Franklinton, Louisiana
October 6, 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, Bruce Brown, John Breland, Matthew Tate, Dewitt Perry and Lesley McKinley. Absent: Alan McCain and Mary Adams.
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 Bruce Brown.
Agenda Item #3 - Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda Item #4 - Presentation from County Agent, Henry Harrison (Darrell Fairburn).
County Agent Henry Harrison brought the board up to date on gardening projects at FES, FPS and TES. He also talked about the obesity programs in our schools.
Superintendent Fairburn recognized Al Barron, the new Washington Parish Library Director and Levi Lewis, candidate for Assessor.
Agenda Item #5 - Presentation on school performance scores - Tricia Smith (Darrell Fairburn).
School performance scores (SPS) have been released. As of this date, the SPS is still calculated in grades K-8 as 10% Attendance & Non-Dropout Index and 90% Assessment Index (iLEAP, LEAP, LAA1, & LAA2). In high schools, the SPS is calculated as 30% Cohort Graduation Index and 70% Assessment Index. The assessment index for high schools is in a transition period as we transition from GEE assessments to End-Of-Course assessments.
This year SPS is reported differently than in the past. We used to have a star-system, but schools will now be measured with a letter grade. However, the letter grades can be quite misleading. They are not the same as grades that students receive on schoolwork. Each letter grade (A,B,C,D,F) is aligned to a SPS range from 0 to 200. This is a snapshot score that does not reflect growth. In addition to the letter grade, schools could receive a plus or a minus. The plus indicates that the school met the growth target set by the state, and the minus indicates that the school declined by 0.1 point or more. If the school has no plus or minus, it indicates that the school grew but did not meet its growth target.
In Washington Parish (WPSS), 2 schools have scores at the 100 mark: EES at 99.8 and FHS at 100.4. EES is a C- school and FHS is a C school. WPSS has 7 C schools and 3 D schools. The District Performance Score for WPSS is 91.8. WPSS is a C district that is ranked 40th out of 70 districts in the state. The poverty rate in WPSS is 84.41%. WPSS is ranked 19th out of 70 districts in poverty. In the 24 highest poverty districts, there are only 2 Cs (WPSS and Red River) and 1 B (Orleans). It is important to note that Orleans is predominately charter schools and Red River has high poverty but the school system has a large amount of operational money due to a recent oil find on school board property.
WPSS is pleased but not nearly satisfied with the district or school performance. The district will continue to work with schools to analyze data, find trends, develop plans to improve areas of weakness, and provide the resources necessary to improve in all areas.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the September 8, 2011, regular board meeting (Alan McCain).
It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board adopt the minutes of the September 8, 2011, regular board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to adopt the schedule of the school board meetings for 2012 (Darrell Fairburn).
It was moved by John Wyble, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the schedule of the school board meetings for 2012 as follows:
PUBLIC MEETINGS
ACT 707 OF 1977
REGULAR MEETINGS OF WASHINGTON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD - 2012
The Washington Parish School Board shall meet in regular session for the year 2012 at its legal domicile, the Washington Parish School Board Office Building, 800 Main Street, Franklinton, Louisiana, at 6:30 P.M., on the following dates:
THURSDAY - SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS MONDAY - COMMITTEE MEETINGS
January 12, 2012 January 10, 2012 (Tuesday)
February 9, 2012 February 6, 2012
March 8, 2012 March 5, 2012
April 12, 2012 April 10, 2012 (Tuesday)
May 3, 2012 April 30, 2012
June 14, 2012 June 11, 2012
July 12, 2012 July 9, 2012
August 9, 2012 August 6, 2012
September 13, 2012 September 10, 2012
October 11, 2012 October 8, 2012
November 8, 2012 November 5, 2012
December 6, 2012 December 3, 2012
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Bulletin 118 - Statewide Assessment Standards and Practices (Frances Varnado).
It was moved by John Wyble, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve Bulletin 118 - Statewide Assessment Standards and Practices. Bulletin 118 is intended to provide Louisiana educators and education administrators with a unified and comprehensive guide to testing programs, policies, and procedures in the state. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: BCBK - Executive Sessions; BH - School Board Ethics; EBC - Buildings and Grounds Security; GBDB - Employment of Retired Personnel; IDFA - Interscholastic Athletics; JB - Attendance; JBA - Compulsory School Attendance Ages and JBD - Student Absences and Excuses (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by John Breland, that the Board adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: BCBK - Executive Sessions; BH - School Board Ethics; EBC - Buildings and Grounds Security; GBDB - Employment of Retired Personnel; IDFA - Interscholastic Athletics; JB - Attendance; JBA - Compulsory School Attendance Ages and JBD - Student Absences and Excuses. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adopt new Washington Parish School Board Policy File: IDCC - Attendance and KGA - Public Conduct on School Property (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by John Wyble, seconded by John Breland, that the Board adopt new Washington Parish School Board Policy File: IDCC - Attendance and KGA - Public Conduct on School Property. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy)
Upon the recommendation of Richard Kennedy, Personnel Director, it was moved by John Breland, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board approve the Personnel and Transportation Adjustments as follows:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION
Special Education Department: Elizabeth Cooper, Special Education Hearing and Vision Impaired Itinerant, Resignation effective December 16, 2011.
TRANSFER
Joyce Kemp, Special Education Paraprofessional, Wesley Ray Elementary School TO Special Education Paraprofessional, Varnado High School effective October 5, 2011.
EMPLOY
Franklinton District: Todd McDonald, Bus Operator, Employ effective October 7, 2011 (new route).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton District: Extend the route of Carolyn Fussell 10.3 miles one way to pick up Cody Callender, Jr. Effective date: September 28, 2011.
Deduct 2.9 miles from the route of Rex McCain. Students no longer on route. Effective date: September 9, 2011.
Extend the route of Melaney Rauch 1 mile one way to pick up Austin Carter. Effective date: September 13, 2011.
Extend the route of Randall Welch 6.9 miles one way to pick up David and Dillon Hensley. Effective date: September 23, 2011.
Extend the route of Randall Welch 9.5 miles one way to pick up Juanita Washington. Effective date: September 26, 2011 p.m.
Pine District: Extend the route of Janet Thomas 12 miles one way to pick up 20 students on Jenkins Road. Effective date: September 19, 2011.
Varnado District: Extend the route of Patsy Owens 1.3 miles one way to pick up Kelsie Simonson. Effective date: September 7, 2011.
Wesley Ray District: Extend the route of Rena Knight 3 miles one way to pick up Malik Patterson. Effective date: September 26, 2011.
Extend the route of Kathy Peters 2 miles one way to pick up Aleshia Myres. Effective date: August 22, 2011.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #23 - Superintendent’s Report
ParaPro test will be administered on October 17, 2011.
Congratulations to Matthew Tate, FHS Homecoming Grand Marshall.
ADD TO THE AGENDA: It was moved by John Breland, seconded by John Wyble, to obtain services for redistricting. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by John Wyble, that the Board retain Buddy Jenkins as consultant for redistricting. Motion carried unanimously.
Danny Robinson, Varnado High School parent, questioned why all students that was involved in extracurricular activities were required to purchase school insurance? He stated that 90 - 98% of the students were on Medicaid. He would like to request that students receiving Medicaid and students with personal insurance receive a waiver.
The Board stated that Mr. Fairburn would meet with District 2 Superintendent’s and report back to the Board at the November 10, 2011 meeting what other districts require.
Washington Parish Recreation District #1 donations can be payroll deduction.
Mr. Faiburn made a public apology to Mr. McKinley and he accepted his apology.
Agenda Item #24 - Other business from board members.
Board members thanks Mr. Robinson for coming before the Board.
The Board congratulated Mr. Tate, FHS Grand Marshall.
John Wyble stated that anyone who believes poverty doesn’t have an impact on School Performance Scores is absurd.
Matthew Tate requested that all board members turn in their Superintendent Evaluations.
Agenda Item #27 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
______________________________
Alan McCain, President
______________________________
Darrell Fairburn, Secretary