The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: President Richard Thomas, Dan Slocum, Bruce Brown, Hayward Boone, Holly James, Matthew Tate, and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: Karl Bickham and Susanne Jones.
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 April 17, 2003, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the April 17, 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 May 6, 2003, special board meeting.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board adopt the minutes of the May 6, 2003, special board meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for Franklinton Junior High School Roof Replacement (Dennie Fowler).
The four (4) bids were reviewed during the May 5, 2003, committee meeting. The low bid was submitted by Lakeshore Roofing, Folsom, LA, in the amount of $337,007.00 (Additive Alternate No. 1 - $0.00; Base Bid - $337,007.00). It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Holly James, that the Board approve the low bid of Lakeshore Roofing in the amount of $337,007.00 for Franklinton Junior High School roof replacement, and enter into a contract with Lakeshore Roofing. Motion carried unanimously.
(Note: The following bids were received: (1) Chamico, Inc., Bogalusa, LA - Additive Alternate No. 1 - $28,200.00, Base Bid - $430,400.00, Total - $458,600.00; (2) Lakeshore Roofing, Folsom, LA - Additive Alternate No. 1 - $0.00, Base Bid - $337,007.00, Total - $337,007.00; (3) United Roofing, Laurel, MS - Additive Alternate No. 1 - $46,800.00, Base Bid - $333,500.00, Total - $380,300.00; (4) Morgan Roofing Co., Inc., Lake Charles, LA - Additive Alternate No. 1 - $75,000.00, Base Bid - $290,000.00, Total - $365,000.00.)
Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for Wesley Ray Elementary School Roof Replacement (Dennie Fowler).
The four (4) bids were reviewed during the May 5, 2003, committee meeting. The low bid was submitted by United Roofing, Laurel MS, in the amount of $213,180.00 (Additive Alternate No. 1 - $27,000.00, Additive Alternate No. 2 - $1,780.00, Base Bid - $184,400.00). It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board approve the low bid of United Roofing in the amount of $213,180.00 for Wesley Ray School roof replacement and enter into a contract with United Roofing. Motion carried unanimously.
(Note: The following bids were received: (1) Lakeshore Roofing, Folsom, LA - Additive Alternate No. 1 - $21,907.00, Additive Alternate No. 2 - $0.00, Base Bid - $214,007.00, Total - $235,914.00; (2) Rowell Roofing, Inc., Columbia, MS - Additive Alternate No. 1 - $23,275.00, Additive Alternate No. 2 - $1,700.00, Base Bid - $190,900.00, Total - $215,875.00; (3) United Roofing, Laurel, MS - Additive Alternate No. 1 - $27,000.00, Additive Alternate No. 2 - $1,780.00, Base Bid - $184,400.00, Total - $213,180.00; (4) Morgan Roofing Co., Inc., Lake Charles, LA - Additive Alternate No. 1 - $24,000.00, Additive Alternate No. 2 - $21,000.00, Base Bid - $189,000.00, Total Bid - $234,000.00.)
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding a professional services agreement with Fauntleroy and Latham, Inc., for architectural and engineering services related to the design of the projects which are included in the recently passed bond election (Dennie Fowler).
School Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn reviewed the proposed contract and found it to be in order. Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board enter into a professional services agreement with Fauntleroy and Latham, Inc., for architectural and engineering services related to the design of the projects which are included in the recently passed bond election. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of School Supplies for the 2003/2004 school year (Beth Fussell).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Holly James, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of School Supplies for the 2003/2004 school year. Motion carried unanimously. Bids will be accepted until 10:00 A.M., Thursday, June 12, 2003, the time of the bid opening.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to approve an allocation to schools for the 2003/2004 operations budgets (Beth Fussell).
Upon the recommendation of Beth Fussell, Director of Finance, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the following allocations to schools for the 2003/2004 operations budgets:
ALLOCATION TO SCHOOLS - 2003/2004 FY OPERATING BUDGETS
$65.00 per pupil for elementary
$75.00 per pupil for secondary
SCHOOL TOTAL PER PUPIL ADJUSTMENTS NET ALLOCATION
Angie $ 11,440.00 $ 11,440.00
Enon 22,555.00 -$2,000.00 20,555.00
Franklinton Primary 37,310.00 37,310.00
Franklinton Elementary 28,210.00 28,210.00
Franklinton Jr. High 30,875.00 - 2,500.00 28,375.00
Franklinton High 47,475.00 47,475.00
Mt. Hermon 35,830.00 35,830.00
Pine 43,305.00 43,305.00
Thomas Jr. High 26,715.00 26,715.00
Varnado Elementary 13,000.00 13,000.00
Varnado High 13,800.00 - 2,000.00 11,800.00
Wesley Ray 16,640.00 16,640.00
TOTALS $ 327,155.00 -$6,500.00 $ 320,655.00
REMAINING DEBT OWED TO GENERAL FUND BY SCHOOLS AFTER THIS ALLOCATION:
Enon Elementary School $ 15,000.00
Franklinton Jr. High School 3,406.85
Varnado High School 76,735.20
TOTAL $ 95,142.05
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to approve a special library enhancement allocation to schools for the 2003/2004 fiscal year (Beth Fussell).
Upon the recommendation of Beth Fussell, Director of Finance, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board approve the following Special Library Enhancement Allocation to Schools for the 2003/2004 fiscal year:
SPECIAL LIBRARY ENHANCEMENT ALLOCATION - 2003/2004 FISCAL YEAR
$5.00 PER PUPIL
SCHOOL ALLOCATION
Angie Jr. High School $ 880.00
Enon Elementary School 1,735.00
Franklinton Primary School 2,870.00
Franklinton Elementary School 2,170.00
Franklinton Jr. High School 2,375.00
Franklinton High School 3,165.00
Mt. Hermon School 2,650.00
Pine School 3,105.00
Thomas Jr. High School 2,055.00
Varnado Elementary School 1,000.00
Varnado High School 920.00
Wesley Ray Elementary School 1,280.00
TOTALS $24,205.00
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to approve Title IV - Drug Free Schools budget revision (Beth Fussell).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board approve Title IV - Drug Free Schools budget revision. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Phyllis Thomas, Principal, Enon Elementary School (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Holly James, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Phyllis Thomas, Principal, Enon Elementary School, for the period beginning July 29, 2003, and ending July 28, 2005. 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 Matthew Tate, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Enon Elementary School: Jean Turner, School Clerk, Retirement Resignation effective June 30, 2003.
Pine School: Virginia Graves, Academically Gifted Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective May 31, 2003.
Thomas Jr. High School: Clora Dillon, Custodian, Retirement Resignation effective May 30, 2003.
RESIGNATION:
Angie Jr. High School: Frankie Stogner, School Clerk, Resignation effective May 26, 2003.
Franklinton Primary School: Christopher Penton, Part-time Custodian, Resignation effective May 9, 2003.
SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE:
Pine School: Anita H. Schilling, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the entire 2003/2004 school year.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Joan P. Kennedy, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the entire 2003/2004 school year.
LEAVE WITHOUT PAY:
Franklinton Elementary School: Olga W. Jackson, Regular Teacher, Leave Without Pay effective the entire 2003/2004 school year.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Jerome Peters, Custodian, Thomas Jr. High School, effective February 23, 2003 - February 22, 2004, TO Custodian, Thomas Jr. High School, effective May 9, 2003.
Kendall McKenzie, Assistant Principal, Pine School, effective the 2002/2003 school year only, TO Assistant Principal, Pine School, effective the 2003/2004 school year.
TRANSFER:
Sarah W. Fornea, School Clerk, Varnado High School, TO School Clerk, Angie Jr. High School, effective May 12, 2003.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
ANGIE/WESLEY RAY SCHOOLS: Extend the route of Delores Mingo 1.0 mile one way to pick up Harrison Freeman. Effective date: April 28, 2003.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Kennedy informed the Board that the Personnel Committee recommended that the part-time custodian position at Franklinton Primary School be changed to full-time, since the pre-K classes have caused the student count to increase by approximately 100 students. No objections were voiced by the Board.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to employ Personnel for the 2003/2004 school year (Richard Kennedy).
Referring to the list of personnel, Mr. Kennedy stated, "For the record, we employ our personnel by job assignments in the parish, but for your convenience, we've done it a little differently this time." Mr. Kennedy stated that the personnel to be employed were listed by schools, rather than job assignments, in order for the board to know the employees' locations.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board employ the following Personnel for the 2003/2004 school year: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Superintendent's Report.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the following item be added to the agenda: Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotations received for bus operator physical examinations. Motion carried unanimously. The following quotations were received: Bogalusa Family Practice - $60.00 per exam; Roger Casama, M.D. - $50.00 per exam; and Luis M. Alvarado, M.D. - $129.00 per exam. Upon the recommendation of Supervisor Eathel Seal, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board accept the quotation submitted by Dr. Roger Casama in the amount of $50.00 per physical examination for the bus operators and bus operator substitutes employed by the Washington Parish School Board. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Fowler informed the Board that notification had been received that the Minimum Foundation Program had been fully funded. He stated, "That means that the 50% of the MFP raise for Washington Parish can be applied, which amounts to a teacher pay raise of $715.53. That will be going to all teachers who are certified and will be paid in one check at the end of May." This check will be in addition to their regular checks.
Superintendent Fowler commented on the success of the bond issue. For the record, he read the following "Letter to the Editor" that he sent to The Era-Leader and The Daily News:
"The Washington Parish School Board and I would like to offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to the voters of Consolidated School District No. 4 for your support of the bond issue on May 3, 2003. Your vote of confidence indicates a belief in the future of the Washington Parish School System and the future of our children's education.
The Board and I appreciate the media coverage provided by The Era-Leader and The Daily News. We would, also, like to extend our appreciation to those principals, teachers, central office personnel, students, and volunteers who worked so diligently for the progress of education in Washington Parish. We thank the individuals who took the time to write letters to the editor in support of the bond issue. The Board commends the Washington Parish Assessor's Office in working with us to inform the public of the financial impact of this bond issue.
We now look forward to working together for the future of education in Washington Parish."
Superintendent Fowler asked Architect Sam Fauntleroy to comment on construction/renovation plans. Mr. Fauntleroy prefaced his remarks by expressing appreciation to the Board for selecting his firm for the projects.
The Board was given information regarding the District Dialogue scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2003, in Baton Rouge.
Agenda Item #17 - Other business from board members.
Board members expressed thanks and appreciation to Superintendent Fowler, the Capital Improvements Committee, and to all who worked for passage of the bond issue.
Referring to passage of the bond issue, Superintendent Fowler stated, "There are a few people who are going to be paying for a big project. A lot of those are business people. It's time for us to try to do what we possibly can to take off some of the pressures that we have been applying on businesses. I'm referring to fund raisers and things of that nature." He stated that he had asked the principals to scrutinize fund raisers very heavily and attempt to limit the number in which businesses, as well as individuals, are requested to participate. He also encouraged everyone to help local businesses by buying locally.
Agenda Item #18 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.