Franklinton, Louisiana

May 24, 2007

6:30 P.M.

 

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 - Presentation from Pine School - Geary McKenzie (Darrell Fairburn).

 

Geary McKenzie, Pine School Principal, recognized Ms. Cynthia Pope, Pine School Librarian, who applied for a $5000.00 America's Libraries Gulf Coast School Library Recovery Initiative Grant.  Mr. Larry Leverett, a representative from the Laura Bush Foundation, responded and set up a date to conduct a school site visit.  He visited the school on March 30, 2007 and the first question asked was "Why did you only apply for $5000?  He suggested that the school apply for between $35,000 and $40,000.  Cynthia then applied for $42,000.  On April 9, 2007, Cynthia received an email stating that Pine School Library had been awarded a $75,000 grant.  On April 19, 2007, Ms. Pope, Librarian, Geary McKenzie, Principal, Jared Stubbs, Senior Class President, Kaye Crain, Cynthia's mother, and Lyn Taylor, Cynthia's sister, met with First Lady Laura Bush in New Orleans to receive the official announcement of the grant.  The companies contracted with the Laura Bush Foundation are also going to give a 12% discount on books ordered through their company which would allow Pine School to receive a total of $84,000 in books.  Ms. Pope hopes to have the books ordered, received and processed for the beginning of the 2007/2008 school year.

 

Mr. McKenzie also stated that after Hurricane Katrina, Pine School was adopted by  Southlake Carroll High School, Southlake, TX.  Pine School received $20,000 from the school in Texas to help defray the expenses caused by Hurricane Katrina.  Southlake Carroll High School brought 8 -10 students to Pine to visit the school and then paid for Mr. McKenzie, his wife (Ann) and 4 student council members to fly to Texas to visit their school.  In April, 2007 representatives from the two schools met in Bastrop, LA for a visit.  The schools intend to keep in touch. 

 

Agenda Item #5 - Presentation - Louisiana Jr. Duck Stamp Winners - Kay Bell (Darrell Fairburn).

 

Kay Bell, Talented Art Teacher at Franklinton High School, introduced the 3 high school winners and Taffenie Mizell, Talented Art Teacher at Enon/Franklinton  Elementary Schools, introduced the 6 elementary school winners of the Louisiana Jr. Duck Stamp as follows:

 

       Student                           School                   Place                           Division

Amander Bickham                     FHS                  1st Place                       7th - 9th Grade

Amelia DeLatte                          FHS                  1st Place                       10th - 12th Grade

Cory Polk                                  FHS                  Honorable Mention         10th - 12th Grade

Nathan Ackerman                      FES                  1st Place                       K - 3rd Grade

Desiree Hutchinson                    FES                  1st Place                       K - 3rd Grade

Alex Wyble                               FES                  2nd Place                      K - 3rd Grade

Lauren Gerald                            Enon                 1st Place                       K - 3rd Grade

Brandi Pittman                           Enon                 3rd Place                      4th - 6th Grade

Sarah Spears                            Enon                 3rd Place                      4th - 6th Grade

 

Board members and Mr. Fairburn congratulated each of the students on a job well done.

 

Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the May 10, 2007, regular board meeting (Richard Thomas).

 

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the minutes of the May 10, 2007, regular board meeting as submitted to each member.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to employ a Principal, Franklinton Primary School (Matthew Tate).

 

Upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board employ Aylene Crain, Principal, Franklinton Primary School for a contract period of two years, July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2009.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to authorize withdrawal privileges for Aylene Crain on all Franklinton Primary School bank accounts effective July 1, 2007,  and terminate withdrawal privileges for Brenda Quin on all Franklinton Primary School bank accounts effective July 1, 2007 (Richard Thomas).

 

It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize withdrawal privileges for Aylene Crain on all Franklinton Primary School bank accounts effective July 1, 2007,  and terminate withdrawal privileges for Brenda Quin on all Franklinton Primary School bank accounts effective July 1, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to employ a Child Welfare and Attendance Supervisor (Matthew Tate).

 

Upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board employ Frances Varnado, Child Welfare and Attendance Supervisor for a contract period of two years, July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2009.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adopt the revised and recoded Washington Parish School Board Policy File: EFA - Technology Acceptable Use Policy (Patty Alford).

 

It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt the revised and recoded Washington Parish School Board Policy File: EFA - Technology Acceptable Use Policy.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received from area physicians for bus operator physicals (William Brignac).

 

Upon the recommendation of William Brignac, Supervisor, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Mary Adams, that the Board approve the low quote from Dr. Roger Casama, Bogalusa, LA in the amount of $50.00 per bus operator physical.  Motion carried unanimously.  Other quotes submitted: Family Medical Clinic, Franklinton, LA - $90.00 per physical and Intergrated Medical Care, Franklinton, LA - $131.00 per physical.

 

Agenda Item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received on flooring at Mt. Hermon School (William Brignac).

Upon the recommendation of William Brignac, Supervisor, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the low quote from Decorating Showroom, Inc.,  Franklinton, LA in the amount of $10,402.50 for flooring at Mt. Hermon School.  Motion carried unanimously.  Other quotes submitted: Mike=s Flooring, LLC, Franklinton, LA - $10,744.50 and Kennedy=s Decorating Center, Inc., Franklinton, LA - $13,399.50.

 

Agenda Item #13 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received on a lawnmower for Enon Elementary School (William Brignac).

 

Upon the recommendation of William Brignac, Supervisor, it was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board approve the low quote from Singleton Sales and Service, Franklinton, LA in the amount of $2,429.10 on a cub cadet lawnmower with a 54" deck.  Motion carried unanimously.  Other quotes submitted: Sunshine Equipment Co, Franklinton, LA - $3,719.20 and Smith & Smith, LLC, Franklinton, LA - $3,719.20.

 

Upon the recommendation of William Brignac, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Karl Bickham, to Add to the Agenda, to discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received on flooring at Franklinton Primary School.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board approve the low quote from Decorating Showroom, Inc., Franklinton, LA in the amount of $5,413.82 for flooring at Franklinton Primary School.  Motion carried unanimously.  Other quotes submitted: Mike=s Flooring, LLC, Franklinton, LA - $5,568.00 and Kennedy=s Decorating Center, Inc., Franklinton, LA - $7,233.30.

 

Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of Emma Ross, Principal (Darrell Fairburn).

 

Upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board renew the contract of Emma Ross, Principal, Varnado High School for a contract period July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of Geary McKenzie, Principal (Darrell Fairburn).

 

Upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board renew the contract of Geary McKenzie, Principal, Pine School for a contract period July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of Steven Knight, Principal (Darrell Fairburn).

 

Upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board renew the contract of Steven Knight, Principal, Thomas Elementary School for a contract period July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #17 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the transfer policy (Freddie Jefferson).

 

Karen Spears, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, responded to some of the concerns of the transfer policy.  It was decided by the Board that there would be no transfers after the deadline date, no transfer applications will be sent out with student names on them, and that approval letters this year should include the deadline date change for next year and that no notice will be given in the future.  This is strictly the responsibility of the parent to remember to file for a transfer each year.

 

Agenda Item #18 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).

 

Upon the recommendation of Richard Kennedy, Personnel Director, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the Personnel and Transportation Adjustments as follows:

 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

 

RETIREMENT RESIGNATION

 

Franklinton Jr. High School: Pauline Bankston, Principal, Retirement Resignation effective June 14, 2007.

Franklinton High School: Beverly Young, Principal, Retirement Resignation effective June 14, 2007.

Franklinton School District: Thelma Bryant, Bus Attendant, Retirement Resignation effective May 31, 2007.

Central Office: William Magee, Maintenance Worker, Retirement Resignation effective June 30, 2007.

 

SICK LEAVE/EXTENDED SICK LEAVE/RETIREMENT RESIGNATION

 

Mt. Hermon School: Sharon Klerk, Regular Teacher, Sick Leave effective August 6, 2007 thru September 20, 2007 A.M. and Extended Sick Leave effective September 20, 2007 P.M. thru October 18, 2007 and Retirement Resignation effective October 18, 2007.

 

SICK LEAVE/RETIREMENT RESIGNATION

 

Franklinton Primary School: Rosemary Graham, Regular Teacher, Sick Leave effective August 6, 2007 thru December 21, 2007 and Retirement Resignation effective December 21, 2007.

 

RESIGNATION

 

Enon Elementary School: Paul Magee, Custodian, Resignation effective July 5, 2007.

Thomas Elementary School: Virginia Breland, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective June 1, 2007.

 

TRANSFER

 

Rebecca Crain, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School TO Regular Teacher, Mt. Hermon School effective the 2007/2008 school year (Replacing Sharon Klerk).

Pamela Ellis, LA4 Teacher, Franklinton Primary School TO LA4 Teacher, Thomas Elementary School effective the 2007/2008 school year (Replacing Jane Seals).

Leslie Ezell, School Clerk, Enon Elementary School TO Accountant II - Inventory, Central Office effective June 1, 2007.

Christy Kemp, Regular Teacher, Franklinton High School TO Regular Teacher, Pine School effective the 2007/2008 school year (Replacing Alyne Jackson)(Certified).

Taffenie Mizell, Itinerant Talented Art Teacher, Enon Elementary School TO Itinerant Talented Art Teacher, Franklinton High School effective the 2007/2008 school year (Replacing Kay Bell).

Melanie Perry, Kindergarten Teacher, Varnado Elementary School TO Kindergarten Teacher, Thomas Elementary School effective the 2007/2008 school year (Replacing Sondra Honaker).

Brandy Roberts, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School effective the 2007/2008 school year only (Fill in for Sally Foy who is on Sabbatical)(Certified).

Rose Sanford, Reading First Content Leader, Mt. Hermon School TO Reading First Content Leader, Franklinton Primary School effective July 1, 2007 (Replacing Aylene Crain).

Angela Michelle Thomas, Class Size Reduction Teacher, Franklinton Primary School TO Kindergarten Class Size Reduction Teacher, Thomas Elementary School effective the 2007/2008 school year (Replacing Savanna Thomas)(Certified).

Gretchen Witkowski, Special Education Paraprofessional, Mt.Hermon School TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School effective the 2007/2008 school year(Replacing Brandy Roberts)(Certified).

 

CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS

 

Tama Blanchard, Special Education Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School TO ISS Paraprofessional, Franklinton Elementary School effective the 2007/2008 school year.

Keith Branch, Special Education Paraprofessional, Pine School TO ISS Paraprofessional, Pine School effective the 2007/2008 school year.

Shanda Glover, Receptionist Clerk, Central Office TO Field Transportation Coordinator, Central Office effective June 1, 2007.

 

LEAVE WITHOUT PAY

 

Enon Elementary School: Paula Miley, Reading First Paraprofessional, Leave Without Pay effective August 6, 2007 thru December 21, 2007.

 

EMPLOY

 

Angie Jr. High School: Leona Bickham, ISS Paraprofessional, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year.

Angie Jr. High School: Emma Bracey, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified).

Angie Jr. High School: Tanula Owens, Special Education Teacher, Employ effectie the 2007/2008 school year only (PL Certification).

Enon Elementary School:  Marsha Moran, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year only (Fill in for Karen Thigpen who is on Sabbatical Leave)(Certified).

Franklinton Primary School: Julie Akins, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Replacing Elizabeth Doyle)(Certified).

Franklinton Primary School: Elizabeth Haynes, Class Size Reduction Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified).

Franklinton Primary School: Paula Hebert, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified).

Franklinton Primary School: Sarah Keaton, LA4 Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year only (PL Certification)(Replacing Pam Ellis).

Franklinton Primary School: Ann Parker, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified).

Franklinton Jr. High School: Christopher Brewin, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year only (PL Certification).

Franklinton Jr. High School: Andy Creel, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (PL Certification).

Franklinton Jr. High School: Paula Fortenberry, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Replacing Freida Matschnig)(Certified).

Franklinton Jr. High School: Chanda Thomas, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified).

Mt. Hermon School: James R. Fortenberry, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year only (PL Certification)(Replacing DaShun Howard).

Mt. Hermon School: Ashley Schilling, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Replacing Kathleen James)(Certified).

Mt. Hermon School: Pamela Williamson, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year only (PL Certification)(Replacing Onshella Vernon).

Thomas Elementary School: Sondra Honaker, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year.

Thomas Elementary School: Savanna Thomas, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Replacing Virginia Breland)(Certified).

Wesley Ray Elementary School: Melissa Holliday, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified).

Wesley Ray Elementary School: Amy Kitchens, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Replacing Tara Felts)(Certified).

 

TRANSPORTATION  ADJUSTMENTS

 

Franklinton School District:                                                         Extend the route of Donna Givens 1.1 mile one way to pick up Casey Mott.  Effective date: May 11, 2007.         

 

Motion carried unanimously.      

                                                                                               

Agenda Item #19 - Superintendent's Report

 

Superintendent Fairburn congratulated Frances Varnado and Aylene Crain on their new positions.  He also congratulated Ms. Ross, Mr. McKenzie and Mr. Knight on their contract renewals.  He thanked Karen Spears and Brenda Quin on a job well done. 

 

Mary Jones announced the winners of the Charles Foti, Attorney General's American Spirit Poster Contest with the theme Celebrating Louisiana - Home Sweet Home as follows:

 

       Student                            School                             Age                      Grade

Rayleigh McGraw                       Enon                             5                      Kindergarten

Anna Papiska                            Enon                             7                      1st

Hannah Adams                          Enon                             7                      2nd

Christin Mizell                            Enon                             10                     3rd

Brandy Zeringue                         Enon                             10                     4th

Hannah Chambers                     FJHS                            12                     6th

April Gaspard                            FJHS                            14                     7th

Kelly Yates                               FJHS                            13                     8th

 

Kelly Yates won at the state level.

 

Mr. Fairburn stated that all payroll checks will be mailed during the summer.

 

Since Dr. Pam Williford is out on sick leave, Mr. Fairburn authorized Ann Cowart to take care of any necessary paperwork.

 

Mr. Fairburn also stated that the equipment at the Vocational Center would not be completely disbursed, but when he decided what to do with it that it would be fairly divided among the schools that could use it.

 

Agenda Item #20 - Other business from board members.

 

All Board members congratulated Frances Varnado and Aylene Crain.

 

Karl Bickham recognized Mr. Hayward Boone and his wife, Dody, that was present at the meeting.

 

Bruce Brown expressed his concerns that Thomas Elementary School could possibly be 2 to 3 classrooms short for the beginning of the 2007/2008 school year.  He asked the Board to consider some way to help alleviate the problem.

 

Freddie Jefferson stated that there would be a Capital Improvement Committee Meeting on Monday, May 28, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Matthew Tate requested that the Board review the Use of School Facilities Policy.  He also stated that there would be a Personnel Committee meeting on Monday, June 11, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

 

Agenda Item #21 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S.  42:6.1A(1) concerning a personnel matter (Richard Thomas).

 

It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board enter into Executive Session under LA R.S.  42:6.1A(1) concerning a personnel matter.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #22 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.

 

It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board return to regular session.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #23 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

 

It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adjourn.  Motion carried unanimously.