The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on January 9, 2003.
Agenda Item #1 - Call to order.
The meeting was called to order by President Richard Thomas. He welcomed School Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn, news media, and guests.
Agenda Item #2 - Invocation.
The invocation was given by Freddie Jefferson.
Agenda Item #3 - Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Item #4 - Administer Oath of Office to board members.
William J. "Rusty" Knight, recently elected judge of the 22nd Judicial District Court, administered the Oath of Office to all board members present, as follows: Dan Slocum, District 1; Karl Bickham, District 2; Richard N. Thomas, District 4; Hayward Boone, District 5; Susanne Jones, District 6; Holly James, District 7; Matthew Tate, District 8; and Freddie Jefferson, District 9. Bruce Brown, District 3 board member, was absent, but was administered the Oath of Office on January 6, 2003, by Attorney Wayne Kuhn.
Richard Thomas opened the floor for nominations for President of the Board to serve for the next two (2) years. Susanne Jones nominated Richard Thomas; Freddie Jefferson seconded the nomination. It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that nominations be closed. FOR: Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Dan Slocum, Holly James, Matthew Tate, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: None. ABSTAINING: Richard Thomas. ABSENT: Bruce Brown. Motion carried, and Richard Thomas was declared President of the Board.
President Thomas then opened the floor for nominations for Vice-President of the Board for the next two (2) years. Freddie Jefferson nominated Susanne Jones; Karl Bickham seconded the nomination. It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Dan Slocum, that nominations be closed. FOR: Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Dan Slocum, Richard Thomas, Holly James, Matthew Tate, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: None. ABSTAINING: Susanne Jones. ABSENT: Bruce Brown. Motion carried, and Susanne Jones was declared President of the Board.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the December 19, 2002, special board meeting.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the minutes of the December 19, 2002, special board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for telecommunication services and equipment for e-rate (Jimmy Thigpen).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board accept the bids from Hunt Brothers on e-rate equipment and network maintenance; accept the bids from Cross Communications for e-rate cabling supplies; and amend the current contract for Internet access to upgrade from 1.54 megabit to at least 6.0 megabit. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received on replacement windows at the Special Education office (William Brignac).
Supervisor William Brignac reviewed the quotations received on replacement windows at the Special Education office, which were as follows: Ventilite of Bogalusa - $10,642.00; Savanah Hill Corporation - $13,835.00; and Herring Construction Co. - $14, 302.00. Upon the recommendation of Mr. Brignac, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board accept the quotation submitted by Ventilite of Bogalusa, in the amount of $10,642.00, for replacement windows at the Special Education office. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received on vinyl replacement in a Special Education classroom at Franklinton Primary School (William Brignac).
Supervisor William Brignac reviewed the quotations received on vinyl replacement in a Special Education classroom at Franklinton Primary School, which were as follows: Kennedy's Decorating Center - $2,690.44; and Decorating Showroom - $2,904.93. Upon the recommendation of Mr. Brignac, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board accept the quotation submitted by Kennedy's Decorating Center, in the amount of $2,690.44, for vinyl replacement in a Special Education classroom at Franklinton Primary School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Holly James, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Schools: Randy Welch, Bus Operator, Resignation effective January 6, 2003.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Margaret Wheeler, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective January 6, 2003.
Franklinton High School: Erik S. Lege, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective December 20, 2002.
Varnado High School: Michael Peters, Special Education Teacher/Coach, Resignation effective January 7, 2003.
SICK LEAVE/EXTENDED SICK LEAVE:
Franklinton High School: Barbara E. Chitwood, Regular Teacher, Sick Leave/Extended Sick Leave effective January 6, 2003, and for the remainder of the 2002/2003 school year only.
TRANSFER:
Cynthia Taylor, Special Education Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School, TO Regular Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School, effective January 13, 2003 (CERTIFIED).
Linda Sandifer, Special Education Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School, TO Special Education Teacher, Mt. Hermon School, effective January 13, 2003 (CERTIFIED).
Emily Stuart, Special Education Teacher, Mt. Hermon School, TO Special Education Teacher, Varnado Elementary School, effective January 13, 2003 (TAT).
Frances Charlene Williams, Regular Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School, TO Regular Teacher, Angie Jr. High School, effective January 13, 2003.
Paris Sumrall, Regular Teacher, Angie Jr. High School, TO Academically Gifted Teacher, Angie Jr. High School, effective January 13, 2003 (OFAT).
Laura P. Varnado, Special Education Teacher, Franklinton High School, TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton High School, effective January 13, 2003 (OFAT).
Stephanie Smith, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, TO Special Education Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, effective January 13, 2003 (CERTIFIED).
Karen Varnado, Behavior Interventionist, Franklinton Resource Center, TO Educational Diagnostician, Franklinton Resource Center, effective January 13, 2003 (CERTIFIED).
TEMPORARY REASSIGNMENT:
Yvonne Brumfield, Special Education Bus Operator, Wesley Ray Elementary School, Temporary reassignment of duties FROM Special Education Bus Operator, Wesley Ray Elementary School, TO Special Education Bus Attendant, Wesley Ray Elementary School, effective January 13, 2003, through May 30, 2003, due to health problems.
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Schools: Vanessa Roberts, Bus Operator, effective January 6, 2003.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Tania Varnado Thompson, Special Education Teacher, effective January 13, 2003, and for the remainder of the 2002/2003 school year only (OFAT).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Marsha K. Thibodeaux, Academically Gifted Teacher, effective January 13, 2003, and for the remainder of the 2002/2003 school year only (OFAT).
Franklinton High School: Mark T. Leonard, Regular Teacher, effective January 6, 2003, and for the remainder of the 2002/2003 school year only (TAT).
Franklinton High School: Susan Denise Gatewood, Special Education Teacher, effective January 13, 2003, and for the remainder of the 2002/2003 school year only (TAT).
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Joetta Gerald Thomas, Special Education Teacher, effective January 13, 2003, and for the remainder of the 2002/2003 school year only (TAT).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
FRANKLINTON SCHOOLS: Extend the route of Theresa Chauvin 1.2 miles one way to pick up Dennis Dykes, Ashley McNeese, and Regina Davidson. Effective date: December 9, 2002.
Extend the route of Violonia Edwards 1.7 miles one way to pick up two (2) Special Education students. Effective date: November 11, 2002.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Superintendent's Report.
Superintendent Fowler informed the Board that the Capital Improvements Committee will meet January 13, 2003, at 6:00 P.M.
Superintendent Fowler commented on pay raises for teachers. He stated, "There have been a few questions about some monies, as far as pay raises for teachers. This is something we talked about at the beginning of the year. The legislature, last year, determined that any time there is an increase to the Minimum Foundation monies that go to any district, 50% of that increase is to go to teachers or holders of a teaching certificate. As I said early in the year, the increase of Minimum Foundation monies will not be known until the final budget letter comes out. We normally receive the final MFP budget letter either around the last week in January or the first week in February. It's at that time, when we get that final letter, that we will know what our increase is going to be for Washington Parish. There are some districts that have no projected increase at all. We do have a projected increase, so we are expecting to make a distribution of monies. The amount for Washington Parish teachers is expected to be approximately $487.00."
Agenda Item #12 - Other business from board members.
Hayward Boone stated, "First, I'd like to thank all you folks for coming out tonight. I think most of you come from Varnado/Angie area, and I'm sure that you're here, possibly, for the interest of the basketball coach. I wanted to express some of the sentiments that I got on the phone. This is what some constituents told me, that they would like to see somebody come on board as soon as possible, possibly within the next board meeting, so that their basketball season could be salvaged. We don't salvage just the season. Who's getting hurt? The children are the ones that are getting hurt. For some of them, this will, possibly, be their last season. Now, it may not mean a lot to us, as grownups, but it means a lot to them. I've been told that the morale with some is down. I've been told that some are talking about quitting. It's going to be two (2) weeks before the next board meeting, and I don't see why we couldn't get us a good basketball coach and then salvage the rest of this season. Additionally, I would like to see us find a football coach. We need somebody; bring him on in there so we can have some Spring training. I would like to hear from you all individually, but I understand, according to our policy, that you have to announce it five (5) days in advance. We're living in a free country, and we ought to be able to talk, but we'll have to abide by that policy. I agree with what's been told to me, because I feel like, for the kids' sake, we need to get on with that. You're entitled to your opinion. I definitely think we need to get something going, if we're going to serve those kids as we should serve them. Now, I would have been remiss if I hadn't stated my position. Most of you know that I do have backbone. Most of you know that I will state my position, and that is my position. I think all of us need to consider those kids. I understand you've got a good team. I don't think we need to let one thing pull us down. I think we need to take the bad situation, make the best that we can out of it. A lot of you in here feel the way I feel. There's a lot of you that, maybe, feel another way, and that's your opinion. I think when the principal makes a good decision, then we need to back her; but, when, and if, the decision is not made that we can live with, I think we're sticking our heads in a hole. When you go out of here today, you'll know where Hayward Boone stands. You'll always know where I stand."
Dan Slocum stated, "I'd just like to say I'm looking forward to my tenure on the Board once again and serving our students. I look forward to working with all of you. I think we can do some good things together to benefit our students and our employees. I'm concerned about the employees in our system. We have, I think, some very dedicated employees who do a great job day in and day out. As one board member, I'd like to do everything we can for our employees, also."
Susanne Jones welcomed the new board members, Dan Slocum and Matthew Tate. She informed the Board that Representative Ben Nevers will attend the January 23, 2003, board meeting and present a resolution regarding Social Security, as it concerns State employees.
Holly James asked Richard Kennedy to tell the board and audience what is being done regarding coaching arrangements at Varnado High School. Mr. Kennedy responded, "Ms. Ross is recommending, for the time being, that Lubertha Peters, the assistant boys' basketball coach, be made the basketball coach for the remainder of this season, and Greg Brumfield the assistant, and hire a substitute in Ms. Peters' Special Education class until we find a coach." Mr. Kennedy indicated that advertisement for a football coach should begin shortly, in order to have a coach for Spring practice.
Matthew Tate stated, "I look forward to working with board members, the principals, supervisor, and staff people here in the office, and I intend to do that with an open mind and be very objective. I don't come with any personal interests. I do come with the interest for the betterment and enhancement of goals and objectives here in Washington Parish, as it relates to requirements and as it relates to who we are and where we are as part of what we have to deal with. That goes back to the economical setting that we're in; we have to take what we've got and do the best we can. Once we do that, and do it with an honest and genuine approach, then we're going to move forward, and we're going to see some results."
Freddie Jefferson congratulated the newly elected president and vice-president. He directed an inquiry to Superintendent Fowler regarding the amount of required paperwork for teachers. He stated, "A while back, our teachers had met concerning the amount of required paperwork. We had asked that you provide leadership in trying to give our teachers some relief. I assume that you all are working on that." Mr. Fowler responded that this matter has been addressed, and that he will make some comments regarding this matter at the next committee meeting.
Referring to the renovation grant, Freddie Jefferson asked Superintendent Fowler about the next project to follow the re-roofing of Franklinton High School. Superintendent Fowler indicated that the additional renovation projects will be reviewed and prioritized very soon.
President Thomas announced the following board committee assignments for the next two (2) years:
FINANCE
Karl Bickham, Chairperson
Hayward Boone
Freddie Jefferson
PERSONNEL
Holly James, Chairperson
Dan Slocum
Bruce Brown
TRANSPORTATION
Susanne Jones, Chairperson
Richard Thomas
Matthew Tate
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Freddie Jefferson, Chairperson
Karl Bickham
Richard Thomas
(Fourth member to be added later)
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.