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, news media and guests.
Agenda Item #2 - Invocation.
The invocation was given by Bruce Brown.
Agenda Item #3 - Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Item #4 - Election of Officers of the Board.
President Smith opened the floor for nominations for President of the Board. Karl Bickham nominated Richard N. Thomas, Jr. The nomination was seconded by Harold Smith. Freddie Jefferson moved that nominations cease. The vote on Richard N. Thomas, Jr., for President was as follows: FOR: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Bruce Brown and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: None. ABSTENTION: Richard N. Thomas. Richard N. Thomas, Jr., was declared President of the Board.
President Thomas commended Harold Smith on his outstanding leadership and service as President of the Board.
President Thomas opened the floor for nominations for Vice-President of the Board. Holly James nominated Harold Smith. The nomination was seconded by Susanne Jones. Hayward Boone moved that nominations cease. The vote on Harold Smith for Vice-President was as follows: FOR: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: None. ABSTENTION: Harold Smith. Harold Smith was declared Vice-President of the Board.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize withdrawal privileges for Richard N. Thomas, Jr., newly-elected President of the Board, on all Washington Parish School Board bank accounts, in conjunction with the Superintendent, effective January 12, 2001, and terminate withdrawal privileges for Harold R. Smith, out-going President of the Board, on all Washington Parish School Board bank accounts, effective January 12, 2001. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the December 7, 2000, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adopt the minutes of the December 7, 2000, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotations received for the purchase of three (3) greenhouse kits for Mt. Hermon School (2) and Varnado High School (1) - Alan Graham.
In the absence of Alan Graham, Supervisor of Special Education, Superintendent Fowler reviewed the quotations received for the purchase of three (3) greenhouse kits for Mt. Hermon School (2) and Varnado High School (1), which were as follows: Tubular Structures, Lucedale, Ms - $16,002.00 ($5,334.00 each), and McInnis Industries, Port Arthur, TX - $14,370.00 ($4,790.00 each). Upon the recommendation of Alan Graham, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board accept the quotation submitted by McInnis Industries in the amount of $14,370.00 for the purchase of three (3) greenhouse kits for Mt. Hermon School (2) and Varnado High School (1). Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to approve student transfer requests for the 2000/2001 school year (Eathel Seal).
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Karl Bickham, 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
Kristan Martin Pine Franklinton Hardship
Ashley Martin Pine Franklinton Hardship
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding proposed changes to Policy File: EDDA - Special Use of Extra Buses Owned by Bus Drivers (Eathel Seal).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board approve the following changes to Washington Parish School Board Policy File: EDDA - Special Use of Extra Buses Owned by Bus Drivers:
1. Under Part A, reinstate the following sentence: The School Board will select from extra buses owned by bus drivers a pool of extra (second) buses to make field trips/extra runs, and that pool will be limited to ten (10).
2. Under Part C, delete the following sentence: If a separate premium is required, the School Board will pay one-half (2) of the liability premium, and the bus owner will pay the other one-half (2).
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Pine School: Billy J. Graves, Custodian, Retirement Resignation effective January 2, 2001.
RESIGNATION:
Pine School: Brandi Hopper, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective December 15, 2000.
Varnado High School: Ethel H. Williams, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective January 5, 2001.
EMPLOY:
Angie Jr. High School: Charles Ackerman, Regular Teacher, effective January 16, 2001, and for the remainder of the 2000/2001 school year only - CIRCULAR 665 (fill-in for Jacqueline Brignac, who is on sabbatical leave).
Franklinton Primary School: Patricia Holland, Regular Teacher, effective January 16, 2001, and for the remainder of the 2000/2001 school year only (CERTIFIED).
Franklinton Primary School: Cynthia Ann Lewis, Bus Attendant, effective January 16, 2001.
Franklinton Jr. High School: April A. Archote, Technology Assistant, effective January 16, 2001.
Pine School: Rochelle Hartmann, Regular Teacher, effective December 18, 2000, and for the remainder of the 2000/2001 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).
Varnado High School: David Thomas, Special Education Teacher, effective January 12, 2001, and for the remainder of the 2000/2001 school year only - CIRCULAR 665 (replacing Ethel Williams).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
FRANKLINTON SCHOOLS: Extend the route of Yvonne Varnado 2.9 miles one way to pick up Breanna Turman. Effective date: December 5, 2000.
Extend the route of Mary Simmons 13.3 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: December 4, 2000.
Extend the route of Janice Varnado 1.5 miles one way to pick up Chance and James Marks. Effective date: January 5, 2001.
VARNADO ELEM. SCHOOL: Extend the route of Laura Kemp 2.6 miles one way to pick up Nichole Fodor. Effective date: December 4, 2000.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Superintendent's Report.
Superintendent Fowler informed the Board of a meeting he had with Senator Jerry Thomas and Representative Ben Nevers, during which they discussed funding of teacher pay raises. He asked them to consider funding raises from other sources, rather than using a portion of the Minimum Foundation Program, which is one proposal being considered by the Louisiana Legislature. Superintendent Fowler stated this proposal would put our system in a vulnerable situation, as far as managing and operating our schools. He stated the meeting was very productive.
Agenda Item #11 - Other business from board members.
Karl Bickham stated he felt all members of the Board Finance Committee should have attended Superintendent Fowler's meeting with area legislators, rather than only one member. Superintendent Fowler responded that all parish superintendents had been asked by the State Superintendent to prepare presentations on school finance, submit copies of the presentations to the State Department, and then deliver the presentations to board presidents and area legislators.
Holly James initiated a discussion regarding school board insurance coverage of school buses used for nonschool related trips. Superintendent Fowler will inquire of the Board's insurance carrier.
Following an inquiry by Freddie Jefferson regarding a fuel card program for bus operators, Susanne Jones stated the Board Transportation Committee met with a company representative to discuss this program. The conclusion was that the School Board cannot enter into the program, but, individually, bus operators can enter into the program.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
RICHARD N. THOMAS, JR., PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY