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 February 13, 2003, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the February 13, 2003, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding adding new insurance companies under the cafeteria plan (Mark Kebodeaux).
Mark Kebodeaux, with First Financial, the Third Party Administrator of the Cafeteria Plan, requested that the following companies be added to the Board's approved list of companies whose products are allowed on payroll deduction:
1. Lafayette Life Insurance Company - Group Life Insurance Benefit (Matching State Group Benefits Program)
Lafayette Life Insurance Company - Supplemental Life Insurance Benefit
2. Life Investors Insurance Company of America - Long-Term Care Benefit.
Upon the recommendation of the Board Finance Committee, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board add Lafayette Life Insurance Company (Group Life Insurance Benefit - Matching State Group Benefits Program, and Supplemental Life Insurance Benefit) and Life Investors Insurance Company of America ( Long-Term Care) to the Board's approved list of companies whose products are allowed on payroll deduction. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to enter into an agreement to purchase immovable property from Triangle Land & Timber, L.L.C. (Dennie Fowler).
Superintendent Fowler reviewed Board action at the last board meeting (February 13, 2003) regarding the request from the Concerned Citizens Organization of Hackley and other communities located in District 3 regarding purchase of land and building project for the proposed technology center. At that meeting, a motion was made and seconded to place the technology center as an alternate, 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. The amendment to the motion carried, as did the original motion, as amended. The day after the board meeting, Superintendent Fowler was notified that the property had already been purchased by another party. He stated that Bruce Brown had located another section of land that was available for purchase, that being property owned by Triangle Land & Timber, L.L.C. The property was being offered at $3,500 an acre; whereas, the property voted on at the last board meeting was offered at $3,000 an acre.
President Thomas stated, "At this time, I want to reconsider my vote that I had before on the land, because I didn't know anything about this land. It wasn't discussed or anything." Mr. Thomas further stated that, due to comments he had from his constituents and from people all over the parish, he'd like to reconsider his vote. He indicated that the Board could do what it wanted to on this particular agenda item; he was just making plain how he felt.
Following a lengthy discussion, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that, due to the fact that the property the Board voted on at the February 13, 2003, board meeting is not available, the Board not purchase the property from Triangle Land & Timber, L.L.C., and the technology center and purchase of property be put back on the alternate list, as recommended by the Capital Improvements Committee. Bruce Brown offered an amendment to the motion that the Board purchase the piece of property that is available. His amendment did not receive a second. He then offered a motion to remove the item from the agenda and deal with it later. After being reminded of a motion already on the floor, Bruce Brown asked Holly James to withdraw her motion and let the Board study it a little more. Holly James did not withdraw her motion; therefore, the vote on the motion was taken, as follows: FOR: Karl Bickham, Dan Slocum, Richard Thomas, Holly James, Susanne Jones, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: Bruce Brown and Matthew Tate. ABSTENTION: Hayward Boone. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to enter into an agreement to purchase immovable property from Randy Austin Branch, et al (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board enter into an agreement to purchase immovable property from Randy Austin Branch, et al, as follows: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously. This is property on which the new Pine School will be constructed upon passage of the bond issue.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding engaging the firm of Postlethwaite and Netterville to audit the general purpose financial statements of the Washington Parish School Board for a three-year period beginning the 2002/2003 fiscal year at a cost of $27,000 per year (Beth Fussell).
Upon the recommendation of Beth Fussell, Director of Finance, and the Board Finance Committee, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board engage the firm of Postlethwaite and Netterville to audit the general purpose financial statements of the Washington Parish School Board for a three-year period beginning the 2002/2003 fiscal year at a cost of $27,000 per year. Motion carried unanimously. The fee is the same as the fee for the last three-year engagement by Postlethwaite and Netterville.
Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotations received for paving parking areas around the school board office (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that this item be withdrawn from the agenda due to discrepancy in square footage of quotations submitted for this project. Motion carried unanimously. This item will be considered at a later date.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Robert Al Johnson, Supervisor (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the board renew the contract of employment for Robert A. Johnson, Supervisor, for the period beginning April 1, 2003, and ending March 31, 2005. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, 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:
Special Education: Mary A. Simmons, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective May 31, 2003.
EMPLOY:
Varnado Elementary School: Luella Jackson, Kindergarten Teacher, effective February 17, 2003, and for the remainder of the 2002/2003 school year only (CERTIFIED).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
ANGIE DISTRICT: Extend the route of Steve Owens .25 mile one way to pick up Evelyn Thomas. Effective date: February 4, 2003.
MT. HERMON DISTRICT: Extend the route of June Tarver 1.3 miles one way to pick up Angelica LeRay. Effective date: January 29, 2003.
WESLEY RAY DISTRICT: Extend the route of Mary K. Knight 5.1 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: January 28, 2003.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Superintendent's Report.
Upon the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to approve a student transfer request. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board approve the administrative transfer of Carina Dawn Locke from the Franklinton School District to the Pine School District, as recommended by Eathel Seal, Child Welfare Supervisor. Motion carried unanimously.
Upon the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to authorize the purchase of a new copy machine by the Title I Department. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize the purchase of a new copy machine, as requested by T. J. Butler, Jr., Supervisor, Federally Assisted Programs, from Southeast Business Systems, at a base cost of $28,909.00 (State Contract), with some additional trays to be added. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Butler informed the Board that "copying funds" will pay for the new machine.
Superintendent Fowler stated, "As you will recall, at the beginning of the (school) year, I gave you the legislative law about what happens with MFP if there's an increase to the MFP monies. Legislation called for fifty percent of the increase to be distributed towards teacher pay raises - for persons holding teaching certificates. I also reviewed that with you in January, so that our people would be reminded of how that worked. We said that we would wait until the final budget letter was received in order to go forward with it. Day before yesterday, we received the final budget letter; however, within the budget letter were the statements, >The department will process a budget adjustment requesting these additional funds. With the passage of a recent constitutional amendment, it is possible for the MFP to be reduced due to mid-year state revenue shortfalls. Therefore, local systems may want to delay the required certificated staff pay raise until the budget amendment is approved for the full amount.' So, in other words, this may be the final budget letter, but there is an amendment that has to be considered. We have called and talked with someone in Mark Drennen's office (Office of the Governor) and were told the amendment is on his desk. That amendment would have to be reviewed by Mark Drennen, Commissioner of Administration, and the governor, before we receive something final. I've talked with Beth, and we feel like it's, certainly, in our best interest to wait until we know the exact amount. The projected amount of pay raise at the beginning of the year was $487. That projected amount, at this time, is greater than that, but it's subject to an adjustment back down to some level." At the Board's request, Superintendent Fowler will send a memo to each school informing teachers of this situation.
Superintendent Fowler informed the Board that April 16, 2003, is the date for Washington Parish School System's District Dialogue at the State Department of Education. A large number of staff members will be attending, and he strongly encouraged board members to attend, as well. Washington Parish is one of two school systems to be interviewed that day.
Superintendent Fowler stated that the proposed school calendar for the 2003/2004 school year has been sent to the schools for review and comments prior to the March 10th committee meeting, at which time, he will review the calendar with the Board.
Superintendent Fowler informed the Board of a change in Bulletin 741 relating to pre-school and Kindergarten school attendance. Attendance requirements for these students will now be the same as attendance requirements for grades 1-12.
Agenda Item #13 - Other business from board members.
Dan Slocum stated that Mt. Hermon School gym continues to have problems with leaks in the stage area. He stressed the need to follow up on this and do whatever needs to be done to correct the problem. He stated that Superintendent Fowler is addressing this, and his comments were being made as a matter of public record.
At the request of board members, Superintendent Fowler will schedule presentations by various supervisors during upcoming committee meetings, in order to update the Board on academic programs.
Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.