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, Harold Smith, Holly James, Juanita Barker, and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: Susanne Jones.
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 21, 2002, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the minutes of the February 21, 2002, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Awards Presentation - Students of the Year (Mary Jones).
Supervisor Mary Jones briefly reviewed the Louisiana Students of the Year Awards Program, in which the Washington Parish School System participated for the first time this year. At both the school level and the parish level, guidelines for selection of candidates were followed. Each high school selected its own Student of the Year from students in the twelfth grade. Each student was required to submit his or her cumulative grade point average, a portfolio of supporting documents, writing samples, and an interview with the judges, both at the school and parish levels.
The following school-level winners were introduced by their respective school principals, and presented plaques from the Washington Parish School Board:
SCHOOL STUDENT OF THE YEAR PRINCIPAL
Franklinton High School Katharine Suzanne James Beverly Young
Mt. Hermon School Holly Christine Myers Ruth Stoudenmier
Pine School Heather Noel Freeman Scott Bond
Varnado High School Robert David Gunnell Emma Ross
Superintendent Dennie Fowler then announced and presented a plaque to the Parish Student of the Year, Katharine Suzanne James. The recipient of this award was determined by an out-of-parish panel of judges.
A reception in honor of the Students of the Year and their families was held prior to the board meeting.
Agenda Item #6 - Presentation by Capt. Lyle Schmitz, MJROTC Instructor, Franklinton High School (Dennie Fowler).
Capt. Lyle Schmitz reported on the recent inspection of the Franklinton High School MJROTC. The FHS program scored the highest of the MJROTC programs in the 6th Marine Corps District, which includes Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. Capt. Schmitz informed the Board of several areas of concern regarding the program, including (1) students= inability to pass college entrance exams, or obtain the ACT score required for scholarships, and (2) the need for more space due to the rapidly growing program.
Agenda Item #7 - Recognition of Washington Parish Exemplary Schools (Dennie Fowler).
Superintendent Fowler stated that four schools from the Washington Parish School System were recognized for academic growth during the 2001 academic year on Thursday, March 7, 2002, at the Region II Rewards Ceremony held at the Columbia Theater for the Performing Arts in Hammond. The four schools were Enon Elementary, Franklinton Primary, Franklinton Elementary and Thomas Junior High. During the ceremony, the principals of the four schools were recognized and presented a school flag that features the title, ASchool of Exemplary Academic Growth 2001, which means that they exceeded their growth target by 5.0 points or more. These flags were presented by 6th District Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Member Dr. Richard Musemeche, State Superintendent of Education Cecil J. Picard, and Superintendent Fowler. The four schools also received a monetary reward, as follows: Enon Elementary - $7,523.14; Franklinton Elementary - $12,745.82; Franklinton Primary - $12,590.38; and Thomas Junior High - $10,694.06. Individual school personnel will decide how the rewards will be used, with the exclusion of salaries or stipends.
Superintendent Fowler recognized and congratulated Phyllis Thomas, Principal, Enon Elementary School; Mary Henderson, Principal, Franklinton Primary School; Karen Spears, Principal, Franklinton Elementary School; and Steve Knight, Principal, Thomas Jr. High School.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to adopt the 2002-2003 School Calendar (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the following School Calendar for the 2002-2003 school year:
MONTH EVENT DATE TCHR.DAYS INSTRUCT.DAYS
August Staff Development August 12 15 13
Staff Development (ALL) August 13
2 Day Staff Dev. & 2 Day
Tchr. Work Day)
Classes Begin August 14
September Labor Day September 2 20 20
October Washington Parish Fair October 16, 17, 18 20 20
November Educational Conventions November 25,26,27 16 16
1st. Term Emergency Days* November 25, 26
Thanksgiving Holidays November 28, 29
December Christmas Holidays December 20 (2 Day)- 31 15 14 2
(Dec. 20 - 2 day Instruct.
& 2 day Tchr. Work Day
Students dismissed at 12:00)
January New Year's Holidays January 1,2, 3 19 18
Staff Development January 13
Martin Luther King Day January 20
February No Holidays 20 20
March Mardi Gras March 3 & 4 19 19
April Good Friday April 18 16 16
Spring Holidays April 21 - 25
2nd. Term Emergency Days* April 24, 25
May Staff Development (ALL) May 29 (½ day Instruct. 22 20
(½ Day) & ½ day Staff Dev. [ALL]
Students dismissed at 12:00
Teacher Work Day May 30
School Closes May 30
Report Cards Mailed May 30
TOTALS 182 DAYS 177 DAYS
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to approve revisions to the uniform policy (T. J. Butler, Jr.).
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board approve revisions to the uniform policy, as follows:
ADD (indicated in bold print):
BOYS:
$ School-adopted T-shirts or Polo style shirt
GIRLS:
$ School-adopted Polo style shirt
$ No cuffs allowed on shorts in junior high or high school.
DRESS CODE REGULATIONS:
$ No students will be allowed to wear long-sleeved shirt underneath short-sleeved uniform shirt.
$ Thongs, slides, slippers, mules, sandals without back straps, and flip-flops are unacceptable.
$ Medallions and heavy chains (even on wallets) are prohibited.
DELETE (indicated in bold print):
$ VIOLATIONS OF DRESS CODE: Parent/guardian be required to attend conference with administrator.
Motion carried unanimously. These revisions become effective next school year.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion authorizing Superintendent Dennie Fowler to form a selection committee for the position of Director of Finance (Dennie Fowler).
Superintendent Fowler stated that a change in the position of Director of Finance is anticipated at some point in time. Since there's not a selection process in place for that position, he had asked the Personnel Committee to allow him to form a special selection committee involving individuals knowledgeable in that area, perhaps a CPA, a business manager in a neighboring system, and members of the Board.
Freddie Jefferson stated the Personnel Committee had met and talked about the process. Since that meeting, there has been some discussion relative to the decision the committee made. Mr. Jefferson further stated, "The consensus of the Personnel Committee is that we want to alter the selection and let the President of the Board name three (3) board members, and the Superintendent will have the prerogative to name three (3) individuals."
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board President name three (3) board members and Superintendent Fowler name three (3) individuals to form the selection committee for the position of Director of Finance. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
Richard Kennedy stated that at the last board meeting, Jacquelyn Turnage, Regular Teacher, Enon Elementary School, was granted sabbatical medical leave for the Spring semester, pending receipt of proper documentation and return of all educational materials, as specified by the principal. He reported these requirements have been met.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Holly James, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Primary School: Dora M. Barber, School Food Service Worker, Retirement Resignation effective March 1, 2002.
Varnado High School: Martha Kennedy, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective June 1, 2002.
Central Office: Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, Retirement Resignation effective June 30, 2002, or whenever the position of Director of Finance has been filled, whichever is later.
EMPLOY:
Enon Elementary School: Sue M. Burch, 8(g) Pre-School Teacher, effective March 15, 2002, and for the remainder of the 2001/2002 school year only - CERTIFIED (fill-in for Jacquelyn Turnage, who is on sabbatical leave).
Adult Education/Vocational Center: Kristy Jenkins, FIND Work Paraprofessional, effective March 15, 2002.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
MT. HERMON DISTRICT: Extend the route of Robert Smith 1.0 miles one way due to detour on river road. Effective date: February 1, 2002.
PINE DISTRICT: Extend the route of Brenda Conerly 12.0 miles one way due to consolidation of Nelester Tate's bus route. Effective date: February 15, 2002.
Extend the route of Cage Williams 6.4 miles one way due to consolidation of Nelester Tate's bus route. Effective date: February 15, 2002.
WESLEY RAY DISTRICT: Extend the route of Yvonne Brumfield 3.5 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: February 18, 2002.
Extend the route of Yvonne Brumfield 1.0 mile one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: March 5, 2002.
Extend the route of Yvonne Brumfield 2.9 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: March 5, 2002.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Superintendent's Report.
The Board discussed replacing flooring at Wesley Ray Elementary School. It was determined that additional information would be required before proceeding with this project.
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 Freddie Jefferson, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
RICHARD N. THOMAS, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY