Franklinton, Louisiana
October 10, 2013
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, Alan McCain, Matthew Tate, and Lesley McKinley. Absent: Dewitt Perry, Mary Adams and John Wyble.
Agenda Item #1 - Call to order
The meeting was called to order by President Matthew Tate.
Agenda Item #2 – Invocation
The invocation was given by Bruce Brown.
Agenda Item #3 – Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda Item #4 – National 4-H Week – Beth Blackwell (Darrell Fairburn).
Beth Blackwell, County Agent, LSU Ag Center, stated that October 6 – 12, 2013 is National 4-H week. Ms. Blackwell gave an update on the 4-H program in the parish. Enrollment in the 4-H clubs is up this year. The club at Pine has doubled in size. She thanked the Board for their support of the 4-H program in the schools.
Agenda Item #5 – Presentation – International Paper Foundation – Kalisa Hyman (Darrell Fairburn).
Kalisa Hyman, Communications Manager, International Paper, awarded Penny Moses, Adult Education Supervisor, with a $6,500 grant to support the Adult Education literacy intervention program. 5 grants were awarded with Washington Parish receiving one of the five. There are 4 more grants available for this calendar year and the grants can be applied for each year.
Penny Moses, Supervisor, introduced the Adult Education staff in attendance as follows:
Flora Johnson, Teacher, Franklinton day and evening classes, 33 years
April Partman, Administrative Assistant, Franklinton, 6 years
Donald Warren, Teacher, Bogalusa day and evening classes, 3 years
Peggy McCastle, Paraprofessional, Bogalusa day, 1 year
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the September 12, 2013, regular board meeting (Matthew Tate).
It was moved by Lesley McKinley, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the minutes of the September 12, 2013, 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 2014 (Darrell Fairburn).
It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board adopt the schedule of the school board meetings for 2014 as follows:
PUBLIC MEETINGS
ACT 707 OF 1977
REGULAR MEETINGS OF WASHINGTON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD - 2014
The Washington Parish School Board shall meet in regular session for the year 2014 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 16, 2014 January 13, 2014
February 13, 2014 February 10, 2014
March 13, 2014 March 10, 2014
April 10, 2014 April 8, 2014 (Tuesday)
May 22, 2014 May 19, 2014
June 12, 2014 June 9, 2014
July 17, 2014 July 14, 2014
August 7, 2014 August 4, 2014
September 11, 2014 September 8, 2014
October 9, 2014 October 6, 2014
November 13, 2014 November 10, 2014
December 11, 2014 December 8, 2014
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution to amend Accountability Bonus Point Calculations for Non-Proficient Super Subgroups (Darrell Fairburn).
It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board adopt a resolution to amend Accountability Bonus Point Calculations for Non-Proficient Super Subgroups as follows:
Resolution to Amend Accountability Bonus Point Calculations for
Non-Proficient Super Subgroup
WHEREAS, Louisianaschools are accountable for the academic growth of all students and receive school performance points for demonstrating significant growth among lowest-performing students; and
WHEREAS, elementary and middle schools can earn up to a maximum of 10 performance points for students identified as non-proficient on state English language arts or math exams and who in turn, exceed growth expectations; and
WHEREAS, high schools can earn up to 10 performance points for students who are identified as non-proficient on state English language arts or math exams and who exceed growth expectations on ACT tests; and
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana has designated that in order for a school to receive bonus points credited to school performance, a subgroup of students identified as non-proficient on state English language arts or math exams must consist of a minimum of ten students; and
WHEREAS, the non-proficient super subgroup is provided with intensive targeted remediation, additional after school programs, and ongoing progress monitoring of formative assessment data; and
WHEREAS, the calculation of bonus points does not include members of the super subgroup who reach the goal of proficiency but instead focuses on students who grow but still remain non-proficient; and
WHEREAS, the current accountability policy allows for a school to earn bonus points for the accelerated achievement of individual students who fall in the non-proficient super subgroup; and
WHEREAS, the interpretation of the current policy by the Louisiana Department of Education discounts the accelerated achievement of individual students in the super subgroup who have worked diligently to attain proficiency by rewarding equal accountability points to students who remained proficient; and
WHEREAS, the Washington Parish School Board considers the achievement of each student as an integral component to the collective success of the district, but also recognizes the considerable effort necessary to reach proficiency from the super subgroup;
WHEREAS, the Washington Parish School Board considers the impact of the teachers and principals as the primary force for student achievement, and the Washington Parish School Board recognizes the considerable effort necessary to reach proficiency from the super subgroup;
NOW LET IT THEREFORE BE RESOLVED that the Washington Parish School Board respectfully requests that Governor Bobby Jindal and the Louisiana Legislature interpret the policy as written, approved and communicated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and LDOE to give genuine recognition and celebration of the achievement of each and every non-proficient student from the original super subgroup who meets or exceeds growth expectations.
CERTIFICATE
I, Darrell Fairburn, Secretary of the Washington Parish School Board, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of the resolution passed at a meeting of said School Board duly called and held at its legal domicile in the City of Franklinton, Parish of Washington, on the 10th of October2013, as recorded in the minutes thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the Washington Parish School Board on this 10th day of October 2013.
______________________________________________
Secretary
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: BBBC – School Board Member Continuing Education; File: DFD – Tax and Bond Elections and Sales; File: EBBC – Emergency/Crisis Management; File: EBC – Buildings and Grounds Security; File: EE – Child Nutrition Program Management; File: GBN – Dismissal of Employees; File: IDDF – Education of Students with Exceptionalities; File: IDE – Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Activities; File: IDFA – Interscholastic Athletics; File: IKDC – Prayer in Schools; File: JCDAF – Bullying and Hazing; and File: JGC – Student Health Services (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: BBBC – School Board Member Continuing Education; File: DFD – Tax and Bond Elections and Sales; File: EBBC – Emergency/Crisis Management; File: EBC – Buildings and Grounds Security; File: EE – Child Nutrition Program Management; File: GBN – Dismissal of Employees; File: IDDF – Education of Students with Exceptionalities; File: IDE – Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Activities; File: IDFA – Interscholastic Athletics; File: IKDC – Prayer in Schools; File: JCDAF – Bullying and Hazing; and File: JGC – Student Health Services. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adopt new Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GAMJ – Miscellaneous Conditions of Employment (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt new Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GAMJ – Miscellaneous Conditions of Employment. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to delete Washington Parish School Board Policy File: EBBC-P – General Procedures for Emergencies (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by John Breland, to delete Washington Parish School Board Policy File: EBBC-P – General Procedures for Emergencies. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Personnel Report (Richard Kennedy).
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION
Varnado High School: Rhonda Gunnell, Counselor, Retirement Resignation effective December 20, 2013.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Marsha Miley, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective September 25, 2013.
DISABILITY RETIREMENT RESIGNATION
Varnado High School: Oscar Thompson, Custodian, Disability Retirement Resignation effective July 17, 2013.
RESIGNATION
Franklinton Jr. High School: Megan Hebert, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective October 25, 2013.
Mt. Hermon School: Kelly Alford, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective September 13, 2013.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Ruth Bickham, Title I Literacy Paraprofessional, Resignation effective October 7, 2013.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: La’Tessa Foster, Title I Literacy Paraprofessional, Resignation effective September 20, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.
SICK LEAVE
Enon Elementary School: Jacqueline Boone, Principal, Regular Sick Leave effective October 21, 2013 through May 23, 2014.
SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE
Franklinton Primary School: Mamilyn Savoie, Special Education Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective October 2, 2013 through December 20, 2013.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Melissa Kennedy, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective September 24, 2013 through May 23, 2014.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Regina Skiffer, Regular Teacher, Fill in for Cassandra Lewis effective the Fall Semester of the 2013/2014 school year only TO Fill in for Melissa Kennedy from September 25, 2013 through the end of the 2013/2014 school year only.
TERMINATION
Mt. Hermon School: James Cook, School Food Service Worker, Terminate employment effective September 26, 2013.
EMPLOY
Enon School: Joan Kennedy, Principal, Employ effective October 21, 2013 through May 23, 2014 (Fill in for Jacqueline Boone).
Mt. Hermon School: Dennis Magee, School Food Service Worker, Employ effective September 27, 2013.
Pine School: Heather Freeman, Accountant I – School Clerk (9 month Position), Employ effective October 2, 2013.
Varnado High School: Vince Kemp, Custodian, Employ effective October 7, 2013.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Nizoreia Moses, Title I Literacy Paraprofessional, Employ effective October 8, 2013.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Betty Pittman, Title I Literacy Paraprofessional, Employ effective October 8, 2013.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by John Breland, that the Board adopt the transportation adjustments as follows:
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton District: Extend the route of Melaney Rauch 1.2 miles one way to pick up students on Seveille Lane. Effective date: September 30, 2013.
Varnado District: Extend the route of Patsy Owens 5.3 miles to pick up students on Jim Simmons Road, Angie, LA. Effective date: September 16, 2013.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Superintendent’s Report
It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Lesley McKinley, to open and add to the agenda to consider a motion to authorize withdrawal privileges for Joan Kennedy on all Enon School bank accounts effective October 21, 2013. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by John Breland, that the Board authorize withdrawal privileges for Joan Kennedy on all Enon School bank accounts effective October 21, 2013. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Lesley McKinley, seconded by Bruce Brown, to add to the agenda to consider a motion to authorize advertisement for bids for telecommunication services and equipment for erate for the 2014/2015 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Lesley McKinley, seconded by John Breland, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for telecommunication services and equipment for erate for the 2014/2015 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board add to the agenda to discuss and take appropriate action regarding a one-time supplement to employees during the month of December. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve a one-time supplement in the amount of $765 for certificated personnel and $300 for support personnel to be paid in the month of December. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Personal Privileges – School Board Members
The Board congratulated Joan Kennedy on her appointment as interim principal at Enon Elementary School.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:17A (2) concerning prospective litigation.
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:17A (2) concerning prospective litigation. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Lesley McKinley, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #18 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
______________________________
Matthew Tate, President
______________________________
Darrell Fairburn, Secretary