Franklinton, Louisiana

July 14, 2005

6:30 P.M.

 

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, 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 June 16, 2005, regular board meeting (Richard Thomas).

 

It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the minutes of the June 16, 2005, regular board meeting as submitted to each member.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #5 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Student Accident Blanket Insurance coverage for the 2005/2006 school year (Beth Fussell).

 

 Upon the recommendation of John Norris, Insurance Consultant, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board accept the bid of $30,778.00 for the 2005/2006 Student Accident Blanket Insurance Coverage from ICT, AIG Life Ins. Co.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Student Accident Catastrophic Insurance Plan for the 2005/2006 school year (Beth Fussell).

 

Upon the recommendation of John Norris, Insurance Consultant, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board accept the bid of $2,675.00 for the 2005/2006 Student Accident Catastrophic Insurance Plan from ICT, AIG Life Ins. Co.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding construction projects (Dennie Fowler).

 

No action needed.

 

Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Pupil Progression Plan revisions for the 2005/2006 school year (Richard Kennedy).

 

Upon the recommendation of Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the Pupil Progression Plan revisions for the 2005/2006 school year.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for bids for fencing at the Franklinton School Site (Dennie Fowler).

It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Holly James, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for fencing at the Franklinton School Site.  Motion carried unanimously.  Advertising dates are July 20, 27 and August 3, 2005.  Prebid conference July 27, 2005.  Open bids August 3, 2005.

 

Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received on carpet and vinyl installation at Franklinton Primary School (William Brignac).

 

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board accept the quote from Kennedy Decorating, Franklinton, LA in the amount of $6,472.08 for the installation of carpet and vinyl at Franklinton Primary School.  Decorating Showroom, Franklinton, LA submitted a quote of $7,695.96.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #11 - Adopt the millage rates for the tax year 2005 (Beth Fussell).

 

It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adopt the millage rates for the tax year 2005. SEE ATTACHED.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Marsha Newman, Supervisor of School Food Service  (Dennie Fowler).

 

It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Marsha Newman, Supervisor of School Food Service.  Contract period August 15, 2005 through August 14, 2007.    Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for a Child Specific Licensed Practical Nurse to be paid from IDEA Funds(Pam Williford).

 

It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize advertisement for a Child Specific Licensed Practical Nurse to be paid from IDEA funds.  9 month position - Hired 1 semester at a time - Pay scale Paraprofessional plus $3,000.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for an Educational Diagnostician to be paid from IDEA Funds(Pam Williford).

 

It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board authorize advertisement for an Educational Diagnostician to be paid from IDEA funds.  12 month salary - 1 year only.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for a Compliance Facilitator to be paid from IDEA Funds(Pam Williford).

 

It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board authorize advertisement for a Compliance Facilitator to be paid from IDEA Funds.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #16 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding student transfer requests for the 2005/2006 school year (Karen Spears).

 

It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board approve  student transfer requests for the 2005/2006 school year as follows:

 

Student Name               Home District                Requested District         Grade               Type of Transfer

 

Damos, Christopher       Pine School                   Franklinton Primary        K                      Hardship

Gilly, Christy                 Enon Elementary           Franklinton Jr. High        6th                     Athletics

LeBlanc, Courtney         Enon Elementary           Franklinton Elementary   4th                     Hardship

Magee, Blair                  Wesley Ray Elem.         Varnado Elementary       1st                     Hardship

Magee, Dallas               Wesley Ray Elem.         Varnado Elementary       5th                     Hardship

Magee, Trenton              Enon Elementary           Franklinton Jr. High        6th                     Hardship

Simms, Elliott                Enon Elementary           Franklinton Primary        2nd                    Hardship

Simms, Emily                Enon Elementary           Franklinton Primary        1st                     Hardship

Simms, Jacob                Enon Elementary           Franklinton Primary        LA4                  Hardship

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #17 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).

 

Upon the recommendation of Richard Kennedy, Personnel Director, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments:

 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

 

RETIREMENT RESIGNATION

 

Pine School:  Ladonics Dillon, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective August 31, 2005.

 

SICK LEAVE/RETIREMENT

 

Franklinton Resource Center: Teresa Simpson, Speech Therapist and Center Coordinator, Sick Leave effective August 11, 2005 - January 11, 2006 and Retirement effective January 11, 2006.

 

SICK LEAVE

 

Mt. Hermon School: Avant Vernon, Assistant Principal, Sick Leave effective the 2005/2006 school year (10 months).

 

SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE

 

Franklinton Resource Center: Arthur Thompson, Adapted P.E. Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the 2005/2006 school year.

 

RESIGNATION

 

Central Office: Barbara Hunt, Part Time Safe & Drug Free Schools Coordinator/Part Time Guidance Counselor at Enon, Resignation effective August 1, 2005.

Franklinton High School: Thomas Minarik II, Counselor, Resignation effective August 1, 2005.

Franklinton High School: Michael Powell, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective July 31, 2005.

Franklinton Resource Center: Rachel Powell, Speech Therapist, Resignation effective July 31, 2005.

Pine School: Matthew Stogner, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective July 7, 2005.

Pine School: Kathy Straughn, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective July 1, 2005.

Varnado High School: Marc Baroni, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective June 22, 2005.

Varnado High School: Tenisha Dyson-Foster, School Clerk, Resignation effective July 8, 2005.

 

CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS

 

Jo Ann Maxwell, Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton Elementary School, Employed until January 6, 2006 TO Employed the 2005/2006 school year.

Suzette Nielson, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School, Professional Sabbatical Leave for the Fall Semester of the 2005/2006 school year TO Counseling Services, Franklinton High School, effective the Fall Semester of the 2005/2006 school year only (Certified)(Replacing Tommy Minarik).

Clyde Lindell Terrell, Special Education Teacher, Franklinton High School TO Adapted P. E. Teacher, Franklinton High School effective the 2005/2006 school year only (Pending OFAT Certification).

 

EMPLOY

 

Franklinton Elementary School: Debra Ann Gibson, Special Education Teacher, effective the 2005/2006 school year only (Pending OFAT Certification)(Replacing Eva Johnson).

Franklinton Elementary School: Melissa Lebo, Speech Therapist Assistant, effective the 2005/2006 school year only (Certified).

Franklinton Elementary School: Deborah Williamson, Regular Teacher, effective the Fall Semester of the 2005/2006 school year only (Certified)(Replacing Suzette Nielson).

Franklinton Jr. High School: Andy Creel, Regular Teacher, effective the 2005/2006 school year only (Pending TAT1 Certification)(Replacing Michael Ingram).

Franklinton Jr. High School: Voncille Stevens, Special Education Teacher, effective the 2005/2006 school year only (Pending OFAT Certification)(Replacing Beth Tullos).

Franklinton High School: Carolyn Cox, School Clerk, effective July 25, 2005 (Replacing Terri Manning)(1 year on pay scale).

Franklinton High School: Celeste Shields, Special Education Teacher, effective the 2005/2006 school year only (Pending TAT1 Certification)(Replacing Lindell Terrell).

Franklinton High School: Sean Shields, Regular Teacher, effective the 2005/2006 school year only (Pending TAT1 Certification)(Replacing Mike Powell).

Franklinton Resource Center: Kimberly Cooke, Speech Therapist assistant, effective the 2005/2006 school year only (Pending Certification)(Replacing Teresa Simpson).           

Franklinton Resource Center: Leslie Westmoreland, Speech Language Pathologist Assistant, effective the 2005/2006 school year only (Certified)(Replacing Rachel Powell).

Mt. Hermon School: Kelli Sanburn, Regular Teacher, effective the 2005/2006 school year only (PL Certification).

Pine School: Ashley Glover, Kindergarten Teacher, effective the 2005/2006 school year only (Pending OP Certification)(Replacing Holly Stogner).

Wesley Ray Elementary School: Angele Johnson, Regular Teacher, effective the 2005/2006 school year (Certified)(Replacing Patsy Lowery).

Wesley Ray Elementary School: Tosha Johnson, Special Education Teacher, effective the 2005/2006 school year only (Pending TAT1 Certification)(Replacing Clementine Morris).

Wesley Ray Elementary School: Mae Nell Moore, Regular Teacher, effective the 2005/2006 school year (Certified)(Replacing Cynthia Taylor).

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #18 - Superintendent's Report

A special presentation was given to Beth Fussell, Director of Finance.  The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to Washington Parish School Board by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).  The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. 

An Award of Financial Reporting Achievement has been awarded to the individual(s), department or agency designated by the government as primarily responsible for preparing the award-winning CAFR.  This has been presented to:

 

Beth Fussell, Financial Director

Financial Department, Washington Parish School Board

 

The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 16,000 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, IL, and Washington, D.C.

 

All board members congratulated Ms. Fussell and the Finance Department on a job well done.

 

Superintendent Fowler stated that Central Office would be hiring someone to help with filing for 5-6 days.

 

The Capital Improvement meeting scheduled for Monday, July 18, 2005 will be cancelled until further notice.  The meeting will need to be held prior to the next board meeting.

 

Superintendent Fowler brought the Board up to date on construction projects.

 

Superintendent Fowler stated that the teachers would be receiving $1850.34 pay raise from the 50% MFP monies.

 

Agenda Item #19 - Other business from board members.

 

Freddie Jefferson suggested inviting our Senator and/or Representative to come and discuss changes from the Legislative Session.

 

Agenda Item #20 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

 

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjourn.  Motion carried unanimously.