Franklinton, Louisiana

December 5, 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, John Breland, Alan McCain, Dewitt Perry and Mary Adams.  Absent:  Lesley McKinley and Matthew Tate.

Agenda Item #1 - Call to order

The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Alan McCain. 

Agenda Item #2 – Invocation

The invocation was given by Bruce Brown.

Agenda Item #3 – Pledge of Allegiance

  Agenda Item #4 – Recognition of Mike and Betty Gill (Darrell Fairburn).

  Mr. Fairburn presented a plaque to Mike and Betty Gill for their dedication and help in bringing Rachel’s Challenge to the students in the Washington Parish School System. The Gill’s thanked the superintendent and the board.  

Agenda Item #5 – Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the November 7, 2013, regular board meeting (Matthew Tate).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the minutes of the November 7, 2013, regular board meeting as submitted to each member.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #6 – Report from the firm of Postlethwaite and Netterville regarding the2012/2013 audit of general purpose financial statements (Beth Keaton).

Joey Richard, Postlethwaite and Netterville, gave a brief overview of the 2012/2013 audit.  He stated that the report showed a clean opinion.

It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by John Breland, that the Board adopt the 2012/2013 audit of general purpose financial statement as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GBRIA – General Leaves of Absence (Richard Kennedy).

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GBRIA – General Leaves of Absence as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #8 – Personnel Report (Richard Kennedy)

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

TERMINATION

            Franklinton Jr. High School:  Tim Partman, Custodian, Termination effective November 8, 2013.

RETIREMENT RESIGNATION

            Franklinton Elementary School:  Tama Blanchard, Retirement Resignation effective May 23, 2014.

            Varnado High School:  Melvin Carol Bracey, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective January 31, 2014.

            Varnado High District:  Judy Miley, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective January 9, 2014.

SICK LEAVE/RETIREMENT RESIGNATION

            Franklinton Jr. High School:  Billy Breland, Part-Time Assistant Principal, Sick Leave January 29, 2014 through June 2, 2014 and Retirement Resignation effective June 3, 2014.

SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE

            Franklinton High School:  Mary Catherine Gueldner, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the Spring Semester of the 2013/2014 school year only.

CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS

            Franklinton Elementary School:  Lou Fussell, Literacy Coordinator Paraprofessional TO Special Education Paraprofessional effective January 6, 2014.

            Franklinton High School:  Melissa Prestenbach, Business Teacher TO Regular Teacher effective December 2, 2013.

TRANSFER

            Josie DeJongh, Literacy Coordinator Paraprofessional, Wesley Ray Elementary School TO Literacy Paraprofessional (Paid out of Regular EIS), Thomas Elementary School effective January 6, 2014 and the remainder of the 2013/2014 school year only (Replacing Heather Singley).

            Jeffery Kelly, Bus Operator, Wesley Ray District TO Bus Operator, Thomas District effective January 9, 2014 (Swapping routes with Margot Owens).

            Carver Lester, Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton Elementary School TO Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton High School effective January 6, 2014.

            Yalonda Magee, Special Education Paraprofessional on Leave Without Pay, Franklinton Elementary School TO Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton High School effective January 6, 2014.

            Margot Owens, Bus Operator, Thomas District TO Bus Operator, Wesley Ray District effective January 9, 2014 (Swapping routes with Jeffery Kelly).

            Taleria Pelayo, Grant Accountant I, Central Office TO Business Teacher, Franklinton High School effective December 2, 2013.

DISABILITY RETIREMENT RESIGNATION/RESCIND SICK DAYS

            Mt. Hermon School:  Connie Magee, Gifted Teacher, Disability Retirement Resignation effective February 10, 2013 and rescind request for sick days used August 5 through August 16, 2013.

EMPLOY

            Franklinton Elementary School:  Kyle LeBoeuf, Regular Teacher, Employ effective December 9, 2013 (Replacing Tama Blanchard).

CONTRACT RENEWAL

            Special Education:  Charlotte Fasola, Director, Contract renewal January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2015.

Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Mary Adams, that the Board adopt the transportation adjustments as follows:

TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS

Franklinton District:                               Extend the route of Randall Welch .5 miles one way to pick up students on Old Union Road.  Effective date:  November 8, 2013.

Pine School District:                              Extend the route of Shelia Barber 1 mile one way to pick up students on Lawrence Creek Road. Effective date:  November 4, 2013.            

Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #10 - Superintendent’s Report

Mr. Fairburn thanked the board for a favorable evaluation.

Varnado High School received a good report from the Advanced Ed (SACS) review.  They are approved for 5 years.

Tab Seals, Pine Association Basketball, made a presentation on the association being allowed to use the old Pine gym for their association basketball games.  He stated that due to the flood in the old gym it would need some repairs and requested that the Board do the necessary repairs for the student to have a facility to use for their games.

Mr. Kuhn is drawing up a cooperative endeavor agreement between the Washington Parish School System and the Pine Basketball Association for the use of the old Pine gym.

Agenda Item #11 - Personal Privileges – School Board Members

The Board commended the staff on the good audit report.

They commended Varnado High School on their accreditation report.

Congratulated teams on making State Playoffs.

Agenda Item #12 - 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.

It was moved by John Breland, seconded by John Wyble, to add to the agenda two items to employ special counsel.  Motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by John Breland, that the Board employ Robert L. Coco, Lead Attorney, Taylor Porter Attorneys at Law, regarding the old Pine School.  Motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by John Breland, that the Board employ Michael S. Walsh as special Counsel regarding the old Pine school.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.

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

Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Mary Adams, that the Board adjourn.  Motion carried unanimously.

______________________________

Matthew Tate, President

______________________________

Darrell Fairburn, Secretary