The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: Richard Thomas, Jr., 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 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 March 25, 2004, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the March 25, 2004, regular board meeting as submitted to each Board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the April 8, 2004, special board meeting.
Superintendent Fowler stated that at the last board meeting Bruce Brown made a motion dealing with changes in the Hiring Policy as follows: For support personnel in the Central Office only, 2 of the 5 committee members shall be board members appointed by the board president, 1 from the board personnel committee and 1 from the full board.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board adopt the minutes of the April 8, 2004, special board meeting as submitted to each Board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Awards Presentation - Students of the Year (Mary Jones).
Supervisor Mary Jones briefly reviewed the Louisiana Students of the Year Awards Program. At both the school level and the parish level, the Guidelines for Selection of Candidates were used to select the winners. The four categories for selection included the cumulative grade point average, a portfolio of supporting documents, writing samples, and an interview with the judges. The following school-level winners were introduced by their respective school principals, or designees, and presented plaques from the Washington Parish School Board:
SCHOOL STUDENT OF THE YEAR PRESENTER
Angie Jr. High School Mitchell Thomas Randy Branch, Principal
Franklinton Jr. High School Mary Tate Pauline Bankston, Principal
Mt. Hermon Jr. High School Tiffany Raymond Debbie Burris (In absence of Principal, Ruth Stoudenmier).
Franklinton High School Katasha August Beverly Young, Principal
Mt. Hermon High School Melissa Summers Debbie Burris (In absence of Principal, Ruth Stoudenmier).
Pine High School Brittany Hart Geary McKenzie, Principal
Varnado High School Steven Sumrall Emma Ross, Principal
Superintendent Fowler then recognized and presented plaques to the Washington Parish Jr. High School Student of the Year 2003-2004, Mary Tate, and the Washington Parish High School Student of the Year 2003-2004, Steven Sumrall.
A reception in honor of the Students of the Year and their families was held prior to the board meeting.
Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding renewing the contract of Norris Insurance Consultants, Inc. (Beth Fussell).
Upon the recommendation of Beth Fussell, Director of Finance, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board renew the contract with Norris Insurance Consultants, Inc., which is a three-year revocable contract with a guaranteed annual fee of $8,600.00, and will automatically renew for a second year on April 26, 2005, and for a third year on April 26, 2006, unless either party gives written notice to the other, prior to those dates, of its intent not to renew. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of School Supplies for the 2004/2005 school year (Beth Fussell).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, to authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of School Supplies for the 2004/2005 school year. Motion carried unanimously. Bids will be accepted until 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 20, 2004, the time of bid opening.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to advertise for the Pine Site Package (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, to authorize advertisement for the Pine Site Package. Motion carried unanimously. Advertisement will begin on April 28, 2004, till June 1, 2004, at 2:00 p.m., the time of bid opening. There will also be a Pre-Bid Conference on May 13, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of Bakery Products, Milk and Other Food and Non-Food Supplies for the School Lunch Program for the 2004-2005 school year (Marsha Newman).
Upon the recommendation of Marsha Newman, Supervisor of School Food Service, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Matthew Tate, to authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of Bakery Products, Milk and Other Food and Non- Food Supplies for the School Lunch Program for the 2004-2005 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Pauline Bankston, Principal, Franklinton Jr. High School (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Pauline Bankston, Principal, Franklinton Jr. High School, for the period beginning June 3, 2004, and ending June 2, 2006. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Dorothy Young, Principal, Wesley Ray Elementary School (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Dorothy Young, Principal, Wesley Ray Elementary School, for the period beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Ruth Stoudenmier, Principal, Mt. Hermon School (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Ruth Stoudenmier, Principal Mt. Hermon School for the period beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Title I allocations (T. J. Butler, Jr.).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board approve Title I allocations, as follows:
TITLE I SUPPLEMENT ALLOCATION - FISCAL YEAR 2003/2004
School School Allocation Total Supplement Grand Total Allocation
6/19/03 Allocation F/Y 2004
Varnado High School $60,863.85 $14,673.82 $75,537.67
Varnado Elementary $59,583.84 $14,363.88 $73,947.72
Angie Jr. High $56,383.84 $13,592.45 $69,976.29
Wesley Ray Elementary $69,823.84 $16,832.43 $86,656.27
Thomas Jr. High $105,983.84 $25,549.52 $131,533.36
Pine School $182,783.84 $44,063.70 $226,847.54
Franklinton Primary $98,490.00 $23,742.98 $122,232.98
Franklinton Jr. High $67,525.00 $16,278.25 $83,803.25
Franklinton Elementary $59,015.00 $14,226.75 $73,241.75
Mt. Hermon School $64,195.00 $15,475.49 $79,670.49
Franklinton High $66,000.00 $15,910.62 $81,910.62
Enon Elementary $30,195.00 $ 7,279.11 $37,474.11
TOTAL SCHOOLWIDE $920,843.05 $221,989.00 $1,142,832.05
ALLOCATION
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to approve Student Transfer Request (Karen Spears).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board approve the following student transfer request for the 2003/2004 school year, as recommended by Dennie Fowler, Superintendent:
Student Name Home District Requested District Type of Transfer
Howard, Damon Franklinton Primary Enon Elementary Administrative
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GBM - Personnel Transfer (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GBM - Personnel Transfer. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #17 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION
Franklinton High School: Ida Lee Sibley, Janitor, Retirement Resignation effective June 9, 2004.
Varnado Elementary School: Helen Peters, Special Education Paraprofessional, Retirement Resignation effective May 31, 2004.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Dorothy Moses, Special Education Paraprofessional, Retirement Resignation effective April 30, 2004.
RESIGNATION
Adult Education Center: Evelyn Bickham, Adult Education Paraprofessional (11 months), Resignation effective April 2, 2004.
SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE
Angie Jr. High School: Charlene Williams, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective for the 2004/2005 school year.
Thomas Jr. High School: Betty Thomas, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective for the 2004/2005 school year.
SABBATICAL PROFESSIONAL LEAVE
Franklinton High School: Cynthia McCormick, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Professional Leave effective for the 2004/2005 school year.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
ANGIE JR. HIGH SCHOOL: Extend the route of Tim Duncan 1.6 miles one way to pick up Shawn Magnusen. Effective date: February 9, 2004.
Extend the route of Patricia Seals 1.5 miles one way to pick up Dustin Knight. Effective date: March 25, 2004.
ENON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Extend the route of Robert Mizell .8 miles one way to pick up Heather Stanford and Kristen Allen. Effective date: March 25, 2004.
FRANKLINTON SCHOOLS: Extend the route of Natalie Hatteberg 1.5 miles one way to pick up Brittany Roberts. Effective date: March 26, 2004.
Deduct 2 miles from the route of Yvonne Varnado (Student no longer on route). Effective date: March 22, 2004.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #18 - Superintendent's Report
Patty Alford gave a technology presentation in recognition of Louisiana Technology Week, April 26, 2004 through April 30, 2004. The presentation showed that the Washington Parish School System is utilizing technology in our schools.
Superintendent Fowler presented a brief overview of the 2002/2003 Louisiana District Accountability scores, as follows:
2001/2002 2002/2003
Rank Rank
DISTRICT PERFORMANCE SCORE 38th 30th
DISTRICT RESPONSIBILITY INDEX 2nd 6th
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT 16th 18th
SUMMER SCHOOL 1st 3rd
CERTIFIED TEACHERS 4th 26th
These rankings are out of 66 parishes in the state.
Agenda Item #19 - Other business from board members.
Holly James encouraged everyone to email legislators and let them know that Washington Parish is utilizing the technology grant money.
Matthew Tate encouraged everyone to look on the Internet at bills that effect the educational system. Mr. Tate also stated that Ricky Payne had some comments. Mr. Payne asked if the Finance Committee met today. Richard Thomas replied yes. Mr. Payne asked if the meeting was placed in the paper. Mr. Fowler stated that the meeting was called on Monday night, therefore, it could not be placed in the paper due to time. Mr. Payne also questioned the door being locked to the Finance Committee meeting. Superintendent Fowler stated the door was not locked and the door to his office and the side door to the conference room was open.
Freddie Jefferson commended Patty Alford for the technology that is being utilized in the school system.
Agenda Item #20 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A (1) & (2) concerning a personnel matter and a matter of litigation (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A (1) & (2) concerning a personnel matter and a matter of litigation. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #21 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Matthew Tate, to add the following item to the agenda: Consider a motion to change the May 13, 2004, regular board meeting to 6:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board change the May 13, 2004, regular board meeting to 6:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #22 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
RICHARD N. THOMAS, JR., PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY