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, and Matthew Tate. Absent: Freddie Jefferson.
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 February 16, 2006, regular board meeting (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the February 16, 2006, regular board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the March 13, 2006, special board meeting (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the minutes of the March 13, 2006, special board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adopt a proclamation declaring the week of March 13-17, 2006, as Abstinence Appreciation Week in the public schools of Washington Parish, as requested by the Franklinton High School Governor=s Program on Abstinence Club (Dennie Fowler).
Following a brief explanation of the Abstinence Club activities at Franklinton High School by President Nadia Hashimi, it was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the board adopt the attached proclamation. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Recognition of Washington Parish Schools with Academic Growth (Mary Jones).
Mary Jones, Supervisor of Instruction, stated that out of 720 schools in the state, Washington Parish schools received 5 Academic Growth Awards. The schools that met or exceeded their growth target are as follows:
FES Mary Henderson Recognized Academic Growth $3,942.85
FPS Brenda Quin Recognized Academic Growth $5,210.20
VES Ginger Champagne Recognized Academic Growth $2,500.00
ENON Frances Varnado Exemplary Academic Growth $5,235.34
PHS Geary McKenzie Exemplary Academic Growth $8.494.23
Parish Total 25,382.62
Superintendent Fowler and the Board Members congratulated each school on their achievements.
Agenda Item #8 - Presentation of LA4 2004/2005 Evaluations (Carolyn Knight).
Carolyn Knight, LA4 Coordinator, gave a brief overview of the LA4 2004/2005 evaluations.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adopt the 2006/2007 School Calendar (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board adopt the following 2006/2007 School Calendar:
WASHINGTON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
SCHOOL CALENDAR - 2006-2007
TCHR. INSTRUCT.
MONTH EVENT DATE DAYS DAYS
August Staff Development August 11 15 13
Staff Development (ALL) August 14
(1/2 Day Staff Dev. & 1/2 Day
Tchr. Work Day)
Classes Begin August 15
September Labor Day September 4 20 20
October Washington Parish Fair October 18, 19, 20 19 19
November Educational Conventions November 20, 21, 22 17 17
Thanksgiving Holidays November 23, 24
December Christmas Holidays December 20 (1/2 Day) - 31 14 13 1/2
(Dec. 20 - 1/2 Day Instruct.
& 1/2 Day Tchr. Work Day (All)
Students dismissed at 12:00)
January New Years Holidays January 1, 2, 3 19 18
Staff Development Day January 12
Martin Luther King Day January 15
February Mardi Gras February 19,20 18 18
March No Holidays 22 22
April Good Friday April 6 15 15
Spring Holidays April 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
May Staff Development (ALL) May 30 (1/2 Day Instruct. 23 21 1/2
(1/2 Day) &1/2 Day Staff Dev. [ALL]
Students dismissed at 12:00
Teacher Work Day(ALL) May 31
School Closes May 31
Report Cards Mailed May 31
TOTALS 182 DAYS 177 DAYS
NINE-WEEK PERIODS
October 16 1st. Nine Weeks 44 Instructional Days 1st. Semester 881/2 Days
January 11 2nd. Nine Weeks 441/2 Instructional Days 2nd. Semester 881/2 Days
March 20 3rd. Nine Weeks 44 Instructional Days
May 30 4th. Nine Weeks 441/2 Instructional Days
NO. OF HOLIDAYS 177 Instructional Days
Labor Day 1 Day 3 Staff Development Days
WP Fair 3 Days 2 Teacher Work Days
Educational Conventions 3 Days 182 Teacher Days
Thanksgiving 2 Days
Christmas/New Year's 10 Days
Martin Luther King Day 1 Day 177 Instructional Days = 63,720 Minutes
Mardi Gras 2 Days
Spring Holidays 6 Days
TOTAL HOLIDAYS 28 Days
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received on replacing the AC/Heating Unit in the Board Room (William Brignac).
Upon the recommendation of William Brignac, Supervisor of Maintenance, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board approve the low bid of $2,300.00 from Ingram Air, Franklinton, LA for replacing the AC/Heating Unit in the Board Room. Motion carried unanimously. Other bids submitted were: Watson Refrigeration, Franklinton, LA - $2,500.00 and Welsh Refrigeration, Franklinton, LA - $2,525.00.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GBBA: Qualifications and Duties - Nonprofessional Personnel (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Matthew Tate, to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GBBA: Qualifications and Duties - Nonprofessional Personnel. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received on Blocks 255 and 261 of the Town of Franklinton, Washington Parish, together with that portion of 14th Avenue located between the squares (Dennie Fowler).
Superintendent Fowler stated that bids were opened on March 13, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. and only one bid was received. The one bid was below appraised value and recommended that bid be rejected. It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board reject the bid received on Blocks 255 and 261 of the Town of Franklinton, Washington Parish together with that portion of 14th Avenue located between the squares. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Discuss and take appropriate action to enter into a contract with Larry Kinlaw & Associates (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board enter into a contract with Larry Kinlaw & Associates. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution that approves the filing of an application for the Recreational Trails Program (Donna Alonzo).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board approve the filing of an application for the Recreational Trails Program. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION
Pine School: Carolyn Daniel, Librarian, Retirement Resignation effective March 15, 2006.
RESIGNATION
Pine School: Steve Barton, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective March 2, 2006.
LEAVE WITHOUT PAY
Varnado High School: Shirley Davis, Title I Technology Assistant, Leave Without Pay effective March 1, 2006 through May 31, 2006.
EMPLOY
Angie School District: Tammy Boone, Bus Operator, Employ effective March 17, 2006 (Replacing Patricia Seals).
Franklinton School District: Vincent Chauvin, Bus Operator, Employ effective March 27, 2006 (Tommy Webb's old route).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Angie School District: Extend the route of Gladys B. Forbes 3 miles one way to pick up Savannah & Samantha Penton. Effective date: February 7, 2006.
Varnado School District: Extend the route of Delores Myers 2.5 miles one way to pick up Charlie Westmoreland. Effective date: February 22, 2006.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to employ Carolyn Daniel, Librarian, Pine School, effective March 17, 2006 (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board employ Carolyn Daniel, Librarian, Pine School, effective March 17, 2006. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #17 - Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Fowler recognized 9 students from Southeastern Louisiana University as special guests for the meeting. These students are all majoring in education. Superintendent Fowler encouraged each one to return to Washington Parish to teach after graduation.
Superintendent Fowler gave an update on all construction projects.
He requested a Capital Improvement Meeting on March 28th, 6:00 p.m.
Agenda Item #18 - Other business from board members.
Sue Jones explained that the policy for bus drivers was changed because of the lack of substitutes and drivers. She requested mailing fuel adjustments to all bus drivers.
Matthew Tate requested that the new Use of School Facilities Policy be completed by the beginning of next school year.
Agenda Item #19 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(7) regarding student appeals.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(7) regarding student appeals. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #20 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, to modify the appeal of student #1 with a contract. Motion failed for lack of second.
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Karl Bickham, to uphold the ruling on student #1. For: Holly James, Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Richard Thomas and Matthew Tate. Against: Bruce Brown. Motion carried.
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Hayward Boone, to uphold the ruling on student #2. For: Holly James, Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Richard Thomas and Matthew Tate. Against: Bruce Brown. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #21 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(7) regarding student appeals.
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Holly James, to enter into executive session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(7) regarding student appeals. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, to uphold the ruling on student #3. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #22 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.