Board names ITEP representative, approves scholarships and votes to enter executive session

At its March 20 meeting the Bossier Parish School Board handled several administrative matters: it designated a representative to the ITEP committee, approved scholarship awards recommended by the scholarship committee and voted to enter executive session on personnel and litigation matters.

The board approved Superintendent Rowland’s recommendation to designate Chief Financial Officer Nisha Bamberg as the district’s official ITEP committee representative and parish contact. Rowland said Bamberg has served in the role before and is respected by other committee members. Board member Poole moved to approve the superintendent’s recommendation; the motion was seconded by Board member Brotherton and passed.

Eric Falting reported on the scholarship committee’s March 17 meeting, saying the committee reviewed and scored a record number of applicants and recommended awards: two $2,000 scholarships, two $1,000 scholarships and one $500 scholarship, plus a separate $500 Mildred and A.J. Burns Memorial Scholarship funded outside the district’s scholarship fund. Falting said the committee vote was unanimous and asked the board to approve the awards; the board approved the recommendation.

The board also approved trip requests presented as in order.

Later in the meeting the board voted to enter executive session “to discuss the investigative proceedings pursuant to” the Louisiana Revised Statutes §42:17 and §42:17(A)(2) and to discuss strategy in the pending lawsuit ELA Group Incorporated v. Bossier Parish School Board (suit number CD-170441, Division E, 26th Judicial District, Parish of Bossier). Board member Smith moved to enter executive session; the motion was seconded by Board member Brotherton and the motion passed. The transcript records the motion and the board’s approval but does not include a roll-call vote tally in the public record.