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, Mary Adams, Dewitt Perry, Alan McCain, 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 - Administer Oath of Office to board members.
Johnny Crain, Clerk of Court, administered the Oath of Office to all board members, as follows: Dan Slocum, District 1; Karl Bickham, District 2, Bruce Brown, District 3; Richard N. Thomas, Jr., District 4; Mary Adams, District 5; Dewitt Perry, District 6; Lee Alan McCain, District 7; Matthew Tate, District 8; and Freddie Jefferson, District 9.
Agenda Item #5 - Election of Officers of the Board.
Richard Thomas, Jr. opened the floor for nominations for President of the Board to serve for the next two (2) years. Freddie Jefferson nominated Richard Thomas, Jr., and Bruce Brown seconded the nomination. It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that nominations be closed. FOR: Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Mary Adams, Dewitt Perry, Alan McCain, Matthew Tate, and Freddie Jefferson. ABSTAINING: Richard Thomas, Jr. Motion carried and Richard Thomas, Jr. was declared President of the Board.
President Thomas then opened the floor for nominations for Vice-President of the Board for the next two (2) years. Karl Bickham nominated Freddie Jefferson; Dan Slocum seconded the nomination. It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Alan McCain, that nominations be closed. FOR: Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Mary Adams, Dewitt Perry, Alan McCain, Matthew Tate and Richard Thomas, Jr. ABSTAINING: Freddie Jefferson. Motion carried and Freddie Jefferson was declared Vice-President of the Board.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the December 14, 2006, regular board meeting (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the minutes of the December 14, 2006, regular board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Report from the firm of Postlethwaite and Netterville regarding the 2005/2006 audit of general purpose financial statements (Donna Alonzo).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board accept the 2005/2006 audit of general purpose report as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding a student transfer request for the 2006/2007 school year (Karen Spears).
Upon the recommendation of Karen Spears, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve a student transfer request for the 2006/2007 school year as follows:
Student Name Home District Requested District Grade Type of Transfer
Jefferson, Arkeysia Varnado Elementary Franklinton Elementary 5th Administrative
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
Upon the recommendation of Richard Kennedy, Personnel Director, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the Personnel and Transportation Adjustments as follows:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION
Franklinton Primary School: Gwendolyn Berry, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective January 31, 2007.
RESIGNATION
Franklinton Resource Center: Alan Graham, Coordinator of Placement, Services & Pupil Appraisal, Resignation effective December 31, 2006.
Franklinton Resource Center: Anastasia Williams, Bus Attendant, Resignation effective December 12, 2006.
SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE
Franklinton High School: Cheryl Seals, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the Spring Semester of the 2006/2007 school year only.
LEAVE WITHOUT PAY
Enon Elementary School: Barbara Williams, Title I Paraprofessional, Leave Without Pay effective January 16, 2007 through May 11, 2007.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Franklinton Jr. High School: Tara Cooper, Special Education Paraprofessional, Leave Without Pay, November 1, 2006 through January 1, 2007 TO Leave Without Pay, November 1, 2006 through February 1, 2007.
TRANSFER
Shemeca Magee, Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton Primary School TO Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton Elementary School effective January 8, 2007.
Sharon Smith, Grant Accountant, Central Office TO Secretary, Franklinton High School effective January 16, 2007 (Replacing Rose Bond).
Anna Temples, Regular Teacher, Thomas School TO Regular Teacher, Varnado Elementary School effective January 12, 2007.
Tara Temples, Regular Teacher, Varnado Elementary School TO Regular Teacher, Thomas School effective January 12, 2007.
EMPLOY
Franklinton Jr. High School: Michelle Holmes, Secretary, Employ effective January 12, 2007 (Level 3 on pay scale)(Replacing Teresa Diddon).
Franklinton High School: Molly Lee, Regular Teacher, Employ effective January 12, 2007 (Certified)(Replacing Lisa Kuhn).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton School District: Extend the route of Vincent Chauvin 1 mile one way to pick up Brandy Phillips. Effective date: January 10, 2007.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item # 10 - Superintendent's Report
Beverly Young, Principal, Franklinton High School, introduced Susan Magee, Director of the Adolescent School Health Initiative Program. Ms. Magee stated that Franklinton High School has been selected to receive a School-Based Health Center. The health center will address the overall health of students including their physical, mental, and social well being. The program is in the planning stage for introduction this fall at Franklinton High School.
Superintendent Fairburn stated that he had received a new appraisal on the Franklinton High School Football and Baseball Stadium property. The new appraisal is $264,000.00, down from the original $323,000.00. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, to Add to the Agenda: to authorize the Superintendent to advertise the property at the new appraisal, as is; and continue to contact the Louisiana National Guard for the demolition and removal of the old football stadium. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board authorize the Superintendent to advertise the property at the new appraisal, as is; and continue to contact the Louisiana National Guard for the demolition and removal of the old football stadium. Motion carried unanimously.
Capital Improvement Committee meeting January 16, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
Agenda Item #11 - Other business from board members.
The Board congratulated Richard Thomas, Jr., President and Freddie Jefferson, Vice-President.
Richard Thomas announced the committees for January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008 as follows:
FINANCE TRANSPORTATION
KARL BICKHAM, CHAIRPERSON REV. BRUCE BROWN, CHAIRPERSON
MARY ADAMS ALAN MCCAIN
FREDDIE JEFFERSON DEWITT PERRY
PERSONNEL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
MATTHEW TATE, CHAIRPERSON FREDDIE JEFFERSON, CHAIRPERSON
DAN SLOCUM KARL BICKHAM
REV. BRUCE BROWN DEWITT PERRY
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.