The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Linda Thomas, Mary Adams, Freddie Jefferson, Dewitt Perry, Alan McCain and Matthew Tate. Absent: None.
Agenda Item #1 - Call to order
The meeting was called to order by President Freddie Jefferson. 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 Linda Thomas, District 4.
Attorney Wayne Kuhn administered the Oath of Office to Ms. Linda Thomas, District 4.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(2) to discuss the matter of Brunt Construction Company, Inc. vs. Washington Parish School Board, et al (Darrell Fairburn).
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(2) to discuss the matter of Brunt Construction Company, Inc. vs. Washington Parish School Board, et al. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the December 13, 2007, regular board meeting (Freddie Jefferson).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board adopt the minutes of the December 13, 2007, regular meeting as submitted to each Board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received on a Hand Crafted Play House located at the old Pine School (Beth Fussell).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board accept a bid of $10.00 from Bronis Brumfield, Franklinton, LA for a Hand Crafted Play House located at the old Pine School. Motion carried unanimously. This was the only bid received.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement of bids for network equipment purchased through Classroom Based Technology Funds (Jimmy Thigpen).
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize advertisement of bids for network equipment purchased through Classroom Based Technology Funds. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adopt the Special Counsel Resolution regarding employment of special counsel (Darrell Fairburn).
It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt the Special Counsel Resolution regarding employment of special counsel as follows:
RESOLUTION OF WASHINGTON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
REGARDING EMPLOYMENT OF SPECIAL COUNSEL
WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statutes 42:263 authorizes the retention of special counsel by any school board upon a statement of reasons why such counsel is necessary and upon the approval by the Attorney General; and
WHEREAS, the Washington Parish School Board has employed the law firm of Hammonds & Sills as its special counsel with experience, training, and expertise in school law issues including, but not limited to, special education, school personnel matters, public bid law and general school board policy matters involving compliance with the federal and state laws and regulations, including due process hearings, tenure hearings, misconduct investigations and the handling of administrative hearings and litigation in state and federal courts; and
WHEREAS, through its representation of the Washington Parish School Board and various school boards throughout the State of Louisiana, the law firm of Hammonds & Sills of Baton Rouge and Monroe, Louisiana, has special experience, training and expertise in those issues of school law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED by the Washington Parish School Board in regular session duly convened:
Section I – This School Board does hereby renew its employment of the law firm of Hammonds & Sills of Baton Rouge and Monroe, Louisiana as special counsel with training, experience and expertise in school law issues including, but not limited to, special education, school personnel matters, public bid law and general policy matters to include administrative hearings and litigation with respect thereto for the purpose of advising, consulting with, and representing this School Board in connection with such legal matters involving the school system.
Section II – Said law firm shall be paid for their services at hourly rates equal to the maximum hourly fee schedule for special counsel published by the Attorney General of the State of Louisiana in effect at the time of the services except that the paralegal rate shall be $75.00 per hour and to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses for long distance telephone calls, document duplication, expert witness fees, court reporter fees, printing costs, travel expenses and other expenses as a result of the legal services to and for this School Board..
Section III – Said law firm shall keep itemized time records for presentation to the Superintendent with respect to services rendered at said hourly rates and the expenses incurred, and the Superintendent is hereby authorized and directed to pay same upon submission and receipt thereof.
Section IV – This employment shall continue and is effective immediately upon adoption of this resolution.
The vote, in open meeting, on the resolution was as follows:
YEAS: _____________
NAYS: _____________
ABSENT: _____________
CERTIFICATE
I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the Washington Parish School Board in regular session duly convened on January ____, 2008 and that same has not been rescinded or repealed.
FRANKLINTON, LOUISIANA, this _______ day of January, 2008.
________________________________ ________________________________
Freddie Jefferson, President Darrell Fairburn, Secretary-Treasurer
Washington Parish School Board Washington Parish School Board
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to adopt the Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the Personnel and Transportation Adjustments as follows:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION
Mt. Hermon School: Linda Sandifer, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective January 4, 2008.
Pine School: Tessa Flynt, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective January 1, 2008.
TRANSFER
Mary Henderson, Principal, Franklinton Elementary School TO Title I Coordinator, Central Office effective February 1, 2008.
LEAVE WITHOUT PAY
Mt. Hermon School: Shanda Brumfield, Special Education Paraprofessional, Leave Without Pay effective January 8, 2008 and the remainder of the 2007/2008 school year only.
Thomas Elementary School: Jennifer McKenzie, Reading First Paraprofessional, Leave Without Pay effective January 21, 2008 and the remainder of the 2007/2008 school year only.
EMPLOY
Franklinton High School: Christina Watts, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective January 7, 2008 and the remainder of the 2007/2008 school year only (TAT) (Replacing Sylvia Graves).
Mt. Hermon School: Kelli McKenzie, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective January 9, 2008 and the remainder of the 2007/2008 school year only (TAT) (Replacing Linda Sandifer).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton District: Extend the route of Melanie Erwin 1.8 miles one way to pick up Candace Cancierre. Effective date: January 11, 2008.
Extend the route of Carolyn Fussell 13.3 miles one way to pick up Mark Matney. Effective date: December 12, 2007.
Pine/Thomas District: Extend the route of Henry H. Williams 8 miles one way to pick up Steven Price. Effective date: January 8, 2008.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Superintendent’s Report
Rev. Frankie Crosby introduced Mr. Kevin Lewis the Chief Program Officer from Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. Big Brothers/Big Sisters is interested in starting a program in Washington Parish. They would like to pilot this program in the Franklinton Schools beginning in the fall of 2008. Rusty Knight, Juvenile Judge in Washington Parish, was also here in support of this program.
A high school principal’s meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. at the School Board Office.
Superintendent Fairburn stated that there is a need for a Capital Improvement and Finance Committee meeting. He said that he would look at the calendar and let the Board know the date and time of these meetings.
Sandy Morgan gave an overview of the Math Coaches and their duties. She also told about a Credit Recovery Grant and the Dual Enrollment Program with Southeastern Louisiana University.
Agenda Item #13 - Other business from board members.
The Board congratulated Ms. Mary Henderson on her new job as Title I Coordinator and wished her the best of luck.
The Board also congratulated Ms. Linda Thomas on her appointment as District 4 Board Member.
Bruce Brown invited everyone to the February 14, 2008 board meeting that will be held at Thomas Elementary School.
President Freddie Jefferson appointed Ms. Linda Thomas to the Finance Committee.
ADD TO THE AGENDA: It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board call a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. for the evaluation of the Superintendent. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board call a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. for the evaluation of the Superintendent. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.