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, Matthew Tate and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: Alan McCain.
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 Mt. Hermon School - Ruth Stoudenmier (Darrell Fairburn).
Ms. Ruth Stoudenmier, Principal, Mt. Hermon School, introduced Ms. Linda Fortenberry, Teacher, who wrote a grant to prepare a documentary of the historically rich community of Mt. Hermon. The English students of Ms. Fortenberry gained extensive knowledge and skills in researching old documents and in interviewing senior citizens as they cooperatively worked using the video recorder, scanner, digital camera and recorders that were purchased through this grant. This project will serve to preserve the community history, and the documentary will be sold to the community citizens. Cynthia Hendershot gave a brief overview of the project and described the rewarding experience that she has had while researching and putting together this project. Ms. Joni Fanguy showed several of the pictures that had been taken of the senior citizens interviewed and some of the historical places.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the May 24, 2007, regular board meeting (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the minutes of the May 24, 2007, regular board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adopt an Official Journal for the period beginning July 1, 2007 and ending June 30, 2008 (Darrell Fairburn).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board adopt the Era-Leader, Franklinton, LA as the Official Journal for the period beginning July 1, 2007 and ending June 30, 2008. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for the purchase of Bakery Products for the School Lunch Program for the 2007/2008 school year (Marsha Newman).
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board approve the bids for the purchase of Bakery Products for the School Lunch Program for the 2007/2008 school year as follows: (see original text for chart)
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for the purchase of Milk Products for the School Lunch Program for the 2007/2008 school year (Marsha Newman).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board approve the bids for the purchase of Milk Products for the School Lunch Program for the 2007/2008 school year as follows: (see original text for chart)
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: JBCD-R (Karen Spears).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: JBCD-R. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Title I allocations for the 2007/2008 fiscal year(T. J. Butler, Jr.).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board approve Plan 2 of the Title I allocations for the 2007/2008 school year as follows:
SCHOOL % FREE & # STUDENTS ALLOCATION
REDUCED LUNCH
Varnado High 99.42% 171 $ 58,140.00
Angie Jr. High 98.43% 188 $ 63,920.00
Varnado Elementary 97.88% 183 $ 62,220.00
Wesley Ray Elementary 96.74% 178 $ 60,520.00
Thomas Elementary 96.57% 478 $162,520.00
Pine School 90.88% 507 $172,380.00
Franklinton Primary 81.62% 382 $ 98,938.00
Franklinton Elementary 80.85% 401 $103,859.00
Franklinton Jr. High 78.69% 443 $ 70,880.00
Mt. Hermon 75.29% 384 $ 61,440.00
Enon School 72.57% 246 $ 39,360.00
Franklinton High 70.42% 550 $ 88,000.00
TOTAL $1,042,177.00
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Student Accident Blanket Insurance coverage for the 2007/2008 school year (Beth Fussell).
Upon the recommendation of Beth Fussell, Director of Finance, it was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board approve Plan AA with AIG, New Iberia, LA with an annual premium of $29,000.00 for Student Accident Blanket Insurance coverage for the 2007/2008 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Student Accident Catastrophic Insurance Plan for the 2007/2008 school year (Beth Fussell).
Upon the recommendation of Beth Fussell, Director of Finance, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board approve AIG, New Iberia, LA with an annual premium of $2,708.00 for Student Accident Catastrophic Insurance for the 2007/2008 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of Trinity Insurance, Third Party Administrator, for workers compensation (Beth Fussell).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board renew the contract of Trinity Insurance, Third Party Administrator, for workers compensation for a period of one year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for the purchase of School Supplies for the 2007/2008 school year (Beth Fussell).
Upon the recommendation of Beth Fussell, Director of Finance, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board award bids for the purchase of School Supplies for the 2007/2008 school year as follows: Unisource, Jacksonville, FL - $29,863.50; Bill White=s, Bogalusa, LA - $ 11.92; Standard Stationery, Wheeling, IL - $1,216.90 and Quill, Lincolnshire, IL - $542.82. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Adopt the millage rates for the tax year 2007 (Beth Fussell).
Upon the recommendation of Beth Fussell, Director of Finance, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board adopt a resolution for the millage rates for the tax year 2007 as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington Parish School Board adopt the following millage rate(s) for the tax year 2007:
District Wide Tax for General Fund:
General M & O Tax 5.12 Mills
General M & O Tax 4.83 Mills
School District Taxes:
Special Taxes
Angie District Maintenance Tax 5.12
Bond and Interest Taxes
Mt. Hermon District 31.0 Mills
Varnado District 22.5 Mills
Tax District #4 43.0 Mills
YEAS: Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Mary Adams, Dewitt Perry, Richard N.
Thomas, Matthew Tate, and Freddie Jefferson.
NAYS: None
Abstentions: None
Absent: Lee Alan McCain
CERTIFICATE
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of a resolution adopted at a Regular board meeting held on June 14, 2007, at which time a quorum was present and voting.
Franklinton, Louisiana, this 14th day of June 2007.
_________________________________
Darrell Fairburn, Superintendent
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution obligating funds to a land and water conservation fund project (Donna Alonzo).
Upon the recommendation of Donna Alonzo, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt a resolution obligating funds to a land and water conservation fund project as follows:
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #17 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding a change order for brick at Thomas Elementary School (Freddie Jefferson).
Deleted
Agenda Item #18 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding a change order for doors and hardware at Thomas Elementary School (Freddie Jefferson).
Deleted
Add to the Agenda: It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve change order #004 for Thomas Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board approve change order #004 for Thomas Elementary School in the amount of $992.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #19 - Consider a motion to employ a Principal, Franklinton Jr. High School (Matthew Tate).
Upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board employ Pauline Bankston, Principal, Franklinton Jr. High School for a contract period of 2 years beginning June 18, 2007 thru June 17, 2009. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #20 - Consider a motion to authorize withdrawal privileges for ______________ on all Franklinton Jr. High School bank accounts effective July 1, 2007, and terminate withdrawal privileges for Pauline Bankston on all Franklinton Jr. High School bank accounts effective July 1, 2007 (Richard Thomas).
Deleted.
Agenda Item #21 - Consider a motion to employ a Principal, Franklinton High School (Matthew Tate).
Upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board employ Beverly Young, Principal, Franklinton High School for a contract period of 2 years beginning June 18, 2007 thru June 17, 2009. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #22 - Consider a motion to authorize withdrawal privileges for ______________ on all Franklinton High School bank accounts effective July 1, 2007, and terminate withdrawal privileges for Beverly Young on all Franklinton High School bank accounts effective July 1, 2007 (Richard Thomas).
Deleted.
Agenda Item #23 - Consider a motion to employ a Principal, Enon Elementary School (Matthew Tate).
Upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board employ Jackie Boone, Principal, Enon Elementary School for a contract period of 2 years beginning July 1, 2007 thru June 30, 2009. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #24 - Consider a motion to authorize withdrawal privileges for Jackie Boone on all Enon Elementary School bank accounts effective July 1, 2007, and terminate withdrawal privileges for Frances Varnado on all Enon Elementary 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 Jackie Boone on all Enon Elementary School bank accounts effective July 1, 2007, and terminate withdrawal privileges for Frances Varnado on all Enon Elementary School bank accounts effective July 1, 2007. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #25 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the PM School (Darrell Fairburn).
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board approve the job description for Lead Teacher for Alternative School and authorize advertisement for the position. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #26 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
Upon the recommendation of Richard Kennedy, 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 District: Faye Newman, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective June 30, 2007.
RESIGNATION
Franklinton Jr. High School: Rhonda Van Winkle, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective June 13, 2007.
Thomas Elementary School: LaChrisha Carnegie, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective June 12, 2007.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Gary Mingo, Custodian, Resignation effective June 1, 2007.
LEAVE WITHOUT PAY
Enon Elementary School: Barbara Williams, Title I Tutor, Leave Without Pay effective August 20, 2007 thru December 6, 2007.
Franklinton Primary School: Sharonda Thigpen, LA4 Paraprofessional, Leave Without Pay effective August 6, 2007 thru December 21, 2007.
Pine School: Barbara Gerald, Leave Without Pay effective August 20, 2007 thru December 7, 2007.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Enon Elementary School: Jeanne Daughdrill, Kindergarten Teacher TO Regular Teacher effective the 2007/2008 school year(Certified).
Enon Elementary School: Leonard Helmstetter, Special Education Teacher TO Regular Teacher effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified)(Replacing Carl Duckworth)
Enon Elementary School: Gail Rutherford, LA4 Paraprofessional TO Reading First Paraprofessional effective the Fall Semester of the 2007/2008 school year only.
Franklinton Primary School: Ann Parker, Regular Teacher, TO Kindergarten Teacher effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Sheryl Crain, Regular Teacher TO 8(G) Teacher effective the 2007/2008 school year only.
Mt. Hermon School: Stacey Breaud, Kindergarten Teacher TO Reading First Interventionist effective July 1, 2007.
Mt. Hermon School: Nora Lupo, Regular Teacher, TO Kindergarten Teacher effective the 2007/2008 school year.
Varnado Elementary School: Melissa Kennedy, Title I Pre-school TO Kindergarten Teacher effective the 2007/2008 school year (Replacing Melanie Perry).
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Annie Moses, Speech Therapist TO Reading First Content Leader effective July 1, 2007.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Stacy Phillips, Regular Teacher TO Kindergarten Teacher effective the 2007/2008 school year (OFAT)(Replacing Ramona Boyd).
SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE
Franklinton High School: Mary Catherine Gueldner, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the Fall Semester of the 2007/2008 school year.
TRANSFER
Ramona Boyd, Kindergarten Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School TO Kindergarten Teacher, Thomas Elementary School effective the 2007/2008 school year only (Replacing Iris Fornea).
Cheri Libert, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School TO Regular Teacher, Thomas Elementary School effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified)(Replacing Stephanie Sumrall).
Linda McCullough, LA4 Teacher, Franklinton Primary School TO Family Consumer Science Teacher, Franklinton High School effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified)(Replacing Marie Amer).
Mary Paduda, Reading First Content Leader, Wesley Ray Elementary School TO Reading First Content Leader, Varnado Elementary School effective July 1, 2007.
Missy Seal, School Secretary, Varnado High School TO School Secretary, Franklinton High School effective June 18, 2007 (Replacing Julie Williams).
Cynthia Welch, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified)(Replacing Rebecca Crain).
Julie Williams, School Secretary, Franklinton High School TO School Secretary, Enon Elementary School effective June 18, 2007 (Replacing Leslie Ezell).
EMPLOY
Central Office: Rickie Beaver, Carpenter, Employ effective June 18, 2007.
Central Office: Charlet Lewis, Administrative Assistant I, Employ effective June 18, 2007.
Angie Jr. High School: Charles Edward Ginn, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified).
Franklinton Primary School: Kayla Brock, Kindergarten Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified)(Replacing Carmen Magee).
Franklinton Primary School: Rebecca Crawford, LA4 Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified)(Replacing Jeannie Matthews).
Franklinton Primary School: Alma Manton, LA4 Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified)(Replacing Linda McCullough).
Franklinton Elementary School: Pamela Pegues, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified)(Replacing Paula Fortenberry).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Carmine Buras, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified)(Replacing Sarah Keaton).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Jana Pounds, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Sondra Wilson, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified).
Franklinton High School: Brett Beard, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year only (OFAT)(Replacing Joshua Taylor).
Franklinton High School: Adam Brumfield, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 20072/008 school year only (OFAT).
Franklinton High School: Everett Phillips, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified)(Replacing Christian Kemp).
Franklinton High School: Loyman Prestenbach, Band Teacher, Employ effective the 20072/008 school year (Certified).
Franklinton High School: Melissa Prestenbach, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified)(Replacing Joshua Joiner).
Franklinton Resource Center: Erica Morgan, Speech Pathologist Assistant, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year only.
Mt. Hermon School: Murry Joe Duncan, Jr., Special Education Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year only (PL Certification)(Replacing Mary Rester).
Thomas Elementary School: Jessica LeMaire, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year only (PL Certification).
Varnado Elementary School: Sarah Nicole Boyd, Title I Pre-K, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified)(Replacing Melissa Kennedy).
Varnado Elementary School: Miranda Fersch, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year (Certified).
Varnado High School: James Garrett, Custodian, Employ effective June 18, 2007.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Samantha Skiffer, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective the 2007/2008 school year only (OFAT)(Replacing April Magee).
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #27 - Superintendent's Report
Varnado High School Library received a $5,000.00 Laura Bush Grant for books for the library.
Superintendent Fairburn stated that the National Guard would demolish the FHS Football Stadium in the summer of 2008.
Superintendent Fairburn called for a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
Add to the Agenda: It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board call a Special Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. and a Personnel Committee Meeting at 6:00 p.m. on July 26, 2007. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board call a Special Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. and a Personnel Committee Meeting at 6:00 p.m. on July 26, 2007. Motion carried unanimously.
Add to the Agenda: It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize advertisement for 1 Elementary School and 1 Middle School Math Coach as a 12 month employee for 1 year only. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board authorize advertisement for 1 Elementary School and 1 Middle School Math Coach as a 12 month employee for 1 year only. Motion carried unanimously.
Add to the Agenda: It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received on floor covering in the Mt. Hermon School Cafeteria. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the low quote from Decorating Showroom, Inc., Franklinton, LA in the amount of $6,101.88 for flooring in the Mt. Hermon School Cafeteria. Motion carried unanimously. Other bid submitted: Kennedy's Decorating Center, Inc., Franklinton, LA in the amount of $9,039.64.
Add to the Agenda: It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received on floor covering at Mt. Hermon School. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the low quote from Decorating Showroom, Franklinton, LA in the amount of $5,773.90 for floor covering at Mt. Hermon School. Motion carried unanimously. Other bid submitted: Kennedy's Decorating Center, Inc., Franklinton, LA - $6,815.83.
Add to the Agenda: It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board approve a loan to Franklinton High School Baseball to be used with the Baseball Tomorrow Grant and be repaid from the sale of the old FHS Stadium Properties. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board approve a loan of $37,000.00 to FHS Baseball to be used with the Baseball Tomorrow Grant and be repaid from the sale fo the old FHS Stadium Properties. Motion carried unanimously.
Sam Fauntleroy, Architect, gave an update on the Thomas School and Franklinton Elementary School projects.
Superintendent Fairburn stated that a FEMA meeting would be held on June 15, 2007 regarding the Angie Jr. High School Building.
Add to the Agenda: It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve a loan to Varnado High School for a security camera. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Mary Adams, that the Board approve a loan against future allocations to Varnado High School in the amount of $17,392.00 for the purchase of a security camera. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #28 - Other business from board members.
All Board Members congratulated Jackie Boone on her new position as Principal at Enon Elementary School.
Agenda Item #29 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Mary Adams, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.