Franklinton, Louisiana
November 7, 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, John Wyble, Bruce Brown, Alan McCain, Matthew Tate, Dewitt Perry and Lesley McKinley. Absent: Mary Adams and John Breland.
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 – Presentation on District & School Accountability (Tricia Smith).
Tricia Smith gave a presentation on Monday night of the District and School Accountability.
Some of the report was as follows:
Washington Parish’s district performance score: B
WPSS is the only B using the new DPS formula.
WPSS ranked 5th in 1-year growth (2012-2013)
In 21st highest poverty district
The Board thanked Mr. Fairburn for his leadership and congratulated the parish on a job well done.
Agenda Item #5 – Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the October 10, 2013, regular board meeting (Matthew Tate).
It was moved by Lesley McKinley, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board adopt the minutes of the October 10, 2013, regular board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adopt the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire (Lacy Burris).
It was moved by John Wyble, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to approve the second allocations to schools for the 2013/2014 operations budget (Beth Keaton).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by John Wyble, that the approve the second allocations to schools for the 2013/2014 operations budget as follows:
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to approve restricted allocations for some schools in lieu of paying for water/sewage (Beth Keaton).
It was moved by John Wyble, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board approve restricted allocations for some schools in lieu of paying for water/sewage as follows:
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding 3rd Party Administrator Employee Benefits (Darrell Fairburn).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board approve Taylor & Sons, Hammond, LA as the 3rd Party Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution concerning Common Core (Darrell Fairburn).
It was moved by John Wyble, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board adopt a resolution concerning Common Core as follows:
Washington Parish School Board
Resolution
WHEREAS, the Washington Parish Public School System provides a caring environment for learning, a challenging and relevant curriculum, innovative instruction and solid student achievement; and
WHEREAS, the majority of the Washington Parish School Board opposed the Common Core State Standards since the idea was first introduced to the State of Louisiana through the rejection of a Race to the Top agreement in January of 2010; and
WHEREAS, constant commitment to improvement and high performance has made the Washington Parish Public School System a leader in the State of Louisiana, by all major standards of educational excellence; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Washington Parish School Board, duly elected by the citizens of the parish, believe that education is not the mandate of the Federal Government or any national board; and
WHEREAS, the Washington Parish School Board believes that the Common Core State Standards were implemented too quickly, are not perfect standards, and may not reflect the norms of our community in all cases; and
WHEREAS, significant time, effort and expense is associated with the modification of Washington’s Guaranteed Curriculum to comply with the Common Core requirements and its implementation; and
WHEREAS, major investments to equipment and upgrades to our infrastructure are required to comply with the requirements of PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers); and
WHEREAS, the cost of the actual assessments is significantly more expensive than the current assessment especially since it will cover all grade levels and this will be an ongoing expense that imposes an undue burden to our School System; and this is another unfunded mandate on the Washington Parish Public School System; and
WHEREAS, we do not currently believe that the Washington Parish Public School System has objectionable material in any of our existing and proposed curriculum; however, we do furthermore encourage all parents, teachers, and administrators to elevate concerns of material in the curriculum to the Principals, Superintendent, and School Board Members; and
WHEREAS, the Washington Parish School Board objects to the collection and sharing of massive amounts of students' data required to be shared through the PARCC or any other agreement which violates student privacy; and
WHEREAS, our belief is that Common Core State Standards do not justify the disruption to instruction, accountability, professional development and teacher preparation that follows adoption of these standards and PARCC assessments in our system; and we further believe that the Guaranteed Curriculum, state approved, adopted and implemented in the Washington Parish Public School System meets the needs of every child, every day in Washington Parish.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington Parish School Board does hereby request that Governor Bobby Jindal, State Superintendent of Education John White and members of BESE remove the Washington Parish Public School System and the other School Districts in Louisiana from the implementation of CCSS and PARCC testing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that if Governor Bobby Jindal, State Superintendent of Education John White and members of BESE do not take this action, the Washington Parish School Board does hereby respectfully request members of the Louisiana Legislature use their authority to remove the Washington Parish Public School System and the other School Districts in Louisiana from the implementation of CCSS and PARCC testing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution is spread upon the official minutes of this Board, with copies being sent to Governor Bobby Jindal, State Superintendent of Education John White, members of BESE, all members of the Louisiana Legislature and all schools in the Washington Parish Public School System.
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, November 7, 2013, a quorum being present and voting.
______________________________
Darrell Fairburn, Secretary
Washington Parish School Board
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 – Personnel Report (Richard Kennedy)
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION
Franklinton High School: Jasper Scott Bryant, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective October 18, 2013.
SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE
Franklinton Primary School: Sarah Keaton, Pre-K Interventionist, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the Spring Semester of the 2013/2014 school year only.
SICK LEAVE/EXTENDED SICK LEAVE/SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE
Franklinton Elementary School: Tama Blanchard, Regular Teacher, Sick Leave/Extended Sick Leave from November 4, 2013 through December 23, 2013 and Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the Spring Semester of the 2013/2014 school year only.
LEAVE WITHOUT PAY
Enon Elementary School: Linda Jones, Special Education Paraprofessional, Leave without pay effective November 5, 2013 through May 23, 2014.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Franklinton Jr. High School: Melissa Jones, Special Education Teacher TO Regular Teacher effective October 28, 2013.
TRANSFER
Lasonda Luper, Regular Teacher, Thomas Elementary School TO Guidance Counselor, Varnado High School effective November 11, 2013.
EMPLOY
Franklinton Jr. High School: Quincy Brock, Custodian, Employ effective October 24, 2013.
Franklinton District: Junie Goings, Bus Operator, Employ effective November 8, 2013 (Replacing Kelvin Dawson).
Agenda Item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry that the Board adopt the transportation adjustments as follows:
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Enon School District: Extend the route of Kellie Adams 1 mile one way to pick up students on Hubert Mizell Road. Effective date: September 17, 2013.
Extend the route of Kellie Adams 2 miles one way to students on Jap Little Road. Effective date: October 8, 2013.
Extend the route of Kellie Adams 3 miles one way to pick up students on Hwy. 60. Effective date: October 9, 2013.
Extend the route of Kellie Adams 5 miles one way to pick up students on Carter Road. Effective date: October 21, 2013.
Franklinton District: Extend the route of Donna Givens 2.8 miles one way to pick up students on Wood Drive. Effective date: October 22, 2013.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Superintendent’s Report
Mr. Kennedy stated that the Save the Children Program would no longer be in the Washington Parish School System after December 19, 2013 due to program cuts.
Agenda Item #14 - Personal Privileges – School Board Members
The Board commended the Curriculum Committee.
Monday is Veteran’s Day.
John Wyble commended the work on the Washington Parish School System’s website.
Bruce Brown stated that even though we are in the high poverty level that we compete well.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:17A (2) concerning prospective litigation.
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by John Wyble, that the Board enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:17A (2) concerning prospective litigation. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by John Wyble, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Add to the Agenda: It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board consider a motion to retain Robert Coco as special counsel. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board retain Robert Coco as special counsel. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by John Wyble, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
______________________________
Matthew Tate, President
______________________________
Darrell Fairburn, Secretary