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 January 10, 2002, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the minutes of the January 10, 2002, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to approve Bus Operator Clotele King's request to purchase a 1993 Blue Bird school bus, with a length of 33 feet, 8 inches - 66 passengers (Eathel Seal).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve Bus Operator Clotele King's request to purchase a 1993 Blue Bird school bus, with a length of 33 feet, 8 inches - 66 passengers. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - 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:
Mt. Hermon School: Bette Cassidy, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective June 15, 2002.
EMPLOY:
Angie Jr. High School: Mecy B. Kelly, Technology Assistant, effective January 28, 2002.
Mt. Hermon School: Rex V. Wascom, Bus Operator, effective January 28, 2002.
Pine School: Jeffrey C. Schiro, Regular Teacher, effective January 14, 2002, and for the remainder of the 2001/2002 school year only (CERTIFIED).
Varnado Elementary School: Valerie Ann Jordan, Special Education Teacher, effective January 16, 2002, and for the remainder of the 2001/2002 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).
Central Office: Donald E. Slocum, Electrician, effective January 25, 2002.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
FRANKLINTON SCHOOL DISTRICT: Extend the route of Violonia Edwards 6.7 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: January 3, 2002.
VARNADO SCHOOL DISTRICT: Extend the route of Patsy Owens 1.0 mile one way to pick up Winter Thibodaux. Effective date: January 7, 2002.
WESLEY RAY SCHOOL DISTRICT: Deduct 7.2 miles one way from the route of Yvonne Brumfield (Special Ed. student moved off route). Effective date: January 15, 2002.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Principal of Angie Jr. High School (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Principal of Angie Jr. High School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to employ a Principal for Angie Jr. High School (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board employ Randy M. Branch as Principal, Angie Jr. High School, effective February 1, 2002. FOR: Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, and Holly James. AGAINST: Bruce Brown, Juanita Barker and Freddie Jefferson. Motion carried. Board Members Barker, Jefferson and Brown assured Mr. Branch of their total support, even though they did not vote in favor of his appointment.
Mr. Kennedy read a letter he had received from Cindy Cibic, Coordinator, Testing and Evaluation Program, regarding her desire to transfer to a teaching position at Angie Jr. High School in the event that Mr. Geary McKenzie's replacement was chosen from one of the teachers at Angie Jr. High School, thus creating a vacant teaching position. Mrs. Cibic stated in her letter, "I have greatly benefitted from having had the experience as coordinator of testing and evaluation for the Washington Parish School System. However, as you well know, I have a very special child who needs my time more than ever, especially after school and during the summer months. It is for this reason that I request to be transferred at this time." It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to approve the transfer of Cindy S. Cibic from Coordinator, Testing and Evaluation Program, to Regular Teacher, Angie Jr. High School, effective February 1, 2002, and authorize advertisement for the position of Coordinator, Testing and Evaluation Program. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board approve the transfer of Cindy S. Cibic from Coordinator, Testing and Evaluation Program, to Regular Teacher, Angie Jr. High School, effective February 1, 2002, and authorize advertisement for the position of Coordinator, Testing and Evaluation Program. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding transportation and safety issue (Dennie Fowler).
Superintendent Fowler stated that the party that requested to be on the agenda had asked to withdraw this item. It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that this item be withdrawn from the agenda at the party's request. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Superintendent's Report.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to authorize Bus Operator Rex Wascom to purchase a 1992 Ford school bus, with a length of 29 feet, 1 1/2 inches - 65 passengers. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize Bus Operator Rex Wascom to purchase a 1992 Ford school bus, with a length of 29 feet, 1 1/2 inches - 65 passengers. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to approve a student transfer request. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board approve the following student transfer request, as recommended by Eathel Seal, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance:
NAME HOME DISTRICT REQUESTED DISTRICT REASON
Raven M. Griffin Mt. Hermon Franklinton Academic
Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to authorize withdrawal privileges for Randy Branch on all Angie Jr. High School bank accounts effective February 1, 2002, and terminate withdrawal privileges for Geary McKenzie on all Angie Jr. High School bank accounts effective February 1, 2002. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board authorize withdrawal privileges for Randy Branch on all Angie Jr. High School bank accounts effective February 1, 2002, and terminate withdrawal privileges for Geary McKenzie on all Angie Jr. High School bank accounts effective February 1, 2002. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Other business from board members.
Board members discussed several topics, including the new roof to be installed at Varnado High School during Spring Break; the Varnado High School parking facility; Board Member Holly James' plans to attend the Federal Relations Network 29th Annual Conference February 3-5, 2002, in Washington, D.C., as a member of the Louisiana delegation; the Option 5 program; and the need for certified teachers.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
RICHARD N. THOMAS, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY