The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: President Harold Smith, Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, Jr., Susanne Jones, Bringier H. Barker, Bob D. Bateman, Richard N. Thomas, and Joe Whaley. Absent: None. The meeting was called to order by President Smith. Invocation was given by Dale Varnado. President Smith welcomed the news media, School Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn, and guests.
It was moved by Bob Bateman, seconded by Sue Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the January 9, 1992, board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
The Board heard a presentation by Bobby King, Associate County Agent, assisted by Kandiest Martin, 4-H Club member, Mt. Hermon School, and State winner in Public Speaking, who recognized several 4-H Club members and a leader, as follows:
Doyle Ball, Leader, Thomas Jr. High School - State winner, Leader Contest
Ginny Graves, Member, Pine School - State winner, Dairy Foods
Matt Smith, Member, Franklinton High School-State winner, Agriculture Demonstration (Team member Kristy 'Warren was unable to be present)
Grayson Ball, Member, Thomas Jr. High School-State winner, Energy Contest
Joseph Ball, Member, Thomas Jr. High School-State winner, Energy Contest, and State winner, Junior Achievement
Dustin Jenkins, Member, Franklinton Elementary School - State winner, Energy Contest
President Smith commended these individuals for their outstanding achievements. He, also, expressed appreciation to Mr. King and Mrs. Kathy David, Home Economist, for the delicious refreshments served prior to the board meeting.
Mr. William M. Burch of the Legislative Auditor's Office and Audit Manager for the 1990-91 audit of the Washington Parish School Board's financial statements, and Mr. Charles Sanders, Auditor in Charge, presented the audit report to the Board. For the sixth consecutive year, the Legislative Auditor's Office was able to express an unqualified opinion on the Board's financial statements. President Smith and Superintendent Brown commended the central office staff for the excellent report.
At the recommendation of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by-B. H. Barker, seconded by Sue Jones, that the Board award contracts for the purchase of Secondary Textbooks for the Special Education program. as follows (low bids):
American Guidance Service, Inc., Circle Pines, MN - $5,155-42 Fearon/Janus/Quercus, Belmont, CA - $5,042.40 Baker & Taylor Books, Charlotte, NC - $924.75 Total: $11,122.57 Motion carried unanimously.
At the recommendation of Mr. T. J. Butler, Jr., Supervisor of Federally Assisted Programs, it was moved by Sue Jones, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of Library Books (provided for by State and Federal funds). Motion carried unanimously.
Bids will be accepted until February 13, 1992, at 6:30 P.M., at which time they will be opened during the regular school board meeting.
It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by Sue Jones, that the Board adopt Washington Parish School Board policy revisions mandated by 1991 legislation. The following policies require revision (refer to the WPSB Policy Manual for complete policies):
Policy DJED - Bids and Quotations - Act 748 now mandates that bid bonds, certified checks or cashier checks be included with the bid on contract work to be done, when advertised. The Board still has the discretion of requiring such evidence of good faith when advertising for bids on supplies or materials.
Policy GBRIB - Illness - Act 360 provides for sick leave to an employee who is injured or disabled as a result of physical contact with a student while the employee was providing physical assistance to a student to keep the student from being injured or put in danger. Act 560 permits the Board to pay an employee for accrued sick leave beyond the mandatory twenty-five (25) days, if it so chooses.
Policy JB - Attendance - School Boards are now required to provide verbal notification to a student's parent, tutor, or legal guardian, of the student's absence from school for three (3) consecutive days. Act 757 states that if verbal notification cannot be provided, the school shall send written notice of the student's absence.
Policy JCAB Student Searches, Policy JCABA* - Searches, Student's Person, Policy KM Visitors to the Schools -All three of the listed policies have been revised as a result of the amendments enacted in Act 328. In addition to teachers, principals, and other school administrators, school security guards have been added to the list of school personnel permitted to conduct searches. Also, use of a metal detector has been added to LA Rev. Stat. Ann. 17:416.3 as an approved method of search. Searches may now be conducted whenever sanctioned school personnel have reason to believe weapons, illegal drugs, alcohol, stolen goods or other illegal items sought may be found. Act 328 now provides for the search of the person or any object, such as a handbag, purse, or briefcase, in possession of someone in or on school property who is not a student or any school employee whenever reasonable suspicion is present. The search may be done physically or with the use of a metal detector.
Policy JDE - Expulsion - Act 437 provides the School Board an avenue of leniency in considering disciplinary action of a student found guilty of possession and/or distribution of drugs.
Policy JGCB - Immunizations - Act 275 has changed the word. "communicable" to "vaccine-preventable."
Motion carried unanimously.
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Bob Bateman, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as presented by Dr. Guy Schilling, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Mt. Hermon School: Myrna B. Schilling, Lunchroom Manager, Resignation effective January 17, 1992.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE:
Franklinton Jr. High School: Linda Sandifer, Special Education Teacher, Sick Leave effective January 21, 1992, through January 28, 1992(1/2 day) - 5 1/2 days, and Extended Sick Leave effective January 28, 1992 (1/2 day), through March 4, 1992 - 24 1/2 days, for a total of 30 days.
Pine High School: Dale Breland, Janitor, Leave Without Pay, effective January 6, 1992, through March 2, 1992 (40 days)
Thomas Jr. High School: Russell W. Jackson, Principal, Sick Leave effective September 3, 1991, through June 30, 1992 (189 days).
REQUEST FOR LEAVE:
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Wanda Diane Taylor, Lunchroom Worker, Sick Leave effective January 6, 1992, through March 23, 1992 (53 days).
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Change employment status of Mark Barber, Regular Teacher, Mt. Hermon School, from effective January 13, 1992, and for the remainder of the 1991-92 school year only, to effective January 13, 1992.
EMPLOY:
Franklinton High School: Maria Chauvin, Part-time School Lunch Clerk effective January 24, 1992, and for the remainder of the 1991-92 school year only (fill-in for Evelyne Taylor who is on leave).
Mt. Hermon School: Geneva Money, Lunchroom Manager, effective January 27, 1992, and for the remainder of the 1991-92 school year only.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton Schools: Extend the route of Faye Newman .4 mile one way to pick up child of Ms. Eula Barker. Effective date: December 18, 1991, through January 17, 1992.
Mt. Hermon School: Extend the route of Viola Bennett .6 mile one way to pick up child of Ms. Tojuana McGee. Effective date: January 7, 1992.
Motion carried unanimously.
Upon the recommendation of the screening committee, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Bob Bateman, that the Board approve a contract with Madelynn Gill, Licensed Practical Nurse, to serve as School Nurse for the Department of Special Education beginning January 24, 1992, and ending June 30, 1992. Mrs. Gill will work approximately eight (8) days per month at $70.00 per day to be paid from the Pre-School Budget and five (5) days per month for $70.00 per day to be paid from the IDEA Budget for a maximum not to exceed 78 days. Motion carried unanimously.
At the request of Dr. Schilling, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Sue Jones, that, due to considerable growth in Special Education Pre-school classes at Franklinton Primary School and Wesley Ray Elementary School, the Board authorize the employment of one (1) additional Special Education teacher at Wesley Ray Elementary School, one (1) additional Special Education teacher at Franklinton Primary School, and one (1) additional Special Education paraprofessional at Franklinton Primary School, after approval is received from the State Department of Education. An additional Special Education paraprofessional at Wesley Ray Elementary School will be a call-back (Gertrude Francis). The Board will officially approve the employment of these individuals at the next board meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
At the request of Supervisor of Vocational Education Freddie Jefferson, it was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by John Dawsey, that the Board authorize the receiving of quotations for the sale of salvage equipment. Quotations will be received beginning January 27, 1992, and ending February 7, 1992, at 4:00 P.M. A recommendation will be brought to the Board at the February 13, 1992, board meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
On motion by Bob Bateman, seconded by B. H. Barker, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
EARLE R. BROWN, SECRETARY