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 March 28, 2002, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the minutes of the March 28, 2002, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of Food and Supplies for the School Lunch Program for the 2002/2003 school year (Marsha Newman).
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of Food and Supplies for the School Lunch Program for the 2002/2003 school year, as recommended by Marsha Newman, Supervisor, School Food Service. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of Bakery Products and Milk for the School Lunch Program for the 2002/2003 school year (Marsha Newman).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of Bakery Products and Milk for the School Lunch Program for the 2002/2003 school year, as recommended by Marsha Newman, Supervisor, School Food Service. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of School Supplies for the 2002/2003 school year (Adren Raybourn).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of School Supplies for the 2002/2003 school year, as recommended by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance. Motion carried unanimously. Bids will be received until 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, May 15, 2002.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to approve student transfer requests for the 2001/2002 school year (Eathel Seal).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board approve the following student transfer requests for the 2001/2002 school year, as recommended by Eathel Seal, Supervisor, Child Welfare and Attendance:
NAME HOME DISTRICT REQUESTED DISTRICT REASON
Wade, Dillon Franklinton Enon Illness
Wade, Justin James Franklinton Enon Illness
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Ruth Stoudenmier, Principal, Mt. Hermon School (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Holly James, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Ruth Stoudenmier, Principal, Mt. Hermon School, for the period beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Dorothy Young, Principal, Wesley Ray Elementary School (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Dorothy Young, Principal, Wesley Ray Elementary School, for the period beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding recommendation from the selection committee for the position of Director of Finance (Dennie Fowler).
Superintendent Fowler reported that the selection committee recommended Clare Fussell for the position of Director of Finance. It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board accept the recommendation of the selection committee and employ Clare Fussell in the position of Director of Finance effective June 3, 2002. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to approve the composition of the selection committee for the position of Chief Accountant and Operations Manager as being the same as for the Director of Finance - - three (3) board members appointed by the board president, and three (3) individuals selected by Superintendent Fowler. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the composition of the selection committee for the position of Chief Accountant and Operations Manager be the same as for the Director of Finance - - three (3) board members appointed by the board president, and three (3) individuals selected by Superintendent Fowler. Motion carried unanimously.
Assistant Superintendent Richard Kennedy informed the Board that the position of Chief Accountant and Operations Manager will be advertised April 19, 2002, through May 2, 2002; an accounting test will be given May 3, 2002; and interviews will be conducted May 7, 2002.
Board members discussed a prior procedure in the hiring policy, whereby members of selection committees were chosen by draw. It was decided that the personnel committee would meet prior to the May 6, 2002, committee meeting to review present and past policies and present a recommendation for discussion at the committee meeting.
Agenda Item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Angie Jr. High School: Marion J. Pierce, Special Education Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective June 1, 2002.
Franklinton Schools: Elmer Williams, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective June 1, 2002.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Franklinton Elementary School: Olga W. Jackson, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Professional and Cultural Improvement effective the 2002-2003 school year.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
ANGIE/WESLEY RAY SCHOOLS: Extend the route of Gladys F. Breland 2.5 miles one way to pick up Laken Jordan. Effective date: February 7, 2002.
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL: Extend the route of Roy M. Burton, Sr., 1.8 miles one way to transport students from Franklinton High School to Head Start. Effective date: January 15, 2002. (Note: Only 1.8 miles one way was approved at the February 7, 2002, school board meeting; total adjustment should have been 3.6 miles one way.)
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Superintendent's Report.
Superintendent Fowler informed everyone of a public meeting on a School Renovation/Repair Grant to be held Monday, April 29, 2002, at 6:30 P.M., at the Franklinton High School cafeteria, for the purpose of discussing and prioritizing needs for renovations and repairs of the schools in the Washington Parish School District. The Louisiana Department of Education has obtained a one-time allocation of $24.9 million in federal monies for a competitive grant for school renovation/repair programs to concentrate funding on districts with the most need and in keeping with the priority on high poverty and rural schools, and the Washington Parish School District does qualify. Each award will be capped at a little over $2 million, which means that about nine (9) systems have an opportunity to participate in the grant. Superintendent Fowler encouraged parents, community leaders, business representatives, and all interested citizens of the school district to attend.
Agenda Item #14 - Other business from board members.
None.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to enter into executive session under La. R.S. 42:6.1A(7), concerning a discussion between the Board and an individual student and parents (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board enter into executive session under La. R.S. 42:6.1A(7), concerning a discussion between the Board and an individual student and parents. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
RICHARD N. THOMAS, JR., PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY