RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 413 (SB 401) 2018 Regular Session Mizell
Present constitution (Art. 8. Sec. 10(C)) provides that two or more school systems may be
consolidated as provided by law.
Prior law (R.S. 17:1379) provided that an election shall be called for the purpose of
consolidating two or more school systems in accordance with Art. 8, Section 10(C) of the
Constitution of Louisiana, pursuant to an Act of the legislature or a resolution adopted by
each of the affected school boards. Further provided that any such consolidation is subject
to approval by a majority of the electors voting, in each affected school system, in the
election held for this purpose.
New law creates the Bogalusa/Washington Parish School System Consolidation Commission
to study the feasibility of consolidating the Bogalusa City School System and the Washington
Parish School System. Further provides that the commission shall consist of 24 members as
follows:
(1)The president of the Bogalusa City School Board.
(2)The superintendent of the Bogalusa City School System.
(3)The president of the Washington Parish School Board.
(4)The superintendent of the Washington Parish School System.
(5)The mayor of the City of Bogalusa.
(6)The mayor of the City of Franklinton.
(7)The president of Washington Parish, or his designee.
(8)The president of the Bogalusa Chamber of Commerce or his designee, who shall be
a member of the chamber.
(9)The president of the Franklinton Chamber of Commerce or his designee, who shall
be a member of the chamber.
(10)One parent of a child enrolled in a school in the Bogalusa City School System,
appointed by the president of the Bogalusa City School Board.
(11)One parent of a child enrolled in a school in the Washington Parish School System,
appointed by the president of the Washington Parish School Board.
(12)Three parents who have a child enrolled in a public school in either the Bogalusa City
School System or the Washington Parish School System, one appointed by the state
representative who represents House District No. 75, one appointed by the state
representative who represents House District No. 74, and one appointed by the state
senator who represents Senate District No. 12.
(13)One teacher who teaches at a school in the Bogalusa City School System or the
Washington Parish School System, appointed by the Louisiana Federation of
Teachers.
(14) One teacher who teaches at a school in the Bogalusa City School System or the
Washington Parish School System, appointed by the Louisiana Association of
Educators.
(15)One principal of a school in the Bogalusa City School System or the Washington
Parish School System, appointed by the Louisiana Association of Principals.
(16)One minister who resides within the geographic boundaries of the Bogalusa City
School System, appointed by the Help Center of Churches. (17)One minister who resides within the geographic boundaries of the Washington Parish
School System, appointed by the Help Center of Churches.
(18)The state representative who represents House District No. 75.
(19)The state representative who represents House District No. 74.
(20)The state senator who represents Senate District No. 12.
(21)The director of finance for the Bogalusa City School Board.
(22)The director of finance for the Washington Parish School Board.
With respect to the commission, new law provides that:
(1)Members shall serve without compensation or a per diem.
(2)Members shall elect officers and create subcommittees as deemed necessary.
(3)The presidents of the Bogalusa City and Washington Parish school systems shall
jointly call the first meeting of the commission by Sept. 1, 2018.
(4)The commission shall meet monthly, but may hold additional meetings upon the call
of the chair or request of a majority of commission members.
(5)Commission meetings shall be held in accordance with the Open Meetings Law.
(6)All documents and proceedings of the commission shall be posted on each school
system's website.
(7)A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum.
(8)The commission shall be domiciled in Franklinton, LA but the meeting site shall
alternate between the City of Bogalusa and the City of Franklinton.
(9)Each school system shall provide staff support and resources to the commission.
New law provides that the commission shall determine the feasibility of consolidating the
Bogalusa City School System and the Washington Parish School System with geographic
boundaries coterminous with the geographic boundaries of Washington Parish.
New law provides that if the commission determines that consolidating the two school
systems is in the best interest of the students in each school system and the parish as a whole,
the commission shall formulate a plan and timeline to effect the consolidation.
New law provides that the plan to consolidate the two school systems shall, at a minimum,
provide for:
(1)Passage of a resolution by each school board calling for an election to gain voter
approval of the consolidation in accordance with applicable constitutional and
statutory provisions.
(2)Establishment and composition of a school board for the consolidated school system,
including the election and qualification of members and apportionment of the
districts of board members.
(3)Establishment and membership of an interim school board to govern the system until
a new school board is created and elected.
(4) Contracts, agreements, or memoranda of understanding needed to effect the
consolidation.
(5) Any federal court order, judgment, or consent decree in effect. (6)Policies and processes to address:
(a)Governance and administration of the school system and schools.
(b)Financial matters, including existing tax structure, taxing districts, bond
issues, debt, and the creation of a budget for the consolidated school system.
(c)Transfer of buildings, facilities, and movable and immovable property owned
by each respective school system.
(d)Number of schools and grade distribution within the schools.
(e)Curriculum and instruction.
(f)Student enrollment.
(g)Student transportation.
(h)Teachers and other school personnel.
(i)Data management.
(j)Any other issues or considerations identified by the commission.
New law requires the commission to submit a written report of its findings, conclusions, and
recommendations to the Bogalusa City School Board and the Washington Parish School
Board not later than August 31, 2019.
New law requires the commission to hold a public hearing on its findings, recommendations,
and plans developed for consolidating the two school systems, prior to adoption of the final
report.
New law provides that the final report shall be posted on the website of both school systems
in a manner that provides easy access to the report by parents and the public.
New law provides that the commission shall terminate on September 1, 2019.
Effective upon signature of the governor (May 23, 2018).
(Adds R.S. 17:1381)