Franklinton, Louisiana

March 29, 2001

6:30 P.M.

 

The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: President Richard N. Thomas, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, Holly James and Freddie Jefferson.  Absent: Juanita Barker.

 

Agenda Item #1 - Call to order.

 

The meeting was called to order by President Thomas.  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 March 15, 2001, regular board meeting.

 

It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the March 15, 2001, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #5 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotations received for purchase of fire alarm panels for Franklinton Primary School (William Brignac).

 

William Brignac, Maintenance Supervisor, reviewed the quotations received for purchase and installation of fire alarm panels for Franklinton Primary School, which were as follows: Educational Electronics Corporation, Harahan, LA - $4,105.75, and Safe & Sound Alarms, Inc., Mandeville, LA - $4,420.00.  Upon the recommendation of William Brignac, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board award the contract for purchase and installation of fire alarm panels for Franklinton Primary School to Educational Electronics Corporation in the amount of $4,105.75.  Motion carried unanimously.  Payment will be made from Franklinton Primary School's contingency fund.

 

Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotations received for purchase of a tractor, grooming mower and grader blade for Varnado Elementary School/Varnado High School (William Brignac).

 

William Brignac, Maintenance Supervisor, reviewed the quotations received for purchase of a tractor, grooming mower and grader blade for Varnado Elementary School/Varnado High School, which were as follows: Singleton Sales & Service, Franklinton, LA - $13,050.00; Smith & Smith, Inc., Franklinton, LA - $13,595.00; and Evergreen Tractor, Covington, LA - $14,191.00.  Mr. Brignac stated that Principals Ross and Fornea requested that Smith & Smith's quote be accepted, even though it wasn't the lowest, due to several factors, including a better warranty on Smith & Smith's tractor.  It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board award the contract for purchase of tractor, grooming mower and grader blade for Varnado Elementary School/Varnado High School to Smith & Smith, Inc., in the amount of $13,595.00.  Motion carried unanimously.  Varnado Elementary School's share of the cost will be paid from the school's contingency fund.

 

Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotations received for purchase and installation of vinyl flooring for the hallway at Wesley Ray Elementary School (William Brignac).

 

Deleted.

 

Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Mary Henderson, Principal, Franklinton Primary School (Dennie Fowler).

 

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Dennie Fowler, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Mary Henderson, Principal, Franklinton Primary School, for the period beginning July 1, 2001, and ending June 30, 2003.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding removing the requirement of revolving lines of credit for Chapter I (now Title I) - $250,000.00, and Special Education IDEA - $50,000.00 (Adren Raybourn).

 

Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board remove the requirement of revolving lines of credit for Chapter I (now Title I) - $250,000.00, and Special Education IDEA - $50,000.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution opposing the Public Service Pipelines' protest of assessments (Dennie Fowler).

 

It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adopt the following Resolution opposing the Public Service Pipelines protest of assessments:  SEE ATTACHED.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #11 - 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

 

REQUEST FOR LEAVE WITHOUT PAY:

 

Pine School: Dale Breland, Custodian, Leave Without Pay effective March 28, 2001, through May 31, 2001.

 

                                                   TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS

 

FRANKLINTON SCHOOLS:                   Deduct 5.0 miles one way from the route of Leona Williams (bridge repair complete).  Effective date: March 16, 2001.

 

Deduct 5.3 miles one way from the route of Eugene Barber (made change due to overcrowding on second bus when he makes extra trips).  Effective date: March 21, 2001.

 

Extend the route of Cherrie Brumfield 5.3 miles one way (made change from Eugene Barber due to overcrowding on second bus when he makes extra trips).  Effective date: March 21, 2001.

 

VARNADO ELEM. SCHOOL:                  Extend the route of Patsy Owens .7 mile one way to pick up Jasmine Stephens.  Effective date: March 19, 2001.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #12 - Superintendent's Report.

 

It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to approve student transfer requests.  Motion carried unanimously.  It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Harold Smith, 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

 

Jerry Primes                    Wesley Ray                 Pine                             Hardship

Crystal Woodward            Pine                            Enon                            Administrative

Martha Woodward            Pine                            Enon                            Administrative

Charley Woodward           Pine                            Enon                            Administrative

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #13 - Other business from board members.

 

Following an inquiry by Freddie Jefferson regarding the "tobacco money" (Education Excellence Fund) the system is expected to receive this year, Supervisor Mary Jones reported that $51,000 of the $114,000 grant was received this week and will be used to purchase textbooks.  Mr. Jefferson requested that library books be purchased with next year's grant.  Ms. Jones stated that the system's textbook needs were not met this year, and another needs assessment will be necessary.  In addition, she will have to review the grant requirements, as they relate to the purchase of library books.  Mr. Jefferson requested that she report back to the Board on how far the money goes this year to meet the system's textbook needs.

 

Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

 

It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Richard Thomas, that the Board adjourn.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

RICHARD N. THOMAS, JR., PRESIDENT

DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY