During a committee meeting Monday, Bogalusa City School Board President Paul Kates said the system had advertised for but received no applications for the position of superintendent other than that of acting superintendent Toni Breaux.

Several board members and supervisors who were present spoke glowingly of the new team attitude, accountability and organization under Breaux’s watch.

The board then called a special meeting to interview her at 5 p.m. today, in advance of the regular meeting Thursday. That agenda includes a request for approval to hire a superintendent.

On Monday, Breaux told the board the system’s consolidation plan “is almost in place” and should be presented to personnel next week, “probably on Monday.”

She said she and her supervisors have been working hard to assign staff and to work out the logistics for the move of the middle school onto the high school campus and the rearrangement of the elementary schools.

Maintenance Supervisor Vic Boyles reported the physical changes at Bogalusa High School are slightly behind schedule due to an equipment holdup but are still expected to be completed on time.

He added his crews are working to finish installing windows at BHS to enable the addition of FEMA-funded screening.

And he said the renovation of nine classrooms has been completed and the renovation of 14 other rooms is now under way at Bogalusa Middle School, which next year will become an elementary complex housing grades two to five.

Child Nutrition Program Supervisor Joanie Miller said her department is considering moving a walk-in cooler/freezer from Superior Avenue Elementary to the high school to accommodate for the additional students.

The changes will be more than physical, though.

Supervisor of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction April Nobles mentioned the 2011-2012 graduation rates just released by the state. The Bogalusa system ranked second to last, but that was before changes initiated when Breaux and Nobles took their positions.

The changes include programming, student tracking, employee accountability and a move to a team attitude.

It will take some time to get fully up to speed, but this year’s rate will be better, she and Breaux both vowed.

Nobles also praised the courses and curriculum now available at the secondary level and said she is working to get the word out to parents.

Breaux added this summer the system will offer not just test remediation classes, but also “courses kids can take to catch up.”

It’s also working to enable students to take classes to “get ahead” in the near future, she said.

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