Franklinton, Louisiana

November 12, 1992

6:30 P.M.

 

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 R. 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 John Dawsey. President Smith welcomed the news media, School Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn, and guests.

 

It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by John Dawsey, that the Board adopt the minutes of the October 29, 1992, board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Following a brief review by Dr. Guy Schilling, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Bob Bateman, that the Board adopt the Sex Education Curriculum Guide. Motion carried unanimously. Principal Dennie Fowler introduced the following members of the Mt. Hermon Sex Education Advisory Council: Pat Slaven, Kandiest Martin, Lorraine Roshto, Terry Moak, Mary Alford, Judy Hughes, and Chris Weicke. Members unable to attend were Joe Baugh, David Moore, Ann Forrest, Kathleen James, Creola Dyson, and Jerry Fortenberry, Jr. Mr. Fowler and President Smith expressed appreciation to the Advisory Council and Central Staff Steering Committee (Guy Schilling, Chairman, Mary Jones, Freddie Jefferson, Anthony Triola, and T. J. Butler, Jr) for their work with this program. At the request of Lorraine Roshto, Teacher, the sex education course will be taught during the first fifteen (15) days of the second semester of the 1992-93 school year.

 

It was moved by Bob Bateman, seconded by Joe Whaley, that the Board receive and consider the recommendation of the selection committee for the position of Administrative Secretary, Special Education. Motion carried unanimously. The committee's recommendation was Linda G. Miller. It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board accept the recommendation of the selection committee. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Jimmie Corkern, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments as presented by Dr. Guy Schilling, Assistant Superintendent (Note: Bob Bateman requested that the item concerning employment of a teacher at Franklinton High School be voted on separately; therefore, it was deleted from the following list.):

 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

 

RESIGNATION:

 

Franklinton High School:  Woodie Watson, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective December 18, 1992.

 

REQUEST FOR LEAVE:

 

Franklinton Schools:  Benny P. Tate, Bus Operator, Sick Leave effective September 21, 1992, through November 20, 1992 (40 days).

 

TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS

 

Angie Jr. High School:  Extend the route of Timothy Duncan 2.0 miles one way to pick up Patricia Magnusen. Effective date: October 19, 1992.

 

Franklinton Schools:  Extend the routes of the following bus operators 20.0 miles one way due to detour (Chess Richardson Bridge out):

 

Elmer Williams, Betty Thomas, Hazel Garrett, Louise Simmons Mack Varnado, Roger Moran, Eugene Barber, Mary A. Simmons.  Effective date: November 5, 1992.

 

Special Education:  Deduct .4 mile one way from route of Mary A. Simmons due to students moving off route. Effective date: October 26, 1992.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Jimmie Corkern, that the Board employ Jeffery H. Hawkins, Regular Teacher, FHS, effective November 30, 1992, and for the remainder of the 1992-93 school year only (TTA). FOR: Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, Susanne Jones, B. H. Barker, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, and Joe Whaley. OPPOSED: Bob Bateman. Motion carried. B. H. Barker stated he would like for the record to show that, if there is a vacancy in the business education position at the beginning of the next school year, first consideration will be given to the person already at the school site who is certified to teach business courses.

 

At the recommendation of T. J. Butler, Supervisor, it was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the Board accept applications for the newly created position of Data Clerk/Secretary, Chapter I, for the period beginning November 13, 1992, and ending November 30, 1992, at 4:00 P.M. Interviews will be conducted December 7 & 8, 1992, and a recommendation will be made at the December 10, 1992, board meeting. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, Susanne Jones, B. H. Barker, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, and Joe Whaley. OPPOSED: Bob Bateman. Motion carried.

 

It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the Board adopt the following Guidelines for Implementing Semester and Final Exams in the Grading Policy, Grades 7-12 (not grades 9-12, as was recommended by principals and supervisors):

 

GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING SEMESTER AND FINAL EXAMS

IN THE GRADING POLICY

(GRADES 7-12)

 

1.        (A) Content of exams must be a valid, comprehensive reflection of the major concepts/skills/knowledge that were taught and tested during the semesters of study in the class.

 

           (B)Students will be provided with a complete, written study guideon the content to be covered.

 

           (C) The teacher will conduct a complete review of material to be covered by the exam to help insure that all students have an understanding of what areas will be included. As an essential part of the review process, the teacher will clarify materials where students are having problems or questions.

 

II.          A first semester exam shall be comprehensive and will include the major concepts taught in the first, second and third six-weeks. A final exam shall be comprehensive and will include the major concepts taught in the fourth, fifth and sixth six-weeks. These comprehensive exams will be weighted 25% of third six-weeks or sixth six-weeks grade.

 

Six-weeks exams will be given at the end of the first, second, fourth and fifth six-week period. These exams shall be comprehensive and will include the major concepts taught during each respective six-weeks marking period.

 

III.         Students would be required to pass (65% correct) four (4) of six (6) marking periods during the school year. The student must earn not less than four (4) quality points to earn credit for a course.

 

IV.        For 1-1 unit credit, a student must pass (65% correct) two (2) of three (3) marking periods and earn not less than two (2) quality points to earn the 1-1 unit credit. A semester exam shall be comprehensive and will include the major concepts, skills and knowledge taught in the first, second and third six-weeks of the course. The comprehensive semester exam will be weighted 25% of the third six-weeks of the semester period.

 

FOR: Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, Susanne Jones, B. H. Barker, Bob Bateman, and Joe Whaley. OPPOSED: Harold Smith. ABSTAINING: Richard N. Thomas. Motion carried. The guidelines will go into effect beginning at the end of the third six-weeks marking period of the current (1992-93) school year.

 

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by Bob Bateman, seconded by Joe Whaley, that the Board continue membership in the Minimum Foundation Commission, invoice amount of $5,211.00 (based on 51211 students @ $1.00 per student). Motion carried unanimously.

 

Superintendent Brown informed the Board that Melanie J. Kennedy is one of the 24 finalists in the State's search for the 1993 Louisiana Teacher of the Year. On November 18, 1992, the official reception to honor each of the finalists will be held in Baton Rouge. Each finalist will be introduced, and the overall state winners in elementary, middle/junior high school, and high school, as well as the 1993 Louisiana Teacher of the Year, will be announced. Superintendent Brown commended Mrs. Kennedy for this honor.

 

In response to a newspaper article concerning reporting student count to the State Department of Education, Superintendent Brown informed the Board that the Washington Parish School System was not delinquent in reporting, as the article stated. All deadlines were met.

 

It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Jimmie Corkern, that the Board proclaim American Education Week November 15-21, 1992, in Washington Parish. Motion carried unanimously.

 

In response to Dr. Schilling's request for board direction in determining the length of mid-term and final exams, Mr. Bateman responded that he felt this was a staff matter. The Board was in agreement.

 

The Board authorized placement of the newly-employed Administative Secretary, Special Education, as soon as possible.

 

It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board grant a request from Mr. J. W. Thomas to address the Board. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Thomas requested that the Board re-consider the re-districting lines in District 3 & 4 and leave the lines as they've been for years.

 

On motion by Bob Bateman, seconded by B. H. Barker, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned.

 

HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT

 

EARLE R. BROWN, SECRETARY