In short order, during a special meeting Monday night, the Bogalusa City School Board received and accepted the recommendation from Superintendent Ruth Horne that Pam Ard should be the new principal at Bogalusa High School.

Ard has been the principal at Superior Avenue Elementary School for three years. Before that, she was assistant principal at Thomas Junior High for six years, and had taught there and at Wesley Ray in Angie. She has 18 years experience in the field of Education.

Ard said she’s “really excited” about moving to the high school.

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“I have a plan in my head,” she said. “There needs to be a camaraderie of students and teachers. Everybody is part of the plan. I’m a team player, and I have an open door policy as much as I can. Sometimes I have to close the door and work, but I know I have to listen to teachers, custodians, lunchroom staff, crossing guards. They are all professionals, and all parts of the team. I’m very open minded.”

Ard said she has visited the high school.

“I think there are great teachers over there,” she said. “I believe there are great students over there. So I know there is greatness. I don’t know where the stagnation came from…I know there are challenges we need to look at. But I believe, with the focus of all, we can meet them. I can’t wait for the school to get up to its potential.”

Ard said she believes the entire city, including school personnel, parents, business leaders and the greater community, is a “stake-holder” in BHS.

“Bogalusa High School is basically one of the main chambers of the heartbeat of the City of Bogalusa, I think,” said Ard. “I know that several elements make up the heartbeat of Bogalusa, but I believe Bogalusa High School is one of them.”

The long-time educator said she’s determined to help make improvements at the school. That includes empowering students and providing positive role models.

“Our children need to know how great they are,” said Ard. “We need to tell them. And our mindset is important. If we get lemons, we make lemonade. If we get scraps, we make a quilt.

“I have a philosophy when I lay my head on my pillow at night if my conscience is clear, I’m ok. If not, I get up in the morning and make sure the challenge is fixed or addressed. That’s how I live my life. It’s how I do my job.” Ard said her successor at Superior Avenue will “walk into a great school.”

“I hope and pray everything goes as well at Bogalusa High School as it did at Superior,” she said.

Horne said Ard has proven herself and that she looks forward to working with her at BHS.

“I think Pam will do a great job,” she said. “We’re looking at a lot of good things at Bogalusa High School. I’m looking forward to a great year. I know she can do a good job.”

Ard reportedly earned the top score of five applicants interviewed by a four person panel for the job. She was the only candidate from within the school system, said Horne.

The special meeting was called last Thursday after the superintendent left town without making a recommendation. On Monday Horne apologized for the delay.

“There a lot of things I like to check out before I make a recommendation, and I had to go to a conference in Lafayette,” she said.

The board unanimously approved the recommendation. Now the system is advertising for a principal for Superior Avenue Elementary School.