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 23, 2003, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the minutes of the January 23, 2003, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt a proclamation declaring February 14, 2003, as Abstinence Awareness Day in Washington Parish, as requested by the Franklinton High School Governor=s Program on Abstinence Club (Dennie Fowler).
Following the reading of the proclamation by James Joseph Bourgeois, a member of the Franklinton High School Governor's Program on Abstinence Club, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board adopt the following proclamation:
PROCLAMATION
Whereas, Teenagers are led to believe in today's culture that their activities have no consequences; and
Whereas, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) have reached an epidemic level in America; and
Whereas, Teenagers will respond to positive peer pressure, as well as negative peer pressure; and
Whereas, Public officials must take the lead in promoting healthy lifestyles for teenagers; and
Whereas, Abstinence is 100% effective, 100% of the time, in preventing out-of-wedlock births and STDs; and
Whereas, Abstinence is free and has no harmful side effects; and
Whereas, Abstinence can be the start of a new sexual revolution.
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved, that I, Richard N. Thomas, Jr., President of the Washington Parish School Board, do hereby proclaim Friday, February 14, 2003, as
ABSTINENCE AWARENESS DAY
for the public schools of Washington Parish; and shall be instituted in an effort to raise awareness of Abstinence and the need to restore healthy lifestyles in our parish.
______________________________________
Richard N. Thomas, Jr., President
Washington Parish School Board
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the presentation by Concerned Citizens Organization of Hackley and other communities located in District 3 (Dennie Fowler).
Superintendent Fowler read the following statement to the Board:
"The Capital Improvements Committee has spent a great deal of time over the past two years studying the critical needs of our schools throughout Washington Parish. Several directions have been considered by the committee in order to provide improvement in our schools. Assessments of facilities have been analyzed and pondered over for some time by the committee. The committee has shared these thoughts and ideas with other board members in order to keep the full board abreast. Many hours of discussion and planning with the firm of Fauntleroy & Latham, as well as our bonding agent, Foley and Judell, have provided valuable insight toward much needed improvement in our schools.
A direction has been agreed upon and put into motion. Voters within the newly-formed Consolidated Tax District #4 (taking in the communities of Franklinton, Enon, Pine, and Thomas) will be given the opportunity to provide improved physical facilities for their areas. This is a major step toward improvement. The direction taken at this time is a bold, but needed, step. The people within Washington Parish have an opportunity to improve not only the school system but Washington Parish, in general. Upgrading our schools can only enhance the possibility of drawing industry and new people to the parish.
At this time, the plans have been made and directional steps have been taken. To add to the overall project would alter the budgeted monies and create problems that could jeopardize the entire project. However, there are built-in alternates to the plan. If the bonds sell at a lower rate than projected, some additional monies could, possibly, be used on alternates to the overall plan.
Having heard the presentation of the Concerned Citizens of the Hackley Community and other communities within the area, the Capital Improvements Committee hereby recommends placing the proposed technology center to serve the District 3 areas as an alternate to the project. If monies become available, then purchase of land and construction of a facility would be taken under consideration. The committee would prioritize the alternate projects and place them before the full board for their consideration. There are alternates to the project at present, and there will be others that will, most likely, be added to the alternate list. Your project seems to be a project that could benefit students and citizens within the area of District 3. We thank the citizens for their concerns for improvement and ask for their continued support."
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board place the technology center to serve the District 3 areas as an alternate to the project, as recommended by the Capital Improvements Committee. Bruce Brown offered an amendment to the motion that, upon passage of the bond issue, the 10-acre plot of land be purchased and the building project, itself, be put on the alternate list. Hayward Boone seconded the amendment. Following discussion and comments from board members and individuals in the audience, the vote on the amendment to the motion was as follows: FOR: Bruce Brown, Hayward Boone, Dan Slocum, Matthew Tate and Richard Thomas. AGAINST: Susanne Jones, Karl Bickham, Freddie Jefferson and Holly James. Amendment to the motion carried. The vote on the original motion, as amended, was as follows: FOR: Dan Slocum, Bruce Brown, Richard Thomas, Hayward Boone, and Matthew Tate. AGAINST: Susanne Jones, Karl Bickham, Freddie Jefferson and Holly James. Original motion, as amended, carried.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to approve Bus Operator Timothy Duncan's request to purchase a 1995 Blue Bird school bus to replace a 1986 International (Eathel Seal).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve Bus Operator Timothy Duncan's request to purchase a 1995 Blue Bird school bus to replace the 1986 International school bus he presently drives. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to approve Bus Operator Billy Burton's request to purchase a 1993 International/Thomas school bus (Eathel Seal).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board approve Bus Operator Billy Burton's request to purchase a 1993 International/Thomas school bus to replace the 1986 Chevrolet school bus he presently drives. Motion carried unanimously. The 1986 Chevrolet bus will now become his spare bus.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to approve a student transfer from the Mt. Hermon School District to the Franklinton School District (Eathel Seal).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board approve the transfer of Willie J. Dean, Jr., from the Mt. Hermon School District to the Franklinton School District due to hardship. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
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
RESIGNATION:
Varnado Elementary School: Tonya Fornea, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective February 14, 2003.
EMPLOY:
Thomas Jr. High School: Jerome Peters, Custodian, effective February 22, 2003, through February 22, 2004.
Varnado High School: Harl L. Penton, Regular Teacher, effective March 5, 2003 (CERTIFIED).
Varnado High School: Harl L. Penton, Head Football Coach, effective March 5, 2003.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
ENON SCHOOL: Extend the route of Michael Sharp 1.9 miles one way to pick up Brandon Gerald and Leo Mailhos. Effective date: January 27, 2003.
Extend the route of Aulton Carter 2.0 miles one way to pick up Rebekah Washburn. Effective date: January 14, 2003.
Extend the route of Robert Mizell 1.2 miles one way to pick up Zack Miller. Effective date: January 14, 2003.
Extend the route of Robert Mizell 1.8 miles one way to pick up Kimberly and Rachael Williams. Effective date: January 27, 2003.
FRANKLINTON SCHOOLS: Extend the route of Juanita Tullos .7 mile one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: February 7, 2003.
MT. HERMON SCHOOL: Extend the route of Louise Holmes 1.8 miles one way to pick up Cory Sharp and Kasey Farias. Effective date: February 3, 2003.
WESLEY RAY SCHOOL: Extend the route of Yvonne Brumfield 3.6 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: October 22, 2002.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Superintendent=s Report.
Superintendent Fowler announced the following public meetings to discuss the bond issue:
March 11, 2003 - 6:00 P.M. Franklinton High School Cafeteria
March 20, 2003 - 6:30 P.M. Pine School
A public meeting for the Thomas area will be announced shortly.
Agenda Item #12 - Other business from board members.
None.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.