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 August 4, 2005, regular board meeting (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the minutes of the August 4, 2005, regular board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to approve student transfer requests for the 2005/2006 school year (Karen Spears).
Upon the recommendation of Karen Spears, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Bruce Brown, 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
Burris, J. Katie Franklinton Elementary Enon Elementary 5th Hardship
Cooper, Erin Wesley Ray Elem. Varnado Elementary 5th Hardship
Ingle, Sierra Wesley Ray Elem. Varnado Elementary 1st Administrative
James, Joseph Mt. Hermon Franklinton Jr. High 8th Athletics
Lozier, Trace Wesley Ray Elem. Varnado Elementary 1st Hardship
McGrath, Caitlin Enon Elementary Franklinton Elementary 5th Hardship
Morris, Dustin Wesley Ray Elem. Pine School K Hardship
Scott, Lucas Thomas Jr. High Franklinton Jr. High 8th Hardship
Seals, Bailey Pine School Franklinton High 9th Academic
Stoddard, Heather Franklinton Elem. Enon Elementary 3rd Hardship
Stoddard, Meagan Franklinton Primary Enon Elementary 2nd Hardship
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to call a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, September 8, 2005 at 6:15 P.M. for the purpose of hiring an Accounting/Data Processing Clerk at Central Office and discuss and take appropriate action regarding a change order for the Pine School (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board call a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, September 8, 2005 at 6:15 P.M. for the purpose of hiring an Accounting/Data Processing Clerk at Central Office and discuss and take appropriate action regarding a change order for the Pine School. Motion carried unanimously.
Interviews for the Accounting/Data Processing clerk will be on Thursday, September 8, 2005 beginning at 4:00 p.m.
Agenda Item #7 - 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 Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the Personnel and Transportation Adjustments as follows:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION
Enon Elementary School: Amy Populis, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 12, 2005.
Franklinton Primary School: Cynthia Crosley, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective August 8, 2005.
Franklinton Primary School: Betty Mehrtens, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 3, 2005.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Lesia Rawls, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 9, 2005.
Franklinton Resource Center: Jolene Lindsey, Speech Pathologist Assistant, Resignation effective August 5, 2005.
Thomas Jr. High School: Denise Gilmore, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective August 5, 2005.
Wesley Ray Resource Center: Velma James, Bus Attendant, Resignation effective August 5, 2005.
TRANSFER
Flora Johnson, Special Education Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School TO Adult Education Teacher, Adult Education effective the 2005/2006 school year (Certified).
April Magee, Accounting/Data Processing Clerk, Central Office TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton High School effective August 11, 2005 and the remainder of the 2005/2006 school year only (Pending TAT1 Certification).
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Enon Elementary School: Ann Spears Creel, Special Education Teacher TO Regular Teacher, effective the 2005/2006 school year (Replacing Amy Populis).
Enon Elementary School: Winnie Joyce Darbonne, LA4 Teacher TO Kindergarten Teacher, effective the 2005/2006 school year.
Enon Elementary School: Jeanne Daughdrill, Kindergarten School TO LA4 Teacher effective the 2005/2006 school year (Certified).
Franklinton Primary School: Angela Michelle Thomas, Regular Teacher TO Class Size Reduction Teacher effective the 2005/2006 school year.
Franklinton Primary School: Sandra Williams, Special Education Paraprofessional, Employed until January 6, 2006 TO Employed the 2005/2006 school year.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Carver Lester, Special Education Paraprofessional, Employed until January 6, 2006 TO Employed the 2005/2006 school year.
Franklinton Resource Center: Kimberly Cooke, Speech Pathologist Assistant to be employed 110/182 days of the 2005/2006 school year only TO Speech Therapist Assistant, effective the 2005/2006 school year only.
Franklinton Resource Center: Stacey Richardson, Speech Therapist, effective the 2005/2006 school year TO Part Time Speech Therapist, to be employed 110/182 days of the 2005/2006 school year only.
Varnado Elementary School: Mary Williams, Special Education Paraprofessional, Employed until January 6, 2006 TO Employed the 2005/2006 school year.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Joannie Jefferson, Special Education Paraprofessional TO Special Education Bus Attendant effective the 2005/2006 school year.
EMPLOY
Angie Jr. High School: Emma Jenene Bracey, Special Education Teacher, effective the 2005/2006 school year only (Pending TAT1 Certification).
Enon Elementary School: Rita Cryer, Special Education Teacher, effective August 22, 2005 and the remainder of the 2005/2006 school year only (Pending OFAT Certification)(Replacing Ann Spears Creel).
Enon Elementary School: Wendy Williams, LA4 Paraprofessional, effective August 19, 2005.
Franklinton Adult Education Center: Janez Johnston, Adult Education Paraprofessional, effective August 19, 2005.
Franklinton Primary School: Cheryl Barber, Special Education Teacher, effective the 2005/2006 school year only (Pending TAT1 Certification).
Franklinton Primary School: Benita Bush, Regular Teacher, effective the 2005/2006 school year (Certified).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Debra McElveen, Regular Teacher, effective the 2005/2006 school year.
Thomas Jr. High School: Jean Clark, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective August 19, 2005.
Thomas Jr. High School: Tolekiah Thomas, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective August 19, 2005.
Varnado Elementary School: Patricia Maples, Reading 1st Paraprofessional, effective August 25, 2005.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Cheryl Watts, Reading 1st Paraprofessional, effective August 19, 2005.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Fowler stated that the start of school was excellent. He visited five schools on the first day and the learning process had already begun.
Enrollment in the parish was up 193 students from the October 1, 2004 count.
Superintendent Fowler brought the Board up to date on construction projects.
Agenda Item #9 - Other business from board members.
Ms. Bronis Brumfield spoke on behalf of lunchroom personnel from all schools. She requested that the Board try to get some financial support from the state for support personnel. She suggested that a cost of living raise every four or five years instead of capping off at five years. She also stated that maybe even a bonus once a year would help. She stated that any financial support from the Board would be greatly appreciated.
Upon the recommendation of Beth Fussell, Director of Finance, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, to add to the agenda, Discuss and take appropriate action regarding advancing Varnado High School $5,200.00 from next allocation. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board authorize the advancing Varnado High School $5,200.00 from their next allocation. Motion carried unanimously.
All board members thanked the cafeteria workers for coming and for their dedication and hard work. The board stated that they would look at the budget.
Karl Bickham inquired about the Varnado High School audit.
Hayward Boone suggested teacher incentives for those who are not absent during the year. Fewer absentees could help raise test scores. Mr. Boone suggested that board meetings be held in various schools. He suggested that the Superintendent come up with a plan to rotate the board meetings between schools every three months.
Susanne Jones requested that the Board look at changing fuel adjustments for bus drivers from every four months to every three months. A study will be done and brought back to the board.
Freddie Jefferson requested that the Board authorize Superintendent Fowler to send a resolution for support personnel. Mr. Jefferson requested handbooks from each school for board members. Mr. Jefferson also suggested that we have the stadiums sprayed for mosquitoes.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.