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.