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 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 - Election of Officers of the Board.
President Richard Thomas opened the floor for nominations for President of the Board. Hayward Boone nominated Richard N. Thomas. Dan Slocum seconded the nomination and called for nominations to cease. The vote on Richard N. Thomas, Jr., for President was as follows: FOR: Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Holly James, Matthew Tate, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: None. ABSTENTION: Richard N. Thomas, Jr. Richard N. Thomas, Jr. was declared President of the Board.
President Richard Thomas opened the floor for nominations for Vice-President of the Board. Hayward Boone nominated Susanne Jones. The nomination was seconded by Karl Bickham. Dan Slocum called for nominations to cease. The vote on Susanne Jones for Vice-President was as follows: FOR: Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Hayward Boone, Richard Thomas, Holly James, Matthew Tate and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: None. ABSTENTION: Susanne Jones. Susanne Jones was declared Vice-President of the Board.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the December 2, 2004, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the December 2, 2004, regular board meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the December 13, 2004, special board meeting.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board adopt the minutes of the December 13, 2004, special board meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding student transfer requests for the 2004/2005 school year (Karen Spears).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board approve the following student transfer requests for the 2004/2005 school year as recommended by Karen Spears, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance:
Student Name Home District Requested District Grade Type of Transfer
Branch, Daphne Varnado High Pine High 9th Academic
Mitchell, Heather Enon Elementary Franklinton Jr. High 6th Administrative
Williams, Hannah Varnado High Pine High 9th Athletics
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Superintendent's Report
The superintendent's report was moved on the agenda to allow Sam Fauntleroy , Architect, to present the following to the board:
Add to agenda: Upon the recommendation of Sam Fauntleroy, Architect, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, to consider a motion to authorize Richard Price Contracting Co. to proceed with excavation and fill of approximately 2200 cubic yards of unsuitable soil materials at the Franklinton Site at an approximate cost of $20,350 with the final cost being determined at completion. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, to accept the recommendation of Sam Fauntleroy, Architect, to authorize Richard Price Contracting Company to proceed with excavation and fill of approximately 2200 cubic yards of unsuitable soil materials at the Franklinton Site at an approximate cost of $20,350 with the final cost being determined at completion. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Fauntleroy also stated that at the Pine Site some erosion of the site work continues due to weather. Mr. Fowler would need board approval to obtain proposals from local gravel companies to place gravel on the Pine Site to slow the erosion. This was budgeted in the original budget and is less than budgeted.
Superintendent Fowler stated that the perimeter fence at the Pine Site is around three sides of the property, with the 4 ft. permanent fence in the front to be constructed later. Soil cement was laid on the loop road and the bus loop. A construction entry will be made to prohibit driving on the asphalt during construction.
Superintendent Fowler stated that closing on the Enon property would be on February 3, 2005.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for telecommunication services and equipment for e-rate (Jimmy Thigpen).
Upon the recommendation of Jimmy Thigpen, Technology Director, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board award bids received for telecommunication services and equipment for e-rate as follows:
Bell South
POTS - Leave as is
T1's - 3 year contract
Long Distance - 3 year contract
19" aluminum 2 post rack
19" enclosed cabinet floor-mount
19" non-enclosed cabinet wall-mount
UPS - 1000VA
UPS - 2200VA
Hunt Brothers
FHS WAN link
PBX
Cabling - copper and fiber
19" enclosed cabinet wall-mount
UPS 3000VA
Internet access
Network maintenance
Switches
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution to reject the proposal to settle the pipeline litigation (Beth Fussell).
RESOLUTION
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Washington Parish School Board adopt the following resolution to reject the proposal to settle the pipeline litigation as presented by Chairperson Elizabeth Guglielmo in her memo of 11/19/04, a copy of which is attached hereto for reference.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Washington Parish School Board does reject the proposal to settle the pipeline litigation as presented by Chairperson Elizabeth Guglielmo.
FOR: Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Richard N. Thomas, Jr., Holly James, Matthew Tate, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: None. ABSENT: None. Motion carried unanimously.
CERTIFICATE
I, Dennie Fowler, duly acting and qualified Superintendent of the Washington Parish School Board, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by the Washington Parish School Board at a regular meeting held on January 13, 2005, at 6:30 P.M., at which time a quorum was present and voting.
Franklinton, Louisiana, this 13th day of January, 2005.
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Dennie Fowler, Superintendent/Secretary
Washington Parish School Board
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding salary adjustments for Title I Central Office Support Personnel (T. J. Butler).
Deleted.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
Upon the recommendation of Richard Kennedy, Personnel Director, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board approve the following personnel and transportation adjustments:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION
Franklinton Resource Center: Onshella M. Vernon, Adult Education Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective April 27, 2005.
Vocational Center: Eugene Brumfield, Custodian, Retirement Resignation effective January 11, 2005.
Vocational Center: Alfred Fuller, Vocational Welding Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective January 31, 2005.
RESIGNATION
Franklinton Primary School: Amy Bennett, Class Size Reduction Teacher, Resignation effective December 17, 2004.
Franklinton Elementary School: Rae Michelle Chambers, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective December 13, 2004.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Betty Durr, Food Service Worker, Resignation effective January 12, 2005.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Debra Guthrie, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective January 3, 2005.
SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE
Pine School: Thaddie Johnson, Adapted P.E., Sabbatical Medical Leave effective January 13, 2005 through May 31, 2005.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Tisha Thomas, Special Education Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective Spring Semester of the 2004/2005 school year.
SICK LEAVE
Franklinton High School: Sylvia Graves, Regular Teacher, Sick Leave effective January 13, 2005 through May 31, 2005.
SICK LEAVE/RETIREMENT
Franklinton Jr. High School: David L. Young, Regular Teacher, Sick Leave effective February 9, 2005 through May 31, 2005 and Retirement resignation effective May 31, 2005.
LEAVE WITHOUT PAY
Mt. Hermon School: Jennifer Trotter, Special Education Paraprofessional, Leave Without Pay, effective January 18, 2005 through May 31, 2005.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Stacey Garrett, Franklinton Jr. High School, Part-Time School Food Service Worker TO Franklinton Jr. High School, Full-Time School Food Service Worker, effective January 14, 2005.
Mary Mobley, Central Office, Reading First Content Leader TO Central Office, ELA Curriculum/Reading First Coordinator, effective January 12, 2005.
TRANSFER
Melanie Brooks, Enon Elementary School, Part-Time School Food Service Worker TO Franklinton Jr. High School, Part-Time School Food Service Worker, effective January 13, 2005 and the remainder of the 2004/2005 school year only.
Barbara Brumfield, Special Education Teacher, Mt. Hermon School TO Behavior Interventionist, Franklinton Resource Center, effective January 13, 2005 and the remainder of the 2004/2005 school year only.
Deonne Conerly, Franklinton Jr. High School, Part-Time School Food Service Worker TO Enon Elementary School, Part-Time School Food Service Worker, effective January 13, 2005 and the remainder of the 2004/2005 school year only.
Nancy Cox, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School TO Reading First Content Leader, Franklinton Primary School, effective January 13, 2005 (Pending continuation of Reading First Grant funding).
Stephanie Smith, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School TO Reading First Special Education Interventionist, Franklinton Elementary School, effective January 12, 2005 (Pending continuation of Reading First Grant funding).
EMPLOY
Franklinton Primary School: Lou Alford, Regular Teacher, effective January 3, 2005 (Replacing Amy Bennett)(Certified).
Franklinton Primary School: Stephanni Cassidy, Regular Teacher, effective January 12, 2005. (Certified)(Replacing Stephanie Smith).
Franklinton Primary School: Quiandra Robinson, Adapted PE Teacher, effective January 12, 2005 (Pending TAT1 Certification)(Replacing Thaddie Johnson).
Franklinton Elementary School: Terrance August, Special Education Teacher, effective January 13, 2005 (Pending TAT1 Certification)(Replacing Rae Michelle Chambers).
Franklinton Elementary School: Rebecca B. Crain, Special Education Teacher, effective December 13, 2004 (Replacing Pam Egan)(OFAT).
Franklinton Elementary School: Juhn Marie Green, Regular Teacher, effective January 13, 2005 and the remainder of the 2004/2005 school year (Certified)(Replacing Nancy Cox).
Franklinton Elementary School: Brenda Hofstetter, Reading First Paraprofessional, effective January 14, 2005 (Pending continuation of Reading First Grant funding).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Amanda Maki, Regular Teacher, effective February 9, 2005 (Certified)(Replacing David Young).
Franklinton High School: Rose Bond, School Clerk, effective January 21, 2005 (2 yrs. experience).
Franklinton High School: Crystal Carr, Regular Teacher, effective January 12, 2005 (Replacing Sylvia Graves)(Pending OFAT Certification).
Franklinton High School: Debra Wilson, Regular Teacher, effective January 12, 2005 through May 31, 2005 (Certified)(Replacing Rebecca Turner).
Mt. Hermon School: Robert Kim Hunt, Special Education Teacher, effective the Spring Semester of the 2004/2005 school year only. (Pending OFAT Certification)(Replacing Barbara Brumfield).
Pine School: Ashley McKenzie, Regular Teacher, effective January 12, 2005 (Certified)(Replacing Ronald Knight).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton Schools: Extend the route of Vivian Ard 10 miles one way to pick up Kevin Luman. Effective date: December 16, 2004.
Extend the route of Vivian Ard 0.9 miles one way to pick up Caleeb Breedlove. Effective date: January 5, 2005.
Extend the route of Vivian Ard 0.5 miles one way to pick up Daniel Hudson. Effective date: December 14, 2004.
Extend the route of Violonia Edwards .4 miles one way to pick up Nolan Edwards. Effective date: December 9, 2004.
Extend the route of Violonia Edwards 15.8 miles one way (P.M. only) to drop off Cody Riley. Effective date: December 9, 2004.
Extend the route of Natalie Hatteberg 1.1 miles one way to pick up Ian Sandifer. Effective date: January 11, 2005.
Extend the route of Faye Newman 7.4 miles one way to pick up Devin Herring. Effective date: December 9, 2004.
Motion carried unanimously.
Add to Agenda: It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, to add to the agenda to consider a motion to authorize Richard Kennedy, Personnel Director, to advertise for a Special Education Paraprofessional at Franklinton High School. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Dan Slocum, to authorize Richard Kennedy, Personnel Director, to advertise for a Special Education Paraprofessional at Franklinton High School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to employ Alfred Fuller, Vocational Welding Teacher, Vocational Center, effective February 2, 2005 (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board employ Alfred Fuller, Vocational Welding Teacher, Vocational Center, effective February 2, 2005. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Fowler stated that today was the deadline for submission of proposals for Energy Performance Contracting Services. Johnson Controls was the only company that submitted a bid. Johnson Controls will give a presentation at a later day, possibly at the next Committee Meeting. Three companies attended the pre-conference but only one submitted a bid.
Marty Leger and Glenn Broussard from Trinity Insurance presented the Board a check in the amount of $6,346.39 for excess recovery from excess insurance carrier.
Agenda Item #14 - Other business from board members.
Dan Slocum thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting. He also commended Mr. Butler on working with the Board to resolve his issue. Mr. Slocum stated that a parent from Mt. Hermon had a statement to make. Troy Wilson, parent from Mt. Hermon School, stated that he would like to be on the agenda, if he does not get the results from the meeting on Tuesday that he wants.
Freddie Jefferson reminded everyone of the Capital Improvements Meeting on February 10, 2005 at 6:00 P.M.
Richard Thomas thanked the Board for the confidence in re-electing him as President.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A (2) concerning a matter in litigation (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A (2) concerning a matter in litigation. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board authorize Attorney Wayne Kuhn to proceed with settlement concerning the matter in litigation. FOR: Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Richard Thomas, Matthew Tate and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: Bruce Brown. Motion carried.
Superintendent Fowler stated that he had been contacted by Washington Correctional Institute to provide them a place for GED testing of prisoners on Saturday. WCI requested that the School Board absorb some of the cost of testing. The test cost is $40.00 for the first test and $25.00 each for the second and third test per applicant. Superintendent Fowler recommended that if we decide to pay, he would only suggest that we pay for the first test at a cost of $40.00 and that WCI or the family of the inmate pay for the second or third. Superintendent Fowler stated that WCI does a tremendous amount of work for the school system. The Board authorized Superintendent Fowler to handle this matter.
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
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