Franklinton, Louisiana
March 18, 2021
6:00 p.m.
The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: Dan Slocum, Bruce Brown, Kendall McKenzie, Robert Boone, Dewitt Perry, Alan McCain, Lesley McKinley and Frankie Crosby. Absent: John Wyble.
Agenda Item #1 - Call to order
The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Lesley McKinley.
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 February 11, 2021, regular board meeting (John Wyble).
It was moved by Kendall McKenzie, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the February 11, 2021, regular board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 – Presentation on January 2021 financial statements (Lacy Burris).
Lacy Burris, Director of Finance, presented the January 2021 financial statements for the following funds:
General Fund
School Lunch Fund
Tax District #4 Bond Sinking Fund
Agenda Item #6 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding renewals for the Board’s property insurance (Lacy Burris).
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board approve the Board’s Property Insurance (exclusive of terrorism) with an annual premium of $436,964.00 with agent Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance for one year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 – Consider a motion to adopt the budget revision for the Preschool Development Grant (PDG) budget for the 2020/2021 fiscal year (Lacy Burris).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt the budget revision for the Preschool Development Grant (PDG) budget for the 2020/2021 fiscal year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding senior parking spots (Frances Varnado).
Upon on the recommendation of Superintendent Varnado, it was moved Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board not allow for any senior parking spots to be painted at any school. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 – Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for surplus equipment (Shane Smith).
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board authorize advertisement for surplus equipment. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for the National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant (Amanda Stafford).
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Kendall McKenzie, that the Board approve the bids received for the National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistant Grant as follows:
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GBRIBC – Emergency Family and Medical Leave (EFMLA) and Emergency Paid Sick Leave (COVID-19 Pandemic) (Mary Jones).
It was moved by Frankie Crosby, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GBRIBC – Emergency Family and Medical Leave (EFMLA) and Emergency Paid Sick Leave (COVID-19 Pandemic) extending the deadline until May 21, 2021. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 – Personnel Report (Mary Jones)
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION
1. Central Office: Rita Mulina, Title I Coordinator, Retirement Resignation effective June 30, 2021.
2. Franklinton Primary School: Melissa Seal, Guidance Counselor, Retirement Resignation effective May 21, 2021.
3. Franklinton Elementary School: Barbara Williams, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective May 21, 2021.
4. Franklinton High School: Ray Magee, Custodian, Retirement Resignation effective June 30, 2021.
5. Franklinton High School: Helen “Toni” Tageant, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective May 21, 2021.
6. Mt. Hermon School: Rhonda Waskom, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective May 21, 2021.
7. Pine School: Kimberly Magee, High School Business Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective May 21, 2021.
8. Thomas Elementary School: Esco Burton, ISS Paraprofessional, Retirement Resignation effective May 21, 2021.
9. Franklinton Primary School: Sheila Guy, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective May 21, 2021.
SICK LEAVE/RETIREMENT RESGINATION
1. Franklinton Elementary School: Patty Alford, Regular Teacher, Sick Leave effective March 5, 2021 through May 21, 2021 and Retirement Resignation effective May 21, 2021.
TRANSFER
1. Aylene Crain, Principal, Franklinton Primary School TO Director of Federal Programs, Central Office effective April 1, 2021 (2 yr. Contract) (Replacing Mary Henderson).
2. Milton Green, High School Teacher/Head Football Coach, Varnado High School TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton High School effective February 17, 2021 (Fill in for Jordan Demers who is on Military Leave).
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
1. Central Office: Stacey Breaud, Adolescent Literacy Coach TO Curriculum Coordinator of English/Language Arts effective June 1, 2021 (2 yr Contract) (Replacing Mary Mobley).
RESIGNATION
1. Enon Elementary School: Sherry Garner, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective February 17, 2021.
2. Franklinton High School: Milton Green, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective March 4, 2021.
3. Pine School: Tammy Lambert, Custodian, Resignation effective March 15, 2021.
4. Varnado High School: Jamie Davis, Regular High School Teacher, Resignation effective March 2, 2021.
5. Franklinton High School: Renee Burris, Principal, Resignation effective July 31, 2021.
EMPLOY
1. Mt. Hermon School: Jimmie Brumfield, Custodian, Employ effective March 8, 2021 (Replacing Jerry McDonald).
2. Varnado High School: Adam Brumfield, Regular High School Teacher/Head Football Coach, Employ effective February 17, 2021 (Replacing Milton Green).
CONTRACT RENEWAL
1. Varnado High School: Jennifer Beninato, Principal, Contract Renewal March 30, 2021 through March 29, 2023.
Agenda Item #13 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Transportation Adjustments (Shane Smith).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt the Transportation Adjustments as follows:
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton District: Extend the route of Melaney Rauch 3.1 miles one way to pick up students on Silas Johnson Road. Effective date: February 1, 2021.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Superintendent’s Report
Add to the Agenda: It was moved by Kendall McKenzie, seconded by Dewitt Perry that the Board discuss and take appropriate action regarding the Principal Salary schedule. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board increase the Principal base salary by $5000.00 retroactive to July 1, 2020.
Roll call vote as follows:
Dan Slocum - For
John Wyble - Absent
Bruce Brown - For
Kendall McKenzie - For
Robert Boone - For
Dewitt Perry - For
Alan McCain - For
Frankie Crosby - Against
Lesley McKinley - Against
Motion carried.
Add to the Agenda: It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board discuss and take appropriate action regarding the purchase of school buses.
Roll call vote as follows:
Dan Slocum - For
John Wyble - Absent
Bruce Brown - For
Kendall McKenzie - For
Robert Boone - For
Dewitt Perry - For
Alan McCain - For
Frankie Crosby - Against
Lesley McKinley - For
Motion carried.
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Robert Boone. To consider a motion to purchase two 2022 Thomas Build C2 72 passenger buses for $84,143.00 each and two 2022 Thomas Build C2 65 passenger school buses with lifts for $88,336.00 each from Kent-Mitchell Bus Sales based on the Tangipahoa Parish bid price via the piggyback provision of Louisiana R.S. 38:321.1 and enter into a master installment purchase agreement with Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, LLC. Motion carried. Frankie Crosby voted against the motion.
Agenda Item #15 - Personal Privileges – School Board Members
Jeamie McCullen, Champions of Change Organization, spoke at tonight’s meeting.
Dewitt Perry explained a new program for Washington Parish students to go into the education field and return to Washington Parish to teach.
Agenda Item #16 - 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