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, Susanne Jones, Holly James, Matthew Tate and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: Hayward Boone.
Agenda Item #1 - Call to order
The meeting was called to order by President Richard 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 May 12, 2005, regular board meeting (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board adopt the minutes of the May 12, 2005, regular board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Recognize Washington Parish Reading Association and Title I Young Authors State Winners (Mary Jones).
Immediately prior to the board meeting, a reception was held in the media center honoring the Washington Parish Reading Association and Title I Young Authors State Winners. The winners were as follows:
Student Award Category Teacher School
Karley Voth 2nd K-Poetry Holly Stogner PES
Kallie Breland 3rd 1-Poetry Patsy Breland WRE
Macie Turnage 2nd 1-Non Fiction Sheree Voth EES
Katie Boudreaux 3rd 2-Fiction Jolie Gerald TJH
Elizabeth Hutchinson 3rd 4-Fiction Jackie Jenkins FES
Brittany Burch 3rd 4-Non Fiction Wilda Oxholm BGS
Raven Magee 3rd 4-Poetry Clementine Morris WRE
Travis Adams 1st 4-Fiction Clementine Morris WRE
Dequarian Bivins 1st 7/8-Poetry Donna Ponthieux FJH
Jimmie Robinson 2nd 7/8-Fiction Donna Ponthieux FJH
Bobby Conley 3rd 7/8-Non Fiction Donna Ponthieux FJH
Taylor Schilling 2nd 7/8-Non Fiction Rhonda Wascom MHS
Hollis Barber 2nd 9/10-Poetry Sharon Mullings FHS
Willie McClain 1st 9/10-Poetry Sharon Mullings FHS
Jessica Brumfield 3rd 11/12-Poetry Elise Knight MHS
Heather Jenkins 2nd 11/12-Non Fiction Missy Varnado BGS
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to appoint The Era-Leader as Official Journal for the period beginning July 1, 2005 and ending June 30, 2006 (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board appoint The Era-Leader as Official Journal for the period beginning July 1, 2005, and ending June 30, 2006. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received to replace windows in the gym at Angie Jr. High School (William Brignac).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, to accept the low quote of $14,406.00 from Ventilite, Bogalusa, LA to replace the windows in the gym at Angie Jr. High School. Other quotes submitted were $19,570.00 from Vue-Lite Glass, Bogalusa, LA and $21,265.00 from Herring Construction, Bogalusa, LA. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received to install a vinyl composition tile at Mt. Hermon School (William Brignac).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, to accept the low quote of $6,309.25 from Decorating Showroom, Franklinton, LA to install a vinyl composition tile at Mt. Hermon School. Other quotes submitted were $6,420.00 from Carpet Wholesalers, Franklinton, LA and $7,884.70 from Kennedy=s Decorating Center, Franklinton, LA. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Title I allocations for the 2005/2006 school year (T. J. Butler, Jr.).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board approve Plan B for the 2005/2006 school year as submitted by T. J. Butler, Jr. For: Freddie Jefferson, Matthew Tate and Bruce Brown. Against: Holly James, Susanne Jones, Karl Bickham and Dan Slocum. Abstained: Richard Thomas, Jr. Motion failed.
It was moved Dan Slocum, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board approve Plan C for the 2005/2006 school year as submitted by Beth Fussell, Director of Finance. For: Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Susanne Jones and Holly James. Against: Freddie Jefferson, Matthew Tate, Bruce Brown and Richard Thomas, Jr. Motion failed.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, to allow the Finance Committee, T. J. Butler, Jr. and Beth Fussell to work together and bring a plan to the Board. Motion rescinded.
Add to the Agenda: It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, to allow T. J. Butler, Jr., Title I Director, to work on the Title I Allocations and bring one plan to the Board at a Special Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at 6:30 P.M. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board allow T. J. Butler, Jr., Title I Director, to work on the Title I Allocations and bring one plan to the Board at a Special Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at 6:30 P.M. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
Upon the recommendation of Richard Kennedy, Personnel Director, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION
Franklinton Primary School: Elsie Wilson, School Lunch Worker, Retirement Resignation effective May 31, 2005.
Mt. Hermon School: Bonnie Hall, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective June 1, 2005.
SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE
Franklinton Jr. High School: Barbara Wright, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the 2005/2006 school year.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Franklinton Primary School: Alice Dillon, Title I Paraprofessional, Employed until January 6, 2006 TO Employed the 2005/2006 school year.
Franklinton Primary School: Cynthia Dyson, Special Education Paraprofessional, Employed until January 6, 2006 TO Employed the 2005/2006 school year.
Franklinton Primary School: Daphne Laurant, LA4 Paraprofessional, Employed until January 6, 2006 TO Employed the 2005/2006 school year.
Franklinton Primary School: Jackie Thomas, Reading First Paraprofessional, Employed until January 6, 2006 TO Employed the 2005/2006 school year.
Mt. Hermon School: Gretchen Witkowski, Special Education Paraprofessional, Employed until January 6, 2006 TO Employed the 2005/2006 school year.
Varnado High School: Edna Earl Bickham, Special Education Paraprofessional, Employed until January 6, 2006 TO Employed the 2005/2006 school year.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Belinda Jackson, Regular Teacher TO Title I Teacher effective the 2005/2006 school year.
TRANSFER
Kelly Alford, Regular Teacher, Pine School TO Regular Teacher, Mt. Hermon School effective the 2005/2006 school year (Replacing Bonnie Hall).
Patsy Breland, Regular Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School TO Regular Teacher, Varnado Elementary School effective the 2005/2006 school year (Replacing Emily Stuart).
Shannon Fowler, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School effective the 2005/2006 school year (Replacing Rebecca Graves).
Rebecca Graves, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School TO Regular Teacher, Pine School effective the 2005/2006 school year (Replacing Cassandra Lewis).
Cassandra Lewis, Regular Teacher, Pine School TO Regular Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School effective the 2005/2006 school year (Replacing Belinda Jackson).
Bettye Nelson, Regular Teacher, Pine School TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School effective the 2005/2006 school year (Replacing Angela Warner).
EMPLOY
Franklinton Primary School: Linda McCullough, Special Education Teacher, Effective the 2005/2006 school year only (OFAT).
Franklinton Primary School: Betty Mehrtens, Regular Teacher, Effective the 2005/2006 school year (Certified)(Replacing Shannon Fowler).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Crystal Jean Carr, Regular Teacher, Effective the 2005/2006 school year only (Certified)(Replacing Barbara Wright).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Margie Parker, Regular Teacher, Effective the 2005/2006 school year (Certified)(Replacing Lynn Fussell).
Mt. Hermon School: Kimberly Crowe, Regular Teacher, Effective the 2005/2006 school year (Certified)(Replacing Sharon Anderson).
Mt. Hermon School: Katie Miller, Regular Teacher, Effective the 2005/2006 school year only (Certified)(Replacing Janis Smith who is on Sabbatical Leave).
Pine School: Theresa Campbell, Special Education Teacher, Effective the 2005/2006 school year (Certified)(Replacing Burneva Ellzey).
Pine School: Jody Johnson, Regular Teacher, Effective the 2005/2006 school year (Certified)(Replacing Bettye Nelson).
Varnado Elementary School: Emily Stuart, Special Education Teacher, Effective the 2005/2006 school year (Certified)(Replacing Miranda Fersch).
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Amy Lavinghouse, Regular Teacher, Effective the 2005/2006 school year (Certified)(Replacing Patsy Breland).
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Lori Lowe, Regular Teacher, Effective the 2005/2006 school year (Certified)(Replacing Octavia Follins).
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Stacy Phillips, Regular Teacher, Effective the 2005/2006 school year (Certified)(Replacing Laurie Pittman).
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Fowler stated that several months ago there was a presentation given to the Board from Johnson Controls on energy saving measures. A study has been done by their firm. Lighting fixtures are the main item being looked at by Johnson Controls. Superintendent Fowler stated that he would recommend hearing from Virgil Allen or a representative of Johnson Control at the next committee meeting on June 13, 2005.
Beth Fussell, Director of Finance, stated that Kip Wall, Office of Group Benefits recently had sent a letter to us concerning State Group Life Insurance. The law states that if a system has state health insurance, it must also offer the state life insurance. Washington Parish School Board has complied with the law by continuing to offer the state life insurance. Washington Parish School Board offered Lafayette Life insurance to its employees starting April 2003, not as a replacement to State Group Life Insurance (Prudential), but as a more affordable plan. Ms. Fussell has sent a response to Office of Group Benefits asking two questions: Would you allow every employee who now has Lafayette Life to switch to Prudential, with no stipulations, qualifications, or health examinations? Would Group Benefits allow the Washington Parish School Board to discontinue the Lafayette Life policy, during open enrollment period in April 2006, to allow for a smooth transition?
Add to the Agenda: It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Matthew Tate,
to discuss and take appropriate action regarding a resolution to authorize President Richard Thomas, Jr., to enter into an act of sale to purchase 12.619 acres at a cost of $37,793.91 adjacent to the Enon School. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Matthew Tate, to adopt a resolution authorizing President Richard Thomas, Jr., to enter into an act of sale to purchase 12.619 acres at a cost of $37,793.91 adjacent to the Enon School. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Fowler brought the Board up to date on construction projects.
Richard Kennedy stated that summer school would start on June 1, 2005. There will be four summer school sites:
Angie Jr. High School 4th Grade Math & ELA
8th Grade Math & ELA
High School Math & ELA
Pine High School 4th Grade Math & ELA
8th Grade Math
High School Math, ELA, Science & S.S.
Franklinton Elementary School 4th Grade Math & ELA
Franklinton Jr. High School 8th Grade Math & ELA
High School Math, ELA & Science
Transportation will be provided from central locations. Mr. Jefferson asked for a breakdown by schools.
Agenda Item #12 - Other business from board members
Susanne Jones thanked the Board for a unanimous vote on the purchase of the property adjacent to the Enon School.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.