The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: President Richard Thomas, Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Holly James, Matthew Tate, 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 9, 2003, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the January 9, 2003, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Presentation by Representative Ben Nevers (Sue Jones).
Representative Nevers appeared before the Board to request adoption of a resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to review and consider eliminating provisions of law supplanting social security benefits for those receiving benefits from federal, state or local government retirement system. Following review of the resolution by Representative Nevers, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that consideration of Mr. Nevers' request be added to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the following resolution be adopted: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Presentation by Superintendent Fowler regarding agenda items #7 - #11 (Dennie Fowler).
The Board moved to the media center auditorium for Mr. Fowler's presentation. Superintendent Fowler thoroughly reviewed agenda items #7 - #11 (redemption of bonds in the Franklinton-Enon Consolidated School District; creating Consolidated School District No. 4 - Franklinton, Enon, Pine, and Thomas; calling for special election to authorize Consolidated School District No. 4 to issue $23,000,000 of 20 year general obligation bonds; purchase of land). He gave detailed information on the plans to improve the physical facilities in the Washington Parish School System, which are the result of two and one-half years of work by the Capital Improvements Committee and the entire board. Renderings of proposed plans were provided by the architectural firm of Fauntleroy & Latham, Inc. The proposed $23 million bond issue will be for new schools, renovations, and additions, as described in the following needs analysis:
WASHINGTON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
NEEDS ANALYSIS FOR VARIOUS SCHOOLS
SCHOOL
PINE SCHOOL
PURCHASE 30 ACRE SITE
NEW GRADES 6 THROUGH 12 SCHOOL ON NEW SITE FOR 675 STUDENTS
THOMAS SCHOOL
RENOVATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO EXISTING 550 STUDENT FACILITY
CONVERT TO PRE-K THROUGH 5 GRADE SCHOOL
CONSTRUCT 5 NEW CLASSROOMS
MISCELLANEOUS SITE WORK
FRANKLINTON PRIMARY SCHOOL
RENOVATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO EXISTING 550 STUDENT FACILITY
CONSTRUCT NEW DROP-OFF FOR BUSES
ENON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MISCELLANEOUS WORK AT EXISTING 350 STUDENT PRE-K THROUGH GRADE 6 SCHOOL
AIR CONDITION EXISTING AUDITORIUM
FRANKLINTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
MISCELLANEOUS WORK AT EXISTING 500 STUDENT GRADE 6 THROUGH 8 SCHOOL
REPLACE WINDOWS
PURCHASE 97 ACRES ADJACENT TO FRANKLINTON HIGH SCHOOL
(For construction of new Franklinton Elementary School, additions to existing Franklinton High School, and future facilities)
FRANKLINTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
CONSTRUCT NEW SCHOOL FOR 500 STUDENTS ADJACENT TO FHS
NEW GRADES 3 THROUGH 5 SCHOOL FOR 500 STUDENTS
FRANKLINTON HIGH SCHOOL
ADDITIONS TO EXISTING 650 STUDENT SCHOOL
CONSTRUCT 8 NEW CLASSROOMS WITH TOILETS
NEW FOOTBALL STADIUM WITH LIGHTS
Football Field with Drainage
Lights
Concession / Restrooms
Athletic Field House
Bleachers (3000/2000 Seats)
ADD SEATING IN EXISTING GYMNASIUM
Bleachers to match existing (250 to 350 seats; 300 actual seats)
Relocate existing areas to exist weight room
Renovate existing dressing and weight room
Relocate existing electrical switch gear
CONVERT EXISTING DRESSING AREAS INTO STAGE
Convert 2,700 sq. ft. of space into stage and associated areas
Air condition existing gym/stage
Following Superintendent Fowler's presentation, the Board returned to the regular meeting room for the remainder of the meeting.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the call for redemption of $650,000 of General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 1991, of Franklinton-Enon Consolidated School District of the Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana, and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Richard Thomas).
Following review by Mr. Alan Offner of the law firm of Foley & Judell, the following resolution was offered by Susanne Jones and seconded by Holly James: SEE ATTACHED. FOR: Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Richard Thomas, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Holly James, Matthew Tate, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: None. ABSENT: None. Resolution declared adopted.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to adopt an ordinance creating Consolidated School District No. 4 of the Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana, defining and describing the boundaries thereof and repealing ordinances and/or resolutions in conflict herewith (Richard Thomas).
Following review by Mr. Alan Offner, the following ordinance was offered by Freddie Jefferson and seconded by Matthew Tate: SEE ATTACHED. FOR: Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Richard Thomas, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Holly James, Matthew Tate, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: None. ABSENT: None. Ordinance declared adopted.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in Consolidated School District No. 4 of the Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds, making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Richard Thomas).
Following review by Mr. Alan Offner, the following resolution was offered by Susanne Jones and seconded by Holly James: SEE ATTACHED. FOR: Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Richard Thomas, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Holly James, Matthew Tate, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: None. ABSENT: None. Resolution declared adopted.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to enter into an agreement to purchase immovable property from Lawrence Bateman Stanley, et al (Dennie Fowler).
Following review by Attorney Wayne Kuhn, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board enter into an agreement to purchase immovable property from Lawrence Bateman Stanley, et al, as follows: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to enter into an agreement to purchase immovable property from Ann Crain McKenzie (Dennie Fowler).
Following review by Attorney Wayne Kuhn, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Holly James, that the Board enter into an agreement to purchase immovable property from Ann Crain McKenzie, as follows: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Franklinton High School: Denise Gatewood, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective January 13, 2003.
TRANSFER:
Tonja Varnado, Counselor, Franklinton High School/Enon Elementary School, TO Behavior Interventionist, Franklinton Resource Center, effective January 13, 2003.
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Jr. High School: Carver Lester, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective January 27, 2003.
Franklinton High School: Gloria J. Magee, Special Education Teacher, effective January 22, 2003, and for the remainder of the 2002/2003 school year only (OFAT).
Varnado Elementary School: Myoshia Mingo, Regular Teacher, effective January 13, 2003, and for the Spring semester only of the 2002/2003 school year (TAT).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
None.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Superintendent's Report.
No items.
Agenda Item #14 - Other business from board members.
Bruce Brown stated that concerned citizens of Hackley are requesting to make a presentation to the Board at the February 10, 2003, committee meeting.
Susanne Jones voiced concern about principals of LA4 classes being expected to take funds from school budgets to finish playgrounds and install fire alarm systems, due to depletion of LA4 funds. She requested that the principals be reimbursed. Freddie Jefferson suggested that the superintendent research extra money above and beyond that allotted by the state, determine the amounts spent by the schools, then pass this information on to the Board Finance Committee for study and recommendation to the Board.
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to adopt a resolution urging the United States Congress to oppose vouchers or tuition tax subsidies for private educational institutions. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board adopt the following resolution: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.