The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Holly James, Matthew Tate and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: Richard N. Thomas.
Agenda Item #1 - Call to order.
The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Susanne Jones, in the absence of President Richard Thomas. She 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 September 11, 2003, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the September 11, 2003, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for Multiple Prime Construction Management services (Dennie Fowler).
Superintendent Fowler reviewed the bids received for Multiple Prime Construction Management services, which were as follows: SEE ATTACHED BID TABULATION FORM. As indicated on the tabulation form, the low bid was submitted by Carothers Construction, Pearl, Mississippi, in the amount of 1.1% of the construction cost. Architect Sam Fauntleroy pointed out that W. G. Yates Construction was the only bidder meeting the criteria of having three (3) school projects over $20M. The information that was presented relative to the value of the three school projects is informational in nature and cannot be used to determine the value of the bid percentage that was submitted. Because the Owner has the right to waive informalities in the bidding process, it was Mr. Fauntleroy's suggestion that the information concerning the value of the school projects be considered an informality and that the low bid from Carothers be accepted by the Board.
Following discussion, upon the recommendation of Sam Fauntleroy, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board waive informalities and authorize Superintendent Fowler to enter into a contract with Carothers Construction, Pearl, Mississippi, for Multiple Prime Construction Management services in the amount of 1.1% of the construction cost. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adopt schedule of school board meetings for 2004 (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the schedule of school board meetings for 2004, as follows:
PUBLIC MEETINGS
ACT 707 OF 1977
REGULAR MEETINGS OF WASHINGTON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD - 2004
The Washington Parish School Board shall meet in regular session for the year 2004 at its legal domicile, the Washington Parish School Board Office Building, 800 Main Street, Franklinton, Louisiana, at 6:30 P.M., on the following dates:
THURSDAYS - SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS MONDAYS - COMMITTEE MEETINGS
January 8, 2004 January 5, 2004
January 29, 2004
February 19, 2004 February 16, 2004
March 11, 2004 March 8, 2004
March 25, 2004
April 22, 2004 April 19, 2004
May 13, 2004 May 10, 2004
May 27, 2004
June 10, 2004 June 7, 2004
July 15, 2004 July 12, 2004
August 5, 2004 August 2, 2004
August 19, 2004
September 16, 2004 September 13, 2004
October 14, 2004 October 11, 2004
November 4, 2004 November 1, 2004
December 2, 2004 November 29, 2004
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in School District No. 2 of the Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein; making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith; and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Richard Thomas).
Following review by Mr. William Beck of the law firm of Foley & Judell, the following resolution was offered by Freddie Jefferson and seconded by Matthew Tate: SEE ATTACHED. For: Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Holly James, Matthew Tate, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: None. ABSENT: Richard N. Thomas. Resolution declared adopted.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the passing of a resolution confirming withdrawal privileges on accounts soon to be transferred to new Fiscal Agent Bank (Beth Fussell).
Upon the recommendation of Beth Fussell, Director of Finance, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the following resolution submitting approved account titles and authorized names to Parish National Bank to be used by them in the administration of the Board=s Fiscal Agency Agreement: SEE ATTACHED. YEAS: Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Holly James, Matthew Tate, and Freddie Jefferson. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Richard N. Thomas. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding student transfer requests for the 2003/2004 school year (Eathel Seal).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board approve the following student transfer requests for the 2003/2004 school year, as recommended by Eathel Seal, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance:
STUDENT NAME HOME DISTRICT REQUESTED DISTRICT TYPE OF TRANSFER
Blackmon, Mason Pine Franklinton Hardship
Chambers, Benjamin Enon Franklinton Academic
Sharp, Jadyn E. Wesley Ray Pine Hardship
Thomas, Joseph Wesley Ray Pine Illness
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to approve revisions to Washington Parish School Board policies File: BBBE - Board Member Compensation and Expenses; File: BH - School Board Ethics; File: CEA - Superintendent Qualifications; File: DJED - Bids and Quotations; File: GBRHA - Sabbatical Leave; File: IDG - Adult Education; File: IFD - Parental Involvement in Education; File: II - Testing Program; File: JBC - School Admission; File: JDD - Suspension; File: JDE - Expulsion; File: JGC - Student Health Services; and File: JR - Student Records (Richard Kennedy).
Mr. Kennedy stated an additional policy, File: GCE - Support Personnel Employment, was revised relative to part-time workers being able to move into full-time positions. Also, a portion relative to Level I and II training being required for Special Education paraprofessionals was deleted, as this training is no longer required.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board approve revisions to Washington Parish School Board policies File: BBBE - Board Member Compensation and Expenses; File: BH - School Board Ethics; File: CEA - Superintendent Qualifications; File: DJED - Bids and Quotations; File: GBRHA - Sabbatical Leave: File: GCE - Support Personnel Employment; File: IDG - Adult Education; File: IFD - Parental Involvement in Education; File: II - Testing Program; File: JBC - School Admission; File: JDD - Suspension; File: JDE - Expulsion; File: JGC - Student Health Services; and File: JR - Student Records. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to adopt Washington Parish School Board policies File: IDCH - Home Study Program; File: IDDH - Limited English Proficiency Program; File: IFDA - Parental Rights/Student Rights of Privacy; File: JHC - Student Organizations; File: JQL - Language Minority Students; and File: LDDB - Relations with Armed Forces/Military Agencies (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board adopt Washington Parish School Board policies File: IDCH - Home Study Program; File: IDDH - Limited English Proficiency Program; File: IFDA - Parental Rights/Student Rights of Privacy; File: JHC - Student Organizations; File: JQL - Language Minority Students; and File: LDDB - Relations with Armed Forces/Military Agencies. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - 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:
Pine School: Lillie Faye Breland, School Food Service Worker, Retirement Resignation effective October 1, 2003.
Central Office: Eathel Seal, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance/Visiting Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective November 28, 2003.
DISABILITY RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Schools: Glen B. Thomas, Bus Operator, Disability Retirement Resignation effective November 3, 2003.
SICK LEAVE/RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Central Office: Raylene T. Perry, Administrative Secretary to Superintendent, Sick Leave effective January 5, 2004, through March 31, 2004; Retirement Resignation effective March 31, 2004.
RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Primary School: Joan Duncan, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective September 26, 2003.
Franklinton Schools: Vanessa Roberts, Bus Operator, Resignation effective October 3, 2003.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Cherish Crockett, Part-time Guidance Services, Enon Elementary School, effective the Fall semester only of the 2003/2004 school year, TO Part-time Guidance Counselor, Enon Elementary School, effective the 2003/2004 school year.
Norma Adams, Part-time School Food Service Worker, Pine School, TO Full-time School Food Service Worker, Pine School, effective October 6, 2003.
Doris Rogers, Part-time School Food Service Worker, Pine School, TO Full-time School Food Service Worker, Pine School, effective October 6, 2003.
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Schools: Thomas A. Boudreaux, Bus Operator, effective October 3, 2003.
Franklinton Primary School: Tina Bickham, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective October 6, 2003.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
ANGIE DISTRICT: Deduct 2.4 miles one way from the route of Tim Duncan (student no longer on route). Effective date: September 15, 2003.
FRANKLINTON DISTRICT: Extend the route of Natalie Hatteberg .6 mile one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: September 17, 2003.
Motion carried unanimously.
Richard Kennedy informed the Board that the job description for the position of Administrative Secretary to Superintendent has been updated, the vacancy will be advertised for the next two weeks, and the position filled at the November 6, 2003, board meeting. Also, the position of Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance/Visiting Teacher will be advertised for the next two weeks and applicants interviewed by the Board at the November 6, 2003, board meeting.
Richard Kennedy stated that Marsha Newman, School Food Service Supervisor, has recommended that an additional part-time school food service worker be employed at Enon Elementary School, as their numbers warrant another person. At the request of Mr. Kennedy, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for an additional part-time school food service worker at Enon Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board authorize advertisement for an additional part-time school food service worker at Enon Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Superintendent's Report.
Richard Kennedy updated the Board on Louisiana's HIGHLY-QUALIFIED definition for "New" Teachers, "Not-New" Experienced Teachers, "New" Paraprofessionals, and "Not New" Paraprofessionals.
Supervisor Mary Jones reported on "Reading First," a federal allocation of funds on a competitive basis for K-3 reading. In July, 2002, the Louisiana Department of Education received a $19M allocation for Reading First. The State Department of Education had to meet the guidelines of the federal government before they could actually get that money and offer it to the school systems. In the spring of 2003, the State Department grant was accepted by the federal government. Washington Parish was one of the thirty-three systems in Louisiana eligible for Reading First funds to help meet the goal of Reading First this year - - "All students will read on grade level by third grade." Washington Parish is in the process of writing a first-round grant which, when approved, will mean a minimum award of $134,000 for the system for the 2002/2003 school year (one year behind because the St. Department didn't get funded for a year).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the following item be added to the agenda: Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotations received for purchase of a used bus by Franklinton High School for school activity usage, as requested by Beverly Young, Principal. Morion carried unanimously. Superintendent Fowler reviewed the quotations, which were as follows: (1) Taylor Bus Sales - 1995 Blue Bird - $21,500, 1996 Blue Bird - $22,500; (2) Kent Bus Sales - 1996 - $19,800, 1996 - $21,300, 1997 - $22,300, 1997 - $26,300, 1997 - $26,300, 1995 - $19,900 (with air brakes); (3) Glen Thomas - 1993 Blue Bird - $14,000 (with air brakes). It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board accept the low quotation in the amount of $14,000 submitted by Glen Thomas for purchase by Franklinton High School of an activity bus, as requested by Beverly Young, Principal, Franklinton High School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Other business from board members.
Board members expressed thanks and appreciation to Eathel Seal and Raylene Perry for their many years of dedicated service in the system.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.