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, and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: Matthew Tate.
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 - Recognition of Washington St. Tammany-Electric for support of the Washington Parish School System (Darrell Fairburn).
Superintendent Fairburn, on behalf of the Washington Parish School Board, Central Office, Faculty and especially the students of Washington Parish would like to thank the Washington St. Tammany Electric Co-op for their generous contributions to the schools of Washington Parish, some which are listed below:
1. Safety Presentations
2. Sponsor of Livestock shows
3. Providing labor and materials for athletic fields
4. Underground services for our new buildings
5. 4 expense paid trips to Washington to attend Leadership conferences for students
6. Over the past 10 years mini grants for teachers
7. 10 scholarships each year for students
8. Donated equipment to schools; video equipment, TV=s, etc.
9. Support for Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet
Washington St. Tammany Electric Co-Op truly makes an investment in the future of Washington Parish. Mr. Richard Thomas presented a plaque to Walt Sylvest, General Manager, as a token of appreciation for all that Washington St. Tammany Electric Co-Op does for the Washington Parish School System.
Mr. Walt Sylvest, Washington St. Tammany Electric General Manager, presented the Washington Parish School System with another generous donation of $5,000.00.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the March 15, 2007, regular board meeting (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board adopt the minutes of the March 15, 2007, regular board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding renewals for the Board's Property Insurance (Donna Alonzo).
Upon the recommendation of Tom Hudson, Norris Insurance Consultants, it was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board approve coverage with Bill McGehee Insurance (Carrier: RSUI) at a premium of $314,940.00 and Option 2 for Named Wind/Hail Storm Coverage with Westchester at a premium of $220,000.00. Total Named Wind Storm Coverage @ $20,000,000.00. Combined Premium $699,940.00. The policy is for a one year period. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to allow Cherie Brumfield to purchase a 1998 Ford School Bus (William Brignac).
Upon the recommendation of William Brignac, Supervisor, it was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board allow Cherie Brumfield to purchase a 1998 Ford School Bus. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received on a greenhouse at Mt. Hermon School (William Brignac).
Upon the recommendation of William Brignac, Supervisor, it was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board accept the low quote from Itolyaso Builders, Angie, LA in the amount of $10,900.00 for a greenhouse at Mt. Hermon School. Motion carried unanimously. Other bids submitted: Clark Taylor, Bush, LA - $11,250.00 and Lance Ball, Angie, LA - $11,700.00.
Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received on fencing around the wastewater treatment plant at Pine School (William Brignac).
Upon the recommendation of William Brignac, Supervisor, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board accept the low quote from Thomas Fence Co., Franklinton, LA in the amount of $2,191.98 for fencing around the wastewater treatment plant at Pine School. Motion carried unanimously. Other bid submitted: Sherman Fence Company, Franklinton, LA - $2,850.00.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received on the intercom at Franklinton High School (William Brignac).
Upon the recommendation of William Brignac, Supervisor, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board accept the low quote from Safe & Sound Alarms, Inc., Mandeville, LA - $32,300.00 to replace the intercom system at Franklinton High School. Motion carried unanimously. Other bids submitted: Hartman Electronics, Inc., Metairie, LA - $35,700.00 and Stage International, LLC, Mandeville, LA - $34,000.00.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding changes in payroll (Darrell Fairburn)
Upon the recommendation of Darrell Fairburn, Superintendent, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board approve the changes in payroll beginning July 1, 2007 as follows:
Change payroll date from last working day of each month to 25th of each month. If the 25th falls on a weekend or holiday, payroll would be the last day worked preceding the 25th. Direct deposits will be mailed and checks sent to the schools. This check will only be for regular salary. It will not include any extra pay.
Substitute checks will be paid and mailed on the 25th of each month.
Separate all miscellaneous and extra pay from regular payroll. This would be done in a separate check and payable on the last day of each month. Checks and direct deposits for extra pay will be mailed on the last day of month and not sent to schools. This would help us process regular payroll quicker and easier to identify discrepancies.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding High School scheduling (Darrell Fairburn).
Upon the recommendation of Darrell Fairburn, Superintendent, it was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Bruce Brown, that schools on the 4 x 4 scheduling remain on the 4 x 4 scheduling for the 2007/2008 school year and that all schools change to the 7 period day for the 2008/2009 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GBD-P - Hiring Procedures (Matthew Tate).
Upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, it was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Alan McCain, to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GBD-P - Hiring Procedures. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding substantial completion at Franklinton Elementary School (Freddie Jefferson).
Upon the recommendation of the Capital Improvement Committee, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board grant a substantial completion for Franklinton Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding change orders for Thomas Elementary School (Freddie Jefferson).
Upon the recommendation of Sam Fauntleroy, Architect, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve Change Order #3 in an amount not to exceed $72,715.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - 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 Alan McCain, that the Board approve the Personnel and Transportation Adjustments as follows:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE
Thomas Elementary School: Jane Seal, LA4 Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the Fall Semester of the 2007/2008 school year only.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Connie Magee, Academic Sabbatical TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton High School effective March 26, 2007 and for the remainder of the 2006/2007 school year only.
Rayford Johnson, Maintenance Worker, Central Office TO Lead Maintenance Worker, Central Office, effective April 2, 2007.
RESIGNATION
Franklinton Primary School: Dwight Bickham, Custodian, Resignation effective March 29, 2007.
EMPLOY
Enon: Mindy Mizell, LA4 Paraprofessional, Employ effective April 2, 2007.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton Schools: Extend the route of Carolyn Fussell 9 miles one way. Effective date: March 21, 2007.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #17 - Superintendent's Report
Add to the agenda: It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Bruce Brown, discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for a wastewater treatment plant at Thomas Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board accept the low bid from Gainey=s Concrete in the amount of $67,085.49 for a wastewater treatment plant at Thomas Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously.
Add to the agenda: It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, consider a motion to adopt a resolution on the Franklinton High School Stadium Properties. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board adopt the following resolution on the Franklinton High School Stadium Properties:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Washington Parish School Board declared the following described property to be surplus property, and to be no longer needed for educational purposes, the property commonly being referred to as the Franklinton High School Stadium properties, described as follows, to-wit:
THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUND, together with all the buildings and improvements thereon, and all of the rights, ways, privileges, servitudes, advantages and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining, located in Washington Parish, Louisiana, more particularly described as follows, to-wit:
Blocks 255 and 261 of the Town of Franklinton Washington Parish Louisiana, as per official plat of the said town on file in the Clerk of Court, Washington Parish, Louisiana.
Together with that portion of 14th Avenue located between Square 255 and Square 261 previously closed by the Town of Franklinton, Louisiana. And,
WHEREAS, a certified appraisal was done of the property by Joaquin J. Matheu, Jr., on September 29, 2004, in the amount of $323,000.00; and
WHEREAS, a Legal Notice that the Washington Parish School Board would sell under sealed bids the above described property which notice was advertised in The Era-Leader, Franklinton, Louisiana on February 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2006; and was advertised in The Daily News, Bogalusa, Louisiana on February 5, 12, and 19, 2006; and was advertised in The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Louisiana on February 10 and 17, 2006; and
WHEREAS, bids were opened on March 13, 2006, with the only bid received being in the amount of $75,000.00 by Outreach Full Gospel Baptist Church, Inc., which bid was rejected; and
WHEREAS, the above described property was re-advertised for sale under sealed bids in the Era Leader, Franklinton, Louisiana on October 25, November 1 and 8, 2006; and was re-advertised in The Daily News, Bogalusa, Louisiana on October 22 and 29, November 5 and 12, 2006; and was advertised in The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Louisiana on October 20 and 27, and November 3 and 10, 2006, and was advertised in The Times Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana on October 28 and November 4 and 11, 2006; and
WHEREAS, bids were opened on November 13, 2006, with the only bid received being in the amount of $125,000.00 by Outreach Full Gospel Baptist Church, Inc., which bid was rejected; and
WHEREAS, thereafter, the above described property was certified re-appraisal was done of the property by Joaquin J. Matheu, Jr. on December 19, 2006 in the amount of $264,000.00; and
WHEREAS, the above described property was advertised for sale under sealed bids in The Era Leader, Franklinton, Louisiana on February 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2007; and was advertised in The Daily News, Bogalusa, Louisiana on February 7, 14, 21, 28 and March 7, 2007; and was advertised in The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Louisiana on February 2, 8, 16, 22 and March 2, 2007, and was advertised in The Times Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana on February 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 28 and March 3, 2007; and
WHEREAS, sealed bids were opened on March 7, 2007, with the only bid received being in the amount of $250,000.00 by Outreach Full Gospel Baptist Church, Inc., which bid was rejected; and
WHEREAS, thereafter Outreach Full Gospel Baptist Church, Inc. agreed to pay the appraised value of the property in the amount of $264,000.00.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Washington Parish School Board sell to Outreach Full Gospel Baptist Church, Inc. the above described property for the sum of $264,000.00 Aas is, with waiver of redhibition@ under such other terms and conditions as may be established by the President with occupancy to be after June 30, 2007.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President of the Washington Parish School Board be authorized to sign any and all documents necessary to accomplish the above.
___________________________
Richard N. Thomas, Jr., President
Washington Parish School Board
Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Fairburn stated that he visited all schools during the week of testing.
Agenda Item #18 - Other business from board members.
Freddie Jefferson requested that we send a commendation letter to the family of Mickey Fornea.
Agenda Item #19 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.