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, Juanita Barker and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: None.
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 - Presentation by Senator Jerry Thomas (Dennie Fowler).
In the absence of Senator Thomas, Ms. Eathel Seal, Supervisor of Transportation, presented two certificates to Jonathan Barber-- one from Governor Mike Foster and one from the Louisiana Legislature, sponsored by Senator Thomas-in special recognition of his bravery, maturity and composure. On March 30, 2001, Jonathans father, Eugene Barber, suffered a fatal heart attack while running his school bus route. Jonathan realized what was happening and brought the bus safely to a stop. Ms. Seal and Superintendent Dennie Fowler commended Jonathan for his heroic act.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the May 10, 2001, regular board meeting.'
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adopt the minutes of the May 10, 2001, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for the purchase of School Supplies for the 2001/2002 school year (Adren Raybourn).
Following review and recommendation by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board award contracts for the purchase of School Supplies for the 2001/2002 school year, as follows: Tri-Star Marketing, Inc., Lafayette, LA - $1,038.00; Delta Printing Co., Inc., Bogalusa, LA - $512.88; Prairie Carbon & Ribbon, Larrabee, Iowa - $167.50; White's Business Machines, Bogalusa, LA - $915.00; Video Service of America, Lincoln, NE - $55.44; Unisource of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge, LA - $21,798.10, for a total of $24,486.92. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotations received from area physicians for bus operator physicals (Eathel Seal).
Eathel Seal, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, reviewed the quotations received from area physicians for bus operator physicals, as follows: Dr. Roger A. Casama, Bogalusa, LA - $45.00 each; Family Medical Clinic, Inc., Franklinton, LA - $68.00 each; Internal Medical Clinic, Bogalusa, LA - $60.00 each; Parkview Family Practice, Bogalusa, LA - $108.00 each (Established Patient - $71.00). It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board accept the low quotation of $45.00 per driver submitted by Dr. Roger Casama for physical examinations for bus operators, substitute drivers, and acting drivers for the 2001/2002 school session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to authorize Russell E. Barber, Bus Operator, to own and operate a 1993 Thomas school bus, formerly owned and operated by Eugene Barber (Eathel Seal).
Upon the recommendation of Eathel Seal, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize Russell E. Barber, Bus Operator, to own and operate a 1993 Thomas school bus, formerly owned and operated by Eugene Barber. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to authorize Trudy S. Barber, Bus Operator, to own and operate a 1992 Blue Bird school bus, formerly owned and operated by Russell E. Barber (Eathel Seal).
Upon the recommendation of Eathel Seal, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize Trudy S. Barber, Bus Operator, to own and operate a 1992 Blue Bird school bus, formerly owned and operated by Russell E. Barber. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to appoint The Era-Leader as Official Journal for the period beginning July 1, 2001, and ending June 30, 2002 (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Dennie Fowler, Superintendent, it was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board appoint The Era-Leader as Official Journal for the period beginning July 1, 2001, and ending June 30, 2002. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Angie Jr. High School: Tonya S. Steadman, Title I Tutor, Retirement Resignation effective May 31, 2001.
Adult Education Center: Peggy W. McDaniel, Secretary, Retirement Resignation effective June 15, 2001.
RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Elementary School: Tammy Penton, Title I Teacher, Resignation effective May 31, 2001.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Adam Kemp, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective May 31, 2001.
Franklinton High School: Ronald H. King, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective May 31, 2001.
TRANSFER:
Elise M. Knight, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School, TO Regular Teacher, Mt. Hermon School, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year.
Brenda Ruth Hearn, Regular Teacher, Franklinton High School, TO Regular Teacher, Mt. Hermon School, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year.
Carol Dillon, Librarian, Franklinton Elementary School, TO Librarian, Franklinton Primary School, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Lynn S. Fussell, Special Education Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School, TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year (replacing Elise Knight).
Kristina S. Crain, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School, TO Title I Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year.
Alan Graham, Pupil Appraisal, Special Education Office, TO Coordinator of Placement, Services and Pupil Appraisal, Special Education Office, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year.
Leona Bickham, Special Education Paraprofessional, Angie Jr. High School, TO Title I Tutor, Angie Jr. High School, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year.
James G. Thigpen, Regular Teacher, Varnado High School, TO Technology Director/Grant Facilitator, Central Office, effective July 1, 2001.
Rebecca Burch, Title I Technology Assistant, Franklinton Elementary School, TO Payroll Clerk/Retirement, Central Office, effective June 1, 2001.
EMPLOY:
Angie Jr. High School: Mary S. Williams, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year (Call back).
Franklinton Elementary School: Tina Wallace Stafford, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year - CERTIFIED (replacing Tammy Penton).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Sherry R. Kennedy, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year (CERTIFIED).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Justin Posey, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year - CERTIFIED (replacing Adam Kemp).
Mt. Hermon School: Stacey Breaud, Regular Teacher, effective the 2001/2002 school year only - CERTIFIED (fill-in for Theresa Grabert, who will be on sabbatical leave).
Pine School: Doris Rogers, Part-time School Food Service Worker, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year (pending outcome of physical examination).
Pine School: Verdie M. Caves, Custodian, effective June 1, 2001.
Special Education Office: Charlotte Harris Fasola, Educational Diagnostician, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year (CERTIFIED).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
MT. HERMON SCHOOL: Extend the route of Leontine Wascom .2 mile one way to pick up Justin McFarlain. Effective date: May 1, 2001.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Superintendent's Report.
At the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the following item be added to the agenda: Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotations received for replacing vinyl flooring in hallways at Wesley Ray Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously.
William Brignac, Supervisor of Maintenance, reviewed the quotations received, which were, as follows: Kennedy's Decorating Center - $6,743.53 and Brother's Floor Technicians - $7,973.98. Upon the recommendation of Mr. Brignac, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board accept the low quotation in the amount of $6,743.53. Motion carried unanimously.
Other topics mentioned in Superintendent Fowler's report included LEAP scores, summer school and Senate Bill 1046 relative to money owed by pipelines and other public service companies and would not allow money to be held in escrow during protest of taxes.
Agenda Item #13 - Other business from board members.
None.
Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
RICHARD N. THOMAS, JR., PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY