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, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Richard N. Thomas and Bruce Brown. Absent: Holly James and Freddie Jefferson.
Agenda Item #1 - Call to order.
The meeting was called to order by President Smith. He welcomed School Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn, news media and guests.
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 November 9, 2000, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the November 9, 2000, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Recognize parish winners of the Louisiana Governor's Mansion Foundation art project (Mary Jones).
Supervisor Mary Jones, along with Talented Art Teachers, Kay Bell, Franklinton High School, and Ali Wood, Mt. Hermon School, recognized high school Talented Art students who were parish winners in the recent Louisiana Governor's Mansion Foundation art project. They were, as follows:
Honorable Mention: Andrea Adams, Pine School (not present)
Third Place: Sarah Morton, Franklinton High School
Kevin Danos, Franklinton High School
Second Place: Melissa Stafford, Pine School
Sam Williams, Mt. Hermon School
First Place: Doris Dyson, Mt. Hermon School
Aaron Sanders, Franklinton High School
Caron Knight, Talented Art Teacher, Pine School, was also recognized. The two first place winners had the honor of going to the Governor's Mansion last month to decorate the ornament furnished to them. Each school district was asked to select one female and one male student to design and paint a 4" ornament to be placed on the Governor's Mansion Christmas tree. Superintendent Fowler congratulated the students and complimented the teachers on their leadership.
Agenda Item #6 - Presentation by Katherine Jenkins, President, Washington Parish Association of Educators (Dennie Fowler).
Mrs. Katherine Jenkins, Washington Parish Association of Educators President, presented a resolution for the Board's consideration. It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to adopt a resolution supporting the Yellow Ribbon Campaign. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the following resolution supporting the Yellow Ribbon Campaign: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Report from the firm of Postlethwaite and Netterville regarding the 1999/2000 audit of general purpose financial statements (Beth Fussell).
Mr. Joey Richard, a Director with Postlethwaite and Netterville, briefly reviewed the audit report with the Board. Copies of the entire report were provided for board members. Mr. Richard stated that the Board received an unqualified audit. It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board accept the audit report as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Superintendent Fowler commended the business department staff for the excellent report.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for telecommunication services and equipment for year four e-Rate (Rebecca Kemp).
Following review of bids by Rebecca Kemp, Technology Director/Grant Facilitator, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board approve recommended bids and entering into contracts for telecommunication services and equipment for year four e-Rate, as follows:
Wiring Components - Cross Communications
Internet Access - Hunt Brothers
Internal Connections - Spire Network Services and Hunt Brothers
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adopt schedule of board meetings for 2001 (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board adopt the following schedule of board meetings for 2001:
PUBLIC MEETINGS
ACT 707 OF 1977
REGULAR MEETINGS OF WASHINGTON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD - 2001
The Washington Parish School Board shall meet in regular session for the year 2001 at its legal domicile, the Washington Parish School Board Office Building, 800 Main Street, Franklinton, Louisiana, at 6:30 P.M., on the following dates:
THURSDAYS - SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS MONDAYS - COMMITTEE MEETINGS
January 11, 2001 January 8, 2001
January 25, 2001
February 8, 2001 February 5, 2001
February 22, 2001
March 15, 2001 March 12, 2001
March 29, 2001
April 12, 2001 April 9, 2001
May 10, 2001 May 7, 2001
May 31, 2001
June 14, 2001 June 11, 2001
June 28, 2001
July 12, 2001 July 9, 2001
August 9, 2001 August 6, 2001
August 23, 2001
September 13, 2001 September 10, 2001
September 27, 2001
October 11, 2001 October 8, 2001
November 8, 2001 November 5, 2001
December 6, 2001 December 3, 2001
NOTE: ONLY ONE (1) REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR THE MONTHS OF APRIL, JULY, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, AND DECEMBER, 2001.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Title I allocations to schools for the 2000/2001 school year (T. J. Butler, Jr.).
T. J. Butler, Jr., Supervisor of Federally Assisted Program, presented four (4) allocation plans for the Board's consideration. It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board approve Allocation Plan D, which was as follows:
ALLOCATION PLAN D - 2000/2001
90% SCHOOLS % FREE & AMT. PER ALLOCATION ADDITIONAL
REDUCED STUDENT AMOUNT
____________________________________________________________________
Angie Jr. 100% 186 $300.00 $ 55,800.00 +$5,709.60
Varnado High 99% 214 300.00 64,200.00 + 5,709.60
Varnado Elem. 94% 161 300.00 48,300.00 + 5,709.60
Wesley Ray Elem. 94% 255 300.00 76,500.00 + 5,709.60
Thomas Jr. 94% 379 300.00 113,700.00 + 5,709.60
80% SCHOOLS
Franklinton Primary 89% 427 250.00 106,750.00
Pine 88% 564 250.00 141,000.00
Franklinton Elem. 83% 341 250.00 85,250.00
70% SCHOOLS
Franklinton Jr. 78% 347 200.00 69,400.00
Mt. Hermon 78% 400 200.00 80,000.00
Franklinton High 70% 443 200.00 88,600.00
60% SCHOOL
Enon 63% 177 150.00 26,550.00
TOTAL $ 956,050.00
SCHOOLWIDE TOTAL $984,598.00
LESS ALLOCATION TOTAL -956,050.00
BALANCE $ 28,548.00 DIVIDED BY 5 EQUALS $5,709.60
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to approve revisions to the Uniform Policy (T. J. Butler, Jr.).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Richard N.Thomas, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to amend the original uniform policy, delete selected proposed additions and approve selected proposed additions. Motion carried unanimously. Following discussion, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Richard Thomas, that the Board take the following action:
Amend the original uniform policy, as follows:
C Delete: Individual school principals will determine acceptability of jackets.
C Delete (indicated in bold print): School affiliated jackets are recommended, however, the principal will determine appropriateness.
C Add (indicated in bold print): School affiliated jackets are recommended but not required.
Delete selected proposed revisions, as follows (indicated in bold print):
C Uniform khaki is a definitive color (tan) as determined by the principal.
C Appropriateness of footwear is determined by the principal.
Approve selected proposed additions, as follows (indicated in bold print):
C Girls: No cargo pockets on skirts.
C Uniform khaki is a definitive color (tan).
C A jacket is defined as opened in the front from top to bottom completely by zipper, buttons, or snaps. Shirts are not acceptable as jackets. Zippered or buttoned shirts are not jackets.
C Thongs, slides, slippers, sandals without back straps, and flip-flops are unacceptable.
Motion carried unanimously. These revisions will become effective next school year.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to approve Special Education IDEA Budget Revision for the 2000/2001 fiscal year (Alan Graham).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board approve the Special Education IDEA Budget Revision for the 2000/2001 fiscal year, as recommended by Alan Graham, Special Education Supervisor. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution requesting that the Louisiana Legislature preserve the MFP as structured by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and refrain from redirecting funds within the MFP to fund teacher salary increases (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, and unanimously carried, that the Board adopt the following Resolution requesting the Louisiana Legislature to preserve the MFP as structured by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and to refrain from redirecting funds within the MFP to fund teacher salary increases: SEE ATTACHED. Yeas: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas and Bruce Brown. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Holly James and Freddie Jefferson. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding suggested methodology for the calculation and subsequent distribution of possible savings resulting from Acts 1341 and 1342 of the Louisiana Legislature of 1999, applicable to Extended Sick Leave and Sabbatical Leave (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the suggested methodology for the calculation and subsequent distribution of possible savings resulting from Acts 1341 and 1342 of the Louisiana Legislature of 1999, applicable to Extended Sick Leave and Sabbatical Leave, as recommended by the Director of Finance and Personnel Director. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to approve student transfer requests for the 2000/2001 school year (Eathel Seal).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the following student transfer requests for the 2000/2001 school year, as recommended by Eathel Seal, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance:
NAME HOME DISTRICT REQUESTED DISTRICT REASON
Barrett Breland Angie Franklinton Academic
John Wesley Griffey Enon Franklinton Hardship
Kayla Magee Thomas Franklinton Hardship
Shaun Ryan Duncan Angie Pine Hardship
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
Assistant Superintendent Richard Kennedy reviewed the Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as follows:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Primary School: Pamela Taylor, Bus Attendant, Resignation effective December 20, 2000.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Darlene Ford, Technology Assistant, Resignation effective December 20, 2000.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Angie Jr. High School: Jacqueline F. Brignac, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the Spring semester of the 2000/2001 school year.
EMPLOY:
Enon Elementary School: Amy Jean Baham, Regular Teacher, effective December 11, 2000, and for the remainder of the 2000/2001 school year only - CERTIFIED (fill-in for Diana Casanova, who is on sabbatical leave).
Franklinton Elementary School: Hayward Partman, II, Part-time Custodian, effective December 8, 2000.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Justin Allen Posey, Regular Teacher, effective January 16, 2001, and for the remainder of the 2000/2001 school year only - CERTIFIED (fill-in for Maggie Alvear, who will be on sabbatical leave).
Franklinton High School: Ramiro Arcia, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective December 4, 2000.
Pine School: Wendy K. Miller, Regular Teacher, effective January 16, 2001, and for the remainder of the 2000/2001 school year only - CIRCULAR 665 (fill-in for Rita Wood, who will be on sabbatical leave).
Central Office: Shanda C. Glover, Switchboard Operator/Receptionist Clerk, effective December 8, 2000.
Special Education Department: Mattie Seal, Part-time Social Worker (2 days per week), effective January 2, 2001, and for the remainder of the 2000/2001 school year only - CERTIFIED.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
ENON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Extend the route of Teresa Goings 4.0 miles one way due to detour (bridge replacement). Effective date: October 17, 2000.
Extend the route of Aulton Carter 2.1 miles one
way to pick up Rebekah Washburn. Effective date: October 12, 2000.
FRANKLINTON PRIMARY SCHOOL: Deduct 2.0 miles one way from the route of Mary A. Simmons (Special Ed. student no longer on route). Effective date: October 30, 2000.
Extend the route of Faye Newman 2.0 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: November 3, 2000.
FRANKLINTON HIGH SCHOOL: Extend the route of Janice Varnado .5 mile one way to pick up Tyler Kennedy. Effective date: September 11, 2000.
THOMAS JR. HIGH SCHOOL: Extend the route of D. Kaye Magee 1.0 mile one way to pick up Darby Smith. Effective date: September 15, 2000.
Extend the route of D. Kaye Magee .5 mile one way to pick up Shaina Sumrall. Effective date: October 3, 2000.
Bruce Brown voiced concerns regarding the screening committee and the hiring policy. Superintendent Fowler stated that, to the best of his knowledge, the hiring policy had been followed.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Personnel and Transportation Adjustments be approved, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent. FOR: Karl Bickham, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas and Bruce Brown. AGAINST: Juanita Barker. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #17 - Superintendent=s Report.
Superintendent Fowler reported that State Superintendent of Education Cecil Picard visited in the parish December 5, 2000. He visited Mt. Hermon School, Pine School, Franklinton High School and Franklinton Elementary School.
Superintendent Fowler read the following report to the Board:
AAs you are aware, on November 17, 2000, a warrant was issued by a justice of the peace for the arrest of Franklinton High School Principal, Beverly Young, on the charge of aggravated battery for spanking a student. The warrant arose out of an incident which occurred at Franklinton High School on November 16th, wherein certain students were given the choice of Saturday detention or one strike with a paddle. Most of the students chose one strike with a paddle, which was administered by the principal.
Louisiana Revised Statute 17:223(A) authorizes corporal punishment. The law is as follows:
>Every teacher is authorized to hold every pupil to a strict accountability for any disorderly conduct in school or on the playground of the school, or on any school bus going to or returning from school, or during intermission or recess. Each parish and city school board shall have discretion in the use of corporal punishment. In those cases in which a parish or city school board decides to use corporal punishment, each parish or city school board shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary to implement and control any form of corporal punishment in the schools in its district.=
The Washington Parish School Board has chosen to permit the use of corporal punishment as established in its policy JDA. In addition, Louisiana Revised Statute 14:18(4) states that the conduct of a teacher is justifiable when the conduct is reasonable discipline of minors.
The Washington Parish District Attorney's Office has refused to accept the charges against Ms. Young, based upon the factual situation.
As a separate development, a letter was sent to the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office by the justice of the peace, asking that the warrant against Ms. Young be recalled and dismissed, stating that the warrant was issued in error. This action was based upon Code of Criminal Procedure Article 202, which states: 'A justice of the peace shall not issue a warrant for the arrest of an administrator of any public or private elementary, secondary, high school, vocational-technical school, college, university, or licensed child day care center in this state who is acting in the course and scope of his official duties, unless an independent investigation into the allegations has been conducted and the investigator's findings support the allegations contained in the affidavit required in Subparagraph A(1) of this Article.'
Proceedings are being filed by Ms. Young's attorney to have the record of the arrest expunged.
It is clear that the warrant for the arrest of Ms. Young should have never been issued. The arrest caused needless embarrassment to one of our school administrators, her family, the school, the school system and the community. I trust that this statement will now bring the matter to rest."
Agenda Item #18 - Other business from board members.
None.
Agenda Item #19 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Association of Educators believes that adequate compensation is essential to the continued improvement of student achievement and teacher quality; and
WHEREAS, for student test scores to continue to rise, there must be certified teachers in each classroom; and
WHEREAS, the educational support personnel play a vital role in the educational attainment of students and support the efforts of teachers; and
WHEREAS, the State of Louisiana is faced with a crisis level teacher shortage; and
WHEREAS, the State of Louisiana is near the bottom of state rankings in teacher salaries; and
WHEREAS, the future of our great state is dependent upon economic growth and a strong education system.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Washington Parish School Board joins with the Louisiana Association of Educators, the state's largest school employee organization, to support the Yellow Ribbon Campaign in an effort to "shine the light" on the dismal conditions of school employee salaries and to request that Governor Mike Foster call a Legislative Special Session to address the issue of school employee salaries and ask all citizens to join together to support this initiative.
YEAS: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas and Bruce Brown.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Holly James and Freddie Jefferson.
Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, teacher salaries in Louisiana have long fallen short of the SREB average, and
WHEREAS, exploring methods to secure the funding necessary to raise teacher salaries to this regional average was a major objective of the School Finance Commission, which was appointed by the governor and comprised of members of the Louisiana Legislature, the business community, and educational groups at all levels, and
WHEREAS, the Minimum Foundation Program Formula presented by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to the Louisiana Legislature for school year 2000-2001 originally incorporated the School Finance Commission's recommendation to increase teacher salaries, and
WHEREAS, although the MFP finally adopted by the Louisiana Legislature for the 2000-2001 school year provided full funding for the first time, it did not include additional money for teacher salaries, and
WHEREAS, the proposed constitutional amendments which would have provided additional state revenue designated to provide pay raises for K-12 and post-secondary teaching personnel failed to gain voter approval on November 7, 2000, and
WHEREAS, legislation has been introduced in recent legislative sessions to fund salary increases for elementary and secondary school personnel by redirecting dollars from within the MFP, and
WHEREAS, redirecting existing MFP monies to fund teacher pay raises would seriously strain local resources in many parishes, catastrophically for some, and
WHEREAS, a well qualified, adequately compensated teaching corps is absolutely essential to providing a quality education to our children, thereby fulfilling our educational mission.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Washington Parish School Board hereby urgently requests the Louisiana Legislature to preserve the MFP as structured by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and to refrain from redirecting funds within the MFP to fund teacher salary increases.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Washington Parish School Board does hereby implore Governor Foster and the Louisiana Legislature to actively pursue all funding possibilities and to provide the additional funds needed to raise teacher salaries to the SREB average.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, III, the members of the Louisiana Legislature, and the members of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
YEAS: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas and Bruce Brown.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Holly James and Freddie Jefferson.
Motion carried unanimously.