The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: Dan Slocum, John Breland, Mary Adams, Dewitt Perry, Freddie Jefferson, Alan McCain, Karl Bickham and Matthew Tate. Absent: Bruce Brown.
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 Alan McCain.
Agenda Item #3 - Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda Item #4 - Election of Officers of the Board
Freddie Jefferson opened the floor for nominations for President of the Board to serve for the next two (2) years. Karl Bickham nominated Freddie Jefferson. It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Matthew Tate that nominations cease. For: Dan Slocum, Karl Bickham, John Breland, Mary Adams, Dewitt Perry, Alan McCain and Matthew Tate. ABSTAINING: Freddie Jefferson. Motion carried and Freddie Jefferson was declared President of the Board.
President Jefferson then opened the floor for nominations for Vice-President of the Board for the next two (2) years. Matthew Tate nominated Karl Bickham. It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Alan McCain that nominations cease. FOR: Dan Slocum, Freddie Jefferson, John Breland, Mary Adams, Dewitt Perry, Alan McCain and Matthew Tate. ABSTAINING: Karl Bickham. Motion carried and Karl Bickham was declared Vice-President of the Board.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the December 18, 2008, regular board meeting (Freddie Jefferson).
It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board adopt the minutes of the December 18, 2008, regular board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Recognition of Varnado High School (Darrell Fairburn).
Methodology developed by Standards & Poor’s Research Team and used by U.S. News & World Report to choose America’s Best High School’s was based on a three-step process. The first two steps ensured that the schools serve all their students well, using state proficiency standards as the measuring benchmarks. For those schools that made it past the first two steps, a third step assessed the degree to which schools prepare students for college-level work.
The first step determined whether each school’s students were performing better than statistically expected for the average student in the state, by factoring in the percentage of economically disadvantaged students (who tend to score lower) enrolled at the school to find which schools were performing better than their statistical expectations.
For those schools that made it past this first step, the second step determined whether the school’s least-advantaged students (black, Hispanic, and low income) were performing better than average for similar students in the state. Each school’s math and reading proficiency rates for disadvantaged students were compared with the statewide results for these disadvantaged student groups. Varnado High School was selected for the Bronze Medal recognition based on its performance on state proficiency standards. In other words, Varnado High School’s ethnic and economically disadvantaged students performed better than the Louisiana State average of those subgroups.
We want to congratulate and recognize Varnado High School’s leaders as well as the faculty and staff for their work, and the honor of earning this distinction.
The Board congratulated the faculty and staff of Varnado High School for their dedication and hard work.
Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding certificate of completion for Board Members for Act 380 of 2008 (Darrell Fairburn).
Louisiana School Boards Association Certificate of Completions was issued to John Breland, Freddie Jefferson, Alan McCain, and Matthew Tate for the completion of the required four hours of training for 2009 for ACT 380 of 2008.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for telecommunication services and equipment for e-rate (Jimmy Thigpen).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board approve the bids received for telecommunication services and equipment for e-rate as follows:
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E-Rate 2009-2010 |
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Detel |
Cisco 6506-E |
$155,139.00 |
Installation |
Included |
Includes smartnet 8x5xNBD 1yr |
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Cisco 2960-24TC-L + 2 mm SFP's |
$ 4,995.00 |
Installation |
Included |
Includes smartnet 8x5xNBD 1yr |
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Howard |
Cisco 6506-E |
$ 58,512.20 |
Installation |
$1,100.00 |
Includes smartnet 8x5xNBD 1yr |
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Cisco 2960-24TC-L + 2 mm SFP's |
$ 2,027.10 |
Installation |
$360 |
Includes smartnet 8x5xNBD 1yr |
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BCI |
Cisco 6506-E |
$ 54,231.54 |
Installation |
$1,950.00 |
Includes smartnet 8x5xNBD 1yr |
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Cisco 2960-24TC-L + 2 mm SFP's |
$ 1,975.00 |
Installation |
$450 |
Includes smartnet 8x5xNBD 1yr |
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Hunt Brothers |
Cisco 6506-E |
$ 32,000.00 |
Installation |
$8,000.00 |
HB SmarterNet $5,000/yr |
Refurb/12 Mo warranty |
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Cisco 2960-24TC-L + 2 mm SFP's |
$ 1,400.00 |
Installation |
Included |
HB SmarterNet $140.00/yr |
Refurb/12 Mo warranty |
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ATT |
Cisco 6506-E |
$ 54,826.73 |
Installation |
$1,700.00 |
Includes smartnet 8x5xNBD 1yr |
Basic configuration |
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Cisco 2960-24TC-L + 2 mm SFP's |
$ 1,953.71 |
Installation |
$ 115.00 |
Includes smartnet 8x5xNBD 1yr |
Basic configuration |
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1) Since the intent of this RFP was to purchase new equipment and four(4) of the five(5) vendors bid new equipment, we recommend the purchase |
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of NEW equipment. Wayne Kuhn advised that the purchase of new equipment was ok. |
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2) Cost will be the determining factor because all vendors meet the other requirements of our RFP. |
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3) Chart was revised due to receipt of additional information. |
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Recommendations: |
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Purchase of (1) New Cisco 6506-E and install from BCI. Cost is $56,181.54 |
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Purchase of (18) New Cisco WS-2960-24TC-L (equipment only) from AT&T at $1,953.71 each |
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Purchase basic phone service from ATT using LA 470 and contract |
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Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding a loan to FHS Band to purchase used band equipment (Beth Fussell).
It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board approve a loan of $5000.00 to the FHS Band to purchase used band equipment. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - 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 Dan Slocum, that the Board approve the Personnel and Transportation Adjustments as follows:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
SICK LEAVE/RETIREMENT
Enon Elementary School: Linda King, School Lunch Cafeteria Manager, Sick Leave effective September 15, 2008 through December 31, 2009 and retire on December 31, 2009.
SICK LEAVE/EXTENDED SICK LEAVE
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Cheryl Watts, Reading First Paraprofessional, Sick Leave/Extended Sick Leave effective the Spring Semester of the 2008/2009 school year only.
LEAVE WITHOUT PAY
Enon Elementary School: Paula Miley, Reading First Paraprofessional, Leave Without Pay effective the Spring Semester of the 2008/2009 school year only.
Franklinton District: Sherry Dupree, Bus Operator, Leave Without Pay effective January 15, 2009 and the remainder of the 2008/2009 school year only.
Thomas Elementary School: Jennifer McKenzie, Reading First Paraprofessional, Leave Without Pay effective the Spring Semester of the 2008/2009 school year only.
EMPLOY
Mt. Hermon School: Stacy Koerner, LA4 Teacher, Employ effective January 7, 2009 and the remainder of the 2008/2009 school year only (Certified) (Fill in for Tracy Edwards).
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Donna Mayo, Regular Teacher, Employ effective January 5, 2009 (Certified) (Replacing Marsha Moran).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Angie District: Extend the route of Steve Owens 3.6 miles one way to pick up Jacob Wascom and Ashleigh Powe. Effective date: January 6, 2009.
Enon District: Extend the route of Aulton Carter .7 miles one way to pick up Joseph Blackwell. Effective date: January 6, 2009.
Thomas District: Extend the route of Mecy Kelly 13.9 miles one way to pick up Shianna Daugherty due to a medical condition. Effective date: September 16, 2008.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Fairburn read the attached letter from the maintenance crew (SEE ATTACHED).
Superintendent Fairburn stated that he will call a Capital Improvement Committee Meeting soon to discuss Pine and VHS.
The Morgan Mechanical contract will be on the agenda in February.
Varnado High School SACs visit will be on March 3rd and 4th.
Agenda Item #12 - Other business from board members
Matthew Tate would like job descriptions sent to all support employees.
Freddie Jefferson requested that we schedule a meeting of the Education/Curriculum Committee.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to enter into executive session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(2) to consider negotiation of a settlement of a workers’ compensation claim (Freddie Jefferson).
It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board enter into executive session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(2) to consider negotiation of a settlement of a workers’ compensation claim. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to return to regular session
It was Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry that the Board return to regular session and settle a workers’ compensation claim to William Magee in the amount of $65,000 upon the execution of documents. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
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Freddie Jefferson, President
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Darrell Fairburn, Secretary