Franklinton, Louisiana
November 11, 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, Robert Boone, Kendall McKenzie, John Wyble, Lesley McKinley, Alan McCain, Dewitt Perry and Frankie Crosby. Absent: None.
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 October 7, 2021, regular board meeting (John Wyble).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Frankie Crosby, that the Board adopt the minutes of the October 7, 2021, regular board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 – Presentation on Spelling Bee participants and winners (Frances Varnado).
Carolyn McElveen recognized the Washington Parish Fair Spelling Bee participants and winners from the Washington Parish School System as follows:
Overall winners:
Liam Young 5th Grade Franklinton Elementary
Myrion Parker 6th Grade Franklinton Elementary
Participants:
Isabella Ikerd 5th Grade Enon Elementary
Andrew Stephens 5th Grade Thomas Elementary
All students were presented with a monetary award.
Agenda Item #6 – Presentation on September 2021 financial statements (Lacy Burris).
Lacy Burris, Director of Finance, presented the September 2021 financial statements at the Monday night committee meeting for the following funds:
General Fund
School Lunch Fund
Tax District #4 Bond Sinking Fund
Agenda Item #7 – Consider a motion to approve the second allocations to schools for the 2021/2022 operations budget (Lacy Burris).
It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the second allocations to schools for the 2021/2022 operations budget as follows:
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to approve restricted allocations for some schools in lieu of paying for water/sewage (Lacy Burris).
It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board approve restricted allocations for school schools in lieu of paying for water/sewage as follows:
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 – Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for a modular building for early childhood education at Thomas School (Frances Varnado).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board authorize advertisement for a modular building for early childhood education at Thomas School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 – Consider a motion to enter into a contract with Gasaway, Gasaway & Bankston Architects for the design, layout, etc. of a modular building for Thomas School for early childhood education (Frances Varnado).
It was moved by Frankie Crosby, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board enter into a contract with Gasaway, Gasaway & Bankston Architects for the design, layout, etc. of a modular building for Thomas School for early childhood education. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 – Consider a motion to authorize the President of the Washington Parish School Board to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Department of the Treasury and the State of Louisiana for the implementation of an early childhood education facility at Thomas School within a budget of $500,000.00 allocated by the appropriation for the expenditure of State funds by Act 120 of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session of the Louisiana Legislature (Frances Varnado).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board authorize the President of the Washington Parish School Board to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Department of the Treasury and the State of Louisiana for the implementation of an early childhood education facility at Thomas School within a budget of $500,000.00 allocated by the appropriation for the expenditure of State funds by Act 120 of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 – Consider a motion to adopt a resolution that would increase hourly rates as approved by the Attorney General for employment of special counsel (Frances Varnado).
It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board adopt a resolution that would increase hourly rates as approved by the Attorney General for employment of special counsel as follows:
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 – Personnel Report (Jennifer Thomas)
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION
1. Enon School District: Mike Sharp, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective October 15, 2021.
2. Thomas School District: Leona Magee, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective October 15, 2021.
RESIGNATION
1. Franklinton Primary School: Kristi Lott, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective November 4, 2021.
2. Franklinton High School: Jennifer Jenkins, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective November 12, 2021.
3. Franklinton High School: Robbie Picou, School Food Service Worker, Resignation effective December 31, 2021.
4. Thomas Elementary School: Bridgett Ard, School Food Service Worker, Resignation effective December 2, 2021.
TERMINATION
1. Franklinton Jr. High School: Christopher Conerly, Custodian, Termination effective November 2, 2021.
TRANSFER
1. Scott Carrier, Bus Operator, Wesley Ray School District TO Bus Operator, Enon School District effective October 28, 2021 (Replacing Mike Sharp).
EMPLOY
1. Enon Elementary School: Chelsey Hammons, Regular Teacher, Employ effective October 25, 2021 (Replacing Robin Perez).
2. Franklinton Primary School: Savannah Singleton, Regular Teacher, Employ effective November 4, 2021 (Replacing Kristi Lott).
3. Franklinton Elementary School: Karen Ballard-Kittelson, Behavior Interventionist, Employ effective October 25, 2021 (9 months) (To be paid out of EIS & ESSER).
4. Franklinton Jr. High School: Steven Little, Custodian, Employ effective November 4, 2021 (Replacing Christopher Conerly).
5. Franklinton High School: John Robinson, Regular Teacher, Employ effective November 10, 2021 (Replacing Jennifer Jenkins).
6. Franklinton High School: Ragen Spears, Reading Interventionist, Employ effective August 5, 2021 (New position) (To be paid out of CLSD).
7. Varnado High School: Gayla Strickland, Regular Teacher, Employ effective November 1, 2021 (Replacing Keiya Robinson).
8. Wesley Ray Elementary School: Amie Powell, Math Coach, Employ effective November 9, 2021 and the remainder of the 2021/2022 school year only (To be paid out of ESSER specific to WRES only) (9 months).
Agenda Item #14 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Transportation Adjustments (Steve Knight).
It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Frankie Crosby, that the Board adopt the Transportation Adjustments as follows:
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Varnado District: Extend the route of Barbara Harris 4 miles one way to pick up students on Connie Simmons Road.
Effective date: September 8, 2021.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Superintendent’s Report
Add to the Agenda: It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board consider a motion to change the December 9, 2021 board meeting to December 6, 2021. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board change the December 9, 2021 board meeting to December 6, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. No Committee of the whole meeting for the month of December.
Agenda Item #16 - Personal Privileges – School Board Members
The Board congratulated the Spelling Bee participants and winners.
The Board wished all a Happy Thanksgiving.
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Lesley McKinley, seconded by Frankie Crosby, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
______________________________
John Wyble, President
______________________________
Frances Varnado, Secretary