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 January 8, 2004, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the January 8, 2004, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Principal, Franklinton Primary School (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Principal, Franklinton Primary School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to employ a Principal, Franklinton Primary School (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board employ Brenda Quin as Principal of Franklinton Primary School effective February 2, 2004. Motion carried unanimously. (2 year Contract)
At the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to authorize withdrawal privileges for Brenda Quin on all Franklinton Primary School bank accounts effective February 2, 2004, and terminate withdrawal privileges for Mary Henderson on all Franklinton Primary School bank accounts effective January 30, 2004. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, to authorize withdrawal privileges for Brenda Quin on all Franklinton Primary School bank accounts effective February 2, 2004, and terminate withdrawal privileges for Mary Henderson on all Franklinton Primary School bank accounts effective January 30, 2004. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to authorize withdrawal privileges for Mary Henderson on all Franklinton Elementary School bank accounts effective January 30, 2004, and terminate withdrawal privileges for Karen Spears on all Franklinton Elementary School bank accounts effective January 30, 2004 (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Dan Slocum, to authorize withdrawal privileges for Mary Henderson on all Franklinton Elementary School bank accounts effective January 30, 2004, and terminate withdrawal privileges for Karen Spears on all Franklinton Elementary School bank accounts effective January 30, 2004. Motion carried unanimously.
At the request of Superintendent Fowler, the following motion was added to the agenda: Consider a motion to adopt a proclamation declaring February 13, 2004, as Abstinence Appreciation Day in Washington Parish, as requested by the Franklinton High School Governor=s Program on Abstinence Club. Following the reading of the proclamation by Katasha August, President of the Franklinton High School Governor=s Program on Abstinence Club, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the following proclamation:
PROCLAMATION
Whereas, Teenagers are led to believe in today=s culture that their activities have no consequences; and
Whereas, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) have reached an epidemic level in America; and
Whereas, Teenagers will respond to positive peer pressure as well as negative peer pressure; and
Whereas, Public officials must take the lead in promoting healthy lifestyles for teenagers; and
Whereas; Abstinence is 100% effective, 100% of the time in preventing out-of-wedlock-births and STDs; and
Whereas, Abstinence is free and has no harmful side effects; and
Whereas, Abstinence can be the start of a new sexual revolution;
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That I, Richard Ned Thomas, President of the Washington Parish School Board, do hereby proclaim Friday, February 13, 2004 as
ABSTINENCE APPRECIATION DAY
for the public school of Washington Parish; and shall be instituted in an effort to raise awareness of Abstinence and the need to restore healthy lifestyles in our parish.
______________________________
Richard N. Thomas, Jr., President
Washington Parish School Board
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Adopt a resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the special election held in School District No. 2 of the Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, January 17, 2004, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, to adopt the resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the special election held in School District No. 2 of the Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, January 17, 2004, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein. Motion carried unanimously. (See Attached)
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to give authorization to Beth Fussell, Director of Finance, and Donna Alonzo, Chief Accountant, for online banking privileges with Parish National Bank (Donna Alonzo).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Holly James, to give authorization to Beth Fussell, Director of Finance, and Donna Alonzo, Chief Accountant, for online banking privileges with Parish National Bank. 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 (Donna Alonzo).
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to adopt Washington Parish School Board Policy File: JGCE - Child Abuse and File: JJ - Employment of Students (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, to adopt Washington Parish School Board Policy File: JGCE - Child Abuse and File: JJ - Employment of Students. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: DJED - Bids and Quotations; File: GAK - Personnel Records; File: GBN - Separation of Professional Staff Members; File: GBRK - Annual Leave and File: GCD - Support Personnel Employment (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: DJED - Bids and Quotations; File: GAK - Personnel Records; File: GBN - Separation of Professional Staff Members; File: GBRK - Annual Leave and File: GCD - Support Personnel Employment.
Mr. Richard Kennedy, Personnel Director, stated that File: GCD - Support Personnel Employment was recommended by the Personnel Committee. This policy states that the Personnel Committee will make a recommendation on beginning salary from the appropriate pay scale for a new employee. Then it will be brought before the Board for final approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
DISABILITY RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Mt. Hermon School: Carolyn L. Lebo, School Lunch Worker, Disability Retirement Resignation effective December 5, 2003.
TRANSFER
Dana Starkey, LA4 Teacher, Mt. Hermon School TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, effective January 13, 2004.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Brenda Quinn, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School TO Principal, Franklinton Primary School, effective February 2, 2004.
Kristina Crain, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School TO Title I Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School, effective January 13, 2004.
Darlene Jordan, Title I Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School, effective January 13, 2004.
EMPLOY:
Central Office: April Magee, Accounting/Data Processing Clerk, effective February 2, 2004 (0 Years on Pay Scale).
Franklinton High School: Rita Peterson, Part-Time School Clerk, effective February 2, 2004 (3 Years on Pay Scale).
Mt. Hermon School: Rae Michelle Chambers, LA4 Teacher, effective January 13, 2004 and for the remainder of the 2003/2004 school year only (Pending OFAT Certification)(fill in for Tracy Edwards, who will be on sabbatical medical leave).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
ANGIE/WESLEY RAY SCHOOLS: Deduct 2.7 miles one way from the route of Steve Owens (student no longer on route). Effective date: January 6, 2004.
Deduct 2.6 miles one way from the route of Patricia Seals (student no longer on route). Effective date: January 5, 2004.
FRANKLINTON SCHOOLS: Extend the route of Vivian Ard 2 miles one way to pick up Dasharaye Bickham. Effective date: December 5, 2003.
Extend the route of Vivian Ard .4 miles in the a.m. and 3.6 miles in the p.m. to pick up Shannon Daughtery. Effective date: November 11, 2003.
Deduct .6 miles one way from the route of Natalie Hatteberg (student no longer on route). Effective date: January 21, 2004.
Deduct 3 miles one way from the route of Natalie Hatteberg (student no longer on route). Effective date: January 14, 2004.
Deduct .8 miles one way from the route of Rex McCain (student no longer on route). Effective date: January 16, 2004.
Extend the route of Cecealine Tate 3 miles one way to pick up Johnathan and Geron Persaud. Effective date: January 6, 2004.
Richard Kennedy stated that the system is looking for speech therapists. He asked the board to grant him the authority to hire certified speech therapists before the next board meeting if any are found. The board granted Richard Kennedy the authority to proceed with the hiring of certified speech therapists.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Fowler recommended that the February 19, 2004, regular board meeting time be changed to 5:30 p.m. to allow extra time for presentations from Sam Fauntleroy, Architect and Carothers, Construction Management Team, on all phases of the construction projects.
Superintendent Fowler invited all board members and the public to attend a meeting scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. at the Pine School site and then immediately following at the Franklinton Site to look at the property and discuss some of the preliminary plans.
At the request of Superintendent Fowler, the following motion was added to the agenda: Consider a motion to advertise for energy conservation companies to submit qualifications to be reviewed by the Board and narrowed down to three (3) to give a presentation to the Board. It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the board advertise for energy conservation companies to submit qualifications to be reviewed by the Board and narrowed down to three (3) to give a presentation to the Board.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Other business from board members.
The Board congratulates Ms. Brenda Quin as Principal, Franklinton Primary School.
Freddie Jefferson stated that Varnado Water Works will be receiving approximately $14.2 million on February 17, 2004. Varnado Water Works is using this money to expand into the Pine and Thomas area and would like to serve the Pine and Thomas schools.
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Richard Thomas, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
RICHARD N. THOMAS, JR., PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY