Franklinton, Louisiana

May 29, 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, 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 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 May 8, 2003, regular board meeting.

 

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the May 8, 2003, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #5 - Recognize Washington Parish Reading Association Young Authors State winners (Joan Pace Kennedy).

 

Immediately prior to the board meeting, an awards ceremony/reception was held for the Young Authors State winners.  Students honored were, as follows:

 

STUDENT                                 SCHOOL                                  CATEGORY                  PLACE

Sarah Maples                            Angie Jr. High                            Non Fiction                    Second

Rachel Williams                         Enon Elementary                       Fiction                          First

Emerald Stewart                        Enon Elementary                       Non Fiction                    Second

Gary Jones                                Franklinton High                        Non Fiction                    First

Nadia Hashimi                           Franklinton High                         Non Fiction                    Third

Nathan Lebo                              Mt. Hermon                               Non Fiction                    First

Kelly Fox                                  Mt. Hermon                                Fiction                          First

Adam Thomas                           Pine School                               Poetry                           Third

Rikki Martin                               Thomas Jr. High                         Non Fiction                    Second

Jennifer McCain                          Wesley Ray Elementary             Fiction                          First     

 

Superintendent Fowler congratulated the winners and expressed appreciation to their teachers and parents.

 

Agenda Item #6 - Presentation by Leon Hickman, Member, Board of Directors, Washington-St. Tammany Electric Co-op, Inc. (Karl Bickham).

 

Leon Hickman, Member, Board of Directors, Washington-St. Tammany Electric Co-op, Inc., appeared before the Board to request support of WSTE's endeavor to be chosen as provider of electrical service for the Town of Franklinton.  It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board adopt a resolution favoring awarding the contract for electrical service for the Town of Franklinton to Washington-St. Tammany Electric Co-op, Inc., Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of Twenty-Three Million Dollars ($23,000,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2003, of Consolidated School District No. 4 of the Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana; giving notice of official intent pursuant to Section 1.150-2 of the Treasury Regulations; and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Richard Thomas).

 

It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the following resolution authorizing the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of Twenty-Three Million Dollars ($23,000,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2003, of Consolidated School District No. 4 of the Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana; giving notice of official intent pursuant to Section 1.150-2 of the Treasury Regulations; and providing for other matters in connection therewith: SEE ATTACHED.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to change the July, 2003, committee and board meeting dates to July 14th (committee) and July 17th (board).  Motion carried unanimously.  It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board change the July, 2003, meeting dates to July 14, 2003 - Committee meeting, and July 17, 2003 - Board meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Student Accident insurance coverage for the 2003/2004 school year (Beth Fussell).

 

Upon the recommendation of John Norris, the Board=s insurance consultant, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that Guarantee Trust Insurance Company (ICT Insurance) be awarded the contract for the following student accident insurance coverage for a one-year period effective August 1, 2003 - August 1, 2004: 

 

Basic/Athletic Insurance Premium of $21,525.00

Catastrophic Insurance   Premium of $2,525.00

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to approve Special Education Extended School Year Program 2003/2004 Budget (Pamela Williford).

 

Upon the recommendation of Dr. Pamela Williford, Special Education Supervisor, and the Board Finance Committee, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve Special Education Extended School Year Program 2003/2004 Budget.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to approve Special Education Preschool 2002/2003 Budget Revision (Pamela Williford).

 

Upon the recommendation of Dr. Pamela Williford, Special Education Supervisor, and the Board Finance Committee, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board approve Special Education Preschool 2002/2003 Budget Revision.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of Bakery Products, Milk, and Other Food and Supplies for the School Lunch Program for the 2003/2004 school year (Marsha Newman).

 

Upon the recommendation of Marsha Newman, Supervisor of School Food Service, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of Bakery Products, Milk, and Other Food and Supplies for the School Lunch Program for the 2003/2004 school year.  Motion carried unanimously. 

 

Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to approve Bus Operator E. Michelle Blackburn=s request to purchase a 1995 International school bus to replace the 1985 Ford bus she presently drives (Eathel Seal).

 

Upon the recommendation of Supervisor Eathel Seal, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve Bus Operator E. Michelle Blackburn >s request to purchase a 1995 International school bus to replace the 1985 Ford bus she presently drives.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to appoint The Era-Leader as Official Journal for the period beginning July 1, 2003, and ending June 30, 2004 (Dennie Fowler).

 

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board appoint The Era-Leader as Official Journal for the period beginning July 1, 2003, and ending June 30, 2004.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

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

 

It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:

 

                                                        PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

 

RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:

 

Franklinton Primary School: Juanita Tullos, Special Education Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective September 1, 2003.

Franklinton High School: Tana Burris, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective June 15, 2003.

Mt. Hermon School: Robert Smith, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective September 1, 2003.

Pine School: Scott Bond, Principal, Retirement Resignation effective July 1, 2003.

 

RESIGNATION:

 

Franklinton Primary School: Lorraine Bickham, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective May 30, 2003.

Franklinton High School: Sandra S. Varnado, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective May 30, 2003.

Mt. Hermon School: Bobbi Brumfield, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective the end of the 2002/2003 school year.

 

SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE:

 

Angie Jr. High School: Cindy S. Cibic, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the 2003/2004 school year.

Pine School: Carol Ann McKenzie, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the 2003/2004 school year.

 

REGULAR SICK LEAVE/EXTENDED SICK LEAVE:

 

Franklinton Primary School: Misty G. Wyble, Regular Teacher, Regular Sick Leave/Extended Sick Leave effective the Fall semester only of the 2003/2004 school year.

 

TRANSFER:

 

Virginia L. Graves, Regular Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School, TO LA 4 Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, effective the 2003/2004 school year only (Pending OFAT certification).

 

Lynette Taylor, Regular Teacher (Secondary), Thomas Jr. High School, TO Regular Teacher (Secondary), Pine School, effective the 2003/2004 school year only - Pending OFAT certification (Fill-in for Anita Schilling, who will be on sabbatical leave).

 

J. T. Thomas, Agriculture Teacher, Mt. Hermon School, TO Agriculture Teacher, Pine School, effective July 1, 2003.

 

Jane Jacobs, LA 4 Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, TO Regular Teacher, Varnado Elementary School, effective the beginning of the 2003/2004 school year.

 

Carolyn Fussell, Special Education Bus Operator, Franklinton Schools - Transfer from present bus route to Mary Simmons= bus route effective the beginning of the 2003/2004 school year.

 

EMPLOY:

 

Enon Elementary School: Lynda Comeaux, Kindergarten Teacher, effective the 2003/2004 school year only (Pending OFAT certification).

Enon Elementary School: Leslie R. Ezell, School Clerk, effective June 2, 2003.

Enon Elementary School: Carl Robert Duckworth, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 2003/2004 school year (CERTIFIED).

Franklinton Resource Center: Rachel K. Powell, Speech Therapist, effective the beginning of the 2003/2004 school year (CERTIFIED).

Franklinton Primary School: Abby Penny, LA 4 Teacher, effective the 2003/2004 school year only (Pending OFAT certification).

Franklinton Primary School: Kathy Walker, Custodian, effective May 30, 2003.

Franklinton Primary School: Cheri Libert, LA 4 Teacher, effective the 2003/2004 school year only (Pending OFAT certification).

Franklinton Primary School: Tania V. Thompson, Special Education Teacher, effective the 2003/2004 school year only (Pending OFAT certification).

Franklinton High School: Delos C. Wilson, Regular Teacher, effective the 2003/2004 school year only (Pending OP certification).

Franklinton High School: Deborah B. Wilson, Regular Teacher, effective the 2003/2004 school year only (Pending OP certification).

Franklinton High School: Robin Taylor, Regular Teacher, effective the 2003/2004 school year only (Pending OFAT certification).

Franklinton Schools: Julie Singley, Bus Operator, effective the beginning of the 2003/2004 school year.

Mt. Hermon School: Rikki M. Anthony, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 2003/2004 school year (CERTIFIED).

Pine School: Grant R. Gerald, Regular Teacher (Secondary), effective the beginning of the 2003/2004 school year (CERTIFIED).

Pine School: Marsha Thibodeaux, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 2003/2004 school year (CERTIFIED).

Thomas Jr. High School: Catherine Tall, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 2003/2004 school year (CERTIFIED).

Thomas Jr. High School: Ramona Jean Thomas, LA 4 Teacher, effective the 2003/2004 school year only (Pending OFAT certification).

 Thomas Jr. High School: Stephanie Dillon, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 2003/2004 school year (CERTIFIED).

Varnado Elementary School: Melanie D. Perry, Kindergarten Teacher, effective the 2003/2004 school year only (Pending OFAT certification).

Varnado High School: Teanna "Missy" Seal, School Clerk, effective May 30, 2003.

Wesley Ray Elementary School: Patsy D. Lowery, Regular Teacher, effective the 2003/2004 school year only (Pending OP certification).

Wesley Ray Elementary School: Mary Paduda, Librarian, effective the 2003/2004 school year only - CERTIFIED (Fill-in for Joan Kennedy, who will be on sabbatical leave).

 

                                                   TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS

 

                                                              NONE

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #15 - Superintendent's Report.

 

Superintendent Fowler gave board members copies of proposed revisions to the Student Code of Conduct for their review prior to the June board meeting.

 

Superintendent Fowler and Charlotte Fasola, Coordinator of Testing and Evaluation, commented on the IOWA test scores, which, in general,  showed an increase.  Mrs. Fasola will provide a detailed report at a later meeting.

 

Superintendent Fowler thanked all board members for attending the District Dialogue in Baton Rouge on May 14, 2003.

 

Agenda Item #16 - Other business from board members.

 

Dan Slocum expressed appreciation to J. T. Thomas, long-time agriculture teacher at Mt. Hermon School, who will be transferring to Pine School in July.

 

Karl Bickham informed the Board that Sheriff Aubrey Jones is now providing fingerprinting/background checks on potential/new employees free of charge.  He requested that a letter of thanks be sent to him.

 

Holly James, Personnel Committee Chairperson, scheduled a meeting of that committee for June 16, 2003, at 5:30 P.M.

 

Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(1) concerning a personnel matter (Richard Thomas).

 

It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(1) concerning a personnel matter.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #18 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.

 

It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board return to regular session.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board change the June 16, 2003, committee meeting to June 9, 2003, at 5:30 P.M., and, also, call a special board meeting for June 9, 2003, at 6:30 P.M., for the purpose of entering into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(1) concerning a personnel matter.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #19 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

 

It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjourn.  Motion carried unanimously.