Franklinton, Louisiana
July 14, 2016
6:30 p.m.
The Washington Parish School Board met for a public hearing followed by the public meeting on the above date with the following members present: Dan Slocum, Bruce Brown, John Breland, Alan McCain, Matthew Tate, Robert Boone, Dewitt Perry, and Lesley McKinley. Absent: John Wyble.
Opened Public Hearing
The board president, Matthew Tate, called the public hearing to order and called on Mrs. Beth Keaton to explain the process of rolling forward the millage rates.
Ms. Keaton explained that the process of rolling forward the millage rates required two steps, adopting the adjusted millage rate and then rolling forward the millage rates to rates not exceeding the maximum authorized rates. She explained that two resolutions are required for the process and said that even more detailed information would be given in the public meeting following the public hearing.
Mr. Tate asked if there were any questions or comments. No questions or comments were presented.
It was moved by Lesley McKinley, seconded by Dan Slocum to close the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously.
Opened Public Meeting
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 June 19, 2016, regular board meeting (Matthew Tate).
It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board adopt the minutes of the June 19, 2016, regular board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 – Presentation of Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (Darrell Fairburn).
The following news release from the Government Finance Officers Association was read:
The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to Washington Parish School Board by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
An Award of Financial Reporting Achievement has been awarded to the individual(s), department or agency designated by the government as primarily responsible for preparing the award-winning CAFR. This has been presented to:
Financial Department, Washington Parish School Board
The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.
The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, IL, and Washington, D.C.
Superintendent Fairburn congratulated the Finance Department on a job well done.
Board members congratulated the finance department and thanked them for doing a great job for the system.
Agenda Item #6 – Recognize Washington Parish Young Author winners (Darrell Fairburn).
Rita Mulina, Washington Parish Reading Council, recognized the following Washington Parish young author winners:
Agenda Item #7 –Adopt the adjusted millage rates (Beth Keaton).
Beth Keaton, Finance Director, explained that the adjusted rates represented what the rates would be if the school system had a rate that generated the same amount of money as the previous year. She also explained that Resolution #1 is the instrument whereby the board would adopt the adjusted millage rates (Copies of resolution #1 were handed out to the public and were shown to the board on their individual computer screens.)
Mr. Fairburn reminded the public that 2016 is a reassessment year. Mrs. Keaton told the public that the assessment for Washington Parish School System had increased with the reassessment.
Resolution #1 was read in its entirety. It was then moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board adopt Resolution #1 as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 1
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Washington Parish School Board of the Parish of Washington, Louisiana, in a public meeting held on July 14, 2016, which meeting was conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Law and the additional requirements of Article VII, Section 23(C) of the Louisiana Constitution and R.S. 47:1705(B), that the following adjusted millage rates be and they are hereby levied upon the dollar of the assessed valuation of all property subject to ad valorem taxation within said Parish for the year 2016, for the purpose of raising revenue:
MILLAGE
District Wide Tax for General Fund:
Constitutional Tax 3.88 mills
General Operational Tax 5.08 mills
General M & O Tax 5.08 mills
General M & O Tax 4.80 mills
School District Taxes
A. Special Taxes
Angie School District Taxes 5.17 Mills
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Assessor of the Parish of Washington, shall extend upon the assessment roll for the year 2016 the taxes herein levied, and the tax collector of said Parish shall collect and remit the same to said taxing authority in accordance with law.
Roll call vote as follows:
Dan Slocum – For
Bruce Brown – For
John Breland – For
Robert Boone – For
Dewitt Perry – For
Alan McCain – For
Matthew Tate – For
Lesley McKinley – For
John Wyble - Absent
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 – Set forth the adjusted millage rate(s) and roll forward to millage rate(s) not exceeding the maximum authorized rate(s) (Beth Keaton).
Beth Keaton, Finance Director, explained that the second part of the process of rolling forward, rolling forward to the millage rate not to exceed the maximum authorized. She let the public know that for Washington Parish School System, this would be the same rates as was used the previous year, bringing in approximately 12,000 more dollars than the previous year, since the assessment of the property is up.
Mrs. Keaton then explained that Resolution Number 2 would be the instrument voted on that would accomplish the roll forward if passed. (Copies of resolution #2 were handed out to the public and were shown to the board on their individual computer screens).
Resolution #2 was read in its entirety. It was then moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board adopt Resolution #2 as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Washington Parish School Board of the Parish of Washington, Louisiana, in a public meeting held on July 14, 2016, which meeting was conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Law and the additional requirements of Article VII, Section 23(C) of the Louisiana Constitution and R.S. 47:1705(B), that the taxing district voted to increase the millage rates, but not in excess of the prior year’s maximum rates, on all taxable property shown on the official assessment roll for the year 2016, and when collected, the revenues from said taxes shall be used only for the specific purposes for which said taxes have been levied. Said millage rates are:
Adjusted Rate 2016 Levy
District Wide Tax for General Fund
Constitutional Tax 3.88 mills 3.91 mills
General Operational Tax 5.08 mills 5.12 mills
General M & O Tax 5.08 mills 5.12 mills
General M & O Tax 4.80 mills 4.83 mills
2 School District Taxes
A. Special Taxes
Angie School District Taxes 5.17 mills 5.19 mills
B. Debt Service Taxes
Mt. Hermon District -- 10.00 mills
District #4 -- 16.00 mills
Varnado District -- 7.00 mills
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Assessor of the Parish of Washington, shall extend upon the assessment roll for the year 2016 the taxes herein levied, and the tax collector of said Parish shall collect and remit the same to said taxing authority in accordance with law.
Roll call vote as follows:
Dan Slocum – For
Bruce Brown – For
John Breland – For
Robert Boone – For
Dewitt Perry – For
Alan McCain – For
Matthew Tate – For
Lesley McKinley – For
John Wyble - Absent
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 – Adopt other authorized millages or taxes (Beth Keaton).
It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt other authorized millages or taxes.
Roll call vote as follows:
Dan Slocum – For
Bruce Brown – For
John Breland – For
Robert Boone – For
Dewitt Perry – For
Alan McCain – For
Matthew Tate – For
Lesley McKinley – For
John Wyble - Absent
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding student Accident Insurance coverage for the 2016/2017 school year (Beth Keaton).
It was move by Alan McCain, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board approve Bollinger, Inc, Cedar Rapides, IA in the amount of $51,987 for student accident insurance coverage for the 2016/2017 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding student transfers for the 2016/2017 school year (Frances Varnado).
Upon the recommendation of Frances Varnado, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, it was moved by John Wyble, seconded by John Breland, that the Board approve the transfers for the 2016/2017 school year as presented.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 – Consider a motion to adopt the Community Eligibility Provision plan for the 2016/2017 school year (Marsha Newman).
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board adopt the Community Eligibility Provision plan for the 2016/2017 school year as presented by Marsha Newman, Supervisor of School Lunch. Motion carried unanimously.
Every student will receive free meals regardless of economic status. No more applications to process. Extra items may be purchases but cannot be charged. Students can put money on their account or pay cash for these items.
School lunch lost 2 employees recently. Ms. Shirley Anthony, Cafeteria Manager at Franklinton Elementary School and Ms. Elsie Wilson, retired school lunch worker.
Agenda Item #13 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: BH – School Board Ethics; File: EBBG – Hazardous Substances; File: GBI – Evaluation of Personnel; File: GBL – Tenure; and File: IDCH – Home Study Program (Mary Jones).
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by John Breland, that the Board adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: BH – School Board Ethics; File: EBBG – Hazardous Substances; File: GBI – Evaluation of Personnel; File: GBL – Tenure; and File: IDCH – Home Study Program. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding new Washington Parish School Board Policy File: DIEA – Preservation of School Board Records Due to Legal Action (Mary Jones).
It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt new Washington Parish School Board Policy File: DIEA – Preservation of School Board Records Due to Legal Action. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 – Personnel Report (Richard Kennedy).
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
SICK LEAVE/RETIREMENT RESIGNATION
Thomas Elementary School: Pamela Gerald, LA4 Paraprofessional, Sick Leave effective August 3, 2016 through September 20, 2016 and Retirement Resignation effective September 20, 2016.
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION
Enon Elementary School: Beth Pettit, Music Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective August 7, 2016.
RESIGNATION
Franklinton Elementary School: Shelby Ehrhard, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective June 21, 2016.
Franklinton Elementary School: Katie Oates, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective June 15, 2016.
Franklinton Elementary School: Jason Russell, Custodian, Resignation effective July 12, 2016.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Tana Kimble, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective June 15, 2016.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Tonja Varnado-Seal, Guidance Counselor, Resignation effective July 15, 2016.
Franklinton High School: Brittany Schenck, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective June 20, 2016.
Franklinton High School: Dawn Missy Varnado, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective July 6, 2016.
Franklinton High School: Kyra Wilson, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective June 30, 2016.
Pine School: Lance Jordan, Regular High School Teacher, Resignation effective June 30, 2016.
Pine School: Kolbi Knight, Regular High School Teacher, Resignation effective June 20, 2016.
Pine School: Douglas Saylor, Regular High School Teacher, Resignation effective June 16, 2016.
Student Support Services: Rebekka Stafford, Educational Diagnostician, Resignation effective July 15, 2016.
Thomas Elementary School: Brittany Seals, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective May 25, 2016.
Varnado High School: Miranda Carpenter, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective July 6, 2016.
TRANSFER
Kristy Jenkins, Administrative Assistant I, Student Support Services TO Grant Accountant II-Title I, Central Office effective August 1, 2016.
Timberly Milton, Grant Accountant II – Title I, Central Office TO Special Education Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School effective the 2016/2017 school year only (TAT).
Leigh Ann Morel, Media Specialist – Librarian, Franklinton High School TO Media Specialist – Librarian, Franklinton Jr. High School effective the 2016/2017 school year.
Dorey Oestriecher, Special Education Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School effective the 2016/2017 school year.
Margaret Wheeler, Music Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School TO Business Teacher, Franklinton High School effective the 2016/2017 school year.
Brandy Williams, LA4 Paraprofessional, Wesley Ray Elementary School TO LA4 Paraprofessional, Thomas Elementary School effective the 2016/2017 school year.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Central Office: Grant Gerald, Curriculum Coordinator of Instructional Technology and Social Studies TO Supervisor of Support Personnel effective July 1, 2016 (2 year contract).
Central Office: Mary Jones, Director of Curriculum and Instruction TO Director of Personnel and Curriculum effective July 1, 2016.
Enon Elementary School: Diana Casanova, Regular Teacher/Faculty Coordinator TO Music Teacher/Faculty Coordinator effective the 2016/2017 school year (Replacing Beth Pettit).
Franklinton Elementary School: Libra Crosby, Lunchroom Worker TO Lunchroom Manager effective the 2016/2017 school year.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Misty Bickham, Media Specialist – Librarian TO Guidance Services effective the 2016/2017 school year.
Franklinton High School: Caleb Mulina, Business Teacher TO Multi-Media Specialist/Librarian effective the 2016/2017 school year.
Pine School: Danielle Givens, Regular Teacher TO Regular High School Teacher effective the 2016/2017 school year.
Student Support Services: Heather Williams, Literacy Coach (10 months) TO Educational Diagnostician effective July 18, 2016.
EMPLOY
Enon Elementary School: Amanda Bissel, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year (Replacing Diana Casanova).
Enon Elementary School: Elizabeth Pax, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year (Fill in for Sheree Voth).
Franklinton Primary School: Megan Vining, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year.
Franklinton Elementary School: Angie Penton, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year (Replacing Katie Oates).
Franklinton High School: Beth King, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year only (TAT).
Franklinton High School: David “Craig” Martin, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year (Replacing Missy Varnado).
Franklinton High School: Leonard Mayne, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year.
Franklinton High School: Anita Sopsher, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year.
Franklinton High School: Bo Whittemore, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year.
Mt. Hermon School: Pamela James, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year.
Mt. Hermon School: Lynn Kelly, Critical Shortage Elementary Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year.
Pine School: James Matthew Butcher, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year.
Pine School: Patricia Thomas, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year.
Pine School: Angela Warner, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year.
Student Support Services: Charlotte Fasola, Critical Shortage Educational Diagnostician, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year only.
Student Support Services: Donna Givens, Critical Shortage Educational Diagnostician, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year only.
Thomas Elementary School: Jordin Morales, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year (Replacing Brittany Seals).
Varnado High School: Vol Holden, Critical Shortage High School Math Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year only.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Felicia Jefferson, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective the 2016/2017 school year.
CONTRACT RENEWAL
Adult Education: Penny Moses, Supervisor, Contract renewal August 10, 2016 through August 9, 2018.
Agenda Item #16 – Consider a motion to adopt Transportation Adjustments (Grant Gerald).
None
Agenda Item #17 - Superintendent’s Report
Maintenance
a) Roof repairs started July 5th
b) Repair gym floor at Varnado – water damage
c) Handicap ramp at Varnado
d) Fence Repairs at Angie
2. Capital Improvement Committee – July 26th at Central Office
3. Principal’s meeting July 20th
4. Meeting July 26th with bonding Attorney, Financial Advisor and Architect – 5 p.m. Media Center
5. List of Capital improvements needed by August 11th . Board members can turn in list of capital improvements also.
All teachers will report to the R. W. Johnson auditorium on August 5th at 8:00 a.m.
Opening bids on retrofitting windows on August 22nd at the Department of Homeland Security.
Agenda Item #18 - Personal Privileges – School Board Members
Agenda Item #19 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
______________________________
Matthew Tate, President
______________________________
Darrell Fairburn, Secretary