Franklinton, Louisiana
March 10, 2016
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, Robert Boone, Dewitt Perry 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 4, 2016, regular board meeting (Matthew Tate).
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board adopt the minutes of the February 4, 2016, regular board meeting as presented to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for e-rate (Jimmy Thigpen).
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board approve the bids for e-rate as follows:
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding engaging the firm of Posthlethwaite and Netterville to audit the general purpose financial statements of the Washington Parish School System for a three year period beginning the 2016/2017 fiscal year (Beth Keaton).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by John Wyble, that the Board engage the firm of Posthlethwaite and Netterville to audit the general purpose financial statement for a three year period beginning the 2016/2017 fiscal year at a cost of $32,000.00 per year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 – Consider a motion to renew the contract of Norris Insurance Consultant (Beth Keaton).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by John Wyble, that the Board renew the contract of Norris Insurance Consultant for a one-year term commencing on April 26, 2016 for an annual fee of $8,600.00. It will automatically renew for a second year on April 26, 2017 and for a third year on April 26, 2018 unless either party gives written notice to the other prior to either of those dates of its intent not to renew. The fee for each renewal term shall be the fee as shown above. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding renewals for the Board’s Property Insurance (Beth Keaton).
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the Board’s Property Insurance (exclusive of terrorism) with an annual premium of $359,871.00 with agent Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 – Consider a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the superintendent to sign the Amendment to Investment Agreement (Beth Keaton).
It was moved by John Wyble, seconded by John Breland, that the Board adopt a resolution authorizing the superintendent to sign the Amendment to Investment Agreement as follows:
RESOLUTION
Whereas, the Washington Parish School Board has been informed of the option to withdraw a certain amount of said funds invested in the State Treasury pursuant to authority of La. R.S. 39.99 (Act 161 of the 2002 First Extraordinary Session of the Legislature) and our investment agreement;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington Parish School Board does request the execution of the amendment to investment agreement with the State Treasury pursuant to La. R.S. 39.99; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington Parish School Board does request the withdrawal of funds from the State Treasury in the amount of $70,485.00 to be used as specified in our recently approved EEF plan for Tobacco Settlement Funds.
It is hereby affirmed and certified the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the resolution unanimously adopted by the Washington Parish School Board, Franklinton, Louisiana during regular session on March 10, 2016, at which a quorum was present and voted.
______________________________
Darrell Fairburn
Superintendent
Washington Parish School Board
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding selection of an architect (Darrell Fairburn).
It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board approve Gasaway, Gasaway, Bankston Architects, Hammond, LA. Motion carried unanimously. Other firms considered: Eskew-Dumez-Verges, New Orleans, LA; Holly-Smith, Hammond, LA and M3a Architects, Jackson, MS.
Agenda Item #11 – Consider a motion to adopt a resolution entering into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Washington Parish Council on Aging (Darrell Fairburn).
It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board adopt a resolution entering into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Washington Parish Council on Aging for one year beginning January 1, 2016 and ending on December 31, 2016. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 – Consider a motion to adopt a resolution entering into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Wesley Ray Community Association (Darrell Fairburn).
It was moved by Lesley McKinley, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board adopt a resolution entering into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Wesley Ray Community Association for one year beginning January 1, 2016 and ending on December 31, 2016. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 – Personnel Report (Richard Kennedy)
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION
Franklinton Primary School: Cindy Richards, Occupational Therapist, Retirement Resignation effective May 20, 2016.
Pine School: Dorris Rogers, School Lunch Worker, Retirement Resignation effective May 20, 2016.
Varnado High School: Lubertha Peters, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective May 20, 2016.
RESIGNATION
Mt. Hermon School District: Raymond Garcia, Bus Operator, Resignation effective March 1, 2016.
Mt. Hermon School: Jeremy Gueldner, Principal, Resignation effective May 31, 2016.
Pine School: Bert Martin, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective February 12, 2016.
TRANSFER
Jessica Trosclair, Part-Time Social Worker, Mt. Hermon School TO Franklinton Jr. High School effective February 29, 2016.
CONTRACT RENEWAL
Central Office: Mary Henderson, Title I Director, Contract renewal from March 15, 2016 – March 14, 2018.
Agenda Item #14 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by John Wyble, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board adopt the transportation adjustments as follows:
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton District: Deduct 1 mile from the route of Vivian Ard. Student’s no longer on route. Effective date: February 11, 2016.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Superintendent’s Report
Judge William Burris addressed the Board at the beginning of the meeting concerning the importance of the renewal tax for the Juvenile Detention Center. This center is very important to the youth of our parish as well as the surrounding parishes.
Christina Dauterive a sophomore at Southeastern Louisiana University was recognized at tonight’s meeting. Ms. Dauterive is in education majoring in Pre K – 3.
Superintendent Fairburn stated that all Washington Parish Schools would be closed on Friday, March 11, 2016 due to the expected severe weather. All 12 month employees should report to work at 9:00 a.m.
Autism night – Tuesday, April 15th – 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Special Education Auditorium
Ms. Mary Jones discussed changes to field trips as follows:
Field Trips (Beginning with the 2016-17 School Year)
A committee of K-8 principals met March 3, 2016 developed a plan that provides for one field trip per school year, per grade level for grades K-5. The plan also recognizes that field trips taken on an instructional day must be cost effective for all students, instructional in nature, and scheduled at a distance that allows for a school bus or buses to leave school after the morning run and return to school before the afternoon run. The trip must also be planned in such a way as to provide for a school lunch to be made available to each child, usually in the form of a picnic or “bag” lunch. Mr. Steve Knight, Principal at Thomas Elementary agreed to negotiate a parish-wide price per student/parent with each of the destinations.
Yearly Grade-level Trips:
Kindergarten The Greater Baton Rouge Zoo or The Hattiesburg, Mississippi Zoo
First Grade Global Wildlife near Folsom, LA
Second Grade Insta Gator Farm near Mandeville, LA
Third Grade Discovery Center in Hammond, LA
Fourth Grade Infinity near Waveland, MS
Fifth Grade Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, MS
Grades 6-8 will not take whole-class or whole grade-level field trips. However, the principals reserved the right to explore the possibility of destinations within the parish, such as Mile Branch Settlement, the Varnado Museum, Cassidy Park, etc. Grade 6-8 field trips will be related to organizational or class requirements, such as 4-H Achievement Day, Beta Club Convention, Honor Band, Honor Choir, FFA Competitions, etc. After school and Saturday field trip requests can be submitted to the principal and central office for consideration and approval.
This policy will be revisited at the request of principals.
Agenda Item #16 - Personal Privileges – School Board Members
Election – April 9th
Happy Easter!
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by John Wyble, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
______________________________
Matthew Tate, President
______________________________
Darrell Fairburn, Secretary