Franklinton, Louisiana

July 13, 2017

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, Matthew Tate, Alan McCain, 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 June 8, 2017, regular board meeting (Matthew Tate).

 

It was moved by John Wyble, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board adopt the minutes of the June 8, 2017, regular board meeting as submitted to each member.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #5 – Adopt the millage rates (Lacy Burris).

 

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by John Wyble, that the Board adopt a resolution for millage rates as follows: 

 

RESOLUTION

 

BE IT RESOLVED, that the following millages are hereby levied on the 2017 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by Washington Parish School Board:

 

            District Wide Tax for General Fund:

 

            Constitutional Tax                                             3.91 Mills

            General Operational Tax                                   5.12 Mills

            General M & O Tax                                           5.12 Mills

            General M & O Tax                                           4.83 Mills

 

            School District Taxes:

 

                                                                                    Special Taxes

Angie District Maintenance Tax                           5.19

 

                                                                        Bond and Interest Taxes

Mt. Hermon District                                             3.5 Mills

Varnado District                                                  1.0 Mills

Tax District #4                                                    15.0 Mills

 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of said Parish for the year 2017, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.

 

            The foregoing resolution was read in full, the roll was called on the adoption thereof, and the resolution was adopted by the following votes:

 

YEAS:                9      

NAYS:                0      

ABSTAINED:       0           

ABSENT:            0      

 

 

CERTIFICATE

      I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the resolution adopted at the board meeting held on July 13, 2017, at which meeting a quorum was present and voting.

 

       Franklinton, Louisiana, this 14th day of July 2017

 

 

                                                                        _________________________________

                                                                        Darrell Fairburn, Superintendent

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #6 – Consider a motion to approve a contract for Marsha Newman, Supervisor of School Food Services, Central Office for a period of two years, beginning August 15, 2017 through August 14, 2019 (Darrell Fairburn).

 

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board approve a contract for Marsha Newman, Supervisor of School Food Services, Central Office for a period of two years, beginning August 15, 2017 through August 14, 2019.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

                 Agenda Item #7 – Consider a motion to employ and approve a contract for Cherie Fitzmorris, Math Coach, Central Office for a period of two years, beginning August 1, 2017 through July 31, 2019 (Darrell Fairburn).

 

            It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board employ and approve a contract for Cherie Fitzmorris, Math Coach, Central Office for a period of two years, beginning August 1, 2017 through July 31, 2019.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #8 – Consider a motion to employ and approve a contract for Janet Picou, Middle School Math Coach, Central Office for a period of two years, beginning July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019 (Darrell Fairburn).

 

            It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by John Wyble, that the Board employ and approve a contract for Janet Picou, Middle School Math Coach, Central Office for a period of two years, beginning July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to employ and approve a contract for Amanda Fowler, Elementary Math Coach, Central Office for a period of two years, beginning July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019 (Darrell Fairburn).

 

            It was moved by John Wyble, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board employ and approve a contract for Amanda Fowler, Elementary Math Coach, Central Office for a period of two years, beginning July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019.  Motion carried. Robert Boone abstained.

 

Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding a job description for Coordinator of Support Services (Darrell Fairburn).

 

It was moved by John Wyble, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board approve a job description for Coordinator of Support Services and Child Welfare & Attendance. 

 

Roll call vote as follows:

 

District 1 – Dan Slocum                        For

District 2 – John Wyble                         For

District 3 – Bruce Brown                       Against

District 4 – John Breland                       For

District 5 – Robert Boone                      For

District 6 – Dewitt Perry                        For

District 7 – Alan McCain                       For

District 8 – Matthew Tate                      For

District 9 – Lesley McKinley                 Against

 

Motion carried.

 

This position will be advertised for 2 weeks.

 

Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: JGCE: Child Abuse (Mary Jones).

 

It was moved by John Wyble, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board approve revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: JGCE – Child Abuse as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #12 – Personnel Report (Mary Jones).

 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

RETIREMENT RESIGNATION

1)               Franklinton High School:  Vikki Taylor, ISS Paraprofessional, Retirement Resignation effective May 26, 2017.

 

RESIGNATION

1)               Franklinton Jr. High School:  Cerissa Blackburn, Social Worker Itinerant, Resignation effective July 6, 2017.

2)         Franklinton Jr. High School:  Julie Brock, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective June 27, 2017.

3)         Franklinton Jr. High School:  Misty Dickens, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective May 25, 2017.

4)         Franklinton Jr. High School:  Tabitha Simmons, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective July 6, 2017.

5)         Franklinton Jr. High School:  Summer Stewart, Talented Art Itinerant, Resignation effective June 26, 2017.

6)         Franklinton High School:  Denise Arceneaux, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective June 13, 2017.

7)         Franklinton High School:  Craig Martin, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective July 6, 2017.

8)         Franklinton High School:  Brenda Miller, Family Consumer Science Teacher, Resignation effective June 21, 2017.

9)         Franklinton High School:  Kenita Nicoulin, Assistant Principal, Resignation effective June 30, 2017.

10)       Franklinton School District:  Darrell Shanks, Bus Operator, Resignation effective July 5, 2017.

11)       Thomas Elementary School:  Jordin Morales, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective May 25, 2017.

12)       Varnado High School:  Ashley Thompson, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective the June 21, 2017.

13)       Varnado High School:  Patricia Greenwalt Richard, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective May 25, 2017.  

14)       Varnado High School:  Gilbert Hartzog, Agriculture Teacher, Resignation effective June 30, 2017.

15)       Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Emma Janene Bracey, Guidance Counselor, Resignation effective July 6, 2017.

16)       Varnado School District:  Timothy Duncan, Bus Operator, Resignation effective August 9, 2017.

 

TRANSFER

1)         Brad Cooper, Agriculture Teacher, Franklinton High School TO Agriculture Teacher, Varnado High School effective July 1, 2017 (Replacing Gilbert Hartzog).

2)         Cherie Fitzmorris, Principal, Mt. Hermon School TO Math Coach, Central Office effective August 1, 2017.

3)         Amanda Fowler, Class Size Reduction Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School TO Math Coach, Central Office effective July 1, 2017.

4)         Chuck Graves, Custodian, Pine School TO Bus Operator, Pine/Thomas District effective August 4, 2017.

5)         Clayton Tageant, Regular Teacher, Varnado High School TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton High School effective 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Thelma Landry).

6)         Christine Green, Special Education Paraprofessional, Varnado High School  TO Special Education Paraprofessional, Wesley Ray Elementary School effective the 2017/2018 school year.

7)         Dawn Seal, Assistant Principal, Thomas Elementary School TO Principal, Mt. Hermon School effective July 17, 2017.

 

CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS

1)         Franklinton District:  Rex McCain, Bus Operator, Current Route TO James Mulina’s route effective the 2017/2018 school year.

2)         Franklinton Primary School:  Crystal Jenkins, Class Size Reduction Teacher TO Regular Teacher effective the 2017/2018 school year.

3)         Franklinton Primary School:  Taylor McKenzie, Class Size Reduction Teacher TO Regular Teacher effective the 2017/2018 school year.

4)         Franklinton Primary School:  Cindy Taylor, Regular Teacher TO Class Size Reduction Teacher effective the 2017/2018 school year.

5)         Franklinton Elementary School:  Erica Bigler, Regular Teacher TO Class Size Reduction Teacher effective the 2017/2018 school year.

6)         Franklinton Jr. High School:  Frank Martin, Guidance Services TO Regular Teacher effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Katherine Clemons).

7)         Franklinton Jr. High School:  Stephanie Smith, Special Education Teacher TO Regular Teacher effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Tabitha Simmons).

8)         Franklinton High School:  Charity Barber, Regular Teacher TO Business Teacher effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Taleria Magee).

9)         Franklinton High School:  Thelma Landry, Regular Teacher TO Faculty Coordinator effective the 2017/2018 school year (10 months) (Replacing Kenita Nicoulin).

10)       Franklinton High School:  Taleria Magee, Business Teacher TO Faculty Coordinator effective the 2017/2018 school year (10 months).

11)       Franklinton High School:  Kevin McDaniel, Special Education Teacher TO Regular Teacher effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Anne Marie Bettencourt).

12)       Franklinton High School:  Atari Warner, Alternative School Paraprofessional TO Special Education Teacher effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Denise Arceneaux).

13)       Thomas Elementary School:  Kasey McNeese, Regular Teacher TO Class Size Reduction Teacher effective the 2017/2018 school year.

14)       Thomas Elementary School:  Keshia Morgan, EIS Paraprofessional TO Regular Teacher effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Jordin Morales).

15)       Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Crystal Knight, Class Size Reduction Teacher TO Regular Teacher effective the 2017/2018 school year.

16)       Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Elaine Robinson, Regular Teacher TO Class Size Reduction Teacher effective the 2017/2018 school year.

17)       Thomas Elementary School:  Lisa Magee, Guidance Counselor TO Faculty Coordinator (10 months) effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Dawn Seal).

18)       Thomas Elementary School:  Melissa Stubbs, Regular Teacher TO Guidance Services (9 months) effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Lisa Magee).

 

EMPLOY

1)         Franklinton Elementary School:  Heather Yates, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Amanda Fowler).

2)         Franklinton Jr. High School:  Jessica Barber, Behavior Interventionist, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Cerissa Blackburn).

3)         Franklinton Jr. High School:  Samantha Buck, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Misty Dickens).

4)         Franklinton Jr. High School:  Matthew Jays, Band Director, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year only (Replacing Patrick Dykes).

5)         Franklinton Jr. High School:  Crystal McElroy, Guidance Services, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Frank Martin).

6)         Franklinton Jr. High School:  Courtney Smith, Talented Art Itinerant Teacher, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Summer Stewart).

7)         Franklinton Jr. High School:  Evan Tageant, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Julie Brock).

8)         Franklinton High School:  Vincent Bahm, Agriculture Teacher, Employ effective July 1, 2017 (Replacing Brad Cooper).

9)         Franklinton High School:  Jordan Demers, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 017/2018 school year (Replacing Craig Martin).

10)       Franklinton High School:  Leland Vernon, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Kevin McDaniel).

11)       Mt. Hermon School:  Rachel Gonzales, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Eran Smith).

12)       Mt. Hermon School:  Vicki Lagman, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Rebecca Crain).

13)       Pine School:  Nicole Crawford, Choir Teacher, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year.

14)       Varnado High School:  Suzette Gomez, Regular High School Teacher, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Clay Tageant).

15)       Varnado High School:  Steven Kittelson, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Tiffany Jenkins).

16)       Varnado High School:  Charlie Lester, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Karen Ballard-Kittelson).

17)       Varnado High School:  Aaron Luper, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Ashley Thompson).

18)       Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Orselda Young, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Deanna Keller).

19)       Franklinton High School:  Holly Breland, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Charity Barber – Internal).

20)       Franklinton High School:  Gabrielle Topps, Family Consumer Science Teacher, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Replacing Brenda Miller).

21)       Franklinton School District:  Vickie Magee, Bus Operator, Employ effective the 2017/2018 school year (Rex McCain’s old route).

 

Agenda Item #13 - Superintendent’s Report

 

Add to the Agenda:  It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board employ and approve a contract for Dawn Seal, Principal, Mt. Hermon School for a period of two years, beginning July 17, 2017 through July 16, 2019.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board employ and approve a contract for Dawn Seal, Principal, Mt. Hermon School for a period of two years, beginning July 17, 2017 through July 16, 2019.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Add to the Agenda:  It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board authorize withdrawal privileges for Dawn Seal on all Mt. Hermon school bank accounts effective July 17, 2017 and terminate withdrawal privileges for Cherie Fitzmorris on all Mt. Hermon School bank accounts effective July 17, 2017.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

It was moved by John Wbyle, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board authorize withdrawal privileges for Dawn Seal on all Mt. Hermon school bank accounts effective July 17, 2017 and terminate withdrawal privileges for Cherie Fitzmorris on all Mt. Hermon School bank accounts effective July 17, 2017.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Superintendent Fairburn stated the Fire Marshall has condemned use of the Franklinton Jr. High School auditorium due to a long list of problems.

 

Tyre Jenkins spoke to the Board about a mentorship program he started called Coaching Kings.  Mr. Jenkins stated that a meeting would be held on July 29, 2017 from 12:30 p.m. till 2:30 p.m. in the Media Center at the School Board Office.

 

Agenda Item #14 - Personal Privileges – School Board Members

 

The Board congratulated everyone on their new positions.

 

Agenda Item #15 – Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:17(a) (1) & (4) to conduct a tenure hearing on a tenured bus driver (Matthew Tate).

 

Item deleted.

 

Agenda Item #16 – Consider a motion to return to regular session (Matthew Tate).

 

Item deleted.

 

Agenda Item #17 – Consider a motion on the discipline of a tenured bus driver (Matthew Tate).

 

Item deleted.

 

Agenda Item #18 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

 

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

 

 

______________________________

Matthew Tate, President

 

 

______________________________

Darrell Fairburn, Secretary