Franklinton, Louisiana

September 10, 2020

6:00 p.m.

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

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 July 23, 2020, regular board meeting (John Wyble).

It was moved by Frankie Crosby, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board adopt the minutes of the July 23, 2020, regular board meeting as submitted to each member.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #5 – Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the August 6, 2020, regularl board meeting (John Wyble).

It was moved by Robert Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the minutes of the August 6, 2020, regular board meeting as submitted to each member.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the Board’s Liability Insurance (Lacy Burris).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Kendall McKenzie, that the Board approve Arthur J. Gallagher, BCS Ins. Co., for the Board’s liability insurance for the annual premium of $165,315.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #7 – Consider a motion to adopt the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire (Lacy Burris).

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board adopt the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the Superintendent to sign the required Louisiana Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Form reflecting a selection of or rejection of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (Lacy Burris)

It was moved by Kendall McKenzie, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt a resolution authorizing the Superintendent to sign the required Louisiana Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Form reflecting a selection of or rejection of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adopt the Technology Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Jimmy Thigpen).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board adopt the Technology Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adopt General Fund Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Lacy Burris).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board adopt General Fund Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to adopt School Food Service Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Marsha Newman).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board adopt School Food Service Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to adopt School Food Service Summer Feeding Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Marsha Newman).

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Kendall McKenzie, that the Board adopt School Food Service Summer Feeding Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #13 – Consider a motion to adopt School Food Service At-Risk Supper Program Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Marsha Newman).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board adopt School Food Service At-Risk Supper Program Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #14 – Consider a motion to adopt School Food Service Fruit and Vegetable Program Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Marsha Newman).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board adopt the School Food Service Fruit and Vegetable Program Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to adopt Angie 5 Mill Tax Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Lacy Burris).

It was moved by Lesley McKinley, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board adopt the Angie 5 Mill Tax Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to adopt Special Federal Funds Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Lacy Burris).

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt Special Federal Funds Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to adopt the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy (Grades 9 - 12) Grant Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Lacy Burris).

It was moved by Robert Boone, seconded by Kendall McKenzie, that the Board adopt the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy (Grades 9 - 12) Grant Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #18 – Consider a motion to adopt the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy (Grades Birth – Age 5) Grant Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Lacy Burris).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy (Grades Birth – Age 5) Grant Budget for the 2020-2021fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #19 – Consider a motion to adopt the Ready Start Network – PDG Grant Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Lacy Burris).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board adopt the Ready Start Network – PDG Grant Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #20 – Consider a motion to adopt the Ready Start Network - CCDF Grant Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal (Lacy Burris).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Frankie Crosby, that the Board adopt the Ready Start Network - CCDF Grant Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #21 – Consider a motion to adopt the Preschool Development Grant (PDG) Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Lacy Burris).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Frankie Crosby, that the Board adopt the Preschool Development Grant (PDG) Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #22 – Consider a motion to adopt the Strong Start - Formula Grant Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Lacy Burris).

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt the Strong Start - Formula Grant Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #23 – Consider a motion to adopt the Strong Start – GEER Grant Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal Year (Lacy Burris).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board adopt the Strong Start – GEER Grant Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #24 – Consider a motion to adopt the Strong Start – Incentive Grant Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Lacy Burris).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board adopt the Strong Start – Incentive Grant Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #25 – Consider a motion to adopt ESSA Title I Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Mary Henderson).

It was moved by Robert Boone, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board adopt ESSA Title I Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #26 - Consider a motion to adopt ESSA Title II Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Mary Henderson).

It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board adopt ESSA Title II Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #27 - Consider a motion to adopt ESSA Title IV Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Mary Henderson).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Kendall McKenzie, that the Board adopt ESSA Title IV Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #28 - Consider a motion to adopt ESSA Title V – Rural and Low Income School Program Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Mary Henderson).

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt ESSA Title V – Rural and Low Income School Program Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #29 - Consider a motion to adopt ESSA – Direct Student Services Grant Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Mary Henderson).

It was moved by Lesley McKinley, seconded by Kendall McKenzie, that the Board adopt ESSA – Direct Student Services Grant Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #30 - Consider a motion to adopt ESSA – Redesign Planning – School Improvement Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Mary Henderson).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board adopt ESSA – Redesign Planning – School Improvement Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #31 - Consider a motion to adopt Special Education IDEA Part B Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Tricia Smith).

It was moved by Frankie Crosby, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt Special Education IDEA Part B Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #32 - Consider a motion to adopt Special Education IDEA Preschool Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Tricia Smith).

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board adopt Special Education IDEA Preschool Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #33 – Consider a motion to approve the bids received for surplus equipment (Shane Smith).

No bids received.

Agenda Item #34 – Personnel Report (Mary Jones)

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

RETIREMENT RESIGNATION

1.                Franklinton Primary School:  Jaqueline Ezell, School Lunch Worker, Retirement Resignation effective October 31, 2020.

2.                Franklinton Elementary School:  Lawton Magee, Custodian, Retirement Resignation effective August 18, 2020.

3.                Franklinton High School:  Iretha Brown, Custodian, Retirement Resignation effective September 30, 2020.

4.                Mt. Hermon School:  Jennifer Buras, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective August 12, 2020.

SICK LEAVE/RETIREMENT RESIGNATION

1.             Franklinton Elementary School:  Gretchen Witkowski, Regular Teacher, Sick Leave effective August 10, 2020 through December 2, 2020 and Retirement Resignation effective December 2, 2020.

RESIGNATION

1.                Franklinton Elementary School:  Brian Skidmore, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 21, 2020.

2.                Mt. Hermon School:  Breanna Smith, Kindergarten Teacher, Resignation effective July 16, 2020.

3.                Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Stina Bickham, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 13, 2020.

4.                Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Erin Breland, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 7, 2020.

5.                Wesley Ray Elementary School:  La’Darrus Brister, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 28, 2020.

6.                Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Danisha Manning, Itinerant Academically Gifted Teacher, Resignation effective August 21, 2020.

TERMINATION

1.                Enon Elementary School:  Theresa Jenkins, Custodian, Termination effective August 12, 2020.

TRANSFER

1.                Angela Kennedy, Coordinator of Section 504, Central Office TO Principal, Wesley Ray Elementary School effective August 17, 2020 (2 year contract) (Replacing Kewanda August).

2.                Katilyn Ladner, Pre-K Paraprofessional, Mt. Hermon School TO Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton Primary School effective September 8, 2020 (new position).

3.                Leslie Westmoreland, Speech Pathologist, Enon Elementary School TO Coordinator of Section 504, Central Office effective September 1, 2020 (Replacing Angela Kennedy) (2 year contract).

CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS

1.                     Enon Elementary School:  Pam Benison, Literacy Para (Paid out of EIS) TO Special Education Paraprofessional – Speech Therapy effective August 24, 2020.

2.                     Enon Elementary School:  Tiffany Modlin, Special Education Paraprofessional TO Literacy Paraprofessional (Paid out of Regular EIS) effective August 24, 2020 (Replacing Pam Benison).

3.                     Franklinton Primary School:  Deborah Johnson, School Lunch Worker, Fall Semester only TO School Lunch Worker effective September 8, 2020 (Replacing Jackie Ezell).

4.                     Mt. Hermon School:  Sharonda Thigpen, Pre-K Teacher TO Kindergarten Teacher effective the 2020/2021 school year (Replacing Breanna Smith).

EMPLOY

1.                Enon Elementary School:  Homero Torres, Custodian, Employ effective August 18, 2020 (Replacing Theresa Jenkins).

2.                Franklinton Primary School:  Zekyle Dillon, School Lunch Worker, Employ effective September 8, 2020 and the Fall Semester of the 2020/2021 school year only.

3.                Franklinton Elementary School:  Podelski Dillon, Custodian, Employ effective September 25, 2020 (Replacing Lawton Magee).

4.                Franklinton Elementary School:  Shakira Miller, Regular Teacher, Employ effective August 24, 2020 (Replacing Brian Skidmore).

5.                Franklinton High School:  Robbie Picou, School Lunch Worker, Employ effective August 17, 2020 (Replacing Belinda Alleno).

6.                Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Brooke Crain, Regular Teacher, Employ effective September 14, 2020 (Replacing Tina Bickham).

7.                Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Martha Rogers, Regular Teacher, Employ effective the August 11, 2020. (Replacing Erin Breland).

CONTRACT RENEWAL

1.                Central Office:  Penny Moses, Supervisor of Post-Secondary Transition, Contract Renewal August 11, 2020 through August 10, 2022.

2.                Mt. Hermon School:  Lee Bond, Assistant Principal of Instruction, Contract renewal August 13, 2020 through August 12, 2022.

            Agenda Item #35 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Transportation Adjustments (Shane Smith).

None

Agenda Item #36 - Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Varnado thanked everyone for their work on the preparation of the budgets.

Census notes will be sent home with every student on Monday.

We will begin Phase 3 on Monday – PreK – 6^th grade will go to school 4 days a week and Grades 7 – 12 will continue to go 2 days per week.  During phase 3 only 49 students are allowed on busses.

Atheltics and extra-curricular activities can begin but must socially distance.  Mask are still required.

Agenda Item #37 - Personal Privileges – School Board Members

John Wyble stated that he will possibly remove personal privileges from the agenda.

The Board thanked everyone for the work on preparing the budgets.

Agenda Item #38 – Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:17(2) concerning prospective litigation after formal demand from Yigal Bander, attorney for Alexander Thomas and Stacey Thomas dated August 20, 2020 (John Wyble).

It was moved by Kendall McKenzie, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:17(2) concerning prospective litigation regarding Suit # 2:20-cv-2425 Alexander Thomas and Stacey Thomas versus Frances Varnado and the Washington Parish School Board and regarding negotiations concerning the purchase of the old Varnado Elementary School.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #39 – Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:17(2) regarding negotiations concerning the purchase of the old Varnado Elementary School (John Wyble).

Agenda Item #40 – Consider a motion to return to regular session (John Wyble).

It was moved by Lesley McKinley, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board return to regular session.  Motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board counter the offer for the Varnado Elementary School property at $235,000 (appraised value) and authorize John Wyble to sell if offer of $200,000 or above based on approval at the October 8^th board meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #41 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

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

______________________________

John Wyble, President

______________________________

Frances Varnado, Secretary