Franklinton, Louisiana
October 7, 2021
6:00 p.m.
The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: Bruce Brown, John Wyble, Kendall McKenzie, Frankie Crosby, Robert Boone, Dewitt Perry, Dan Slocum and Lesley McKinley. 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 – Presentation on Test Results – Katie Miller
Katie Miller, Coordinator of Testing and Accountability, presented the test results at the Committee Meeting on Monday night.
Agenda Item #5 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Pupil Progression Plan revisions for the 2021/2022 school year (Katie Miller).
It was moved by Frankie Crosby, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board adopt the 2021/2022 Pupil Progression Plan revisions as presented:
III. Promotion for students in kindergarten and grades 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 Teachers shall, on an individual basis, determine the promotion of each student according to the local Pupil Progression Plan. Particular emphasis shall be placed upon the student’s proficiency in grade-appropriate skills. In the space below, please describe the LEA’s policies and procedures that will be used to determine promotion for students in Kindergarten and Grades 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7. NOTE: If a student does not meet promotion criteria, SBLC must meet to review classroom based assessment data in order to make a promotion decision. See Retention Policy page 27. Promotion: Kindergarten In addition to State Policy, a student must meet the following criteria to be accepted into first grade: 1. A student must attend school a minimum of 161 days (except for extenuating circumstances). *NOTE: Kindergarten report cards will be sent to parents once each nine weeks to report progress for each individual child on specific proficiency skills taught during the nine weeks period. 2. Students must master the following skills identified on Mastery Skills Checklist: *Identify upper & lower case letter names with 92% accuracy. *Identify letter sounds (consonants & short vowels) with 85% accuracy. *Identify numerals 1-10 with 90% accuracy. *Match sets of concrete items to numerals 1-10 with 90% accuracy. A student can be retained only once in kindergarten. Promotion: Grade 1 In addition to State Policy, a student must meet the following criteria to be promoted into second grade: 1. Earn a passing grade (67% accuracy) in both English Language Arts and Mathematics. The second semester will be calculated by averaging the third and fourth nine-week grades. The yearly average will be calculated by averaging the grades from the third and fourth nine-weeks. (Semester grades will not be averaged to determine the yearly grade. Only the second semester grades will be used to determine promotion to second grade.) 2. Students must master the following skills: *Identify letter sounds from the district-developed sound symbol chart with 80% accuracy. * ability to accurately blend nonsense CVC words as evidenced by EOY Acadience nonsense word assessment probes NOTE: A student must reach age six on or before September 30 of the current year to enter first grade. 14 In the space below, please describe any local policies or additional considerations used to determine the promotion of students in Grades 9 and above and to support their attainment of a high school diploma. In addition to State Policy, students in grades 9-12 will adhere to the following parish guidelines for whole unit of credit courses: 1. Marking periods shall be on a nine-week basis. 2. Progress reports will be mandatory for all students. Parents or guardians of all students will be notified at the mid-point of each marking period. A copy will be retained at the school site. Full-Year Courses: When determining grades for full-year courses, the weight value of each of the four nine-week marking periods is 1.75 and the weight value of each semester exam is 1.5. Example: Calculating Semester Grades 1st Nine-Weeks Grade 70 X 1.75 = 122.5 2nd Nine-Weeks Grade 74 X 1.75 = 129.5 Mid-term Exam Grade 76 X 1.5 = 114 1st Semester Grade 122.5 + 129.5 + 114 = 366 ÷ 5 = 73.2 D 3rd Nine-Weeks Grade 80 X 1.75 = 140 4th Nine-Weeks Grade 75 X 1.75 = 131.25 Final Exam Grade 75 X 1.5 = 112.5 2nd Semester Grade 140 + 131.25 + 112.5 = 383.75 ÷ 5 = 76.75 C [(1st Nine-Weeks x 1.75) + (2nd Nine-Weeks x 1.75) + (Mid-term Exam x 1.5) + (3rd Nine-Weeks x 1.75) + (4th NineWeeks x 1.75) + (Final Exam X 1.5)] ÷ 10 = Yearly Average 122.5 + 129.5 + 114 + 140 + 131.25 + 112.5 = 749.75 ÷ 10 = 74.97 C NOTE: Graduation rank will be computed on the basis of cumulative GPA using quality points: F=0, D=1, C=2, B=3, A=4 as defined in WPSB District Policy FILE: IHC Cf: IKDB April Dunn Student Midterm and Final Exams Any class in which April Dunn, through the IEP, is applied will have an exam weight of 5% instead of the 15% as applied to all other courses. Transitional 9th Grade: Remediation will be offered for Transitional 9th grade students based on academic need and school recommendation. Students who are non-proficient in ELA and/or math, the students will be enrolled in a remediation class along with the corresponding Carnegie unit course. 20 o The instructional program for the LEP secondary student will be one in which the non-English speaking student will not be placed in highly language-dependent courses (i.e. American History) until he/she develops a level of competency to succeed in the courses. Limited English students may be scheduled in courses such as reading, speech, music, and courses that facilitate oral comprehension and production while at the same time allowing the student to earn Carnegie credits. Course content should be simplified according to the LEP students English proficiency level. • Middle and High School teachers of EL students are expected to modify instruction, pacing, materials, assessments, and grading practices as necessary and appropriate to meet the needs of their students. • No LEP student shall be retained solely because of limited English proficiency. LEP students cannot be assigned less than a 67% for lack of understanding of the English Language if they are putting forth the effort (attending class with the appropriate materials and making an attempt to meet the course requirements) and language is a barrier to their success. An F can only be given after the following occurs: o Documentation of educational interventions and/or accommodations used in the regular education class and documentation of incidents of behavior disruptions, and o A conference with the regular education teacher, EL personnel, Principal, and parent/guardian of the student Exit Criteria In order for ELs in grades K-12 to be considered English proficient and exit LEP status, they must obtain a proficient level on the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT). This is determined by scoring a combination of achievement level 4 (Early Advance) or Achievement level 5 (Advanced) in reading, writing, speaking, and listening on the ELPT. Students with disabilities who are unable to meet the exit criteria after 4 years or more in LEP status because of their disability, as decided on by SBLC, may be exited from LEP status. 25 Requests for a due process hearing must be submitted in writing to: Washington Parish School System Jennifer Thomas, Assistant Superintendent 800 Main Street – Post Office Box 587 Franklinton, Louisiana 70438 Hearing notifications to the parent shall be given no less than fifteen (15) days and no more than thirty (30) days from the date the request is received. Hearing notifications to the parent(s) shall contain: • A statement of time, place, and nature of the hearing. Time and place must be reasonably convenient to parent(s) and child. • A statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is being held. The hearing must be conducted in accordance with guidelines developed by the school system with the approval of BESE. • A reference to the particular section of the statutes and rules involved. • A statement of the availability of relevant records for examination. • A short and plain statement of the matters asserted. • A statement of the right to be represented by counsel. The grievant has the right to be told of any free or low cost legal or other relevant services available. He/she must also be informed that attorney’s fees may be recoverable in accordance with the provisions of Section 1415 of the Education of the Handicapped Act as amended (20 USC 1401-1485). • All written correspondence shall be provided in English and/or interpreted in the primary language of the grievant. Hearing procedures shall be presided over by the Hearing Officer, who shall conduct the proceedings in an impartial manner so that all parties involved have an opportunity to: • Present their evidence. • Produce outside expert testimony and be represented by legal counsel and by individuals with knowledge or training with respect to the problems students with disabilities. Parent(s) involved in the hearing will be given the right to: • Have the student present at the hearing. • Open the hearing to the public. • Have an interpreter, when language differences are determined to exist. • Present evidence and confront, cross-examine and compel the attendance of witnesses employed by the school system. • Prohibit the introduction of any evidence at the hearing that has not been disclosed at least five (5) days before the hearing. • Have the child remain in his/her present educational placement during the pendency of the administrative proceedings, unless parent and the school system agree otherwise. • Have the child, if not enrolled in the program, placed in a program operated by the school system until the hearing and review process is final. 29 • Grades 9-12: A first semester exam shall be comprehensive and will include the major concepts taught in the first and second nine-weeks. A final exam shall be comprehensive and will include the major concepts taught in the third and fourth nine-weeks. Semester and final exams will stand on their own and count as 15% of each semester average. When determining grades for full-year courses, the weight value of each of the four nine-week marking periods is 1.75 and the weight value of each semester exam is 1.5. • Example: Calculating Semester Grades 1st Nine-Weeks Grade 70 X 1.75 = 122.5 2nd Nine-Weeks Grade 74 X 1.75 = 129.5 Mid-term Exam Grade 76 X 1.5 = 114 1st Semester Grade 122.5 + 129.5 + 114 = 366 ÷ 5 = 73.2 D 3rd Nine-Weeks Grade 80 X 1.75 = 140 4th Nine-Weeks Grade 75 X 1.75 = 131.25 Final Exam Grade 75 X 1.5 = 112.5 2nd Semester Grade 140 + 131.25 + 112.5 = 383.75 ÷ 5 = 76.75 C Yearly Average: [(1st Nine-Weeks x 1.75) + (2nd Nine-Weeks x 1.75) + (Mid-term Exam x 1.5) + (3rd Nine-Weeks x 1.75) + (4th Nine-Weeks x 1.75) + (Final Exam X 1.5)] ÷ 10 = Yearly Average 122.5 + 129.5 + 114 + 140 + 131.25 + 112.5 = 749.75 ÷ 10 = 74.97 C April Dunn Student Midterm and Final Exams Any class in which April Dunn, through the IEP, is applied will have an exam weight of 5% instead of the 15% as applied to all other courses. Retention: When there is the possibility that a student will be retained, the SBLC shall meet. This committee shall be composed of all stakeholders responsible for the education of the student, at least two of which will be the Director of Curriculum and Instruction or a designee, Director of Special Education or a designee (if student with disabilities) AND the school principal. The committee shall, on an individual basis, determine placement of each student. Documentation and supportive evidence will be reviewed by the committee and a decision will be made in the best interest of the student. If the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the student disagrees with the decision reached regarding the student’s placement, recourse shall be provided through the due process procedures in the Pupil Progression Policies and Procedures. No student will be retained more than one time at each grade level K-8.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 – Presentation on August 2021 financial statements (Lacy Burris).
Lacy Burris, Director of Finance, presented the August 2021 financial statements for the following funds:
General Fund
School Lunch Fund
Tax District #4 Bond Sinking Fund
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the September 9, 2021, regular board meeting (John Wyble).
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the September 9, 2021, regular board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the September 20, 2021, special board meeting (John Wyble).
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the minutes of the September 20, 2021, special board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the Fiscal Agency Contract for the period of November 1, 2021 through October 31, 2022 (Lacy Burris).
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Lesley McKinley, that the Board award Hancock-Whitney Bank the Board’s Fiscal Agency Contract for the period of November 1, 2021 through October 31, 2022. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 – Consider a motion to adopt the schedule of School Board meetings for 2022 (Frances Varnado).
It was moved by Kendall McKenzie, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board adopt the schedule of School Board meetings for 2022 as follows:
PUBLIC MEETINGS
ACT 707 OF 1977
REGULAR MEETINGS OF WASHINGTON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD – 2022
The Washington Parish School Board shall meet in regular session for the year 2022 at its legal domicile, the Washington Parish School Board Office Building, 800 Main Street, Franklinton, Louisiana, at 6:00 P.M., on the following dates:
THURSDAY - SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS MONDAY - COMMITTEE MEETINGS
January 13, 2022 January 10, 2022
February 10, 2022 February 7, 2022
March 17, 2022 March 14, 2022
April 7, 2022 April 5, 2022 (Tuesday)
May 12, 2022 May 9, 2022
June 16, 2022 June 13, 2022
July 21, 2022 July 18, 2022
August 11, 2022 August 8, 2022
September 8, 2022 September 6, 2022 (Tuesday)
October 13, 2022 October 10, 2022
November 10, 2022 November 7, 2022
December 15, 2022 December 12, 2022
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 – Consider a motion to adopt the revised 2021/2022 School Calendar (Jennifer Thomas).
It was moved by Frankie Crosby, seconded by Kendall McKenzie, that the Board accept the revised 2021/2022 school calendar as follows:
Agenda Item #12 – Consider a motion to adopt new Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GBCA – Protection of Criminal Background Information and Policy File: IDDFC – Cameras in Special Education Classrooms (Jennifer Thomas).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt new Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GBCA – Protection of Criminal Background Information and Policy File: IDDFC – Cameras in Special Education Classrooms. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 – Consider a motion to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: BH – School Board Ethics; Policy File: ID – Curriculum; Policy File: IDCC – Kindergarten; Policy File: IDDF – Education of Students with Exceptionalities; Policy File: JBA – Compulsory School Attendance Ages; Policy File: JBC – School Admission; Policy File: JBCE – Public School Choice and Policy File: JR – Student Records (Jennifer Thomas).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Kendall McKenzie, that the Board adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: BH – School Board Ethics; Policy File: ID – Curriculum; Policy File: IDCC – Kindergarten; Policy File: IDDF – Education of Students with Exceptionalities; Policy File: JBA – Compulsory School Attendance Ages; Policy File: JBC – School Admission; Policy File: JBCE – Public School Choice and Policy File: JR – Student Records. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Personnel Report (Jennifer Thomas).
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
DISABLITY RETIREMENT RESIGNATION
1. Thomas Elementary School: Tara Hartzog, Regular Teacher, Disability Retirement Resignation effective October 4, 2021.
RESIGNATION
1. Franklinton High School: Jordan Demers, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective September 10, 2021.
2. Franklinton District: Heather Cooper, Bus Operator, Resignation effective September 10, 2021.
TRANSFER
1. James Tate, Bus Operator, Franklinton School District TO Bus Operator, Franklinton School District, Carolyn Fussell’s Special Education Route effective November 1, 2021.
EMPLOY
1. Central Office: Makaylee Ballard, Accountant I – Early Childhood, Employ effective October 13, 2021 (To be paid out of Early Childhood Grant).
2. Franklinton Elementary School: Denise Prestenbach, Special Education Paraprofessional, Employ effective October 1, 2021 (Replacing Aimee Haley).
3. Franklinton High School: Laura Webb, Accountant I – School Clerk, Employ effective October 11, 2021 (Replacing Sharon Smith).
4. Wesley Ray Elementary School: Cynthia Brock, Special Education Paraprofessional, Employ effective October 1, 2021 (New position).
5. Franklinton School District: Cynthia Brewster, Bus Operator, Employ effective November 1, 2021 (Replacing James Tate).
6. Franklinton School District: Scott Brewster, Bus Operator, Employ effective November 1, 2021 (Replacing Rex McCain).
7. Franklinton School District: Quentin Brumfield, Bus Operator, Employ effective November 1, 2021 (Replacing Heather Cooper).
Agenda Item #15 - Superintendent’s Report
Add to the Agenda: It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Frankie Crosby to Consider a motion to approve a contract with Gasaway, Gasaway & Bankston architect firm. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Lesley McKinley, seconded by Kendall McKenzie, that the Board approve a contract with Gasaway, Gasaway & Bankston architect firm and authorize the superintendent to sign the contract. Motion carried unanimously.
Grant Gerald, Supervisor, gave an update on how ESSER funds will be spent.
Agenda Item #16 - Personal Privileges – School Board Members
Board meetings will be moved back in to board room for future meetings.
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
______________________________
John Wyble, President
______________________________
Frances Varnado, Secretary