Franklinton, Louisiana

January 16, 2020

6:00 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, Frankie Crosby, Alan McCain, Robert Boone, Dewitt Perry and Lesley McKinley.  Absent: Kendall McKenzie

Agenda Item #1 - Call to order

The meeting was called to order by President John Wyble.

Agenda Item #2 – Invocation

The invocation was given by Bruce Brown.

Agenda Item #3 – Pledge of Allegiance

Agenda Item #4 – Recognize 2020 Teachers of the Year (Jackie Jenkins).

The 2020 teachers of the year were recognized at tonight’s meeting.  The teacher was presented a plaque by their principal.  Superintendent Darrell Fairburn then presented a plaque to the parish winners.  The Board congratulated all teachers.

2020 Teachers of the Year

 Agenda Item #5 – Consider a motion to employ Frances Varnado, Superintendent, effective February 1, 2020 pending contract negotiation (John Wyble).

It was moved by Lesley McKinley, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board employ Frances Varnado, Superintendent, effective February 1, 2020 pending contract negotiation.

Roll call vote as follows:

Dan Slocum                              For

John Wyble                              For

Bruce Brown                             For

Kendall McKenzie                     Absent

Robert Boone                            For

Dewitt Perry                             For

Alan McCain                             For

Frankie Crosby                         For

Lesley McKinley                       For

 Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #6 – Consider a motion to authorize withdrawal privileges for Frances Varnado on all Washington Parish School System bank accounts and terminate withdrawal privileges for Darrell Fairburn on all Washington Parish School System bank accounts effective February 1, 2020 (John Wyble).

It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board authorize withdrawal privileges for Frances Varnado on all Washington Parish School System bank accounts and terminate withdrawal privileges for Darrell Fairburn on all Washington Parish School System bank accounts effective February 1, 2020.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #7 – Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the December 5, 2019, regular board meeting (John Wyble).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the minutes of the December 5, 2019, regular board meeting as submitted to each member.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #8 – Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the January 14, 2020 special board meeting (John Wyble).

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board adopt the minutes of the January 14, 2020, special board meeting as submitted to each member.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #9 – Presentation to Wesley Ray Elementary School – Dr. Susan Spring – Regina Coeli (Mary Jones).

Dr. Susan Spring and Lesley McKinley, Board Member of Regina Coeli, acknowledged Ms. Leslie Hodges, Coordinator of Early Childhood, for her hard work and dedication in the start up of the 3 year old program at Wesley Ray Elementary School.

Agenda Item #10 – Presentation on November 2019 financial statements (Lacy Burris).

Lacy Burris, Director of Finance, presented the November 2019 financial statements for the following funds:

General Fund

School Lunch Fund

Tax District #4 Bond Sinking Fund

Agenda Item #11 – Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for the purchase of security systems (Jackie Jenkins).

It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board authorize advertisement for the purchase of security systems for Franklinton High School and Pine School to be funded by the School Violence Protection Grant.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #12 – Consider a motion to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: DFD – Tax and Bond Elections and Sales; Policy File: GAEAA – Sexual Harassment; Policy File: GBN – Separation of Employment and Policy File: GBRL – Holidays (Mary Jones).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Frankie Crosby, that the Board adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: DFD –Tax and Bond Elections and Sales; Policy File: GAEAA – Sexual Harassment; Policy File: GBN – Separation of Employment and Policy File: GBRL – Holidays.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #13 – Personnel Report (Mary Jones)

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

RETIREMENT RESIGNATION

1.                  Franklinton Elementary School:  Gary Slade, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective May 30, 2020.

RESIGNATION

1.                Franklinton High School:  Shelbye Branch, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective December 30, 2019.

2.                Franklinton High School:  Roxanne Graham, ISS Paraprofessional, Resignation effective December 31, 2019.

CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS

1.                Franklinton High School:  Beverly Golden, Administrative Assistant I – School Clerk TO Regular Teacher effective January 8, 2020 (Replacing Shelbye Branch).

TRANSFER

1.                Brandy Williams, Pre-K Paraprofessional, Thomas Elementary School TO Special Education Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School effective January 6, 2020 and the remainder of the Spring Semester only (Fill in for Dana Harvey).

EMPLOY

1.                  Franklinton Primary School:  Deborah Johnson. School Lunch Worker, Employ effective January 6, 2020 and the remainder of the Spring Semester only (Fill in for Anita Warren/Paula Anthony).

2.                  Franklinton Elementary School:  Amanda Porter, Librarian/Media Specialist, Employ effective January 6, 2020.

3.                  Franklinton High School:  Kadra France, Regular Teacher, Employ effective January 6, 2020 and the Spring Semester only.

4.                  Thomas Elementary School:  Cherish Seal, Pre-K Paraprofessional, Employ effective January 8, 2020 (Replacing Brandy Williams).

5.                  Franklinton Elementary School:  Collin Magee, Regular Teacher, Employ effective January 17, 2020 (Replacing Carolyn Jones).

            Agenda Item #14 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Transportation Adjustments (Shane Smith).

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board adopt the Transportation Adjustments as follows:

TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS

Franklinton District:                                                       Extend the route of Carolyn Fussell 2.4 miles one way to pick up students on Crip Brumfield Road.  Effective date:  December 4, 2019.

                                                                                    Extend the route of Lela Yates 1 miles one way to pick up students on Shore Drive.  Effective date:  December 9, 2019.

                                                                                    Extend the route of Linda Magee 2 miles one way to pick up students on E. Fairground Road.  Effective date:  January 8, 2020.

Mt. Hermon District:                                                      Deduct 3.7 miles one way from the route of Darlene Garcia.  Students no longer on route.  Effective date:  November 15, 2019.

                                                                                    Extend the route of Florence Miley 2.5 miles one way to pick up students on Earl Wilkes Road.  Effective date:  December 2, 2019.

Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #15 - Superintendent’s Report

            Proposed calendars for the 2020-2021 school year will be sent to principals for schools to vote for their choice.

            Superintendent Darrell Fairburn stated that he has enjoyed his 13½ years in Washington Parish.  He thanked everyone for their support during his time as Superintendent. 

Agenda Item #16 - Personal Privileges – School Board Members

The Board congratulated all teacher of the year winners.

The Board thanked Superintendent Fairburn for his dedication to the students and staff of Washington Parish. 

Ms. Janene Hollen thanked everyone for their help and support during the recent death of Ms. Carolyn Jones, Franklinton Elementary School teacher.

Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

It was moved by Frankie Crosby, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board adjourn.  Motion carried unanimously.

______________________________

John Wyble, President

______________________________

Darrell Fairburn, Secretary