Franklinton, Louisiana

August 25, 2011

6:30 p.m.

The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: Dan Slocum, John Wyble, John Breland, Matthew Tate, Alan McCain, Mary Adams, Dewitt Perry and Lesley McKinley.  Absent: Bruce Brown.

Agenda Item #1 - Call to order

The meeting was called to order by President Alan McCain. 

Agenda Item #2 - Invocation

The invocation was given by John Breland.

Agenda Item #3 - Pledge of Allegiance

Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the August 4, 2011, regular board meeting (Alan McCain).

It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Mary Adams, that the Board adopt the minutes of the August 4, 2011, regular board meeting as submitted to each member.  Motion carried unanimously.

            Agenda Item #4 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received on surplus equipment for the School Lunch Program (Marsha Newman).

Upon the recommendation of Marsha Newman, School Food Service Supervisor, it was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board accept the bids on surplus equipment for the School Lunch Program as follows:

            Motion carried unanimously.

            Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution to create an exemption from fuel excise taxes in favor of the public school systems of the State (Darrell Fairburn).

            Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Darrell Fairburn, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board adopt a resolution to create an exemption from fuel excise taxes in favor of the public school systems of the State as follows: 

RESOLUTION

            WHEREAS, each and every gallon of fuel, whether gasoline or diesel, used by Louisiana Public School Systems is burdened by a State Excise Tax imposed at the rate of 20 cents per gallon;
 

            WHEREAS, Governor Jindal has adamantly and energetically opposed any form of taxation as an insidious expansion of government fatal to jobs, opportunity for the State’s citizens, and the development of business;
 

            WHEREAS, Governor Jindal has fought to shield the cigarette industry from the renewal of taxes intended to reduce the debilitating impact of smoking and to ameliorate the cost of healthcare for victims of tobacco use;
 

            WHEREAS, any State official so protective of implements of illness and death must surely oppose the continuation of a tax imposed upon school children doing their best to get to school and secure an education;
 

            WHEREAS, the public school systems in Louisiana have been sufficiently penalized by the State’s oppressive imposition of unfunded mandates and unrelenting erosion of funding for elementary and secondary education;
 

            WHEREAS, siphoning more money out of the pockets of school children by exacting taxes for their transportation to school undermine their efforts to pursue educational opportunity;
 

            WHEREAS, though relief from the State’s fuel excise tax might be modest, this School System will gratefully accept a crumb in preference to being starved outright.
 

            NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Washington Parish School Board does hereby resolves, petitions, begs and implores Governor Jindal and the State Legislature to create an exemption from fuel excise taxes in favor of the public school systems of the State and thereby relieve elementary and secondary school children, through their school boards, from the burden of State taxation upon school transportation,
 

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution is provided to Governor Jindal and the elected representatives of this Parish together with a plea for relief from the continuation of unwarranted and unwise taxation;
 

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Transportation Supervisor and the Parish Superintendent be and they are hereby directed to dedicate themselves to the eradication of the fuel excise tax as it impacts public school systems.

CERTIFICATION

            I, Darrell Fairburn, hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted at the regular meeting of the Washington Parish School Board held on Thursday, August 25, 2011, a quorum being present and voting.

______________________________

Darrell Fairburn, Secretary               Washington Parish School System

Motion carried unanimously.

            Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement by and between Washington Parish Hospital Service District #1 and Washington Parish School Board (Darrell Fairburn).

            Upon the recommendation of Wayne Kuhn, Attorney, it was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Mary Adams, that the Board adopts the following resolution to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement by and between Washington Parish Hospital Service District #1 and Washington Parish School Board:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Washington Parish Hospital Service District No. 1, a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana, has declared a whirlpool lift, whirlpool turbine and a whirlpool tub 90 gallon tank to be surplus property; and

WHEREAS, Varnado High School is in need of this property to serve the needs of its student athletes; and

WHEREAS, the Washington Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 is willing to enter into a Cooperative Endeavour Agreement with the Washington Parish School Board transferring ownership of the above described equipment in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Cooperative Endeavour Agreement attached hereto and made a part hereof.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Washington Parish School Board enter into a Cooperative Endeavour Agreement with the Washington Parish Hospital Service District No. 1, wherein the Washington Parish School Board will acquire ownership of the movable property described in the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement for the benefit of Varnado High School in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in the Cooperative Endeavour Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President of the Washington Parish School Board is authorized to execute the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement on behalf of the Washington Parish School Board.

Motion carried unanimously.

            Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding athletic stipends (Darrell Fairburn).

            Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Darrell Fairburn, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adjust the athletic stipends immediately as follows:

Athletic Director (non-coaching)                           4%

High Schools are limited to the following number of assistant football coaching supplements:

5A School                                 7

4A School                                 7

3A School                                 5

2A School                                 5

1A School                                 4

High Schools are limited to the following number of assistant baseball and softball coaching supplements:

5A School                                 2

4A School                                 2

3A School                                 1

2A School                                 1

1A School                                 1

Motion carried unanimously.

            Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding residency affidavit (Darrell Fairburn).

            This item will be taken under advisement and brought to the next board meeting for approval.

            Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding political activity on school campuses (Darrell Fairburn).

            It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board adopt a policy regarding political activity on school campuses as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.  Policy File: KF.

            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 Dan Slocum, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board adopt the personnel and transportation adjustments as follows:                                                                                                                                    
 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

RESIGNATION

            Franklinton Jr. High School:  Melanie Brooks, School Lunch Worker, Resignation effective September 8, 2011.
 

SICK LEAVE/EXTENDED SICK LEAVE

            Central Office: Patricia Alford, Grant Writer/Technology Curriculum Coordinator, Sick Leave/Extended Sick Leave effective August 20, 2011 through June 1, 2012.
 

TRANSFER

            Marci Seals, Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton Jr. High School TO LA4 Paraprofessional, Thomas Elementary School effective August 11, 2011.
 

CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS

            Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Christina McMillan, Regular Teacher TO Class-Size Reduction Teacher effective the 2011/2012 school year.
 

EMPLOY

            Enon Elementary School:  Tammany Luper, Part-Time School Lunch Worker, Employ effective August 29, 2011.

            Franklinton Jr. High School:  Patricia Lott, Special Education Paraprofessional, Employ effective August 11, 2011 and the remainder of the 2011/2012 school year only.

            Pine School:  Megan Douzat, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the Fall Semester of the 2011/2012 school year only (Fill in for Cathy Tall).

            Thomas Elementary School:  Stephanie Cavanagh, LA4 Teacher, Employ effective August 11, 2011.

            Motion carried unanimously.
 

            Agenda Item #11 - Superintendent’s Report

            Mt. Hermon School - Concession and restrooms should be completed on August 31, 2011.

            Varnado High School - Renovations is complete.

            Pine School - Walkways are partially complete and handicap parking is complete.

            FHS Baseball - Contract has been signed to build a new Fieldhouse.

            Pine FFA Chapters along with their advisors, Billy Passman and J. T. Thomas received the following awards:

            Pine Jr. High School       National Chapter Award Program - 1 Star Rating

            Pine High School           National Chapter Award Program - 2 Star Rating

            Agenda Item #12 - Other business from board members.

            Lesley McKinley attended the workshop for coaches today in the Media Center. 

            Dewitt Perry stated that McDonald’s partnered with Enon School and 20% of all sales tonight until 8:00 p.m. would go to Enon School.  He encouraged everyone to go and support the school.

            Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to enter into executive session under LA R.S.  42:17A (2) to discuss status of pending litigation (Darrell Fairburn).

            It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by John Breland, that the Board enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:17A (2) to discuss status of pending litigation.  Motion carried unanimously.

            Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.

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

            Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

            It was moved by Lesley McKinley, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board adjourn.  Motion carried unanimously.

______________________________

Alan McCain, President

______________________________

Darrell Fairburn, Secretary