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 Freddie Jefferson. President Smith welcomed the news media, School Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn, and guests.
It was moved by Bob Bateman, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the Board adopt the minutes of the July 30, 1992, board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Bob Bateman, seconded by John Dawsey, that the Board adopt the following proposed new policy for employment of bus operators:
PROPOSED POLICY - EMPLOYMENT OF BUS OPERATORS
Each person applying for a driving position must secure and have on file an application form secured from the Supervisor of Transportation giving the following data:
1. Name and address of applicant
2. Education and special training
3. Driving record
4. General physical condition
5. Armed service record
6. Personal and business references
Each person applying for a driving position must meet the following certification requirements:
1. Age: Must be 21 years of age
2. Application on file
3. High school diploma or equivalent
4. Valid Chauffeur's License CDL
5. Driving Record Check (MVR) Obtained from Department of Public Safety by Transportation Department
6. 30 Hours pre-service training (classroom) - Provided by parish school system
7. Psychophysical examination - prior to employment
8. 10 hours behind-the-wheel training - by local system
9. Criminal record check/fingerprinting - through Central Office
No person shall be employed as a school bus driver if he or she has been convicted of any of the following:
1. Manslaughter or negligent homicide
2. Driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs
3. Hit and run driving
4. Failure to stop and render aid to an accident victim
5. Repeated convictions on reckless driving charges
Above information will be secured from Sheriff's Office.
The following are some character traits the school bus driver should possess:
1. Is reliable
2. Is dependable
3. Possesses initiative
4. Is self-reliant
5. Has leadership qualities
6. Is of good moral character
7. Is honest
8. Refrains from using profanity
9. Does not indulge in the use of narcotic or habit forming drugs
10. Does not indulge in the excessive use of alcoholic beverages or liquors
11. Is neat, clean and well-mannered
PROPOSED POLICY - EMPLOYMENT OF BUS OPERATORS
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The applicant should:
1. Be an emotionally stable person
2. Have an understanding of children
3. Be patient and considerate
4. Be respected in the community he or she will serve
5. Be able to get along with people, especially children and parents
*All substitute bus drivers will possess the same qualifications as regular bus drivers.
A parishwide list of Washington Parish School System certified drivers will be prepared each year. Bus drivers will be hired from this certified list of the Washington Parish School System rather than by districts. All qualifications being equal, applicant who lives in close proximity to beginning of route will be given first consideration.
PROCEDURES FOR EMPLOYING BUS OPERATORS
Each time a vacancy occurs, a selection committee will be formed to interview all certified applicants. The selection committee will be composed of the principal of the school where the vacancy occurs, the transportation supervisor and another staff member (supervisor, principal, etc.).
The following factors will be considered in the selection process:
1. Criminal record check
2. Attitude
3. Driving record
4. Information provided by personal references
5. Appearance
6. Years of experience as a substitute
7. Quality of the interview
8. Capability of obtaining funds to purchase a bus
The selection committee will recommend one (1) applicant to the School Board.
An amendment to the motion was offered by B. H. Barker, seconded by Jimmie Corkern, to add the following statement to the proposed policy: Any bus purchased by a new driver must not be older than ten (10) years from date of manufacture and must be a 60-passenger bus and must meet all State regulations. The vote FOR the amendment was unanimous. An additional amendment to the motion was offered by B. H. Barker, seconded by Jimmie Corkern, to amend paragraph 3, page 2, to read as follows: A parishwide list of Washington Parish School System certified drivers will be prepared each year. Bus drivers will be hired from this certified list by districts. The vote FOR the amendment was as follows: Jimmie Corkern, B. H. Barker, Richard Thomas, Joe Whaley, and Harold Smith. The vote OPPOSED to the amendment was as follows: John Dawsey, Bob Bateman, and Susanne Jones. Amendment carried. Roll call vote on the original motion with amendments was as follows:
District 1 - Harold Smith For
District 2 - Jimmie Corkern For
District 3 - Joe Whaley For
District 4 - Richard Thomas For
District 5 - John Dawsey Against
District 6 - Susanne Jones Against
District 7 - Bob Bateman Against
District 8 - B. H. Barker For
FOR original motion with amendments: Five (5)
AGAINST original motion with amendments: Three (3)
Bob Bateman proposed that the proposed new policy for employment of bus operators did not pass (was not approved) because a change in board policy requires a threefourths (3/4) vote of the Board. Therefore, the current policy relating to employment of bus operators is in effect.
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments, as presented by Dr. Guy Schilling, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Special Education (Franklinton Schools): Sandra Williams, Bus Attendant, Resignation effective August 4, 1992.
Special Education (Franklinton Schools): Luvenia Jenkins, Bus Attendant, Resignation effective July 31, 1992.
Adult Education Center: Sedonia Martin, Paraprofessional, Resignation effective August 6, 1992.
Franklinton Elementary School: Pamela E. Stafford, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 10, 1992.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Wendy Bracey, Non-Categorical Pre-School Special Education Teacher, effective August 10, 1992.
Mt. Hermon School: Barbara Walker, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective August 11, 1992.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Charlotte Harris, Special Education Teacher - Employed for the 1992-93 school year only on a TTA - Remove TTA status since she is now certified.
Franklinton Primary School: Karen Varnado, Special Education Teacher Employed for the 1992-93 school year only on a TTA - Remove TTA status since she is now certified.
Franklinton Elementary School: Melanie Kennedy, Teacher for Academically Gifted -Employed for the 1992-93 school year only on a TTA - Remove TTA status since she is now certified.
EMPLOY:
Franklinton High School: Mark Russell, Band Director, effective August 12, 1992.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Ramona Boyd, Non-Categorical Pre-School Special Education Teacher, effective August 12, 1992, and for the 1992-93 school year only (TTA) - Pending certification -(Replacing Wendy Bracey).
Thomas Jr. High School: Michelle Thomas, Regular Teacher, effective August 12, 1992, and for the 1992-93 school year only (fill-in for Joan Sholes who will be on sabbatical leave).
Franklinton Elementary School: Mary McKinney Rester, Special Education Teacher, effective August 12, 1992, and for the 1992-93 school year only.
Franklinton High School: David Lindsey, Vocational Agriculture Teacher, effective August 12, 1992, and for the 1992-93 school year only (Emergency Permit) - Fill-in for Wiliam Hargrove who will be on sabbatical leave.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Sheila Billiot, Regular Teacher, effective August 12, 1992, and for the 1992-93 school year only (Fill-in for Joan Kennedy who will be on sabbatical leave).
On motion by B. H. Barker, seconded by Bob Bateman, the Board adjourned.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
EARLE R. BROWN, SECRETARY