Franklinton, Louisiana

March 13, 2014

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, Matthew Tate, Dewitt Perry, Mary Adams and Lesley McKinley.  Absent:  None.

 

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 – Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the February 13, 2014, regular board meeting (Matthew Tate).

 

It was moved by John Wyble, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board adopt the minutes of the February 13, 2014, regular board meeting as submitted to each member.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #5 – Consider a motion to adopt the 2014/2015 school calendar (Darrell Fairburn).

 

It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Bruce Brown to adopt the 2014/2015 school calendar as follows:

 

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #6 – Consider a motion to adopt a resolution concerning the 2014 Legislative Framework (Darrell Fairburn).

 

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt a resolution concerning the 2014 Legislative Framework as follows:

 

Washington Parish School Board

Resolution

Whereas, the Louisiana School Boards Association (LSBA) is a federation of school boards in the state of Louisiana representing over six-hundred (600) elected school board members;

Whereas, the Louisiana School Boards Association is a mission-driven organization focused on leadership, service and support for school boards and school systems;

Whereas, the Louisiana School Boards Association strives to work in collaboration with all public education stakeholders including federal officials, statewide elected officials, state legislators, superintendents, principals, teachers, district office support administrators and support staff; and, most importantly parents and students;

Whereas, the Louisiana School Boards Association recognizes the importance of the upcoming 2014 Legislative Session that commences March 10, 2014 and its possible impact on public education;

Whereas, the Louisiana School Boards Association Board of Directors have adopted and approved the 2014 LSBA Legislative Framework (attached) that outlines a set of general set of guiding principles for its membership regarding legislative advocacy;

Whereas, the Louisiana School Boards Association realizes that we must all work toward the common goal of improving student achievement in a strategic, practical and meaningful manner that includes input from all stakeholders;

Whereas, the Louisiana School Boards Association has recently committed to a set of five general principles at its General Luncheon of the 2014 LSBA Convention in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that are aligned with several other public education stakeholder organizations such as the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents (LASS), the Louisiana Association of School Executives (LASE), the Louisiana State Parent Teacher Association (LAPTA), the Louisiana Association of Principals (LAP), the Louisiana Federation of Teachers (LFT), and the Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE):

·         United advocacy for prioritizing public education funding regarding the state funding formula (MFP)

·         United advocacy for a more strategic and comprehensive transition to raising standards and adopting accompanying assessments

·         United advocacy for a non-punitive accountability system and flexible employee evaluation system

·         United advocacy for addressing issues regarding privatization of public education in Louisiana

·         United advocacy regarding meaningful and sincere stakeholder input in all education policy matters

Be it resolved, that the Washington Parish School Board hereby formally adopts via resolution during a duly convened and properly noticed meeting the 2014 LSBA Legislative Framework.

Be it further resolved that, the Washington Parish School Board transmits this resolution to all statewide elected officials and state legislators this formal statement of support and commitment to advocating for the principles noted.

RESOLUTION OFFERED BY:  Dan Slocum

RESOLUTION SECONDED BY:  Dewitt Perry

The vote, in open meeting on the within resolution was as follows:

YEAS:    ________ 9_______

NAYS:  _________0________

ABSENT:  ____ _None_____

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, March 13, 2014, a quorum being present and voting.

______________________________

Darrell Fairburn, Secretary

Washington Parish School System

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #7 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding joining the St. John the Baptist School Board MFP formula lawsuit (Darrell Fairburn).

 

It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board authorize the Superintendent to join the St. John the Baptist School Board MFP formula lawsuit.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #8 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the purchase of a modular building to house the alternative program on the Franklinton High School campus (Darrell Fairburn).

 

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board authorize advertisement for a modular building to house the alternative program on the Franklinton High School campus.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #9 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding renewals for the Board’s Property Insurance (Beth Keaton).

 

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board renew the Board’s Property Insurance with an annual premium of $724,881.00 with agent McGehee Insurance.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #10 – Personnel Report (Richard Kennedy)

 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Franklinton Elementary School:  Mary Lou Fussell, Special Education Paraprofessional TO Accountant I/School Clerk effective March 1, 2014.

Franklinton Jr. High School:  Rhonda Perea, Regular Teacher TO Assistant Principal of Instruction effective June 1, 2014 (12 months) (2 year contract).

Thomas Elementary School:  Chrystal Bell, School Lunch Worker TO Custodian effective March 1, 2014.

TRANSFER

Stacey Breaud, Assistant Principal of Instruction, Mt. Hermon School TO Literacy Coach, Central Office effective June 1, 2014 (12 months) (2 year contract).

RESIGNATION

Pine School:  Larry Bickham, Custodian, Resignation effective March 5, 2014.    

EMPLOY

Mt. Hermon School:  Danny Seal, Regular Teacher, Employ effective October 5, 2013 and the remainder of the 2013/2014 school year only.

Wesley Ray School District:  Crystal Roberts Fox, School Bus Operator, Employ effective March 17, 2014 (Replacing Tim Duncan).

Agenda Item #11 – Consider a motion to adopt 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

Franklinton District:     Extend the route of Kay Harmon 5.8 miles one way running a double route to avoid overcrowding.  Effective date:  February 27, 2014.

Extend the route of Lisa Spears 1 mile one way to pick up students on Fount Miley Road.  Effective date:  February 3, 2014.

Deduct 6.6 miles one way from the route of Randy Welch student no longer on route.  Effective date:  February 27, 2014.

Varnado District:        Deduct 2.3 miles one way from the route of Patsy Owens student no longer on route.  Effective date:  February 14, 2014.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #12 - Superintendent’s Report

 

Beth Keaton gave an update on the BESE meeting today.

 

Superintendent Fairburn showed a video of a Pine student that WWL TV Channel 4 aired.  

 

Agenda Item #13 - Personal Privileges – School Board Members

 

Lesley McKinley stated that the video proves that a disability doesn’t mean an inability.

 

Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:17A (2) concerning prospective litigation.

 

This item was deleted.

 

Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.

 

Deleted.

 

Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

 

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

 

______________________________

Matthew Tate, President

 

______________________________

Darrell Fairburn, Secretary