. Ben Nevers, former Chief of Staff for Governor John Bel Edwards, former senator, state representative, and school board member, discussed concerns and opportunities that he has about the future of the Bogalusa City Schools System and our community. Nevers believes the school district should adopt a five (5) year comprehensive pilot plan which would include benchmarks that could be monitored regularly by the school board to assure the plan is accomplishing the goals set forth.

The plan should include minimum the following:

1. Early childhood development that prepares children to enter Pre-K program and/or offer

childcare opportunities to parents, grandparents, or guardians of children at little or no cost - who are enrolled in the Bogalusa City Schools.

2. Adopt a modified or balanced school calendar that allows for a comprehensive 12-month school program. For example, 45 days in school and 15 days out; which can allow for intervention, remediation, dual enrollment, and industry based certification programs.

3. Hire or appoint personnel who have the expertise to plan and oversee Early Childhood Programs and programs available for older students.

4. Enlist and collaborate with local technical colleges and universities to bring 21st century opportunities to Bogalusa City Schools.

5. The five-year comprehensive pilot plan goal should improve Bogalusa City Schools to one of the best in Louisiana.

6. Secure necessary funding from local, federal and state sources.

Nevers ended with saying failure cannot be an option.

6. Recess to Public Session – Dr. Patricia Keller, 1622 Normel Keller Street, Bogalusa, LA 70427. Dr. Keller came before the board commending Bogalusa High School for their hard work. She stated the Bogalusa High School is doing some great things for the students but their work, programs, and accomplishments need to be published more.

Let the community know what’s going on with our school system. Keller believes if the school system were to start with our Pre-K level students; involving them with more academic programs, by the time they get to high school, the skies the limit.

Phlesher Mingo, 734 Avenue G, Bogalusa, LA 70427. Phlesher Mingo came before the board regarding her grandson who is a student at the Bogalusa High School. Mingo stated she is not pleased with how the board is handling the matter regarding her grandson finding an ant(s) in the food he received from the cafeteria. Mingo believes her grandson’s matter is being overlooked - and that is not acceptable.

Dana Walker, Founder and Excusive Director of Brilliant Mindz., 1607 Hillsdale Street, Bogalusa, LA 70427. Dana Walker came before the board and thanked Superintendent Tanner, Deloris Walker, Dr. Greely, and his staff. Walker says Dr. Greely always has an open door and is willing to work with her. Walker also thanked Stephanie Warren for always being a great help in assisting with whatever she needs for the students.

Walker also played a role in the HBCU Workshop that was held for the students. Students were able to complete college applications to submit to the university of their choice.

Walker concluded with informing the board that children's winter coats were donated to her organization and she will deliver the coats to all the schools and charter school.

7. New Business

a. Approval of January 2023 Financial Statements, Revised Budgets, General Fund, Food Service, Special Revenue and School Activities. Motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Ms. Mitchell. No public comments. The motion was passed with unanimous approval.

b. Approval to table Carr, Riggs June 30, 2022 audit report until March board meeting. Motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Mr. Hughes. No public comments. The motion was passed with unanimous approval.

c. Approval for BHS Seniors to go visit Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, MS. on 3/21/2023. Motioned by Ms. Breaux. A second was made by Dr. Williams. No public comments. The motion was passed with unanimous approval.

d. Approval for BHS Baseball Team to travel to Poplarville, MS February 23^rd & February 25, 2023, for baseball tournament. Motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Dr. Cook. No public comments. The motion was passed with unanimous approval.

8. Superintendent Tanner Comments. Have been doing some studies on a 4-day school week.

Have also been working on a balanced calendar, such as the type of calendar Ben Nevers mentioned in his proposal. For example, 45-days in school and 15-days out of school. Tanner is Working on getting Pre-K3 program back in the system. Byrd Avenue’s staff and literacy coaches have been amended for preparing our students for their next grade level using an awareness curriculum called Heggerty. Heggerty was developed in 2003 by Dr. Michael Heggerty, the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Curriculum is a systematic program of daily lesson plans that provide a high level of explicit modelling and student engagement. Each level of the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Curriculum focuses on six to eight phonemic awareness skills, along with additional activities to develop letter and sound recognition, introduce the phoneme-grapheme connection and extended language awareness. Tanner concluded by stating all schools’ information is posted and updated daily on each school’s website.

9. Board Members Comments. None.

10. Adjourn

__________________________________ _______________________________

Lisa Tanner, Superintendent Paul Kates, President