Franklinton, Louisiana

December 9, 2010

6:30 p.m.

The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: Dan Slocum, Bruce Brown, John Breland, Mary Adams, Karl Bickham, 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 Freddie Jefferson. 

Agenda Item #2 – Invocation

The invocation was given by Bruce Brown.

Agenda Item #3 - Pledge of Allegiance

Agenda Item #4 – Recognize outgoing Board Members (Darrell Fairburn).

Prior to the board meeting, a reception was held to honor the outgoing board members, Mr. Karl Bickham and Mr. Freddie Jefferson.   Superintendent Darrell Fairburn presented a plaque to Mr. Bickham for his 16 years of service to the board.  Mr. Bickham served as District 2 board member from 1995 – 2010 and Vice President from 2008 – 2010. 

He presented a plaque to Mr. Jefferson for his 54 years of service to the board.  Mr. Jefferson was employed with the school system as a teacher and administrator for 38 years and served an additional 16 years as District 9 board member from 1995 – 2010 and President from 2008 – 2010.

The Board thanked the outgoing board members for their dedication to the board and wished them well in the future.

Agenda Item #5 – Recognize Wesley Ray Elementary Student – Ginger Champagne (Darrell Fairburn). 

Hope Jefferson, a 10 year old student from Wesley Ray Elementary School was one of 10 essay contest winners to attend the ”READ NOW! With Taylor Swift” literacy event in New York City.  The special literacy event was part of Scholastic’s 90^th anniversary celebration and the launch of the ”r;Read Every Day Lead a Better Life” campaign. 

The board congratulated Hope on an outstanding essay.

Agenda Item #6 – Spelling Bee Winners – Carolyn McElveen (Darrell Fairburn).

At the committee meeting on Monday night, Carolyn McElveen recognized the winners of the spelling bee contest as follows:

Grade 5 winner                          Savannah Kennedy        Thomas Elementary

Grade 6 winner                          Hannah Adams              Franklinton Jr. High

The board congratulated the students on a job well done.

Agenda Item #7 – Recognize Honor Band winners – Loyman Prestenbach (Darrell Fairburn).

At the committee meeting on Monday night, Mr. Prestenbach recognized the following honor band winners:

Sr. High Students:

Sara Atchison, 7th Chair Flute

Patrick Dykes, 1st Chair Percussion

Cameron Conerly, 6th Chair Percussion

Brandon Rosiere, 1st Chair French Horn

Megan Hatteberg, 4th Chair French Horn

Lindsey Jenkins, 1st Chair Clarinet

Dominique, 3rd Chair Clarinet

Johnny Hill, 2nd Chair Trombone

Bryce Thomas, 4th Chair Euphonium

Kaysie Gray, 1st Chair Contra Bass Clarinet

Chrystalynne Moran, 2nd Chair Bass Clarinet

Jr. High Students:

Madison Fuzette, 9th Chair Flute

Colt Manning, 2nd Chair Clarinet

Taylor Covington, 5th Chair Clarinet

Harley Freeman, 6th Chair Clarinet

Tianna Cotton, 13th Chair Clarinet

David Jenkins, 1st Chair Percussion

Taylor Johnston, 3rd Chair Trumpet

Lane Clevenger, 6th Chair Trumpet

Noah Post-Christopher, 7th Chair Trumpet

Connor Ackerman, 4th Chair Trombone

Jared Dominguez, 8th Chair Trombone

Chance Broadway, 5th Chair Euphonium

Nathan Ackerman, 6th Chair Euphonium

Kayla Jenkins, 1st Chair Tuba

SLU High School Honors Wind Ensemble and Wind

Symphony:

Patrick Dykes: 2nd Chair Symphony Band

Lindsey Jenkins: 10th Chair Symphony Band

Johnny Hill: 2nd Chair Wind Ensemble

The Board congratulated the outstanding honor band winners.

            Agenda Item #8 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the FHS Baseball Fieldhouse – Lisa Tanner (Darrell Fairburn).

            It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board loan $20,000 to FHS Baseball for construction of the Fieldhouse.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the November 11, 2010, regular board meeting (Freddie Jefferson).

It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the minutes of the November 11, 2010, regular board meeting as submitted to each member.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the November 18, 2010, special board meeting (Freddie Jefferson).

It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt the minutes of the November 18, 2010, special board meeting as submitted to each member.  Motion carried unanimously.

            ADD TO THE AGENDA:  It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Alan McCain, that the board approve a one year extension to the superintendent’s contract.  Motion carried unanimously.

            It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board extend Darrell Fairburn’s contract for one year ending December 31, 2012.  Motion carried unanimously.

            Agenda Item #11 - Report from the firm of Postlethwaite and Netterville regarding the 2009/2010 audit of general purpose financial statements (Beth Keaton).

            Joey Richard gave a brief overview of the 2009/2010 audit of the general purpose financial statement.  It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board approve the 2009/2010 audit report as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

         Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to employ a Principal, Pine School (Darrell Fairburn).

         Mr. Fairburn recommended employing Jennifer Thomas as Principal of Pine School.    It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board employ Jennifer Thomas, Pine School Principal with a two year contract effective December 17, 2010 through December 16, 2012.  Motion carried unanimously.

         Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to authorize withdrawal privileges for ______________ on all Pine School bank accounts effective December 17, 2010 and terminate withdrawal privileges for Geary McKenzie on all Pine School bank accounts effective December 17, 2010.(Darrell Fairburn).      

         It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize withdrawal privileges for Jennifer Thomas on all Pine School bank accounts effective December 17, 2010 and terminate withdrawal privileges for Geary McKenzie on all Pine School bank accounts effective December 17, 2010.  Motion carried unanimously.

            Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to authorize withdrawal privileges for ___________, on all Washington Parish School Board bank accounts, in conjunction with the Superintendent, effective January 1, 2011, and terminate withdrawal privileges for Freddie Jefferson, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2010, effective January 1, 2011, due to the current President's term of office expiring on December 31, 2010 such privileges to be in effect until a new President is elected for the year 2011 (Darrell Fairburn).

         It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board authorize withdrawal privileges for Alan McCain, on all Washington Parish School Board bank accounts, in conjunction with the Superintendent, effective January 1, 2011, and terminate withdrawal privileges for Freddie Jefferson, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2010, effective January 1, 2011, due to the current President's term of office expiring on December 31, 2010 such privileges to be in effect until a new President is elected for the year 2011.  For:  Dan Slocum, Bruce Brown, John Breland, Mary Adams, Karl Bickham, Freddie Jefferson, Dewitt Perry and Matthew Tate.  Abstained:  Alan McCain.  Motion carried.

         Agenda Item #15 - 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

            Varnado High School:  Bobby Matthew, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective December 17, 2010.

RESIGNATION

            Franklinton Jr. High School:  Sylvia Graves, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective December 18, 2010.

            Franklinton Jr. High School:  Nazea Rogers, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective November 29, 2010.

SICK LEAVE/EXTENDED SICK LEAVE

            Thomas Elementary School:  Iris Fornea, Kindergarten Teacher, Sick Leave/Extended Sick Leave effective the Spring Semester of the 2010/2011 school year.

SICK LEAVE

            Varnado High School:  Patricia Duncan, Regular Teacher, Sick Leave effective the Spring Semester of the 2010/2011 school year.

TRANSFER

            Barbara Harris, Title I Paraprofessional, Wesley Ray Elementary School TO Bus Operator, Pine/Thomas District effective January 5, 2011 (Replacing John Mord).

EMPLOY

            Franklinton Primary School:  Evie Clark, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective the Spring Semester of the 2010/2011 school year only (Fill in for Paula Hebert).

            Franklinton Jr. High School:  Winifred Bickham, Custodian, Employ effective January 4, 2011.

            Franklinton Jr. High School:  Melissa Jones, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective the Spring Semester of the 2010/2011 school year only (Fill in for Stephanie Kennedy).

            Pine School:  Talena Pope, Regular Teacher, Employ effective December 6, 2010 (Fill in for Catherine Tall).

            Thomas Elementary School:  Reagan Boone, Kindergarten Teacher, Employ effective the Spring Semester of the 2010/2011 school year only (Fill in for Iris Fornea).

            Thomas Elementary School:  Keith Branch, Special Education Paraprofessional, Employ effective the Spring Semester of the 2010/2011 school year.

TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS

Enon District:                      Extend the route of Michael Sharp 4.5 miles one way to pick up Skylar Patten.

  Effective date:    December 6, 2010.

Franklinton District:             Extend the route of Loretta Stafford 3.5 miles one way to pick up Isreal Baker (Alt. School).

  Effective date:    November 30, 2010.

Wesley Ray District:            Extend the route of Rena Knight 17 miles one way to pick up Sean Murrell.

            Effective date:    November 17, 2010.

Motion carried unanimously.

         Agenda Item #16 - Superintendent’s Report

            Wished all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

         Agenda Item #17 - Other business from board members.

            The Board congratulated Jennifer Thomas on her new position as Principal of Pine School and wished her well.

            The Board wished the Franklinton High School Demon football team good luck on Saturday in the State Championship game.

            The Board wished Karl Bickham and Freddie Jefferson success in their future endeavors.  Karl and Freddie thank the Board for the positive comments and expressed the joy they have shared over the years.

            Wished all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

         Agenda Item #18 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

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

______________________________

Freddie Jefferson, President

______________________________

Darrell Fairburn, Secretary