The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: President Bob D. Bateman, Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, Jr., Harold Smith, Bringier H. Barker, Susanne Jones, Richard N. Thomas, and Elaine Whaley. Absent: None. The meeting was called to order by President Bateman. Invocation was given by John Dawsey. President Bateman welcomed the news media, School Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn, and guests.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adopt the minutes of the July 29, 1993, board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #1 -Presentation by Cheryl Garner, President, Louisiana Reading Association
Ms. Dorothy Young, Assistant Principal/Teacher, Pine School, introduced Ms. Cheryl Garner who made the following presentations:
1. Joan Kennedy, Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School First Place Educator as Author Contest
2. Loretta Rush, Librarian, Franklinton Jr. High School $500.00 mini grant (Mrs. Rush was unable to be present for this presentation.)
3. Charlotte Harris, Special Education Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School (presently on sabbatical leave) - $500.00 mini-grant, $450.00 scholarship and Educator of the Year.
Ms. Young presented Superintendent Brown a Certificate of Honorary Membership in the Washington Reading Association and the Louisiana Reading Association, and presented Ms. Beverly Young, Principal, Franklinton Jr. High School, the 1993 Washington Parish Reading Council Principal of the Year Award. President Bateman congratulated the award winners and thanked Ms. Garner for attending the meeting.
Agenda Item #2 - Effective Schools Presentation
The following school principals briefly reviewed their respective school's School Improvement Plan for the Effective Schools Program:
1. Ms. Emma Ross, Principal, Varnado High School
2. Ms. Beverly Young, Principal, Franklinton Jr. High School.
Agenda Item #3 - Personnel Adjustments
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Jimmie Corkern, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments as presented by Dr. Guy V. Schilling, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUST14ENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Varnado High School: Marshall Jefferson, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective August 31, 1993.
Enon Elementary School: D. 0. Fussell, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective August 12, 1993.
RESIGNATION:
Angie Jr. High School: Gregory A. Vosbein, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective August 1, 1993.
Enon Elementary School: Charles Rester, Chapter I Kindergarten Tutor, Resignation effective July 20, 1993.
Franklinton Primary School: Jackie Boone, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 10, 1993.
Franklinton Schools: Harriett M. Hickman, Bus Operator, Resignation effective August 5, 1993.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Franklinton Elementary School: Patricia Lynn Sumrall, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the Fall semester of the 1993-94 school year.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE:
Franklinton Primary School: Eugenia M. Magee, Chapter I Teacher, Leave Without Pay effective August 13, 1993, through November 30, 1993 (68 days).
Franklinton Elementary School: Mary Varnado, -2 time School Lunch Clerk and 1 2 time Technician, Sick Leave effective August 13, 1993, through October 19, 1993 (47 days).
Mt. Hermon School: Tina Stafford, Regular Teacher, Leave Without Pay effective the 1993-94 school year.
TRANSFER:
Diana J. Casanova, Regular Teacher, Enon Elementary School, to Chapter I Reading Teacher, Enon Elementary School, effective the beginning of the 1993-94 school year.
Barbara Epps, Pre-School Special Education Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, to Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, effective the beginning of the 1993-94 school year.
Elise Knight, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School, effective the 1993-94 school year only (fill-in for Marie Wascom who will be on sabbatical leave) to Regular Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School, effective the beginning of the 1993-94 school year.
Marion Pierce, Special Education Teacher, Varnado Elementary School, to Special Education Teacher, Angie Jr. High School, effective the beginning of the 1993-94 school year.
Sheree Voth, Chapter I Teacher, Enon Elementary School, to Regular Teacher, Enon Elementary School, effective the beginning of the 1993-94 school year.
Debra Lee, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, to Pre-School Special Education Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, effective the 1993-94 school year only (TTA).
Misty Graves, Pre-School Special Education Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, to Regular (Kindergarten) Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, effective the 1993-94 school year only.
EMPLOY:
Enon Elementary School: Rebecca Mizell, Chapter I Math Teacher, effective the beginning of the 1993-94 school year.
Enon Elementary School: Dinah Corkern, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1993-94 school year only (TTA).
Franklinton Elementary School: Becky Lee, Regular Teacher, effective the Fall semester only of the 1993-94 school year (fill-in for Patricia Lynn Sumrall who will be on sabbatical leave).
Franklinton Elementary School: Betty Burton, 1/2 time Food Service Technician, effective August 13, 1993.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Ethel Ogborn, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1993-94 school year only (TTA).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Rhonda Perea, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective the 1993-94 school year only.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Cassandra Lewis, Regular Teacher, effective the 1993-94 school year only (fill-in for Marie Wascom who will be on sabbatical leave).
Mt. Hermon School: Barbara Kerbow, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1993-94 school year only (TTA).
Mt. Hermon School: Bobbi Tana Brumfield, Regular Teacher, effective the 1993-94 school year only (fill-in for Tina Stafford who will be on leave).
Pine School: Barbara Gerald, Pre-School Starting Points Teacher Aide, effective the 1993-94 school year only.
Thomas Jr. High School: Eloise Galloway, Model Early Childhood Teacher Aide, effective the 1993-94 school year only.
Thomas Jr. High School: Iris Fornea, Model Early Childhood Pre-School Teacher, effective the 1993-94 school year only.
Varnado Elementary School: Ginger Champagne, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 1993-94 school year.
Varnado High School: Michelle Jefferson, Bus Operator, effective September 1, 1993.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Patsy Breland, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1993-94 school year only (TTA).
Varnado Elementary School: Tonya Yvet Brumfield, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1993-94 school year only (TTA).
Franklinton Primary School: Joyce Magee, Special Education Teacher (Pre-School), effective the 1993-94 school year only (TTA).
Franklinton Primary School: Shirley G. Smith, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1993-94 school year only (TTA).
FOR: Jimmie Corkern, Harold Smith, B. H. Barker, Susanne Jones, Bob Bateman, Richard N. Thomas, and Elaine Whaley. AGAINST: None. ABSTENTION: John Dawsey. Motion carried.
Dr. Schilling informed the Board of a request for Sabbatical Leave he had just received. It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the Board grant Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation for the Fall semester of the 1993-94 school year to Mrs. Neva Crain, Chapter I Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously.
Jimmie Corkern asked Dr. Schilling is he had received a letter of request for transfer from a Chapter I tutor, and, if so, who had made the request. Dr. Schilling stated the request was made by Merile Cooke to be transferred from Chapter I Tutor, Franklinton Primary School, to Chapter I Tutor, Enon Elementary School. Following Dr. Schilling's verification of a tutor vacancy at Enon, it was moved by Jimmie Corkern that transfer be granted to Merile Cooke. There was some discussion regarding the transfer Policy, and Dr. Schilling reminded the Board of the screening procedure established several years ago by the Board. Following Mr. Barker's request for a copy of the policy for review prior to adjournment, Mr. Corkern withdrew his motion, and it was agreed that the Board would re-consider this matter prior to adjournment.
Agenda Item #4 - Superintendent's Report
1. Following a review by Dr. Schilling, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adopt the following policy pursuant to the passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 by the U. S. Congress:
FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE
The Board shal permit qualified employees to take up to twelve (12) workweeks of unpaid leave in a twelve (12) month period for family and medical reasons. Employees qualifying for family and temporary medical leave shall have been employed by the Board for the previous twelve (12) months prior to the date of the leave to be taken. For the purposes of this policy, the 12 month period shall be the same as the fiscal year, July I to June 30. Such unpaid leave may only be taken for the following reasons:
1. For the birth of the employee's child and subsequent care;
2. For the placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care;
3. In order to care for the spouse, child or parent of the employee who has a serious health condition; or
4. When the serious health condition of the employee renders the employee unable to work.
Leave may be taken for birth or placement of a child only within twelve (12) months of the birth or placement.
Generally, the time taken for family and medical leave shall be on a continuous basis. However, the employee shall be permitted to take leave on an intermittent or reduced basis to care for a seriously ill family member or the employee's own illness when medically necessary. An employee may take intermittent leave for the birth or adoption of a child only with the Board's approval.
If a teacher's period of absence on intermittent leave amounts to more than 20% of classroom time, the teacher may be required to take continuous leave throughout the treatment period or be placed in an equivalent position that would not be so disruptive to the classroom.
A teacher may be required to extend leave through the end of the semester if the intended date of return is within the last 2 or 3 weeks of the semester, depending on the date on which leave began and the length of the leave.
An employee shall be required to request leave by providing the Board at least thirty (30) days notice prior to any leave being taken for the birth or adoption of a child, or for any planned or foreseeable medical treatment. For emergency treatment, or circumstances where thirty (30) days notice cannot be provided, the employee shall notify the Board of the leave to be taken as soon as possible. Medical certification may be required by the Board at the time leave is requested.
The employee shall be permitted to substitute any accumulated sick leave and/or annual leave for any family and medical leave time requested. The Board may require an employee to first use any accumulated sick, personal and/or annual leave time for any part of the twelve (12) week period. If paid leave is used by an employee, the Board shall provide only enough unpaid family and medical leave time to total the allowed 12-week period.
Any employee taking family and medical leave shall have the right to return to their previous position or an equivalent position with no loss in benefits at the end of the leave period. An employee returning to service at the end of their leave period for personal medical reasons shall be required to present to the Board a letter from their doctor certifying that the employee is able to return to work.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. Superintendent Brown reviewed a proposed revised salary schedule for principals, total compensation to be based on a number of factors, including school type, number of students, activities (football, basketball. etc.), longevity of administrator, and placement of all 11-month principals on 12-months employment. It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by John Dawsey, that the Board adopt the new salary schedule for principals, effective July 1, 1993, as recommended by Superintendent Brown. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by B. H. Barker, that all high school counselors be placed on 10-months employment (presently on 9-months) and increase their compensation for the additional month's employment. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Superintendent Brown reported that the reapportionment plan (supplemental submission) will be mailed to the Justice Department next week (week of August 16th).
5. Superintendent Brown reported that Martha Sumrall, Gifted Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School, has been selected as both State and Regional Winner in the 1993 Technology and Learning Magazine Teacher of the Year recognition program, sponsored by EduQuest, an IBM Company; and Lexmark International. The competition was open to all K-12 teachers nationwide who have used computers and related technologies in creative ways to improve the quality of education in the classroom. Ms. Sumrall, on behalf of Franklinton, Jr. High School, will receive computer, laser printer, and a selection of educational software, along with an award plaque.
6. Superintendent Brown reminded the Board of the Project READ In-Service for board members, conducted by Mrs. Melanie Kennedy, Coordinator/Resource Teacher for Dyslexia and Related Disorders, scheduled for August 23, 1993, at 6:30 P.M.
7. Superintendent Brown reminded the Board of the Louisiana School Boards Association Update for board members and administrative staff scheduled for August 16, 1993, at 6:00 P.M., in the Franklinton High School cafeteria. Bogalusa City School Board and administrative staff have been invited to attend this public meeting.
Dr. Schilling reported to the Board on the transfer policy discussed earlier in the meeting. He read excerpts (Items 3 & 4) from policy GCD-P Procedures for Selection of Support Personnel, adopted by the Board July 25, 1991. It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by Harold Smith, that Merile Cooke's transfer request be granted. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, B. H. Barker, and Harold Smith. AGAINST: John Dawsey, Bob Bateman, and Susanne Jones. ABSTENTIONS: Richard N. Thomas and Elaine Whaley. Motion failed.
Dr. Schilling announced that the second meeting of the Sex Education Advisory Committee is scheduled for August 24, 1993, at 6:30 P.M., at the School Board Office, and he invited board members to attend.
Jimmie Corkern requested a roll call vote on his motion to grant Merile Cooke's transfer request. Roll Call Vote was as follows:
District ] - Harold Smith FOR
District 2 - Jimmie Corkern FOR
District 3 - Elaine Whaley ABSTAIN
District 4 - Richard N. Thomas ABSTAIN
District 5 - John Dawsey AGAINST
District 6 - Susanne Jones AGAINST
District 7 - Bob Bateman AGAINST
District 8 - B. H. Barker FOR
FUR: 3
AGAINST: 3
ABSTENTIONS: 2
Motion failed.
At the request of Harold Smith, the Board agreed to delay enforcement of the clear book bags, only, policy until October 1, 1993, to allow parents more time to purchase bags locally.
Jimmie Corkern reminded everyone that the first two (2) days of school are 1/2 days for students. He asked the news media to assist in publicizing this information.
Dr. Schilling reported that Anthony Triola, Transportation Supervisor, will present recommendations to the Board at the August 26th meeting regarding replacements for several bus operators who have resigned.
On motion by B. H. Barker, seconded by John Dawsey, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned.
BOB D. BATEMAN, PRESIDENT,
EARLE R. BROWN, SECRETARY