Franklinton, Louisiana

April 17, 2003

6:30 P.M.

 

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, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Matthew Tate and Freddie Jefferson.  Absent: Bruce Brown and Holly James.

 

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 Freddie Jefferson.

 

Agenda Item #3 - Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Agenda Item #4 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the March 13, 2003, regular board meeting.

 

It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the March 13, 2003, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the March 27, 2003, regular board meeting.

 

It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board adopt the minutes of the March 27, 2003, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #6 - Awards Presentation - Students of the Year (Mary Jones).

 

Supervisor Mary Jones briefly reviewed the Louisiana Students of the Year Awards Program.  At both the school level and the parish level, the Guidelines for Selection of Candidates were used to select the winners.  The four categories for selection included the cumulative grade point average, a portfolio of supporting documents, writing samples, and an interview with the judges. The following school-level winners were introduced by their respective school principals, or designees, and presented plaques from the Washington Parish School Board:

 

SCHOOL                                  STUDENT OF THE YEAR                       PRESENTER

Angie Jr. High School                 Kellie Williams                                       Randy Branch, Principal

Franklinton Jr. High School         Tiffany Anthony (Absent due to                Emma Route (In absence of

field trip)                                                Principal Pauline Bankston, who was on a field trip)

Mt. Hermon Jr. High School        Phillip Hearn                                          Ruth Stoudenmier, Principal

Thomas Jr. High School              Jared Stubbs                                         Steve Knight, Principal

Franklinton High School              Gary Morgan Jones                                Terri Brignac (In absence of

Principal Beverly Young)

Mt. Hermon High School             Erica Burch                                           Ruth Stoudenmier, Principal

Pine High School                       Kolbi Denea Breland                               Scott Bond, Principal

Varnado High School                  Autumn Dykes                                       Emma Ross, Principal

 

Superintendent Fowler then recognized  and presented plaques to the Washington Parish High School Student of the year 2002-2003, Gary Morgan Jones, and the Washington Parish Junior High School Student of the Year 2002-2003, Phillip Hearn.

 

A reception in honor of the Students of the Year and their families was held prior to the board meeting.

 

Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to approve Title IV budget revision (Beth Fussell).

It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Matthew Tate, that this item be tabled until the Board Finance Committee reviews the proposed budget revision in depth.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Emma Ross, Principal, Varnado High School (Dennie Fowler).

 

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Emma Ross, Principal, Varnado High School, for the period beginning July 1, 2003, and ending June 30, 2005.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Beverly Young, Principal, Franklinton High School (Dennie Fowler).

 

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Beverly Young, Principal, Franklinton High School, for the period beginning July 1, 2003, and ending June 30, 2005.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Steven Knight, Principal, Thomas Jr. High School (Dennie Fowler).

 

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Steven Knight, Principal, Thomas Jr. High School, for the period beginning July 1, 2003, and ending June 30, 2005.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Mary Henderson, Principal, Franklinton Primary School (Dennie Fowler).

 

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Mary Henderson, Principal, Franklinton Primary School, for the period beginning July 1, 2003, and ending June 30, 2005.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Eathel Seal, Supervisor, Child Welfare and Attendance/Visiting Teacher (Dennie Fowler).

 

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Eathel Seal, Supervisor, Child Welfare and Attendance/Visiting Teacher, for the period beginning July 1, 2003, and ending June 30, 2005.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to authorize the use of fingerprinting kits in the schools (Dennie Fowler).

 

At the committee meeting on April 14, 2003, the board discussed the use of fingerprinting kits in the schools.  It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize the use of fingerprinting kits in the schools, on a voluntary basis, at a cost to parents of $5.00 per kit.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #14 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).

 

It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:

 

                                                        PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

 

RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:

 

Franklinton Elementary School: Virginia Burris, Regular Teacher (Music), Retirement Resignation effective May 30, 2003.

Mt. Hermon School: Alberta Buckley, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective August 10, 2003.

 

Pine School: Ronald Knight, Agriculture Teacher/Assistant Principal, Retirement Resignation effective June 30, 2003.

 

RESIGNATION:

 

Enon Elementary School: Linda Jones, Title I Tutor, Resignation effective May 30, 2003.

 

SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE:

 

Pine School: Iris Kennedy, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the entire 2003/2004 school year.

 

                                                   TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS

 

FRANKLINTON SCHOOLS:                   Extend the route of Violonia Edwards 2.0 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student.  Effective date:  March 17, 2003.

 

Extend the route of Cecealine Tate 1.5 miles one way - Making a second trip to Franklinton Primary School.  Effective date: March 17, 2003.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #15 - Superintendent's Report.

 

Superintendent Fowler reported a successful 4-H Achievement Day on

April 17, 2003.

 

Agenda Item #16 - Other business from board members.

 

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following item be added to the agenda: In honor of National Secretaries Day, consider a motion to commend school secretaries for the excellent job they do.  Following discussion, it was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board send letters of commendation to school and central office secretaries.  Motion carried unanimously. 

 

Susanne Jones informed the Board that some of the bus operators want the Board to give them the "O.K." to use red-dyed diesel fuel in their buses.  Eathel Seal, Transportation Supervisor, read an excerpt from a letter written by the Louisiana Department of Revenue, as follows: "Red-dyed fuel is acceptable for individually owned buses, but the driver must keep fuel receipts for state tax."  Following discussion, the Board agreed that bus operators would be informed that the Board has no position on this matter; the use of red-dyed diesel fuel is by personal choice of a bus operator.

 

Susanne Jones mentioned the discussion held during the committee meeting regarding the amount of homework being given to students.  Superintendent Fowler stated that Mary Jones, Supervisor of Instruction, will be looking into/monitoring the homework situation.

 

Matthew Tate requested that Superintendent Fowler send letters of appreciation and commendation to teachers in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, which is the first week in May.

 

Following discussion regarding the parental involvement program, Superintendent Fowler stated he would ask Title I Supervisor T. J. Butler, who is responsible for the program, to present information to the Board at a future meeting.

 

Freddie Jefferson recognized Mrs. Katherine Jenkins and Ms. Penny Moses, professional employees at Varnado High School, who have been working on a grant to help students at Varnado High School increase their ACT test scores.  According to Mrs. Jenkins, the ACT Test Prep Partnering Initiative Matching Grant award will provide between $3,000 - $6,000 worth of software, and $4,800 will be available for professional development.

 

Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

 

It was moved by Richard Thomas, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adjourn.  Motion carried unanimously.