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 September 28, 2006, regular board meeting (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the minutes of the September 28, 2006, regular board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution regarding the adequacy of the Minimum Foundation Program (Darrell Fairburn).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adopt a resolution regarding the adequacy of the Minimum Foundation Program as follows:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the cost of providing the appropriate education for at-risk students has escalated and continues to do so, thus straining limited resources of school districts, and
WHEREAS, the number of at-risk students within school districts continues to climb, and
WHEREAS, the cost of all types of insurance that school districts must pay by statute, not the least of which is employee health insurance and insurance on school facilities has increased astronomically, and
WHEREAS, the cost of utilities and employee retirement continue to inflate each year, and
WHEREAS, the increases in the at-risk factor in 2006-2007 of 1.17% to 1.19% and funding for increased costs of retirement, insurance and fuel in the amount of $80 per pupil do help local districts, they are woefully inadequate in meeting such actual costs incurred by school districts, now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents does hereby request that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education incorporate into and seek funding in the 2007-2008 Minimum Foundation Program to increase the at-risk cost to the national average of 1.4% over a period of 4 years, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents does hereby request that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education incorporate into and seek funding in the 2007-2008 Minimum Foundation Program to increase the per pupil expenditure intended to cover the cost of insurance, retirement and fuel costs from $80 to $150 per pupil over a two year period, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to Governor Kathleen Blanco, members of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the State Superintendent of Public Education and all local school boards.
YEAS: Freddie Jefferson, Matthew Tate, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Richard Thomas, Jr., Hayward Boone, Bruce Brown, Karl Bickham and Dan Slocum.
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
Motion carried unanimously.
________________________________
Richard N. Thomas, Jr., President
Washington Parish School Board
C E R T I F I C A T I O N
I hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted at a regular meeting of the Washington Parish School Board held on October 12, 2006, duly convened and a quorum being present and voting.
________________________________
Darrell Fairburn, Secretary
Washington Parish School Board
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to renew the contract for William Brignac, Supervisor (Darrell Fairburn).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board renew the contract for William Brignac, Supervisor, for the contract period November 11, 2006 through November 10, 2008. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to approve the Technology Budget for the 2006/2007 school year (Jimmy Thigpen).
Upon the recommendation of Jimmy Thigpen, Technology Coordinator, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the Technology Budget for the 2006/2007 school year. SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for bids for telecommunication services and equipment for e-rate (Jimmy Thigpen).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for telecommunication services and equipment for e-rate. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: BH - School Board Ethics; EB - Buildings and Grounds Management; GAMA - Employee Tobacco Use; GBD - Employment of Personnel; GBDA - Support Personnel Employment; GBE - Assignment; GBRA - Employee Conduct; GBRH - Professional Leave; JDD - Suspension; and JGC - Student Health Services (Richard Kennedy)
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: BH - School Board Ethics; EB - Buildings and Grounds Management; GAMA - Employee Tobacco Use; GBD - Employment of Personnel; GBDA - Support Personnel Employment; GBE - Assignment; GBRA - Employee Conduct; GBRH - Professional Leave; JDD - Suspension; and JGC - Student Health Services. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received on a metal building for the Varnado High School Handicap Building (William Brignac).
Upon the recommendation of William Brignac, Supervisor, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the low quote of $21,520.00 from Itolyaso Builders, Angie, LA for a metal building for the Varnado High School Handicap Building. Motion carried unanimously. Other quotes submitted: Lance Ball, Angie, LA - $22,270.00 and Clark Taylor, Bush, LA - $24,980.00.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received on a metal building for Mt. Hermon School Storage Building (William Brignac).
Upon the recommendation of William Brignac, Supervisor, it was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the low quote of $17,140.00 from Itolyaso Builders, Angie, LA for a metal building for Mt. Hermon School Storage Building. Motion carried unanimously. Other quotes submitted: Lance Ball, Angie, LA - $17,890.00 and Clark Taylor, Bush, LA - $17,890.00.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to adopt the 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 Personnel and Transportation Adjustments as follows:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE
Franklinton Primary School: Carmen Magee, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the Spring Semester of the 2006/2007 school year.
RESIGNATION
Pine School: Carolyn Daniel, Librarian, Resignation effective September 29, 2006.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Thomas Elementary School: Dawn Seal, Teacher TO Teacher/Faculty Coordinator effective September 14, 2006.
TRANSFER
Franklinton School District: Theresa Chauvin, Bus Operator TO Bus Operator, Evelyn Polk=s route effective October 13, 2006.
EMPLOY
Enon Elementary School: Elizabeth Ballard, Special Education Paraprofessional, Employ effective October 13, 2006.
Franklinton High School: Nathaniel Flowers, Custodian, Employ effective October 16, 2006.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton Schools: Extend the route of Natalie Hatteburg 10.6 miles one way. Effective date: August 15, 2006 through September 8, 2006.
Deduct 9 miles one way from the route of Faye Newman. Students no longer on route. Effective date: September 26, 2006.
Extend the route of Elizabeth Diane Wood 2.4 miles one way (mornings only) to pick up Tyasia and Angel Williams. Effective date: September 26, 2006.
Extend the route of Elizabeth Diane Wood 3.4 miles one way (afternoons only) to drop off Tyasia and Angel Williams. Effective date: September 26, 2006.
Motion carried unanimously.
Add to the Agenda: It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board consider a motion to authorize advertisement for a Literacy Coordinator at Franklinton Elementary School to be paid from the Save the Children grant. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize advertisement for a Literacy Coordinator at Franklinton Elementary School to be paid from the Save the Children grant. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Fairburn stated that the financial update on the Bond Issue will be mailed to each member when it is complete.
Mr. Fairburn stated that he was sending a petition to all schools. This petition is requesting that Governor Blanco not spend the $750 million dollars in surplus on petty projects but that some of it be put into education.
Mr. Fairburn stated that the system would begin placing "No Tobacco Allowed" signs on school property. This is a state mandated law that goes into effect January 1, 2007. Mr. Fairburn would like to have these signs in place prior to the beginning of the 2006/2007 basketball season to allow people time to become aware of the new law which completely eliminates smoking and smokeless tobacco use on all school properties.
Agenda Item #14 - Other business from board members.
Karl Bickham invited all board members to the Washington Parish Free Fair opening ceremony, October 17, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.
Freddie Jefferson stated that the Capital Improvement Committee met and ask that the Board consider contributing $50,000 toward moving the gym at Thomas Elementary School to another location on the property. The total cost to move the gym is $117,000.
ADD TO THE AGENDA: It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board approve contributing $50,000 toward moving the gym at Thomas Elementary School to another location on the property. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve contributing $50,000 toward moving the gym at Thomas Elementary School to another location on the property. Motion carried unanimously.
The Board agreed to revise the Use of School Facilities Policy for the gym use at Thomas Elementary School.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.