Bogalusa City Schools’ Highly Effective Teachers were recognized Thursday night during its regular board meeting.

Seventeen instructors were presented a certificate for their achievement. Superintendent Toni Breaux said each of the teachers was to receive a check for $1,000 as part of the award. The teachers were evaluated by Compass, the state’s educator support and evaluation system designed to provide all educators with regular, meaningful feedback on their performance. This system promotes a cycle of continuous improvement by providing aligned resources that guide educators throughout the year.

Under the Compass system, each teacher and school leader is evaluated annually using a four-tiered rating. Ratings include Highly Effective, Effective, Proficient, Effective, Emerging and Ineffective. Half of the evaluation is based on achievement learning targets. The other half is based on observations by their supervisor.

Instructors recognized included Denhamtown’s Laurie Pittman and Jennifer Warren, Byrd Avenue Elementary’s Kim James, Iris Giordano, Lita Varnado, Keisha Ward, Elizabeth Owens-Pack, SPED’s Randi Mercier, Central Elementary’s Jane Pittman and the high school’s Sandi Atkins, Michael Cummings, James Fortenberry, Lt. Col Gavin Guidry, Cole Loper, Marrianne Mixon, Penny Sheridan and LaFlorn Taylor.

“With the Highly Effective Teacher designation, we’re honoring people who help and promote our kids,” Breaux said.

In other business, the board approved the job description of newly-hired head football coach David Roberts Jr. Roberts signed a 12-month contract. Previous coaches worked under a 10-month agreement.

“Coaching football is a year-around job,” BHS Principal Eric Greely said. “What we’re so excited about is that coach Roberts is going to implement a weight program in the spring. He will also be running spring practice.”

Roberts was hired from Pearl River High School, where he was the offensive coordinator.

“He is going to stay there until he completes his teaching contract at Pearl River before he comes here,” Greely said. “We didn’t want him to leave his principal over there in an awkward position until he was replaced.”

The board also approved a $5,000 donation from Wells Fargo Community Development Team for property at 915 Tacoma St. The property is currently a vacant lot.

Board members approved a resolution to call special elections on May 2 to renew the millage rate of 6.43 mills.

The 2015 School Board was sworn in by Board Attorney Dale Branch. Curtis Creel was sworn in as the new president. Paul Kates was sworn in as vice president.

In personnel moves, it was announced BHS teacher Steven Sanders retired, while school nurse Kathi Adams and Central CNP Tech Linda Nunnery both retired.

Along with Roberts, hires included Central teacher Yahaira Arbella, BHS teacher Thomas Minarik and assistant football coach and Behavior Interventionist Bruce Plummer.