Franklinton, Louisiana

February 10, 2022

6:00 p.m.

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

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 Dewitt Perry.

Agenda Item #3 – Pledge of Allegiance

 Agenda Item #4 – Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the January 13, 2022, regular board meeting (John Wyble).

  It was moved by Frankie Crosby, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the January 13, 2022, regular board meeting as submitted to each member.  Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #5 – Recognize the 2020-2021 Teachers of the Year (Jennifer Thomas).

The 2020-2021 teachers of the year were recognized at the Committee meeting, Monday, February 7, 2022. The teacher was presented a plaque by their principal.  Superintendent Frances Varnado then presented a plaque to the parish winners.  The Board congratulated all teachers.

2020-2021 Teachers of the Year

Agenda Item #6 –– Presentation on December 2021 financial statements (Lacy Burris).

Lacy Burris, Director of Finance, presented the December 2021 financial statements for the following funds:

General Fund

School Lunch Fund

Tax District #4 Bond Sinking Fund

Agenda Item #7 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the preventive maintenance contract renewal of Morgan Mechanical Service, LLC (Steve Knight).

It was moved by Dan Slocum, seconded by Kendall McKenzie, that the Board approve a 2 year preventative maintenance contract renewal of Morgan Mechanical Service, LLC with a contract period March 1, 2022 – February 28, 2024 as follows:

Motion carried unanimously

Agenda Item #8 – Showcase Equipment Replacement Budget-Alan Morgan (Steve Knight).

Alan Morgan and Jeremy Simon presented an equipment replacement plan for a sample of schools in the district and it was recommended that the Washington Parish School System budget for the equipment.

Agenda Item #9 –- Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for telecommunication services and equipment for e-rate (Jimmy Thigpen).

It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board approve the bids received for telecommunication services and equipment for e-rate as follows: 

Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #10 – Consider a motion to adopt the 2022/2023 school calendar (Jennifer Thomas).

It was moved by Kendall McKenzie, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt the 2022/2023 school calendar as follows:

          Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #11 – Personnel Report (Jennifer Thomas)

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE

1.             Franklinton Primary School:  Shannon Johnson, Music Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the Spring Semester of the 2021/2022 school year only.

TRANSFER

1.             Michelle Renee Turnage, Custodian, Enon Elementary School TO Custodian, Varnado High School effective February 3, 2022.

CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS

1.               Central Office:  Charlyn Hartzog, Grant Accountant II Payroll/Insurance TO Grant Accountant III effective January 31, 2022 (Replacing Melissa Mauer).

2.               Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Stacy Wilkes, Regular Teacher-Library Services TO Kindergarten Teacher effective Spring Semester 2021-2022 only (Replacing Bethany Cooper).

RESIGNATION

1.             Mount Hermon School:  Todd McDonald, Bus Operator, Resignation effective February 23, 2022.

2.             Varnado High School:  Tiffany Owens, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective January 31, 2022.

3.             Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Hailie Adams, Administrative Assistant, Resignation effective January 28, 2022.

4.             Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Bethany Cooper, Kindergarten Teacher, Resignation effective January 7, 2022.

5.             Franklinton Elementary School:  Shakira Miller, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective February 7, 2022.

6.             Thomas Elementary School:  Shanda Thomas, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective January 10, 2022.

EMPLOY

1.             Pine/Thomas School District:  Calvin Wheat, Bus Operator, Employ effective January 31, 2022 (Replacing Leona Magee).

2.             Varnado High School:  Amber Marinovich, Regular Teacher, Employ effective February 7, 2022. (Replacing John Lindem).

3.             Varnado High School:  Amber Talley, Licensed Practical Nurse, Employ effective January 26, 2022. (Replacing Stephanie Rachel)

4.             Franklinton Elementary School:  Payton Stogner, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective February 21, 2022 and the remainder of the Spring Semester only. (Fill-In for Yvette Breaux).

Agenda Item #12 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Transportation Adjustments (Steve Knight).

It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board adopt the Transportation Adjustments as follows:

TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS

Pine/Thomas School District:                                         Extend the route of Ashley Wheat 3 miles one way to pick up students on Willie Wilson Road.  Effective date:  December 1, 2021.

   Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #13 - Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Varnado recognized Ms. Tricia Smith.  Ms. Smith presented a banner from the Louisiana Special Olympics. The banner is to honor our commitment to unification and inclusion.  Our schools have been named as Unified Champions.  Unified Champion Schools are schools that welcome ALL people. A banner will be placed at Central Office and one will be taken to each school.

Add to the Agenda:   It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry that the Board discuss and take appropriate action regarding the sale of timber on the 16^th section of land.  Motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement/Intergovernmental Agreement as follows:

RESOLUTION

TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT/INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT

WHEREAS, the United States Congress reserved and dedicated the Sixteenth Section in each township for the support of public schools; and 

WHEREAS, the Tangipahoa Parish School Board is proposing to sell timber located in the Sixteenth Section of Township 4 South, Range 9 East, which township is composed of approximately 92% of Tangipahoa Parish; 5% of St. Tammany Parish and 3% of Washington Parish; and 

WHEREAS, Louisiana Attorney General Opinion 1996-188 declared that in the sale of timber on a Sixteenth Section that is located in multiple parishes, each parish must approve and conduct the sale. 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Washington Parish School Board authorizes the Parish President to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement/Intergovernmental Agreement with Tangipahoa Parish School Board and the St. Tammany Parish School Board wherein the Tangipahoa Parish School Board is authorized to act on behalf of the Washington Parish School Board to advertise for bids for the sale of timber, determine the highest responsible bidder and determine the terms and conditions of the timber sale of the Sixteenth Section land located in Tangipahoa, Washington and St. Tammany Parishes in Township 4 South, Range 9 East with the proceeds thereof, after deduction of actual expenses incurred, to be disbursed among the three parishes in equal portions. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that further action will be required by the Washington Parish School board to authorize the Board President to execute the act of timber sale. 

    Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Item #14 - Personal Privileges – School Board Members

Dr. Kendric Stewart, Director of Security Stanford University, spoke at tonight’s meeting. Dr. Stewart addressed concerns of racial equality and recommended diversity and inclusion training for the staff of the Washington Parish School System.

Agenda Item #15 – Consider a motion to adjourn.

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

______________________________

John Wyble, President

______________________________

Frances Varnado, Secretary