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 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the June 14, 2001, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board adopt the minutes of the June 14, 2001, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Hear presentation and recommendations by John Norris, Insurance Consultant, regarding Excess Workers' Compensation Insurance, Third Party Administrator for Workers' Compensation Insurance, and Student Accident Insurance (John Norris).
John Norris, the Board's insurance consultant, reviewed quotations obtained for Excess Workers Compensation Insurance. Upon the recommendation of Mr. Norris, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the contract for Excess Workers Compensation Insurance be awarded to Midwest Employers Insurance Co. (Aon, Agent), at a premium of $15,012.00 per year for a period of three (3) years. Motion carried unanimously.
Upon the recommendation of John Norris, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Harold Smith, that Mor-Tem Risk Management Services, Inc., be named Third Party Administrator for the Board's Workers Compensation Self-Insured Insurance Program at a fee of $3,500.00 per year for a period of one (1) year. Motion carried unanimously.
Upon the recommendation of John Norris, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Harold Smith, that American National Life Insurance Company be awarded contracts for the following coverage for a one-year period: (1) Student Accident Basic Plan - Premium: $19,000.00; (2) Catastrophic Plan - Jr. High School - Premium: $1,350.00; and (3) Catastrophic Plan - High School - Premium: $1,065.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board authorize Superintendent Dennie Fowler to sign the contract with Mor-Tem Risk Management Services, Inc., the Board's Third Party Administrator, and sign any necessary documents concerning the escrow account. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adopt Revised 2001/2002 School Calendar (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt Revised 2001/2002 School Calendar, as follows:
TCHR. INSTRUCT.
MONTH EVENT DATE DAYS DAYS
August Staff Development August 13 15 13
Staff Development (ALL) August 14
(1/2 Day Staff Dev. & 2 day Tchr. Work Day)
Classes Begin August 15
September Labor Day September 3 19 19
October Washington Parish Fair October 17, 18, 19 20 20
November Educational Conventions November 19, 20, 21 17 17
1st. Term Emergency Days* November 19, 20
Thanksgiving Holidays November 22, 23
December Christmas Holidays December 19 (1/2 day) 13 12 1/2
through Dec. 31
(Dec. 19 - 1/2 day Instruct.
& 1/2 day Tchr. Work Day
Students dismissed at 12:00)
January New Year's Holidays January 1 & 2 20 19
Staff Development January 14
Martin Luther King Day January 21
February Mardi Gras February 11 & 12 18 18
March Good Friday March 29 20 20
April Spring Holidays April 1 - 5 17 17
2nd. Term Emergency Days* April 4, 5
May Staff Development (ALL) May 30 (2 day Instruct. 23 212
(2 Day) & 2 day Staff Dev. - ALL
Students dismissed at 12:00)
Teacher Work Day May 31
School Closes May 31
Report Cards Mailed May 31
TOTALS 182 DAYS 177 DAYS
Motion carried unanimously. Superintendent Fowler stated the revision was necessary due to the Louisiana Legislature adding two (2) additional instructional days for students.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy JDF - Discipline of Students with Disabilities, as required by Louisiana Department of Education (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy JDF - Discipline of Students with Disabilities, as required by Louisiana Department of Education. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding salary raises and adjustments for employees (Dennie Fowler).
Superintendent Fowler presented the following proposed salary rate increases/adjustments and changes in employment status for the Board's consideration:
PROPOSED SALARY RATE INCREASES/ADJUSTMENTS
CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT STATUS
"We have reviewed our current salary schedules and our financial condition. During our financial analysis earlier this year, we had anticipated a large increase in the employer's portion of our health insurance premiums, estimated at almost $315,000.00. Even with that heavy additional burden on general fund, our projections still appeared very favorable, and we felt optimistic about salary rate increases. Then came the adoption of House Bill No. 1492 with mandatory increases in employer portion of our health insurance premiums, which more than doubled our original estimate. All compensation related requests have been considered and brought before the Finance Committee. However, not all requests have been recommended at this time. Some will be ongoing and will require future study and consideration. Based on our latest observations, I recommend the following salary rate increases, effective at the beginning of the 2001-2002 payroll period:
FOR ALL CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL (OTHER THAN ADMINISTRATIVE):
$2,060.00 per year resulting from state requirements
Plus *$1,000.00 per year additional granted by WPSB (*Based on 9 months work year)
Total of $3,060.00 per year for each individual
FOR PRINCIPALS:
$2,060.00 per year resulting from state requirements
Plus $2,600.00 per year additional granted by WPSB
Total of $4,660.00 per year for each principal
Plus applicable changes in factor values for school type and student enrollment (as per schedule)
FOR SUPERVISORS/ADMINISTRATORS (OTHER THAN PRINCIPALS):
$2,060.00 per year resulting from state requirements
Plus $1,825.00 per year additional granted by WPSB
Total of $3,885.00 per year for each supervisor/administrator
FOR SUPERINTENDENT (AS REQUIRED BY CONTRACT):
$2,060.00 per year resulting from state requirements
Plus $1,825.00 per year additional granted by WPSB
Total of $3,885.00 per year for superintendent
FOR ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT (AS REQUIRED BY CONTRACT):
$2,060.00 per year resulting from state requirements
Plus $1,825.00 per year additional granted by WPSB
Total of $3,885.00 per year for assistant superintendent
FOR SCHOOL LUNCH MANAGERS:
Years Service 0 1 2 3 4 5
Increase of Increase of Increase of Increase of Increase of Increase of
SL Mgr. A $.53/Hr. $.53/Hr. $.53/Hr. $.53/Hr. $.53/Hr. $.52/Hr.
SL Mgr. A1 $.53/Hr. $.53/Hr. $.53/Hr. $.53/Hr. $.53/Hr. $.52/Hr.
SL Mgr. B $.47/Hr. $.48/Hr. $.48/Hr. $.49/Hr. $.48/Hr. $.48/Hr.
SL Mgr. B1 $.47/Hr. $.48/Hr. $.48/Hr. $.49/Hr. $.48/Hr. $.48/Hr.
Plus an incentive plan based on:
1. Number of choices daily at Lunch and
2. Average number of meals served per day
(As per schedule)
FOR PAYROLL SUPERVISOR:
$1,440.00 per year granted by WPSB
FOR SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEY:
5.30% increase in Retainer Fee paid by WPSB
FOR SUPPORT PERSONNEL:
3.50% per year of salary granted by WPSB
I recommend the following changes in employment status:
Educational Diagnostician be changed From a 10 months employee
(A regular education position) To a 12 months employee
IEP Facilitator be changed From a 10 months employee
To a 12 months employee
Assistant Football Coaches:
I recommend provisions be made to allow for one additional Assistant Football coaching increment for each of the three applicable high schools.
AS FOR SALARY SUPPLEMENTS:
The state has announced a $300.00 state funded salary supplement (to be paid between July 5 - July 20) for non-certificated personnel, time of payment to be determined by the state.
Locally, in our General Fund, the Unreserved/Undesignated portion of Fund Balance is presently sufficient to fall within the acceptable boundaries of the Legislative Auditor's Office. Therefore, at the present time, there is no foreseeable need to permanently increase the Unreserved/Undesignated portion of Fund Balance.
For the year 2000/2001, because of changes in the amount of MFP receipts and reduced charges for Workers' Compensation premiums, we now expect revenues to exceed expenditures within General Fund by an amount sufficient to support a salary supplement.
Therefore, I recommend that, after the books have been closed for 2000-2001 FY, the financial condition and forecast of the General Fund be examined by the Director of Finance, Superintendent, Personnel Director, and Finance Committee, and based on that examination, a recommendation be made to the Board to pay a salary Supplement in December of 2001 or January of 2002 to both certificated and non-certificated employees, but in a manner that is biased for non-certificated employees who will not benefit due to receipt of state funded MFP monies intended for certificated personnel salary rate increases. It is understood that, because of drawing off prior year=s excess and expensing in current year, it is likely that expenditures will exceed revenues for General Fund in the year 2001-2002.
In addition, current legislation provides that, in future years, if no funding is provided by the State specifically for salary increases of certificated personnel, then 50% of increases in MFP funding must be used for salary increases of certificated personnel. With this legislation in mind, I recommend that, in future years, after closing the books for General Fund, a similar study be made of prior year's performance and Unreserved/Undesignated portion of Fund Balance, and that a forecast be made of future needs in order to determine whether a salary supplement is feasible."
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adopt the proposed salary rate increases/adjustments and changes in employment status, as recommended and presented by Superintendent Fowler. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Mt. Hermon School: Viola Bennett, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective July 3, 2001.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Angie Jr. High School: Paris C. Sumrall, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the entire 2001/2002 school year.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Patricia L. Sumrall, Regular Teacher, TO Technology/Resource Teacher, Central Office, effective the 2001/2002 school year only.
EMPLOY:
Franklinton High School: Steven R. Bullock, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year (CERTIFIED).
Franklinton High School: Michael A. Powell, Regular Teacher, effective the 2001/2002 school year only (CERTIFIED).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
None.
Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Kennedy informed the Board that no currently employed bus operator expressed an interest in transferring to the new Special Education route for the Franklinton/Mt. Hermon/Enon school districts. Susanne Jones, Transportation Committee Chairperson, stated the Transportation Committee will meet prior to the next board meeting and make a recommendation.
Agenda Item #10 - Superintendent's Report.
At the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Harold Smith, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing special counsel to name the Washington Parish School Board as a party plaintiff in any litigation which may need to be filed with regard to the failure of the state to appropriate the $17,210,600.00 necessary to fully fund the Minimum Foundation Program for fiscal year 2000/2001. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the following resolution: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Other business from board members.
Following an inquiry by Susanne Jones regarding elementary school counselors, it was agreed that the work load of the present counselors would be reviewed and the matter discussed at the July committee meeting.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
RICHARD N. THOMAS, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY