Franklinton, Louisiana

August 9, 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, 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 July 12, 2001, regular board meeting.

 

It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adopt the minutes of the July 12, 2001, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #5 - Report by the firm of Postlethwaite and Netterville on Agreed-Upon Procedures conducted on the grants administered by the Director of Technology (Beth Fussell).

 

Joey Richard, with the firm of Postlethwaite and Netterville, presented the following Agreed-Upon Procedures Report for June 30, 2001:

 

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' REPORT

ON APPLYING AGREED-UPON PROCEDURES

 

We have performed the procedures enumerated below, which were agreed upon by the Washington Parish School Board (School Board) and the Superintendent, solely to assist the School Board with respect to compliance with the following grants agreements:

 

Louisiana Classroom Based Technology Fund                  1999-2000

Louisiana Classroom Based Technology Fund                  2000-2001

Technology Literacy Challenge Fund                                1999-2000

Technology Literacy Challenge Fund                                2000-2001

Schools and Libraries E-Rate Program                             1999-2000

Schools and Libraries E-Rate Program                             2000-2001

 

This engagement to apply agreed-upon procedures was performed in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  The sufficiency of the procedures is solely the responsibility of the Board and the management of the School Board.  Consequently, we make no representation regarding the sufficiency of the procedures described below either for the purpose for which this report has been requested or for any other purpose.

 

Our procedures and findings are as follows:

 

1.                   We read the grant request document for each grant included in the schedule of grants listed above.

 

2.                   We noted the purpose of each selected grant and the use of funds as approved in the grant document by key function and expense category.

 

The purpose of the Louisiana Classroom Based Technology Fund (CBTF) and Technology literacy Challenge Fund (TLCF) was to provide the students and teachers in the Washington Parish School System the technical infrastructure and equipment needed to create a technology-enriched learning environment.  For the year ended June 30, 2000, the School Board received $85,455 and $48,606 from CBTF and TLCF, respectively.  For the year 2001, the School Board received $12,976 and $25,461 from CBTF and TLCF, respectively.

 

The Schools and Libraries E-Rate Program's (E-Rate Program) purpose was to provide discounted telecommunication services and equipment to the School Board.  The School Board could utilize the funds as follows:

 

C          Purchase certain technology equipment at a discounted rate of 13% and 12% for years 2000 and 2001.  Vendors invoiced the equipment at the discounted rates to the School Board and the E-Rate Program in turn reimbursed the vendors for the difference.

 

C          Reimburse costs incurred from telecommunication usage that are normally incurred for Internet access, cellular phones, etc.  The rate for the telecommunication reimbursements is 87% and 88% for years 2000 and 2001, respectively.

 

The School Board received E-Rate Program reimbursements of $103,475 for the year ended June 20, 2000.  No reimbursement requests for the year ended June 30, 2001, have been submitted as of the date of this report; typically, such requests are filed approximately 2 to 3 months after the close of the fiscal year.

 

3.                   For non-equipment/technology expenditures of CBTF and TLCF grants, we obtained the reimbursement requests forms for years ended June 30, 2000 and 2001.  For each grant, we selected 4 items greater than $1,000 for each of the years ended June 30, 2000 and 2001.  For one grant, only 3 items greater than $1,000 were noted; therefore, we selected another item at random with a purchase cost of $892.  We agreed the 16 selected items to the general ledger and supporting documentation (e.g., approved invoices) without exception.

 

4.                   For the E-Rate Program grants, we agreed six out of eight reimbursement requests, totaling $102,234, for the fiscal year 2000 to copies of reimbursement checks and to approved reimbursement letters from the service providers, without exception.

 

5.                   For equipment/technology expenses for CBTF and TLCF grant programs, we obtained a reimbursement request form for each grant for each year ended June 30, 2000 and 2001 and agreed the amounts included in the payment request to the general ledger without exception.

 

We selected 134 equipment/technology items greater than $500 acquired during the period and, for each item,

 

C          We agreed items to supporting documentation, e.g., invoices and check copies without exception.

 

C          We reviewed support (incoming sheets or sign-out sheets) for distribution of equipment to individual schools or other locations without exception.

 

C          We traced items to inventory listing maintained by the accounting department without exception.

 

C          Except for 16 software items, we examined the selected equipment items at their assigned location with the following exceptions noted:

 

C          2 items assigned to Enon Elementary School could not be located; these items were as follows:

C          Digital camera, tag number 01374

C          Scanner, tag number 01372

 

C          1 item at Varnado High School was loaned to a teacher and was not properly signed out; this item was as follows:

C          Digital camera, tag number 32034

 

C          8 items were located on the School Board premises but were not in the indicated location; during the summer months, equipment was consolidated into one location for security reasons; these items were as follows:

C          Mount Hermon - 3 items

C          Franklinton Jr. High School - 2 items

C          Angie Jr. High School - 1 item

C          Franklinton Elementary School - 1 item

C          Pine High School - 1 item

 

Of 134 equipment/technology items that were selected, 36 items were purchased using the E-Rate Program discounts.

 

We were not engaged to, and did not, perform an audit, the objective of which would be the expression of an opinion on the specified elements, accounts, or items.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.  Had we performed additional procedures, other matters might have come to our attention that would have been reported to you.

 

This report is intended solely for the information and use of the specified users and is not intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than these specified parties.

 

Postlethwaite & Netterville

Metairie, Louisiana

July 10, 2001

 

Freddie Jefferson requested that the technology director inform the Board of the grants applied for in 2001.

 

Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bid received for a concrete driveway at Varnado High School and borrowing the additional money required to complete the project from General Fund, loan not to exceed $20,000.00 (Dennie Fowler).

 

It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that this item be removed from the agenda and placed on the agenda for the next board meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding student transfer requests for the 2001/2002 school year (Richard Kennedy).

 

It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the following student transfer requests for the 2001/2002 school year be approved:

 

STUDENT                                             HOME DISTRICT                       REQUESTED DISTRICT

Barber, Tiffany                                       Enon                                         Franklinton

Burkhalter, Kelli                                     Franklinton                                Mt. Hermon

Burkhalter, Kendra                                 Franklinton                                Mt. Hermon

Davis, Zachary Scott                              Wesley Ray                              Pine

Easterling, Katelynn                               Pine                                          Franklinton

Hudson, Kevin Grady                              Thomas                                     Pine

Hudson, Hannah Rose                            Thomas                                    Pine

Jenkins, Jamey N.                                 Mt. Hermon                               Franklinton

Jenkins, Jessica B.                                Mt. Hermon                               Franklinton

Jenkins, Justin S.                                  Mt. Hermon                               Franklinton

Johnson, Megan                                    Franklinton                                Enon

LeBlanc, Courtney                                 Enon                                         Franklinton

LeBlanc, Charles, III                               Enon                                         Franklinton

McNeese, Joshua                                  Enon                                         Franklinton

Miley, Emily A.                                      Wesley Ray                              Franklinton

Mulford, Cody                                        Wesley Ray                              Pine

Nettles, Amber                                      Thomas                                     Pine

Nettles, Hali                                          Thomas                                     Pine

Painter, Craig                                        Enon                                         Franklinton

Parker, Melissa                                     Enon                                         Franklinton

Seal, Leroy ALee@, II                              Angie                                       Franklinton

Stogner, Macy                                       Wesley Ray                              Pine

Tarver, Johnny Erin                                 Franklinton                                Mt. Hermon

Tarver, Stevie                                         Enon                                         Franklinton

Tarver, Tyler                                           Enon                                         Franklinton

Thomas, Megan L.                                 Varnado                                    Franklinton

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to remove Doug Talley's 1986 International school bus (Bus #215) from the pool of spare buses (Richard Kennedy).

 

It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board remove Bus Operator Doug Talley's 1986 International school bus (Bus #215) from the pool of spare buses, as requested by Doug Talley.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to authorize Bobby Matthews, Bus Operator, to purchase a 1991 GMC school bus to replace the 1976 Dodge school bus he presently drives (Richard Kennedy).

 

It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize Bobby Matthews, Bus Operator, to purchase a 1991 GMC school bus to replace the 1976 Dodge school bus he presently drives.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to authorize Carolyn Fussell, Special Education Bus Operator, to purchase a 1997 International school bus (Richard Kennedy).

 

It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize Carolyn Fussell, Special Education Bus Operator, to purchase a 1997 International school bus.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).

 

It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:

 

                                                        PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

 

RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:

 

Franklinton Resource Center: Dorothy Kay Foil, Assessment Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective October 31, 2001.

 

RESIGNATION:

 

Enon Elementary School: Teresa Goings, Bus Operator, Resignation effective August 9, 2001.

 

Franklinton Primary School: Clyde S. Cothern, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective July 17, 2001.

 

Franklinton Primary School: Patri F. Gast, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 3, 2001.

 

Franklinton Elementary School: Julie Wascom, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective July 31, 2001.

 

Franklinton Jr. High School: Loretta Rush, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 5, 2001.

 

Franklinton High School: Shawn T. Wascom, Agriculture Teacher, Resignation effective July 31, 2001.

 

Varnado Elementary School: Candace Stewart, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 1, 2001.

 

Wesley Ray Elementary School: Joan Ezell, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 1, 2001.

 

TRANSFER:

 

Tiffany Hughes, Regular Teacher, Thomas Jr. High School, TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year.

 

Colston Martin, Bus Operator, Mt. Hermon School, TO Bus Operator, Pre-GED Program, Louisiana Technical College, Sullivan Campus, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year.

 

Wendy Manning, Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton Elementary School, TO Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton Jr. High School, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year.

 

Lorraine Bickham, Special Education Teacher, Mt. Hermon School, TO Special Education Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year.

 

CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:

 

Evelyn Bickham, Adult Education Paraprofessional - Nine Months Employment, TO

Adult Education Paraprofessional - Eleven Months Employment, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year.

 

Pamela Ellis, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, TO Special Education Pre-School Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year (replacing Patri Gast).

 

Belinda Jackson, Special Education Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School, TO Regular Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School, effective the 2001/2002 school year only (TTA).

 

Jane Jacobs, Title I Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year (replacing Pamela Ellis).

 

Tanula Owens, Special Education Paraprofessional, Angie Jr. High School, TO Regular Teacher, Angie Jr. High School, effective the 2001/2002 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).

 

EMPLOY:

 

Franklinton Primary School: Carol Payne, Bus Attendant, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year.

 

Franklinton Primary School: Anastasia Williams, Bus Attendant, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year.

 

Franklinton Elementary School: Chara Thiebaud, Technology Assistant, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year.

 

Franklinton Elementary School: Amy T. Brown, Special Education Teacher, effective the 2001/2002 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).

 

Franklinton Elementary School: Brenda A. Williams, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year (CERTIFIED).

 

Franklinton Jr. High School: Iscinova D. Gray, Special Education Teacher, effective the 2001/2002 school year only (TTA).

 

Franklinton High School: Jeremy K. McKenzie, Agriculture Teacher, effective August 1, 2001 (CERTIFIED).

 

Franklinton High School: Joseph Redmond, III, Regular Teacher, effective the Fall semester only of the 2001/2002 school year - CIRCULAR 665 (fill-in for Edna Lowe, who will be on sick leave).

 

Mt. Hermon School: Mary M. Rester, Special Education Teacher, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year (CERTIFIED).

 

Thomas Jr. High School: Jolie Gerald, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 2001/2002 school year (CERTIFIED).

 

Varnado Elementary School: Wendy Freeman, Regular Teacher, effective the 2001/2002 school year only - CERTIFIED (replacing Candace Stewart).

 

Varnado High School: Wendy K. Miller, Regular Teacher, effective the 2001/2002 school year only - CIRCULAR 665 (replacing James G. Thigpen).

 

Varnado High School: William Spikes, In-School Suspension Teacher, effective the 2001/2002 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).

 

Wesley Ray Elementary School: Michael Fasola, Special Education Teacher, effective the 2001/2002 school year only - CIRCULAR 665 (replacing Belinda Jackson).

 

Wesley Ray Elementary School: David Thomas, Special Education Teacher, effective the 2001/2002 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #12 - Superintendent's Report.

 

Superintendent Fowler read a letter addressed to Captain Schmitz, MCJROTC Instructor at Franklinton High School, from Colonel P. S. Parkhurst, Commanding Officer, U.S. Marine Corps, stating, in part, "As a result of exemplary performance on the annual District Inspection this school year, the MCJROTC Unit, Franklinton High School, has been selected as a Naval Honor School.  This designation places your unit among the top 20 percent of all MCJROTC units across the United States."

 

Superintendent Fowler reported that the Board has received its part ($90,118.00) of the Minimum Foundation Program funds that the state failed to appropriate to fully fund the MFP for fiscal year 2000/2001. 

 

Agenda Item #13 - Other business from board members.

 

Several topics were discussed, including the Pre-GED Program, relative to student's choice of programs; bus operator physicals; and obsolete equipment in the schools.

 

Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

 

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

 

RICHARD N. THOMAS, PRESIDENT

DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY