Bogalusa board renames curriculum role, hears public criticism about notice and qualifications

The board considered an amended job description to change the title "Curriculum and Instruction Elementary Supervisor" to "Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction," update minimum qualifications and clean up legal wording about work authorization. Miss Voss presented a redline showing deletions and additions and said the blue text represented new language.

Felicia Mingo asked whether the change meant one job or two; Miss Voss and others explained the immediate action targets the elementary position and the high-school role would be re-evaluated later. Superintendent Dr. Harris said the executive team wants to ensure principals have the staff they need to support instruction and that the elementary position would be re-advertised with the revised description. "We just ask some important change to this one position," he said.

Public commenters pressed the board on process and qualifications. Renika Watkins alleged during public comment that the personnel committee had not been given the 24-hour notice required by Louisiana statute and criticized the lack of salary or financial information in the posted job description. "It is unfair to the people to take a business that requires... terms of employment, salary, and work year established by the superintendent," Watkins said, calling for clearer notice and accountability. The chair cautioned the commenter and, on the record, removed the speaker from the table after the allegation was made.

Other speakers, including Carla McGee, asked whether the position represented a renaming or a new position; board members said the change would likely be implemented as a re-titled position and could be revisited for scope and pay. Several board members defended adding a principalship requirement for a supervisor who will directly supervise principals, while others and public commenters said the requirement could exclude qualified curriculum professionals with long service but no principal experience.

The board voted to move the revised job description forward (roll-call vote recorded on the transcript). Board members said they would bring the item back with any needed clarifications and that administrative staff would handle reposting.