The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: President Richard N. Thomas, Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Bruce Brown, Holly James, Matthew Tate and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: None
Agenda Item #1 - Call to order
The meeting was called to order by President Richard 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 December 4, 2003, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the minutes of the December 4, 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 December 22, 2003, special board meeting.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the December 22, 2003, special board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Report from the firm of Postlethwaite and Netterville regarding the 2002/2003 audit of general purpose financial statements (Donna Alonzo).
Mr. Joey Richard, Audit Director, briefly reviewed the audit report with the Board. Copies of the entire report were provided for board members. Mr. Richard stated the Board received a clean opinion although there was one area of non-compliance regarding the time distribution reporting of Title I employees. The board agreed to refer the matter to the finance committee.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Principal, Franklinton Elementary School (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Principal, Franklinton Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to employ a Principal, Franklinton Elementary School (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Holly James, that the Board employ Mary Henderson as Principal of Franklinton Elementary School effective January 12, 2004. Motion carried unanimously. (2 year Contract)
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for telecommunication services and equipment for e-rate (Jimmy Thigpen).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the board accept the bid from Bell South for basic telephone service and long distance; accept the bid from Hunt Brothers on e-rate equipment and network maintenance. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding adoption of policies and procedures of the Time Distribution System for employees paid with federal funds (Beth Fussell).
Deleted.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Randy Branch, Principal, Angie Jr. High School (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, to renew the contract of employment for Randy Branch, Principal, Angie Jr. High School for the period beginning February 1, 2004 and ending January 31, 2006. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - 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 and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Jr. High School: Kaye C. Smith, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective February 10, 2004.
RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Jr. High School: Jessica Young, Part-Time Regular Teacher, Resignation effective January 16, 2004.
LEAVE WITHOUT PAY:
Franklinton Primary School: Olene Mathers, Special Education Paraprofessional, Leave Without Pay effective January 13, 2004, and for the remainder of the 2003/2004 school year.
Mt. Hermon School: Shanda Brumfield, Special Education Paraprofessional, Leave Without Pay effective January 5, 2004, and for the remainder of the 2003/2004 school year.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Lisa Ackerman, LA4 Paraprofessional, Franklinton Primary School, TO Reading First Paraprofessional, Franklinton Primary School, effective January 12, 2004 (Pending continuation of Reading First Grant funding).
Aylene B. Crain, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, TO Reading First Interventionist, Franklinton Primary School, effective January 12, 2004 (Pending continuation of Reading First Grant funding).
Mary Henderson, Principal, Franklinton Primary School, TO Principal, Franklinton Elementary School, effective January 12, 2004 (2 year Contract).
Mary Mobley, Speech Therapist, Franklinton Primary School TO Reading First Content Leader, Franklinton Primary School, effective January 12, 2004 (Pending continuation of Reading First Grant funding).
Susan O'Bryant, Inventory/Data Processing Clerk, Central Office, TO Accounts Payable Clerk/Secretary, Central Office, effective January 9, 2004.
Sharon Smith, Part-Time Clerk, Franklinton High School, TO Grant Accountant, Central Office, effective January 12, 2004 (Pending continuation of indirect cost from grants).
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Primary School: Jaynell Burton, Reading First Paraprofessional, effective January 12, 2004 (pending continuation of Reading First Grant funding).
Franklinton Primary School: Daphne Laurant, LA4 Paraprofessional, effective January 12, 2004.
Franklinton Primary School: Jackie Thomas, Reading First Paraprofessional, effective January 12, 2004 (pending continuation of Reading First Grant funding).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Debra McElveen, Part-Time Regular Teacher, effective January 17, 2004 and for the remainder of the 2003/2004 school year (CERTIFIED)(replacing Jessica Young).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Angela Warner, Regular Teacher, effective February 10, 2004 (CERTIFIED).
Franklinton High School: Thomas Minarik, Guidance Counselor, effective January 13, 2004 (CERTIFIED).
Franklinton High School: Clyde Lindell Terrell, Regular Teacher, effective January 13, 2004, and for the remainder of the 2003/2004 school year only (Pending OFAT certification)(fill in for Ramona Thomas, who will be on sabbatical leave).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
ENON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Extend the route of Michael Sharp 1.7 miles one way to pick up Grayden Duquant. Effective date: January 6, 2004.
FRANKLINTON SCHOOLS: Extend the route of Janice Varnado 2.5 miles one way due to detour (bridge out). Effective date: December 1, 2003 through December 8, 2003.
MT. HERMON SCHOOL: Extend the route of Naomi Tarver 4 miles one way to pick up Austin Spears. Effective date: December 1, 2003.
Extend the route of Louise Holmes 1.2 miles one way to pick up Victoria and Albert Cecchi. Effective date: December 2, 2003.
WESLEY RAY RESOURCE CENTER: Deduct 1.9 miles one way from the route of Yvonne Brumfield (student no longer on route). Effective date: November 4, 2003.
Mr. Kennedy informed the Board that advertising for the position of Principal, Franklinton Primary School, will begin January 9, 2004, with the board interviewing for that position on January 29, 2004. Also, advertising for Inventory/Data Processing Clerk, Central Office and Part-Time Clerk, Franklinton High School will begin January 9, 2004, for a period of two weeks.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Fowler stated that at the last board meeting a motion was passed to adopt a payroll organizational chart and was later determined that the pay scale adopted contained some errors. "You have a copy of the correct pay scale in your folders, this needs to be included as a correction in the minutes. If there is no objection we will attach this to the December minutes." Susanne Jones questioned if she opposed would they have to take a vote on this. Mr. Fowler stated that a member of the prevailing side would have to call for a motion to reconsider. Dan Slocum asked could he make a statement as to why he abstained at the last meeting. Mr. Slocum said that he abstained at the last meeting because it was handed to him about two minutes before they voted on it and he didn't know exactly what was in it. It appeared to him that the purpose of revising the organizational payroll chart would single out giving an employee pay raise to one person and he was not opposed to that person getting an increase. But what he was for was giving every employee in our system an increase as soon as we get to where we can rather than singling out one employee.
Superintendent Fowler stated that we have an operational and maintenance tax continuation coming up on Saturday, January 17, 2004. This tax is for the operation and maintenance of our schools. It is a 4.83 mil ad valorem or property tax to be applied toward this continuation tax. Superintendent Fowler stated that this is a continuation, no new taxes. Residents of Washington Parish, excluding Ward 4, Bogalusa, are eligible to vote for this continuation tax.
Agenda Item #15 - Other business from board members
Holly James stated that on the issue about where new employees will begin on the pay scale will be on the agenda for the next meeting. She stated that Mr. Kennedy contacted the Board's policy updating firm and they have written a policy that she would like for the board to have in their hands, prior to voting on it.
Freddie Jefferson congratulated Mary Henderson. He asked Mr. Butler for the status of Title I money for this year. Mr. Butler stated that he has not received an award letter yet. He stated that he talked with Amanda Henderson at the Finance Department, and that he was going to let our principals know to go ahead with purchase requisitions. He said that it has never been this late in the history of Title I. Also, Mr. Butler stated that there was an increase in the budget this year.
Richard Thomas stated that the finance committee needs to meet as soon as possible on items #6 and #11.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to adjourn
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.