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 February 7, 2002, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adopt the minutes of the February 7, 2002, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution to redistrict the school board voting districts for the Parish of Washington, in accordance with the year 2000 decennial census (Richard Thomas).
Mr. William Boone of Redistricting, L.L.C., briefly reviewed Plan C Modified, which meets all requirements of the U. S. Constitution, Voting Rights Act, and state law. Mr. Boone stated, "Under the Voting Rights Act, we had the obligation to maintain minority districts. We were able to do that. In District 3, under this proposal, 60.3% minority; in District 8 - 72.9% (minority); District 9 - 82.6% (minority). In the voting age population, 58.8% (minority) in District 3; 69.0% (minority) in District 8; 80.9% (minority) in District 9. We worked toward achieving a plan that would result in at least one of the schools being in each of the school board election districts. Thomas Jr. High School was placed in District 3." Bruce Brown inquired, "When you drew Thomas Jr. High School into District 3, when you come to voting age population, how does that change the voting age population ratio between minority and the whites?" Mr. Boone responded, "It results in a change of about 2 tenths of 1%, with actual numbers being 1,162 minority voting age population, and 806 voting age population white, a differential of about 20 over the plan the way it was when we started out. It was 380, and it went to about 360."
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the following resolution to redistrict the school board voting districts for the Parish of Washington, in accordance with the year 2000 decennial census: SEE ATTACHED COPY OF RESOLUTION APPROVING PLAN C MODIFIED. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotations received for replacing flooring in the Special Education offices (William Brignac).
Supervisor William Brignac reviewed quotations received, which were as follows: Kennedy's Decorating Center - $4,544.67; and Decorating Showroom, Inc. - $4,633.39. 00. Upon the recommendation of William Brignac, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board accept the quotation submitted by Kennedy's Decorating Center in the amount of $4,544.67, for installation of vinyl flooring in the Special Education offices. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
In the absence of Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent Fowler reviewed the recommended adjustments. It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Pine School: Nelester Tate, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective February 20, 2002.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Enon Elementary School: Jacquelyn Turnage, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective upon the expiration of her extended sick leave, and for the remainder of the Spring semester of the 2001/2002 school year (pending receipt of proper documentation and return of all educational materials, as specified by principal).
EMPLOY:
Adult Education/Vocational Center: Gwenda Martin, FIND Work Teacher, effective February 25, 2002, and for the remainder of the 2001/2002 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
ENON DISTRICT: Extend the route of Robert Mizell 16.3 miles one way due to detour (low weight bridge on Lee Road). Effective date: February 13, 2002.
FRANKLINTON DISTRICT: Extend the route of Elmer Williams 12.0 miles one way due to detour (bridge out on Bethel Church Road). Effective date: February 13, 2002.
Extend the route of Yvonne Varnado 3.7 miles one way due to detour (bridge out). Effective date: February 14, 2002.
Extend the route of Janice Varnado 3.5 miles one way to pick up Christopher and Raymond Gary. Effective date: February 14, 2002.
Extend the route of Juanita Tullos 4.1 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: January 28, 2002.
Extend the route of Juanita Tullos 2.2 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: January 29, 2002.
Extend the route of Juanita Tullos .6 mile one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: January 15, 2002.
Extend the route of Carolyn Fussell 6.0 miles one way to pick up some Special Education students. Effective date: January 23, 2002.
Deduct 1.4 miles one way from the route of Violonia Edwards due to changing or routes. Effective date: January 28, 2002.
Motion carried unanimously.
Transportation Committee Chairperson Sue Jones informed the Board that a newly hired bus operator has not yet purchased a bus. Apparently, at the time of employment, she was not told that, according to board policy, she had to purchase a bus within ten (10) days from date of employment, her date of employment being January 3, 2002. This is a policy that was adopted by the Board, according to board meeting minutes, but the policy was never placed in the policy manual. The recommendation from the Transportation Committee was to allow the bus operator until 4:00 P.M., February 22, 2002, to purchase a bus and submit proper documentation to Eathel Seal, Transportation Supervisor. Further, if she does not purchase a bus by 4:00 P.M., February 22, 2002, her employment will be terminated. Mrs. King agreed to this. It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to allow Bus Operator Clotele King until 4:00 P.M., February 22, 2002, to purchase a bus and bring proper documentation to Eathel Seal, Transportation Supervisor; if this is not done by 4:00 P.M., February 22, 2002, the Board will terminate her employment. Motion carried unanimously.
Following discussion, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Holly James, that the Board allow Bus Operator Clotele King until 4:00 P.M., February 22, 2002, to purchase a bus and bring proper documentation to Eathel Seal, Transportation Supervisor; if this is not done by 4:00 P.M., February 22, 2002, her employment will terminate under Board policy. Motion carried unanimously.
Holly James stated she would "like to see something from transportation next meeting that we're going to present to bus drivers, whenever they are hired, that has it all spelled out, so we don't have this problem again."
Agenda Item #8 - Superintendent's Report.
At the request of Robert Al Johnson, Adult Education Supervisor, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for the position of FIND Work Paraprofessional to fill the position vacated by Gwenda Martin. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize advertisement for the position of FIND Work Paraprofessional to fill the position vacated by Gwenda Martin. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Fowler announced that the Week of March 4 - 8, 2002, has been proclaimed Newspaper in Education Week in Washington Parish.
Agenda Item #9 - Other business from board members.
Holly James encouraged those board members planning to attend the Louisiana School Boards Association Convention to attend the session presenting information on grants to be awarded for renovation and repair of schools.
President Thomas appointed the following board members to serve on a new board committee - - Capital Improvements Committee: Freddie Jefferson, Chairman, Karl Bickham, and Harold Smith.
Agenda Item #10 - 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, JR., PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY
A RESOLUTION TO REDISTRICT
THE SCHOOL BOARD VOTING DISTRICTS
FOR THE PARISH OF WASHINGTON,
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE YEAR 2000 DECENNIAL CENSUS
WHEREAS, the Washington Parish School Board has considered several proposed plans to redistrict the school board election districts, and has considered such proposed plans in public meetings for the purpose of receiving comments and disseminating information, and
WHEREAS, a redistricting plan has been discussed and considered;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Washington Parish School Board that the proposed plan, designated as Plan C Modified, as per map attached hereto as Attachment A, further as per statistical summary attached hereto as Attachment B, and further as per metes and bounds description attached hereto as Attachment C, which said plan meets all requisites of state and federal law, and which creates nine single-member districts, is herewith adopted by the Washington Parish School Board, to become effective for qualifying for the next elections scheduled to begin August 13, 2002, and which shall become effective for all other purposes on January 1, 2003.
Motion made by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, and adopted by the following vote:
FOR: Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, Holly James, Juanita Barker, and Freddie Jefferson.
AGAINST: None.
ABSTAINING: None.
ABSENT: None.
THUS DONE AND APPROVED by the Washington Parish School Board this 21st. day of February, 2002.
C E R T I F I C A T E
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution adopted by the Washington Parish School Board on this 21st. day of February, 2002, at Franklinton, Louisiana.
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Dennie Fowler, Superintendent and Secretary
Washington Parish School Board
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Richard N. Thomas, Jr., President
Washington Parish School Board