Repairs, renovations under way in Bogalusa city clerk's office following last week's fire damage

Repairs and, as it turns out, renovations, are being made to the Bogalusa City Clerk's office following a fire that broke out in a power strip last Friday.

Ken Williams (from left) of Sheridan
Construction, Public Works Director James
Hall and Deputy Criminal Clerk Nikki Boone
review work under way in the City Clerk's
office necessitated by a fire last Friday.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

Workers for Sheridan Construction began knocking out walls, removing ceiling tiles and tearing up carpet on Tuesday and were back on the job early Wednesday with a load of sheet rock, framing lumber and other supplies.

"While we're making the repairs, we decided to go ahead and renovate," Bogalusa Public Works Director James Hall told wpnewsblog.

As a result, the cubbyhole-type office where the fire started no longer exists, as one wall was removed to make it a part of the bigger office it adjoined.

"We're adding outlets to make sure we have sufficient power sources," Hall said after asking Deputy Criminal Clerk Nikki Boone how many outlets were needed.

After explaining what outlets are needed, and saying that "we had power strips plugged into power strips," Boone showed Hall where the outlets needed to be with a "there, there and there" as she pointed to spots.

In addition, one door will be permanently closed to eliminate the possibility of foot traffic — wanted or otherwise — and all lights will be placed on single switches by each of the two doors that will be available for use.

Ken Williams of Sheridan Construction said he expected the project to take "a couple of weeks."

"That works out well for us," Boone said. "We had court the Monday after the fire and we were able to deal with it, but we don't have court again until after the Fourth."

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)
(Reader news tip story)

Second Capital One Bank robber returned to Louisiana after governor signs warrant

The second of two suspects arrested in connection with the April 20 robbery of the Columbia Street Branch of Capital One Bank is now in jail in Bogalusa.

Aswell

Walter Aswell, III, 22, of Mandeville, was extradited from the Pearl River (Miss.) County Jail Tuesday. Aswell was the driver of the getaway vehicle.

“He’s here now,” Bogalusa Chief of Police Joe Culpepper told wpnewsblog. “We had to find a wheelchair for him.”

Aswell joins his criminal partner, 23-year-old Logan Mills of Covington, behind Louisiana jail bars.

“We had to get a Governor’s warrant, and let me tell you, that’s a pain,” Culpepper said. A governor’s warrant is a warrant issued by the Governor's office and used to extradite a wanted suspect from another state, where they are being held under arrest, in order to be returned to the warrant-issuing state to face trial for a criminal act.

“Our district attorney’s office prepared it and sent it to the state attorney general, who then sent it to the governor’s office,” Culpepper explained. “After the governor signed it, it went to the governor’s office in Mississippi who sent it to their state attorney general who reviewed it and then told Pearl River County to give him (Aswell) to us.”

Mills

Aswell had been in the Pearl River County Jail in Poplarville following his release from Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, where he had been treated for multiple gunshot wounds.

According to police reports, the two stole a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon from a personal acquaintance in Mandeville about 4 a.m. on April 20 before driving to Bogalusa, where they entered the bank shortly before 10 a.m., wearing masks and armed with semi-automatic pistols.

When they exited the bank, multiple members of the public took note of their vehicle and began calling police.

At the time, Culpepper told the Bogalusa newspaper, “Public participation was on our side today. I believe we received calls from people in the area who noticed that a bank robbery was in progress prior to the alarm company calls from the bank. People called to report suspicious activity.

“A member of the public then flagged down an officer who was on patrol near the bank and gave him a vehicle description. He immediately began an investigation, tried to catch the vehicle. About that time the 9-1-1 call from the alarm company came in and the rest of the shift responded.”

Culpepper said an attempt was made to stop the vehicle prior to reaching the state line, but that one of the robbers opened fire on the officer, striking his vehicle multiple times. The officer was not injured.

A high-speed chase ensued, beginning on Louisiana Avenue and eventually crossing into Mississippi, where the men stopped at a vacated restaurant site in the White Sands Community and ran into a field.

Culpepper said the men still refused to give up and “were shot up pretty bad.” Both were taken to Forrest General before being moved to the county jail in Poplarville. Culpepper said Pearl River County deputies arrived on the scene as the men were being taken into custody.

“The real problem for Pearl River County was the cost of his (Aswell’s) medicine,” Culpepper said, adding that Aswell’s mother has now gotten him on Medicare.

Each man has been charged with armed robbery, three counts each of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, dangerous use of a weapon, resisting arrest and aggravated destruction of a highway.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

(Reader news tip story)

Ritchie's 4-cent tax on cigs tacked on to constitutional amendment to fund TOPS

Rep. Harold Ritchie
(D, Franklinton)

Remember that four-cent tax on cigarettes that Rep. Harold Ritchie (D, Franklinton) introduced as HB 591 that was vetoed by Gov. Bobby Jindal? Well, it lives on as part of a ballot initiative voters will see this fall.

Ritchie’s bill would have re-created a four-cent tax, which was set to expire in 2012, but Jindal, who had said he would not sign any new taxes, made good on that promise when he vetoed the bill. Jindal said it was a new tax because it was set to expire. 

Additionally, the Louisiana Constitution does not allow for the extension or continuation of taxes, which was the reason Ritchie’s bill was needed.

The House, which initially passed the bill with 70 votes, could only muster 58 “ayes” in the override vote. It would have been the first veto override in the state in 18 years.

Now, the four-cent tax is tacked on as part of a constitutional amendment that provides funding for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS).

In a last-minute compromise, Jindal and lawmakers agreed to allow the tax extension to go forward via a constitutional amendment to fund college scholarships.

The debate was revived when Ritchie succeeded in attaching the tax to an administration bill to fund the state's free college tuition program with tobacco settlement money. Jindal risked losing the bill if he didn't agree to the tax add-on. 

Road work set on Hwy. 21 through Bogalusa

If you've driven Sullivan Drive (Highway 21) through Bogalusa anytime in the past couple of weeks, you may have noticed orange markings on the curbs and the roadway.

Highway markings just to the
west of the Hwy. 10/21 intersection.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

That's because a patching project is getting ready to begin, starting at the intersection of Highway 21 and Highway 10, in the next couple of weeks.

"We're going in and are going to patch some rough spots," said Tommy Hemphill, Louisiana DOTD engineer in Franklinton.

"We'll start at (Highway) 10 and work south," he explained.

Along the way, any place you see orange marks around a rough spot on the roadway, it will be dug out, a new base laid and the spot patched to eliminate the damaged highway.

"We should get started in the next couple of weeks, and it should take us three or four months to get everything fixed," Hemphill said.

Hemphill also noted that "some preliminary work" is being done in preparation for an upcoming overlay project on Highway 1075, which begins at the intersection of Avenue F and West 10th Street and continues 7.44 miles south until it intersects with La. 21.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)
(This is a reader news tip story.)

OPINION: Must we hire BCS super now?

As evidenced by its decision to re-interview two candidates and delay the possible selection of Bogalusa's next city schools superintendent until at least the day they wanted them on the job, it seems as if the BCS board has questions, concerns or reservations — or all three.

We would hope this board, elected by a majority of the people voting in the election in which they sought office, would be comfortable within themselves to say, "Wait. There has to be someone else."

One candidate has made it this far before — in this community. They have obvious qualifications, but, because they weren't selected in the first round, there are obvious concerns.

The other candidate has made it this far twice before this year, losing out in a larger district in north Louisiana, but also in a small district to the west of us that, quiet honestly, people snicker about when you name it. If they aren't good enough for St. Helena — which gave us Jerry Payne — why we would consider them?

And then, there's the "X" factor of the local person who says they wanted to be considered, but never heard from the search firm. The search firm says they made contact and follow-up calls, but has a fuzzy memory when it comes to just exactly who they talked with and when.

There are questions both ways on this one ... no phone log? ... no email? ... no answering device? ... how about this one ... no recorder from a national search firm to record such conversations for documentation?

Too many questions there to make us feel comfortable, whether the local candidate might be qualified or not.

And finally, a new concern has come up with us.

After the out-of-state candidate was eliminated, we sent a copy of our story to the editor of the El Dorado Springs Sun newspaper, only to receive a strange reply: "Don't have a clue what you're talking about?"

After sending an explanation, we got this email from Kimball Long, El Dorado Springs Sun newspaper publisher:  "I read with some surprise that someone named Dr. Daniel Slack, superintendent at the Carter R-II School in El Dorado Springs, MO, had been eliminated from consideration as the leader of the Bogalusa City Schools.

"Please check your facts. There has never been anyone by that name in El Dorado Springs, MO and we have no Carter R-II School district."

Both the local newspaper and wpnews got that information from the same source, the Bogalusa City Schools, who got it from McPherson & Jacobson, LLC.

For the record, the Missouri candidate is located about 250 miles away from the community we were told he was in and, while it may not be a big deal, it makes us wonder about everything else this search firm has done ... so, for the record, we would ask the board to table the hiring, up the salary to about $125,000 annually — which, as the local newspaper editor discussed with us Tuesday night, attracts a whole new level of candidate — thank Mac & Jack for a questionable job, at best, and start the search over with a new firm.

Interim Superintendent Stephanie Hoppen has obviously done a good enough job that you've left her in the position and she has worked through some difficult situations she inherited. In country folk jargon, she's keeping the district bus on the road and between the ditches.

Let's let her keep driving while you make sure you have the right firm finding the right candidate ... because if you don't and this turns out to be another bad hire, our district — and our community — will have had it.

                                                                                                 -John H. Walker

BCS board busy, but exec session dominates

A 59-minute executive session in which board members reviewed evaluations of Lionel Jackson and Louise Smith by participants in the superintendent interview process last week, dominated Tuesday regular meeting of the trustees of the Bogalusa City Schools.

"We want to thank everyone for their participation," board president Paul Kates said. "We particularly appreciate their input and want them to know we will take some of their input when we interview the two candidates tomorrow (Wednesday) night."

Board vice-president Adam Kemp said, "Some of the best questions came from the students. I was very impressed with their questions and their observations ... I'm going to steal some of the them (tomorrow)."

Board member Eleanor Duke was more to the point.

"Ya'll say a prayer for us. We're doing our best to find the best person for the students."

The board plans to convene in executive session at 5 p.m., meeting once again with Jackson and Smith in hopes of developing a consensus. On Monday, Kates said the board hoped to make a decision when it meets again at 5 p.m. Friday.

In other action:
   • Hired Bill Murray as a nine-month graduation coach
   • Rehired six instructors who had previously been terminated because of a reduction in force. Five of the six worked their last day on May 31 — Myra Galloway of Bogalusa Middle School, Jill Jeffers of Pleasant Hill, Clyde Terrell of Byrd Avenue, Christopher Loewe of Pleasant Hill and Irvin Deubler of Superior Avenue. The sixth was 12-month employee Hubert Little of Bogalusa High School.
   • Renewed Pam Ard's contract as principal at Bogalusa High School. Ard's termination had been recommended by former superintendent Ruth Horne.
   • Hired Bryan Stewart as principal of Bogalusa New Tech High School. Stewart has been serving as assistant principal at Bogalusa High School and has taken on the responsibility of athletic director.
   • Hired Peggy Sue Stewart as a bus driver.
   • Hired Ella Dupard as a summer school substitute.
   • Authorized hiring for four positions, including supervisor of special populations, two BHS custodians, one home economics teacher at BMS and one talented art teacher at BMS.
   • Granted permission to enter in a SmartFind Express Contract — the Substitute Employment Management System for Schools.
   • Approved a policy adopting parental responsibilities for Pre-K and K students riding buses.
   • Awarded bids for FY 2011-2012 frozen foods, kitchen supplies, bread, milk, produce and small equipment.
   • Granted permission for Joanie Miller (district representative) and Tonya Varnado-Seal,  Byrd Avenue Elementary principal, to travel to Washington, DC for the Healthier U.S. Challenge Gold Award of Distinction reception on July 29 on the East Lawn of the White House per invitation from First Lady Michelle Obama.
   • Granted permission to discard additional fixed assets district wide from General Fund, Title I and Special Ed.
   • Granted permission to enter into a contract with Washington Parish Schools to occupy a room at Long Avenue School for the Adult Education Program.
   • Grant permission for Joanna Dillman, supervisor of human resources and community relations, to attend the National School Public Relations Association Conference in San Antonio on July 10-13.

BCS field down to two, decision delayed

Jackson

Following an executive session Monday night, members of the Bogalusa City Schools board of trustees decided to re-interview two of the three finalists and to delay the selection of the district's new leader until at least Friday.

The board will re-interview Lionel Jackson, one of two assistant superintendents in the Tangipahoa Parish School District, and Louise Smith, staff support specialist with the Poplarville (Miss.) School District. Dr. Daniel Slack, superintendent of the East Carter R-II School District in El Dorado Springs, Mo., was eliminated from further consideration.

Smith

The board plans to re-interview Jackson and Smith at 5 p.m. Wednesday, then meet at 5 p.m. Friday to see if a decision can be reached.

Board President Paul Kates said the board could not reach a consensus without re-interviewing the candidates.

The delay means the board will obviously not be able to reach its previously self-imposed target of July 1 for having the district's new boss on the job.

Both Jackson and Smith have sought top leadership positions in the past.

Three years ago, Smith was a finalist when board members selected Ruth Horne to lead the district. Now, Smith competes for the position left vacant when Horne abruptly resigned in mid-March.

When asked why she would leave her current position, she was brief and to the point: "I want to be a superintendent."

Telling members of the morning forum group that, "I got a late start," Smith has spent her entire career in Poplarville and has held a variety of positions, including principal, grant writer, classroom teacher and athletic director in the district that most closely mirrors Bogalusa in several statistical categories, including campuses and student census. Smith seemed to connect with forum participants.

Jackson was one of three finalists for the superintendent's position in the Monroe City Schools earlier this month. He currently serves as one of two assistant superintendents in the 30,000 student, 37 campus Tangipahoa district. The Tangipahoa District is racially split almost 50-50, while Bogalusa's is overwhelmingly black. Jackson also seemed to connect with forum participants.

The board will hold its regular meeting as scheduled at 5:30 Tuesday.

Sheriff issues warnings about Bogue Chitto; 3 drownings averted with Memorial Day rescue

Describing it as a "nice, little river," Washington Parish Sheriff Robert Crowe, was quick to point out it could also be a dangerous river to those not familiar with its nuances.

Sheriff Robert Crowe advises tubers with
limited swimming ability to tie themselves
to their tubes for an extra protective measure.

Crowe's warning came just a day after a weekend when two adults drowned in separate incidents on the stream, which from the shore, looks to be a lazy river.

"It still has a little undertow effect to it and it is mostly the locals who know the river and where to swim and where not to swim," he said.

On Saturday, 21-year-old Kirk Craig, Jr. of New Orleans became the first drowning victim of the summer tubing season when he got in trouble while trying to save a youngster in trouble. Craig was reportedly part of a tubing party leaving out from Wayne's World, located 3.5 miles south of Enon on Hunt Road.

Divers from the Sheriff's Office recovered Craig's body Sunday morning.

Then, about 6 p.m. inside Bogue Chitto State Park, 31-year-old Reginald Burris of Franklinton drowned while swimming with one of his children. Witnesses said it appeared Burris got in trouble, went under the surface and never resurfaced.

Crowe said, "If they're tubing and they have any problems with swimming, I would recommend that they tie the tube to them; if they're canoeing I would wear some type of flotation device."

The drownings are the first of the season, although tragedy was narrowly averted on Memorial Day weekend when a woman and her two young children — an infant and a toddler — nearly drowned in a pool of deep water inside the state park.

On Memorial Day, Slidell resident Drew Badeaux heard a faint cry for help, then saw a young woman with her two children in trouble in the water.

Badeaux told Sheila Stroup of the Times-Picayune he heard the woman say, “Help. Save my babies. I’m drowning.”

“It was very faint, almost like a whisper,” he said.

Badeaux said he had taken Red Cross water safety and, because the water where he had been with his son was placid, he thought he would be able to help the woman to safety without much difficulty.

“I was going to do it by the book, and I told her, ‘Don’t worry. I’ve got you,’ but the current said, ‘That ain’t going to happen,’” Badeaux told Stroup. “In a pool, it’s just a whole different scenario.”

Before all was said and done, a friend of the woman's who had come into the water to try and help, was in trouble and Badeauix, who had gotten the one child to the beach, was tiring as he went back after the woman and her older child.

When all was said and done, Badeaux's brother-in-law, David Constance, had joined the rescue as had several strangers. Everyone was safe, but easily, three or more could have died.

Like Sheriff Crowe, Badeaux says there are some basic things a person needs to know if they are going to be around the water — how deep it is, whether there’s a current, and to make sure children are wearing floaties or life jackets or swim vests if they aren’t proficient swimmers.

Bogalusa's Byrd Avenue wins national award, earns invitation to White House reception

Joannie Miller, supervisor of the child nutrition programs for the Bogalusa City Schools, was noticeably excited — and justifiably.

The district's Byrd Avenue Elementary School food services program has been awarded a Gold Award of Distinction through the Healthier U. S. School Challenge (HUSSC). Only five schools nationwide were presented with a Gold award this award cycle.

"This is great news," she told wpnewsblog prior to the start of the board's committee meeting Monday afternoon,

And while the award is great in itself, there's another perk that makes it even better  — a $2,000 award for meeting HUSSC's updated criteria. And if that's not enough, Gold Award winners have been invited by First Lady Michelle Obama to a reception on the South Lawn of the White House at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 29. 

The HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) is a voluntary initiative established in 2004 to recognize those schools participating in the National School Lunch Program that have created healthier school environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity.

A total of 123 schools were recognized from Alabama, Georgia, Illinoia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Michigan, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Since the beginning of the award program in 2004, awards have been given to schools in 43 states.

Miller said the U.S. Department of Agriculture commended the schools for "the exemplary steps, leadership and team work employed to make changes to the schools' nutrition environment, improve the quality of the foods served, provide students with more nutritious, healthy choices and enhance their physical activity program."

Miller said it gives other schools in the district something to shoot for. 

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

Bodies of two men recovered after separate drownings on Bogue Chitto this weekend

The bodies of two men who drowned in separate incidents on the Bogue Chitto River this weekend have been recovered.

The body of 21-year-old Kirk Craig, Jr., of New Orleans, who drowned during a tubing outing Saturday, was recovered by divers from the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office Sunday morning.

Then, about 6 p.m. Sunday, officials were notified that 31=year-old Reginald Burris of Franklinton was missing, He had last been seen while swimming with one of his children off a beach inside Bogue Chitto State Park. Witnesses said Burris appeared to be in trouble, then disappeared. The child was rescued. His body was recovered about 8 p.m.

The drownings were the first on the river since last July 9, when 14-year-old Chris Ernst of Plaquemine drowned while tubing the river with his family. Burris was the second person to drown in the state park since it opened last year.

Adams' book, 'To Be the King of Diamonds,' a hit at book signing session

Things are normally quiet on the northeastern corner of Louisiana Avenue and Masonic Drive on Sundays. Yes, you’ll always see cars parked along the street belonging to patrons of the Golden Pear, but today the traffic was even heavier.

Ryan Adams talks with former Bogalusa
resident Chris Schweitzer, now of Chicago,
prior to autographing a book for her sons.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

Things were really active at 301 Louisiana Ave., and the law offices of John Gallaspy. There was a tailgating tent pitched in the lawn with a table of cookies decorated like baseballs and a dispenser filled with ice, cold lemonade and people were coming to and fro. No, Mr. John wasn’t having a watermelon cutting.

Instead, Bogalusa native Ryan Adams was having a signing for his first-ever book, “To Be the King of Diamonds” and, no use a baseball term, it seems to be a hit.

“Ryan, you’ve touched so many people,” said Brenda Miller as Adams autographed her book. “You must feel great to know you’ve made a difference to so many people.”

Adams, a teacher and baseball coach at Slidell’s Northshore High School, explained that he tells his students a story every year about how he answered some of the most difficult questions in his life. He said he started telling the story when he came back from Alabama and found that it made a difference in his life — and from the comments shared at the book signing, in the lives of others.

Chris Schweitzer, who moved away from Bogalusa in 1990 when she left for college and now lives in Chicago, took advantage of a trip home to visit family to bring her boys by to meet Adams and get a signed copy of the book.

“They’re huge baseball fans and I just wanted them to have the opportunity,” she said. “This is wonderful.”

Bogalusan Debbie Miller visits
with Adams as he signs a copy.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

The stream in and out of the office was steady, with most folks either stopping by the tent on the way in or on the way out, where Adams’ mother, Kathy, was greeting visitors.

“I didn’t even know he was doing it (writing a book) until it was done,” his mother, Kathi, said between handing out cookies and cups of lemonade. “We don’t know where it will lead, if anywhere, but we’re certainly proud of him.” The other part of “we” is Adams’ father, Buddy, who was inside managing the inventory in the hallway of the law offices.

In addition to feedback from local residents, reviews at Amazon.com have been particularly glowing. Lee Balinas of Slidell wrote, “I purchased this book at the recommendation of my youngest daughter who had Coach Adams as a teacher. She said he shared this story over two class days and the class was spellbound and deeply moved and motivated. The book arrived this afternoon and I read it in one sitting. I choked up in certain spots and can see how it profoundly affected my daughter. It is a great book for families, teachers, coaches and sports enthusiasts. This book is not an expense ... it is an investment.”

Ryan's mother, Kathi Adams, serves
cookies decorated as baseballs and ice,
cold lemonade to persons coming by.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

And Rufus Thomas of Waynesville, N.C., wrote, “I was absolutely overwhelmed with the honesty with which this book was written! For a young coach/teacher to share his story so that his students can learn life's lessons is remarkable! Growing up has its painful moments! I can remember the many trials of searching for identity. But, Coach Adams shares the roles of faith, family, friends, compassion, and baseball in his search. An excellent book! Strongly recommended!”

“To Be the King of Diamonds” is available locally at Delta Printing for $13 per copy. It is also available at amazon.com or www.trafford.com.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com.)

Cassidy Park activities added to parade, fireworks presentation on Fourth of July

Besides the United States of America and the City of Bogalusa sharing birthdays, there’ll be lot more going on this Independence Day weekend — including an appearance by Gov. Bobby Jindal.

“We see the Fourth of July Parade sponsored by the American Legion and the Fireworks Display sponsored by the American Legion and the City of Bogalusa as a wonderful start and finish to the day.  We want to add to the middle to make it an all day celebration, “ said Bogalusa Mayor Charles Mizell.

Activities get under way at 7 p.m. Saturday night at the American Legion when the Paper Queen Ball is held and a new Paper Queen is crowned, taking the crown and scepter from Ashley Lee Mizell, who was the 71^st winner last year.

On Monday, lining up for the parade will begin about 8:30 a.m. near Sonny’s Pizza with a 10 a.m. start.

Capt. Jim Montgomery, U.S. Coast Guard, said the parade carries a dual theme this year — “Citizen Soldiers” and “Protect What Matters” in honor of the Louisiana Army National Guard and Louisiana Air National Guard.

Governor Bobby Jindal, along with Maj. Gen, Bennett C, Landreau, Adjutant General of the Army National Guard and Lt. Gen. Brod Veillon, Commander of the Air National Guard, have committed to participate in the parade. In addition, an Army Band, numerous local floats and a flyover event are also scheduled.

After the parade there will be a brief break before activities get under way at Cassidy Park at 2 p.m.

In a revival of one of the greatest traditions of political campaigning in the South, all candidates for public office are invited to take the stage at the park and greet and talk with the public

The park will also feature food vendors, music and a first-ever bike parade.  Kids of all ages are invited to decorate their bicycles and parade along the new, asphalt track at 3 p.m.  The entry fee for the bike parade is a donation of a perishable food item, which will be given to the Bogalusa Help Center.

Following the activities at Cassidy Park there will be another break until dark, when the sky will be lit up by the explosions of fireworks launched from the Temple-Inland pond. The Bogalusa City Schools will open Louis V. Murray, Jr. Stadium so that persons may view the fireworks in an open-air setting.

The City of Bogalusa, Bogalusa Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion are working together to make this Fourth of July memorable for everyone in the city of Bogalusa.  If you have an idea and are willing to work to make it a reality, contact Marilyn Bateman at the Chamber of Commerce at 735-5731 or Sandy Bloom at the City of Bogalusa at 732-6211.

Two of three BCS candidates respond to questionnaire

To our readers:

As soon as the identities of the three finalists for the position of superintendent of the Bogalusa City Schools were announced, wpnewsblog developed a 10-item questionnaire and sent it to the business address of each finalist on Tuesday, June 13. There was a deadline for response included.

As the schedule and interview process for each of the candidates was announced, the decision was made to change the response time until after all three interviews were concluded. This was confirmed by telephone with Lionel Jackson and Dr. Daniel Slack and by email with Louise Smith.

Following the completion of the interviews, the three candidates were asked at 9:30 Thursday morning to submit their responses in time for a Saturday publication. In that email, candidates were advised: The plan for publication is write a brief intro and then list the questions, 1-10. I will cut and paste responses in alphabetical order, so they will be listed as LJ (Jackson), DS (Slack) and LS (Smith).

“If you choose not to respond, that is your prerogative ... however, a "No response" will be listed by your name under each question.”

Both Dr. Slack, who drove to Bogalusa from Missouri in order to drive the community and was on his way home, and Mrs. Smith responded. Mr. Jackson did not.

There has been no editing of responses. They were cut and pasted into the space following the question and, as promised to the candidates, are listed in alphabetical order.

                                                                                                                                                        John H. Walker                                                                                                                                              Editor/Publisher

(Decision Facing BCS Board Might Not Be So Hard, see OPINION)

Introduce yourself to the community, as you would at a first-time public appearance:

LJ – Declined to respond

DS – Dear Students, Parents, Faculty, Staff, and Patrons of the Bogalusa City Schools:

         As a finalist for the Position of Superintendent of the              Bogalusa City Schools, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for recognizing the qualities that I possess through the accumulation of my personal education and experiences as a public school educator.  As I research the Bogalusa City School District, I continue to recognize the qualities that define your identity, and it is my honor to be invited for consideration to a very important decision affecting your students.

With that said, I have served in public education as a High School Math and Science Teacher (10 years), High School Counselor (3 years), University Graduate Assistant (2 years), High School Principal (2 years), and as a District Superintendent (9 years) for a total of 26 years of service.  I earned my B.S.E. at Central Michigan University, my M.S. at Missouri State University, my Ed.S. at Missouri State University, and my Doctorate at NOVA Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

In conclusion, I have been involved in some form of education (Either as a student or Educator) for the entirety of my life.  I believe that everyone is a life-long learner, and that concept also applies to myself.  Education is my passion, and that passion created who I have become over time.  My wife is currently a professional working in Behavioral Health and we both look forward in relocating to Bogalusa, Louisiana.

Sincerely,

Daniel J. Slack, Ed.D.

    LS – I am Louise Smith - wife, mother, grandmother and educator.  All of these roles are important to me.  I am here today to talk about my role as an educator.  Education is the reason I am a responsible, productive person in our society.  I grew up under adverse conditions.  Educators instilled in me the desire to learn and work hard to achieve my potential and dreams.  I often wonder where I would be without powerful teachers who provided caring relationships, high expectations and opportunities to participate and contribute to the school and community.  I grew up knowing I would give back – I had to help other children find the hope and resilience they needed to succeed in life.  I have an undergraduate degree in social work, a master’s degree in education and a specialist’s degree in administration.  I have completed all work for the doctorate degree in education with the exception of a dissertation.  I love learning and I love watching our children grow and learn.

Why do you want to become superintendent of schools in Bogalusa?

LJ – Declined to respond

DS – First, if you look at the various methods that districts use to search for their Superintendents, I feel that districts that consult with a national search firm, as did Bogalusa City Schools, communicates a particular message about the District.  In addition, if you look at the educational and career backgrounds of Superintendents from such districts, you find a pattern.  Superintendents from such districts have educational backgrounds that are diverse and rarely isolated to one University.  In addition, they also have career experiences that are diverse, and not isolated to any one school district or position.  The message that The Bogalusa City School District telegraphed matched my philosophy relative to the type of organization that I would like to lead.  They are willing to be progressive and diverse in their search, and I have a diverse background.

In my opinion, the Bogalusa City School District is a great district, but great is never good enough.  No matter how good I get at doing what it is I do, I am always looking for methods that will assist me in doing better.  The search for improvement is never ending, dynamic and infinite, and we are never at the end of that search.  Districts, no matter how great also share this same characteristic, and this is the match that I previously alluded to.  This infinite search for improvement can be nurtured through the management style that I utilize which will become apparent with time.

If you review my career, every career move that I was able to make was promotional in nature, and my move to Bogalusa City Schools would also be very much promotional in nature.  The fact that I feel an admiration for this geographic area of the country is a bonus to the position.

LS – Becoming a school superintendent is one of my lifelong goals.  Bogalusa is just across the river from Poplarville.  Our demographics are similar.   I have made many trips to Bogalusa over the years to enjoy two of my favorite past times - eating and shopping.   I will use the skills, knowledge and insight from my diverse work experiences in education to turn the challenges of the Bogalusa school district into learning opportunities for students.  I firmly believe healthy schools build healthy communities.  I have been  successful in every education position I have held which includes: classroom teacher, principal, athletic director, federal programs coordinator, grant writer, loss control coordinator, sixteenth section land manager, staff development coordinator, test coordinator, technology coordinator, safe and drug free schools coordinator and alternative school principal. I will be a successful school superintendent and I look forward to working with students, families, educators and community members to build capacity and unlock the leadership potential in Bogalusa City Schools.

Why are you seeking employment other than your current position?

LJ – Declined to respond

DS – Question 3 is also answered in question two.

LS – I want to become a school superintendent.

Summarize your current job responsibilities.

LJ – Declined to respond

DS – I am currently the Superintendent of  East Carter County R-II School District, located in Ellsinore, Missouri.  East Carter demographically has three schools, a current student enrollment of 776 students, 120 employees, 281 square miles, and 14 bus routes.  We travel approximately 500 miles before we serve breakfast.  In addition to the Superintendent, the district has four additional administrators; however the district is definitely large enough to require a Superintendent, however not large enough to allow for an Assistant Superintendent.  Because of this characteristic, I as Superintendent am responsible for oversight and/or direct involvement of all operations including but not limited to Transportation, Food Service, Curriculum, Federal Programs, State Accreditation, State Reporting, Board Agenda Development, District Budget, Purchasing, Building and Grounds, Maintenance, Custodial, Strategic Planning, Human Resources, State Assessment, State Assessment Improvement Initiatives, Guidance, Legal Issues, among others.  As a Superintendent from a district such as East Carter, I have had to become familiar with all district programs.

LS – I write and administer grants for Poplarville School District and I coordinate our federal programs.  I work with teachers and support staff to build their professional capacity to serve our students and I help them find the resources, programs and strategies they need for success in the classroom.

What are your strengths?

LJ – Declined to respond

DS – My strengths are derived from my Educational and Career background.  Educational experiences provide the academic ability required to be successful, but they cannot provide the characteristics to be successful as a craft.  The academic environment provided by the university cannot provide the experience necessary to be successful as an educator.  To illustrate, my university experiences enabled me to be qualified to serve as a District Superintendent, but did not guarantee the quality of my performance for that position.  I am now presently a higher quality Superintendent than I was nine years ago when I first occupied the position.  Malcolm Gladwell illustrates this in his book “Outliers”.  His research indicates that it takes about 10,000 hours of practice before anyone can be an expert in their field/craft.  I am an example of his research.  What I once struggled to achieve as a Superintendent nine years ago have become more automatic relative to response.

LS – • Student focused

·       Principled, collaborative leader

·       Visible, accessible, hands-on leader

·       Team player

·       Communicator & Listener

·       Fiscal Manager

·       Committed to lifelong learning

·       Informed decision maker

·       Strategic planner

·       Analytical Observer & Problem Solver

·       Results oriented

·       Resourceful

·       Relationship/capacity builder

·       Sense of Humor and Humility

What challenges do you see in Bogalusa?

LJ – Declined to respond

DS – No matter how great, all districts have challenges.  Rather than simply listing challenges, I will use a highly collaborative strategic analytical approach, and access the human resources of the board, administration, faculty, staff, students, parents, patrons, and stakeholders.  I feel that it would be unfair to the district and myself to be so bold as to publically outline the weaknesses of Bogalusa City Schools prior to some real connective collegiality with the above-mentioned parties.  I have my ideas, but I feel that they need real validation prior to wandering down that path.  The fact remains that Bogalusa has many positive characteristics that can be utilized to cause improvement, which will be appropriate with time.

LS – 1. Facilities

2.     Student Achievement

3.     Declining enrollment

4.     Accountability

5.     Transparency

6.     Stewardship

7.     Communication

8.     Leadership

Your current district has a mixture of high performing, medium performance and low performance campuses … what needs to be done to get all campuses to the point where they are at least showing improvement and are not stagnant or in decline?

LJ – Declined to respond

DS – The State of Missouri issues an Annual Performance Report based on a maximum score of 14.  The East Carter School District received a score of 11 out of 14.  If we would have participated in the State Voluntary End of Course (EOC) bonus assessments, I and others feel that we would have received a score of 12, rather than 11.  East Carter met all State Assessment Standards in Communication Arts and Mathematics in all grades scored (grades 3 – 12) with the exception of grade span 3 – 5 Communication Arts.  In addition, East Carter also met the ACT State Standard.  I have a plan in place to address the weakness and to keep stagnation from occurring which can be applied to any district and will be reserved for the interview process.

LS – We will conduct a comparability study to determine why schools with the same demographics are not improving or growing.  We can do this by gathering and analyzing the data.  We will use results to implement best practices and research to ensure all schools are performing at high levels.  Improving schools is a matter of determining where the weaknesses are and working to correct them.

Bogalusa has a reputation as a district where there is minimal parental participation. What can be done to effect change?

LJ – Declined to respond

DS – Again, I would answer this question with a response that would essentially echo the answer to question number 6.

LS – Research demonstrates family engagement in a child’s education increases student achievement, improves attendance and reduces dropouts.  Bogalusa recently sent 26 cheerleaders to a camp at The University of Southern Mississippi.  These students represented the school district very well.  They were behaved and disciplined.  Families and school sponsors worked with these students to help them realize the importance of their conduct and appearance to outside audiences.  I will go to these families and the families of other students and ask for their input on providing family participation in the schools.  We must help families realize they are the greatest advocates for their children and our schools.  We will develop multiple outreach mechanisms to inform families about family involvement policies and programs through newsletters, slide shows, local newspapers, memos and other media.  We will make optimal use of communication technologies to connect with families.  We will send learning videos/DVDs home.  We will post press releases, calendars, school menus and other messages on the district web site.  We will provide a family resource center with a coordinator.  Families can use the family resource center to learn technology skills and gain skills and knowledge to help their children with school work.  Families can check out learning materials from the Family Resource Center.  We will organize family advisory committees and PTA Units.  We can connect with families through face to face meetings, school performances, extracurricular activities and home visits.  Families will be invited into our schools as volunteers and resource speakers.  We will provide capacity building, training and technical assistance to teachers and administrator to scale up innovative practices to reach more families.  We will provide innovative programming and services to families such as leadership training, nutrition classes, exercise classes and family literacy to remove barriers to family participation.   We will evaluate the effectiveness of family involvement activities and programs on a regular basis.

Realizing all districts are different, and that you have not been in the district before, rank your priorities for Bogalusa from one through five, with one being the most important. Also, please briefly explain why for each.

LJ – Declined to respond

DS – Again, I would answer this question with a response that would essentially echo the answer to question number 6.

LS – 1.   Student Achievement – Student achievement is important for the successful development of our children.  Students who achieve in school become responsible, productive citizens and achieve occupational and economic success.

2.  High quality teacher in every classroom – Research tells us the teacher is the number one variable in academic achievement of students.

3. Family involvement – Research tells us family involvement is important in helping students perform academically

4. Safe disciplined schools – Teaching and learning cannot take place in a disorderly learning environment.

5. Improved facilities – Perception is reality.  People judge us by our appearance.  The public evaluates schools on the basis of appearance.  Clean attractive, well-kept buildings and grounds convey a sense of pride, attentiveness and respect for the public’s investment.

Make your case for becoming Bogalusa’s next superintendent.

LJ – Declined to respond

DS – I am currently a fully certified Superintendent and the Superintendent of East Carter Co. R-II School District, a district of 800 students, 120 staff members, 281 square miles, and 14 bus routes.  I have 24 years of experience in education including 10 years of teaching Secondary Math and Science, three years of Secondary Guidance and Counseling, two years as a High School Principal, and nine years as a Superintendent.  Due to these experiences, I now possess solid oral and written communication skills and have an exceptional frame of reference to base my leadership abilities upon, which I believe is unique.  I also believe that these experiences will synchronize to meet the candidate profile that Bogalusa desires.

As a superintendent with nine years of experience, I have been responsible for and become familiar with all aspects of district operations.  I am open, approachable, and responsive, have a broad range of k-12 experiences in both the classroom and in administration, possess strong communication and listening skills, can make tough decisions and follow through, value and respect differing points of view, possess strong skills in developing relationships, possess the ability to maintain balance among competing interests, am consistent and fair, maintain focus on student achievement, and have completed a fully accredited Doctorate Program in Educational Leadership.  All of the above mentioned characteristics are significant relative to my leadership in public education and I believe will be a significant benefit to Bogalusa City Schools.

LS – I believe the challenges in Bogalusa City Schools can be turned into opportunities.  I will conduct an assessment to determine priorities and needs in the school district. Everyone will participate in the assessment – students, educators, families, board members, and community members.  We will establish our goals and develop an improvement plan.  We will implement and monitor the plan in order to make adjustments as needed.   The plan will be documented and communicated in as many formats as possible and to as many audiences as possible.  Everyone in the school district will know and perform their responsibilities to achieve the goals.  As the leader of the district, I will follow-up and follow-through to ensure we are meeting the goals as outlined to ensure a quality education for every student.

Saving RCC, creating NTCC key legislative victories

Now that the 2011 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature has adjourned, the process of review, critique and criticize has begun, but in Washington Parish, the success of two bills far outweigh any failures.

Sen. Ben Nevers
(D, Bogalusa)

The passage of HB 1, the state’s appropriations bill, overrides everything else and while neither Sen. Ben Nevers (D, Bogalusa) nor Rep. Harold Ritchie (D, Franklinton) were on the so-called front line in regards to committee structure, they were both in the trenches.

And as a result of the efforts of the local legislators and a Senate Finance Committee not afraid to look at funding options, which included moving money round, B. B. “Sixty” Rayburn Correctional Center — along with four others — remain open.

Rep. Harold Ritchie
(D, Franklinton)

Ritchie fought the fight in the House and Nevers work relentlessly for Rayburn — admitting he really wasn’t concerned about the other prisons, as they had people fighting for them.

As a result, some 300 jobs will remain in Washington Parish.

But close on the heels of HB1 in terms of significance for Washington Parish was Nevers’ SB69, which creates Northshore Technical Community College and brings degree granting, credit transferring ability to the campuses of what is currently known as Northshore Technical College.

“It is really exciting and really significant,” William Wainwright, regional director of the Northshore system, told wpnewsblog in a Friday interview.

“It will open doors,” he added, “in that it allows us to continue the technical education we’ve become so well known for, but it adds degree granting capability.”

Wainwright pointed out that while the Northshore has been served in that area in the past, it has been severely underserved.

“It will help us increase our educational attainment levels. Northshore Technical provided an excellent technical education, but a survey as recent as this spring showed the Northshore region was severely underserved and that there was greater need for advanced educational opportunities.”

Ritchie’s cornerstone legislation was HB63, which created a four-cents per pack tax on cigarettes. The bill passed, but was vetoed by Gov. Bobby Jindal who had said before the session that he would not approve any new taxes. While this tax had previously existed, but was expiring, proponents argued it was a renewal. However, a tax “renewal” is not recognized by the state constitution, statutes or house and senate rules. There are only tax increases and new taxes.

An effort to override the veto failed.

A recap of bills and resolutions put into the hopper by Nevers and Ritchie:

NEVERS

SB26 — (signed by the governor) Allows for an out-of-state physician to order certain diagnostic tests under certain circumstances.

SB28 — (sent to the governor) Extends employer's non-refundable apprenticeship tax credit against income tax and corporation franchise tax to taxable periods ending prior to January 1, 2015.

SB68 — (died in committee) Provides relative to the positions of fire chief and police chief in the city of Bogalusa. This legislation would have changed the two positions so as to allow the mayor to hire and fire.

SB69 — (sent to governor) Creates the Northshore Technical Community College.

SB80 — (sent to governor) Provides for the reorganization of the Department of Education.

SB94 — (died in committee) Provides a preference for materials produced, manufactured, or fabricated in Louisiana used in public works.

SB111— (House adopted) Provides relative to an annual report regarding the condition of public elementary and secondary education.

SCR3 — (Filed with secretary of state) Memorializes Congress to enact laws to establish, implement, and ensure that universal communication is at all times and at all places available to warn the American people of imminent and impending dangers.

SCR4 — (Signed by the Speaker) Requests BESE to establish uniform regulations regarding the purchase of used school buses for all school bus owners/operators

RITCHIE

HB38 — (Signed by the governor) Provides for an additional court cost in the City Court of Bogalusa. This measure allows the City Court of Bogalusa to assess a court cost not to exceed $25 for each defendant that has been convicted or has pled guilty to a traffic violation or misdemeanor. The sums will be remitted monthly by the clerk of court to the City Prosecutor to be used in defraying office expenses. It is projected to generate $160,000 in five years.

HB46 — (died in committee) Appropriates funds for payment of judgment against DOTD in the matter of "Eisha Briggs Lee, et al v. State of Louisiana, et al"

HB50 — (died in committee) Appropriates funds for payment of judgment in the matter of "Rhonda Walker, et al v. DOTD"

HB63 — (died in committee) Removes the sunset on a portion of the tax levied on cigarettes and increases the tax on cigars, cigarettes, smoking tobacco, and smokeless tobacco.

HB79 — (sent to governor) Changes the name of the High School Redesign Commission and provides for commission membership and vacancies.

HB185 — (died in committee) Provides for the transfer of certain property in Washington Parish. This would have transferred property from the LSU to DOTD. While the title mentioned Washington Parish, the majority of the legislation dealt with Greensburg.

HB256 — (sent to governor) Provides relative to the identification of human remains prior to cremation.

HB326 — (sent to governor) Repeals exemption for Washington Parish from the moratorium on additional nursing facilities or beds.

HB591 — (Governor vetoed, override failed) Removes the sunset on a portion of the tax levied on cigarettes and increases the tax on cigars, cigarettes, smoking tobacco, and smokeless tobacco. This would have added four cents per pack tax on cigarettes.

HB630 — (involuntarily deferred, died in committee) Provides for temporary reduction of certain tax exemptions, exclusions, and deductions for support of K-12 and higher education.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)