Franklinton, Louisiana

July 23, 2020

4:30 p.m.

The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: John Wyble, Bruce Brown, Robert Boone (Zoom), Kendall McKenzie, Alan McCain, Lesley McKinley, Dewitt Perry and Frankie Crosby.  Absent: Dan Slocum.

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 – Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the June 19, 2020, regular board meeting (John Wyble).

   It was moved by Frankie Crosby, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the minutes of the June 19, 2020, regular board meeting as presented to each member.  Motion carried unanimously.

            Agenda Item #5 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the Washington Parish School System COVID-19 reopening plan (Frances Varnado).

            The plan was presented by Tricia Smith and Sandy Morgan.  The following topics were discussed: 

·        LA. Department of Health Guidelines

·        WPSS Staffing

·        WPSS Delivery of Instruction

·        WPSS School Lunch

·        WPSS Transportation

·        WPSS Environmental Services (Sanitation Plan)

·        WPSS Athletics & Activities Adaptations

·        WPSS Student & Staff Wellness Plan

·        WPSS Emotional Support Helpline

·        WPSS Communication Plan

It was then moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Kendall McKenzie, that the Board approve the COVID-19 reopening plan as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

            Agenda Item #6 – Consider a motion to change the opening day of the 2020/2021 school year (Frances Varnado).

            It was moved by Kendall McKenzie, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board change the opening day of the 2020/2021 school year to Staff Days August 10 – 14^th and students return to classes on August 17, 2020.

Dan Slocum                              Absent

John Wyble                               For

Bruce Brown                             Against

Kendall McKenzie                     For

Robert Boone                            For

Dewitt Perry                              For

Alan McCain                             For

Frankie Crosby                         Against

Lesley McKinley                        Against

5 – For, 3 - Against.  1 – Absent.  Motion carried.

Bruce Brown requested school be delayed until after Labor Day to reopen.

Agenda Item #7 - Presentation on May 2020 financial statements (Lacy Burris).

Lacy Burris, Director of Finance, presented the May 2020 financial statements for the following funds:

General Fund

School Lunch Fund

Tax District #4 Bond Sinking Fund

Agenda Item #8– Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received on school supplies for the 2020/2021 school year (Lacy Burris).

It was moved by Frankie Crosby, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board approve the bid from HiTouch Business Services at a cost of $28,329.10 for copy paper for the 2020/2021 school year.  Motion carried unanimously.  Other bids submitted as follows:

Agenda Item #9 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Pupil Progression Plan Revisions for the 2020/2021 school year (Katie Miller).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board adopt the 2020/2021 Pupil Progression Plan Addendum as follows:

2020-2021 Pupil Progression Plan

Addendum

Local Education Agency:

Washington Parish School System

  Motion carried unanimously

Agenda Item #10 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding student transfers for the 2020/2021 school year (Mike Ingram).

It was moved by Kendall McKenzie, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board approve the student transfers for the 2020/2021 school year as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #11 – Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for surplus equipment (Shane Smith).

It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Kendall McKenzie, that the Board authorize advertisement for the sale of a John Deere tractor at Franklinton High School as surplus equipment.  Motion carried unanimously.

            Agenda Item #12 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding a directive to all employees that they shall be responsible for the cleaning of all high-touch surfaces in all school facilities (Frances Varnado).

It was moved by Frankie Crosby, seconded by Kendall McKenzie, that the Board approve a directive to all employees that they shall be responsible for the cleaning of all high-touch surfaces in all school facilities.   Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #13 – Consider a motion to adopt new Washington Parish School Board Policy File:  EBBI – Public Health Emergency and Policy File:  GBRIBC – Emergency Family and Medical Leave (EFMLA) and Emergency Paid Sick Leave (COVID-19 Pandemic) (Mary Jones).

It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt new Washington Parish School Board Policy File:  EBBI – Public Health Emergency and Policy File:  GBRIBC – Emergency Family and Medical Leave (EFMLA) and Emergency Paid Sick Leave (COVID-19 Pandemic).  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #14 - Personnel Report (Mary Jones).

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

SICK LEAVE/RETIREMENT RESIGNATION

1.                Franklinton Elementary School:  Mary Lou Fussell, Accountant I – School Clerk, Sick Leave effective August 3, 2020 through February 10, 2021 and Retirement Resignation effective February 10, 2021.

RETIREMENT RESIGNATION

1.                Varnado High School:  Josephine Moses, Accountant I – School Clerk, Retirement Resignation effective December 1, 2020.

RESIGNATION

1.                Franklinton Primary School:  Caitlin Hoffstadt, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective June 29, 2020.

2.                Franklinton Primary School:  Lisa Holliday, Literacy Coach, Resignation effective July 3, 2020.

3.                Franklinton Jr. High School:  Abigail Lambert, Band Director, Resignation effective August 1, 2020.

4.                Mt. Hermon School:  Troy Stevens, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective June 23, 2020.

5.                Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Vicki Burns, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective July 1, 2020.

6.                Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Lasonda Luper, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective July 21, 2020.

7.                Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Katilyn McNeese, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective July 21, 2020.

TRANSFER

1.                Belinda Alleno, School Lunch Worker, Thomas Elementary School TO School Lunch Worker, Franklinton High School effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing Deborah Norman).

2.                Callie Anderson, Regular Teacher, Enon Elementary School TO Literacy Coach (10 months), Franklinton Primary School effective July 15, 2020 (Replacing Lisa Holliday).

3.                Katlyn Baker, Speech Pathologist Assistant, Homebased at Thomas Elementary School TO  Homebased at Wesley Ray Elementary School effective the 2020/2021 school year.

4.                Priscilla Garcia, Accountant I – School Clerk, Franklinton Elementary School TO Grant Accountant II – School Food Service, Central Office effective July 13, 2020 (Replacing Amanda Stafford).

5.                Christina Graham, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School TO Regular Teacher, Enon Elementary School effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing Callie Anderson).

6.                Kayla Knight, School Bus Operator, Wesley Ray Elementary School TO School Bus Operator, Varnado High School effective the 2020/2021 school year (Michelle Knight’s vacant route).

7.                Melissa Lebo, Speech Pathologist, Homebased at Franklinton Elementary School TO Homebased at Thomas Elementary School effective 2020/2021 school year

8.                Jennifer McElveen, Regular Teacher, Pine School TO Math Coach, Central Office effective July 13, 2020 (Replacing Janet Picou).

9.                Crystal Page, Bus Operator, Pine School TO Bus Operator, Thomas Elementary School (Jeff Kelly’s Route) effective the 2020/2021 school year.

10.             Chara Thiebaud, Literacy Paraprofessional, Franklinton Primary School TO Technology Assistant, Central Office effective August 3, 2020.

11.             Cheyenne Wilson, Special Education Teacher, Varnado High School TO Regular Teacher, Mt. Hermon School effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing Troy Stevens).

CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS

1.                Enon Elementary School:  Charlotte Garza, School Lunch Worker TO Acting School Lunch Manager effective the 2020/2021 school year only (Fill in for Wanda Loyd).

2.                Enon Elementary School:  Tina Hartfield, Part-Time School Lunch Worker TO Full-Time School Lunch Worker effective the 2020/2021 school year only (Fill in for Charlotte Garza).

3.                Central Office:  Cherie Fitzmorris, Math Coach TO Curriculum Coordinator of Mathematics effective August 1, 2020.

EMPLOY

1.                Enon Elementary School:  Chelsey Hammons, Kindergarten Teacher, Employ effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing Shirlene Magee).

2.                Franklinton Primary School:  Gabrielle McCoy, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing Caitlin Hoffstadt).

3.                Franklinton Primary School:  Crystal Newman, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing Christina Graham).

4.                Franklinton Elementary School:  Rosanna Fury, School Lunch Worker, Employ effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing McKesia Fortenberry).

5.                Franklinton Elementary School:  Pamela Nielsen, Literacy Paraprofessional (Paid out of Title I/GF), Employ effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing Gloria Magee).

6.                Franklinton Elementary School:  Katie Spears, Administrative Assistant I – School Clerk, Employ effective July 13, 2020 (Replacing Priscilla Garcia).

7.                Franklinton Elementary School:  Leslie Varnado, Administrative Assistant I – School Clerk, Employ effective July 20, 2020 (Replacing Lou Fussell).

8.                Mt. Hermon School:  Christen Williamson, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing Roseanne Diaz).

9.                Pine District:  Terry Blackwell, Bus Operator, Employ effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing Crystal Page).

10.             Pine School:  Sandra Barber, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing Jennifer McElveen).

11.             Pine School:  Hunter Boyd, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing Seren Strahan).

12.             Student Support Services:  Ann Cowart, Critical Shortage Part-Time School Psychologist, Employ effective July 21, 2020 through May 27, 2021.

13.             Student Support Services:  Charlotte Fasola, Critical Shortage Educational Diagnostician, Employ effective July 20, 2020 through June 8, 2021.

14.             Student Support Services:  Teresa Stafford, Critical Shortage Educational Diagnostician, Employ effective July 20, 2020 through June 8, 2021.

15.             Thomas Elementary School:  Bridgett Ard, School Lunch Worker, Employ effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing Belinda Alleno).

16.             Thomas Elementary School:  Makayla Luper, Part-Time School Lunch Worker, Employ effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing Gilda Watkins).

17.             Varnado High School:  Stacy Garza, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing Cheyenne Wilson).

18.             Varnado High School:  Tatum Hunt, School Lunch Worker, Employ effective the 2020/2021 school year (Rreplacing Amber Dillon).

19.             Wesley Ray School District:  Jeremy Hancock, School Bus Operator, Employ effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing Kayla Knight).

CONTRACT RENEWAL

1.                Central Office:  Jackie Jenkins, Supervisor of Instructional Technology and Professional Development, Contract Renewal August 1, 2020 through July 31, 2022.

2.                Central Office:  Katie Miller, Curriculum Coordinator of Testing & Accountability, Contract Renewal August 1, 2020 through July 31, 2022.

3.                Franklinton Elementary School:  Denise Gilmore, Assistant Principal, Contract Renewal August 1, 2020 through July 31, 2022.

Agenda Item #15 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding transportation adjustments (Shane Smith).

It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Frankie Crosby, that the Board approve the transportation adjustments as follows: 

TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS

Franklinton District:                                                       Extend the route of Vivian Ard 8 miles one way due to construction on Hwy. 436.  Effective dates:  February 24, 2020 through March 13, 2020.

Extend the route of Vivian Ard 12 miles due to no one being home at time of drop off on March 3, 2020.

Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #16 - Superintendent’s Report

Shane Smith gave updates on Capital Improvement projects.

Superintendent Varnado stated that would we have a Special Board Meeting on August 20^th at 6:00 p.m. if needed.  Otherwise the next regular board meeting is scheduled for September 10, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at the FES Gymnatorium.

Agenda Item #17 - Personal Privileges – School Board Members

The Board thanked the staff for work on reopening plans.

Bruce Brown disagrees with starting day of school. 

Frankie Crosby stated that the old football field was not being up kept by Franklinton Little League.  He also stated that he qualified for Alderman.

Agenda Item #18 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

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

______________________________

John Wyble, President

______________________________

Frances Varnado, Secretary