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, Hayward Boone, Bruce Brown, 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 N. Thomas, Jr. 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 August 19, 2004, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the August 19, 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 September 13, 2004, special board meeting.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the September 13, 2004, special board meeting as submitted to each Board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding renewals and quotations received for the Board's Property and Liability Insurance (Beth Fussell).
Beth Fussell, Director of Finance, reviewed the quotation received for the Board's property and liability insurance, which was submitted by Bill McGehee Insurance, Inc. Following discussion, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board accept the recommendation and continue the Board's property and liability insurance with Bill McGehee Insurance, Inc. (Carrier: Louisiana Public School Risk Management Agency - LARMA) for the period beginning October 1, 2004, and ending September 30, 2005, at midnight, at a total annual premium of $455,363.00 less a credit of $5,235.00 for a total of $450,128.00 and Builder's Risk Insurance with Bill McGehee Insurance, Inc. (Carrier: RSUI Idemnity Company) at a total annual premium of $22,050.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to award a contract for the Franklinton Elementary and Franklinton High School Site Package (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board award Richard Price Contracting Company the contract for the Franklinton Elementary and Franklinton High School Site Package. Richard Price Contracting Company submitted the only bid of $909,800.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding a change order from Price Contracting for the installation of asphalt paving on the loop road which extends around the Pine Project Site (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Sam Fauntleroy, Architect, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board accept a change order from Price Contracting Co. for the installation of asphalt paving on the loop road which extends around the Pine Project Site in an amount not to exceed $32,790.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Pipeline Property Tax Resolution (Beth Fussell).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board approve the following resolution:
Pipeline Property Tax Resolution
WHEREAS, pipeline companies are assessed ad valorem taxes at the rate of 25% and other commercial properties are assessed at the rate of 15%, and
WHEREAS, pipeline companies have paid these taxes under protest, resulting in these taxes being placed in escrow, and
WHEREAS, the amount of the tax revenues in escrow for all local taxing bodies is $40 million, and
WHEREAS, there is pipeline litigation pending against the Louisiana Tax Commission to settle the issue, and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Tax Commission has contacted local governmental bodies, including school boards, and invited them to an initial meeting with a mediator in an attempt to begin the process of negotiating rather than litigating a settlement, and
WHEREAS, the local governmental agencies must come together and be united in the final decision, and they must each have representation with the authorization to act on their behalf at future meetings,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Washington Parish School Board does hereby authorize representation of the Louisiana School Board Association to act on its behalf in future mediation to negotiate a settlement with pipeline companies.
Yeas: Richard Thomas, Jr., Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Holly James, Matthew Tate and Freddie Jefferson.
Nays: None
Abstentions: None
Absent: None
CERTIFICATE
I hereby acknowledge that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of a resolution adopted at a regular board meeting held on September 20, 2004, at which time a quorum was present and voting.
Franklinton, Louisiana, this 20th day of September, 2004.
________________________________
Dennie Fowler, Superintendent/Secretary
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding student transfer requests for the 2004/2005 school year (Karen Spears).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board approve the following student transfer requests for the 2004/2005 school year:
Student Name Home District Requested District Grade Type of Transfer
Creel, Eric Wesley Ray Elem. Pine School 2nd Hardship
Knight, Drew Thomas Jr. High Enon Elementary LA4 Hardship
Rayford, Denetra Wesley Ray Elem. Varnado Elementary 2nd Hardship
Vice, De'Vontay Wesley Ray Elem. Varnado Elementary 4th Administrative
Vice, Donald Wesley Ray Elem. Varnado Elementary 4th Administrative
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding making up two (2) instructional days that were cancelled due to weather conditions (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the two (2) days schools were closed due to Hurricane Ivan (September 15th & 16th, 2004) will be made up November 22nd & 23rd , 2004 (Educational Convention Holidays). Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding repairs and loan for Wesley Ray Gymnasium (William Brignac).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board approve the following tentative estimate for repairs and loan for Wesley Ray Gymnasium:
Tentative estimate for gym renovation
includes ceiling, A/C and lights $58,290.00
Less contingency available - 9,050.06
Less Angie 5-Mill tax available -14,900.00
Estimated loan funds required $34,339.94*
* To be repaid using the amount collected from the Angie 5-mill tax. Approximately $7,400 is collected each year for Wesley Ray School. The first payment will be made in April, 2006, and the loan will be paid out in April of 2010.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board approve the following personnel and transportation adjustments:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION
Franklinton Elementary School: Gwenda Martin, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective September 13, 2004.
SICK LEAVE/LEAVE WITHOUT PAY
Franklinton Jr. High School: Debra Guthrie, Special Education Paraprofessional, Regular Sick Leave, Effective September 1, 2004 through October 4, 2004 and Leave Without Pay, Effective October 5, 2004 through January 12, 2005.
TRANSFER
Deborah D. Bickham, Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton Elementary School TO Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton Primary School, Effective September 1, 2004.
Edna Bickham, Special Education Paraprofessional, Angie Jr. High School TO Special Education Paraprofessional, Varnado High School, Effective August 30, 2004.
Louise Hart, Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton Primary School TO Special Education Paraprofessional, Mt. Hermon School, Effective September 1, 2004.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Cynthia Cibic, Regular Teacher, Angie Jr. High School, Retirement Resignation, Effective September 3, 2004 TO Extended Sick Leave, Effective September 9, 2004 through January 12, 2005 and Retirement Resignation effective January 13, 2005.
Sheila Guy, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School TO Regular Teacher/Faculty Co-Coordinator, Franklinton Primary School, Effective for the 2004/2005 school year only.
Jeannie Matthews, LA4 Teacher, Franklinton Primary School TO LA4 Teacher/Faculty Co-Coordinator, Franklinton Primary School, Effective for the 2004/2005 school year only.
Emily Stuart, Special Education Teacher, Varnado Elementary School TO Regular Teacher, Varnado Elementary School, Effective August 31, 2004 (OFAT).
EMPLOY
Franklinton Primary School: Tania Thompson, Special Education Teacher, Effective August 10, 2004 - May 31, 2005 (OFAT).
Mt. Hermon School: Robert Kim Hunt, Special Education Teacher, Effective August 23, 2004 - January 12, 2005 (OFAT)
Thomas Jr. High School: Temicka Johnson, LA4 Teacher, Effective September 3, 2004 and the remainder of the 2004-2005 school year only (Pending TAT1 Certification)
Varnado Elementary School: Miranda Fersch, Special Education Teacher, Effective August 31, 2004 and the remainder of the 2004-2005 school year only (Pending TAT1 Certification).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Wesley Ray Resource: Extend the route of Yvonne Brumfield, 10.8 miles one way to pick up Tyler Forbes. Effective date: September 13, 2004.
Motion carried unanimously.
Add to the agenda: It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, to add to the agenda advertisement of two (2) positions: Reading First Accounts Payable Clerk/Secretary and LA4 Accounts Payable Clerk/Secretary (To be paid out of the respective grant and paid on the Accounts Payable salary schedule). Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Dan Slocum, for the Board to approve advertisement of two (2) positions: Reading First Accounts Payable Clerk/Secretary and LA4 Accounts Payable Clerk/Secretary (To be paid out of the respective grant and paid on the Accounts Payable salary schedule). Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Fowler stated that the bid opening for the Pine School would be delayed one week. The opening will be rescheduled to September 28, 2004 at 2:00 P.M.
Agenda Item #17 - Other Business from board members.
Holly James recognized Reading First Content Leaders as follows:
Ella Rose Bickham - Franklinton Elementary School
Mary Mobley - Franklinton Primary School
Aylene Crain - Franklinton Primary School
Ann McKenzie - Pine School
Jan Wood - Thomas Jr. High School
Ginger Champagne - Varnado Elementary School
Mary Paduda - Wesley Ray Elementary School
Absent:
Polly Thigpen - Enon Elementary School
Rose Sanford - Mt. Hermon School
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A (1) to discuss a personnel matter (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A (1) to discuss a personnel matter. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, to return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #18 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
____________________________
Richard N. Thomas, Jr., President
___________________________
Dennie Fowler, Secretary