The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: President Harold Smith, Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: None.
Agenda Item #1 - Call to order.
The meeting was called to order by President Smith. He welcomed School Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn, guests, and news media.
Agenda Item #2 - Invocation.
The invocation was given by Bruce Brown.
Agenda Item #3 - Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Item #4 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the August 24, 2000, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the August 24, 2000, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments be approved, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Schools: J. W. Hawthorne, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective August 28, 2000.
RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Schools: Marie Vince, Bus Operator, Resignation effective September 5, 2000.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Angie Jr. High School: Jacqueline F. Brignac, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective September 13, 2000, and for the remainder of the Fall semester only of the 2000/2001 school year.
Enon Elementary School: Diana J. Casanova, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective September 26, 2000, and for the remainder of the 2000/2001 school year.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Carol Dykes, Part-time Food Service Worker, Enon Elementary School, TO Full-time Food Service Worker, Franklinton Elementary School, effective September 15, 2000 (pending outcome of physical examination).
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Schools: Leona Williams, Bus Operator, effective October 2, 2000 (replacing J. W. Hawthorne).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
FRANKLINTON SCHOOLS: Extend the route of J. W. Hawthorne 3.0 miles one way due to detour (bridge out on Harvey Road). Effective dates: August 18, 2000, through August 25, 2000.
Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to employ a part-time librarian at Varnado Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously. Holly James offered an amendment to the motion to allow the Personnel Director to determine if the number of students warrants employing another teacher at Varnado Elementary School, and then come back to the board with a recommendation. Susanne Jones seconded the amendment to the motion. Mrs. Jones suggested that the Wesley Ray Elementary School librarian could work at Varnado Elementary School two (2) days a week.
The vote on the amended motion was as follows: FOR: Holly James, Susanne Jones and Harold Smith. OPPOSED: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Hayward Boone, Richard Thomas, Bruce Brown and Freddie Jefferson. Amended motion failed. The vote on the original motion was as follows: FOR: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Hayward Boone, Richard Thomas, Bruce Brown and Freddie Jefferson. OPPOSED: Holly James, Susanne Jones and Harold Smith. Original motion carried.
President Smith asked Richard Kennedy to state what his and Superintendent Fowler=s recommendation had been on handling this matter. Mr. Kennedy stated that the recommendation had been to use existing staff at Varnado Elementary School. There are two (2) teachers currently on staff for the twenty-five (25) students in third grade. During the morning in the language arts block, the students could be divided between the two teachers, then for the rest of the day, one teacher could serve as librarian, and the other serve as the teacher for the twenty-five (25) students. Superintendent Fowler acknowledged the need for a librarian at Varnado Elementary School but stated he felt existing staff at the school should be utilized to meet this need.
Hayward Boone stated it was extremely important that the educational needs of these students be met. They have no music teacher, no physical education teacher, and no librarian. The students can=t be penalized just because Varnado Elementary School is a small school. Since there aren=t any teachers in these areas, the teachers have no preparation time.
There was some discussion regarding the number of days the part-time librarian would work. It was pointed out that the principal had requested the librarian two (2) days per week. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the part-time librarian at Varnado Elementary School be employed three (3) days per week. Motion carried unanimously.
Board Member Bruce Brown left the meeting at this time.
Upon the request of Richard Kennedy, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard Thomas, that the following item be added to the agenda: Discuss and take appropriate action regarding filling a vacancy in the psychology department, and employing a person to work with a Spanish speaking student at Franklinton Jr. High School. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Kennedy informed the Board that a psychologist position had been advertised, but no applications were received. The University of Southern Mississippi has two (2) graduate students in the psychology department who are interested in employment two (2) days per week. He has to contact the Louisiana Department of Education regarding the certification status of the interested parties. He requested that the Board authorize him to pursue this course of action. He, also, informed the Board of the need of a person to work with a migrant Spanish speaking student at Franklinton Jr. High School who doesn=t speak any English. He asked that the Board authorize him to locate someone to work with this student two (2) to three (3) hours per day. He stated he has found a teacher with a major in Spanish who can work with the student for four (4) weeks. He recommended that this teacher be hired on a hourly basis. Following discussion, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Juanita Barker, that Assistant Superintendent Richard Kennedy be authorized to proceed with his plans regarding the psychologist position and the Spanish speaking student at Franklinton Jr. High School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for the sale of sixty (60) Incandescent Light Fixtures at Varnado High School (WilliamBrignac).
Since no bids were received for the sale of sixty (60) Incandescent Light Fixtures at Varnado High School, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Juanita Barker, that Superintendent Fowler be authorized to dispose of the light fixtures. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to adopt General Fund Budget for 2000/01 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (Adren Raybourn).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard Thomas, that the Board adopt General Fund Budget for 2000/01 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88:Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as recommended by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance. Motion carried unanimously. (On September 14, 2000, at 6:00 P.M., a Public Hearing on the 2000/01 Fiscal Year Budgets was held in the Board Room.)
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to adopt Angie School District Budget for 2000/01 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88:Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (Beth Fussell).
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt Angie School District Budget for 2000/01 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88:Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as recommended by Beth Fussell, Chief Accountant and Operations Manager. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adopt School Food Service Budget for 2000/01 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88:Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (Marsha Newman).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt School Food Service Budget for 2000/01 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88:Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as recommended by Marsha Newman, School Food Service Supervisor. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adopt IASA Title I, Title II, Title VI, and Title IV Class-Size Reduction Budgets for 2000/01 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88:Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (T. J. Butler, Jr.).
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt IASA Title I, Title II, Title VI, and Title IV Class-Size Reduction Budgets for 2000/01 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88:Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as recommended by T. J. Butler, Jr., Supervisor of Federally Assisted Programs. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to adopt Special Federal Funds Budget for 2000/01 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88:Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (Beth Fussell).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Richard Thomas, that the Board adopt Special Federal Funds Budget for 2000/01 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88:Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as recommended by Beth Fussell, Chief Accountant and Operations Manager. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to adopt Drug Free Schools Budget for 2000/01 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88:Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (Beth Fussell).
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt Drug Free Schools Budget for 2000/01 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88:Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as recommended by Beth Fussell, Chief Accountant and Operations Manager. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the hiring of an actuary for the Board's self-insured Workers' Compensation program (Adren Raybourn).
Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, reported he received three (3) proposals for providing actuarial services for the Board ranging from a low of $3,500 to a high of $12,000. Upon the recommendation of Mr. Raybourn, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Holly James, that the Board accept the proposal submitted by Casualty Actuarial Consultants, Inc., at a minimum fee of $3,000 and a maximum fee of $3,500, for preparing an actuarial report estimating the unpaid losses as of the end of the fiscal year and projecting losses for the current year for the Washington Parish School Board. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to authorize payment of a stipend to host school principals in the amount of $100.00 per week for each week of summer school (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board authorize payment of a stipend to host school principals in the amount of $100.00 per week for each week of summer school. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to adopt the following revised Washington Parish School Board policies brought about by recent legislation: File: DFI - Lease of School Lands, and File: JBC - School Admission (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the following revised Washington Parish School Board polices brought about by recent legislation: File: DFI - Lease of School Lands, and File: JBC - School Admission. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to adopt Washington Parish School Board policy File: IDDFA - Technology Assistive Devices for Disabled Students, brought about by recent legislation (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt Washington Parish School Board policy File: IDDFA - Technology Assistive Devices for Disabled Students, brought about by recent legislation. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for William R. Brignac, Jr., Supervisor of Maintenance and Vocational Education (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board renew the contract of employment for William R. Brignac, Jr., Supervisor of Maintenance and Vocational Education, for the period beginning November 11, 2000, and ending November 10, 2002. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #18 - Consider a motion to authorize Bus Operator Wendall Vince to purchase a 1993 International bus to replace the 1995 bus he presently drives (Eathel Seal).
Upon the recommendation of Eathel Seal, Transportation Supervisor, it was moved by Richard Thomas, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize Bus Operator Wendall Vince to purchase a 1993 International bus to replace the 1995 bus he presently drives. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #19 - Consider a motion to adopt a Resolution opposing any restructuring of the Department of Health and Hospitals and the agency of the Office of Public Health (Karl Bickham).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adopt the following Resolution opposing any restructuring of the Department of Health and Hospitals of the Office of Public Health, which may result in reduction in staff or health services provided to the citizens of Washington Parish, or the closing of a facility: SEE ATTACHED. YEAS: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Richard Thomas, and Freddie Jefferson; NAYS: None; ABSENT: Bruce Brown. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #20 - Consider a motion to approve an addition to the Fuel Price Adjustment Program for Buses to include diesel fuel (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board approve an addition to the Fuel Price Adjustment Program for Buses to include diesel fuel. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #21 - Superintendent's Report.
Superintendent Fowler announced that the Teacher of the Year Banquet will be held November 16, 2000.
Superintendent Fowler informed the Board that summer school expenditures totaled $87,469.01. The Board received $33,561.00 from the State; thus, our cost was $53,908.01.
Agenda Item #22 - Other business from board members.
Hayward Boone expressed concern about Varnado High School's forthcoming ten-year review by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the fact that the school's library falls short of the required ten (10) books per student. He asked if the Board could help defray some of the cost of book purchases in order for the school to meet the requirement. Superintendent Fowler stated that the book shortage would not be held against Varnado High School during the review, since the school is still trying the restock the library following the fire. Mr. Boone asked Katherine Jenkins, Varnado High School Librarian, to report back to the Board on the number of books still needed and the amount of money needed to purchase the books. Superintendent Fowler was asked to study the needs of all four (4) high school libraries and report back to the Board.
Freddie Jefferson stated the Board owes an answer to the principals concerning their request for a review of the principals' salary schedule. He stated the Board Finance Committee should meet and establish the Board's position.
Agenda Item #23 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY