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 Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the August 12, 1993, board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #1 -Open and consider bids received for the purchase of a replacement car for the Superintendent
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board open the bids received. Motion carried unanimously. President Bateman opened the following bids:
(1) Sicard Motors, Inc. Bid not acceptable because it was accompanied by a company check in the amount of 5% of the bid, rather than a certified check, cashier's check, or bid bond, as required in Invitation to Bid. (Bid amount was not read.)
(2) Hood Motor Co. - 1993 Chevrolet Caprice Classic 4-Door Sedan $15,286.91
(3) Grubbs Ford LM, Inc. 1993 Ford Crown Victoria 4-Door Sedan $18,250.00
At the recommendation of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the bids be taken under advisement for review by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, and possible recommendation prior to adjournment. Motion carried unanimously.
President Bateman declared a recess in order to move to Franklinton Elementary School auditorium for the next two (2) agenda items due to the large number of teachers and support personnel in attendance.
Agenda Item #2 - Presentation by Ricky Payne, President, Washington Parish Association of Educators
Mr. Payne presented the following two (2) proposals to the Board for consideration:
(1) Request that School Board Policy File: BCBD - Agenda Preparation and Dissemination, be changed to read as follows:
The Board President shall direct the Superintendent to prepare, or cause to be prepared, an itemized agenda for all regular board meetings. Items of business may be suggested by board members, administrative staff, employees, school patrons, or lay citizens of the school district for inclusion on the agenda. A request to be considered for a place on the agenda by any group or individual other than a board member shall be filed in writing with the superintendent at least five (5) working days prior to the next board meeting. Any material to be used must be submitted at the time of request. Citizens of the school system shall be given special consideration for addressing the Board.
All items to be considered for action must be on the agenda. Policy introduced and recommended to the Board that is not specifically listed on the itemized agenda , shall not be adopted until a subsequent meeting. Thus, time shall be given to permit further study and also to give opportunity for interested parties to react. However, temporary approval may be granted by the Board, in lieu of formal policy, to meet emergency conditions or special events which will take place before formal action can be taken.
Items of business not on the agenda may not be suggested from the floor for discussion except by approval of two-thirds of the Board present unless requested by the Board's legal advisors.
The order of business shall be as established by Board practice.
All Board meeting material and supporting data shall be disseminated to the members of the Board and the President of the teacher's association so that they are received no later than 24 hours prior to any Board meeting, whenever possible.
(2) We, the WPAE, request that all employees of the Washington Parish School System receive a permanent pay raise. Based upon the amount of money to be received by the Board and the new State guidelines on spending this money, we present the following proposal that is fair to all employees. The proposal calls for a nine (9) percent pay raise for certified employees and four (4) percent for educational support personnel.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board take these two (2) proposals under advisement with the intent of having an answer for WPAE within the next two (2) weeks.
Agenda Item 13 - Presentation by Leland Lee, Spokesperson, Louisiana Federation of Teachers
Mr. Lee presented the following requests for Board consideration:
(1) Request that all non-administrative personnel be given a ten (10) percent raise
(2) "The recent increase of administrators' salaries and the manner in which the Washington Parish School Board took this action have caused much dissention and mistrust in the community and among employees of the Washington Parish School System. Therefore, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers requests the following:
1. At least 72 hours' written public notice shall be given for all regular or rescheduled meetings of the Washington Parish School Board and that this notice shall be posted at all school sites.
2. The posting should include the meeting agenda, date, time and place. The agenda should include all reports, including the Superintendent's report, if one exists.
3. No matters shall be taken up unless on the agenda, without a two thirds vote of the majority.
4. The posting shall be sent to members of the press if requested.
5. Any documents supporting an item on the agenda should be made available upon request.
6. The official minutes of all Washington Parish School Board meetings shall be made available to the public and a copy sent to all school sites for posting within 10 working days following a board meeting. The minutes shall be made available to the press upon request."
It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by Jimmie Corkern, that the Board take these requests by LFT under advisement until the next board meeting (September 9, 1993). Motion carried unanimously.
It, was moved by B. H. Barker seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board allow Marvin Thomas to address the Board. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Thomas stated a 4% raise for bus operators is not enough, and he requested a 10% pay raise, at least, for bus operators.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Jimmie Corkern, that the Board allow Mike Deshotels, Executive Director, Louisiana Association of Educators, to address the Board. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Deshotels stated he serves on the State committee that is working with the new Minimum Foundation Formula in attempting to re-distribute the State funding so that local school systems, such as Washington Parish, can benefit more from State funding and become more competitive with other school systems. He urged the Board to make a maximum effort to do as good a job as it can for the teachers and lower paid employees. He, also, recommended moving the next board meeting up a week from the planned date as a show of good faith, since there is a morale problem.
President Bateman declared a 20-minute recess in order to move back to the School Board Office Board Room for the remainder of the meeting.
President Bateman called the meeting back to order.
Re-consideration of Agenda Item 11 - Bids - Replacement car for Superintendent
At the request of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board authorize Superintendent Brown to gather needed specifications on some of the bids, since the specifications were not itemized with the bids, make sure the low bid meets specifications outlined in Invitation to Bid, and, if so, accept the low bid. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 14 - Hear and consider screening committee's recommendations for Elementary Guidance Counselor positions
Pursuant to an inquiry from one of the applicants, Superintendent Brown asked Mr. Freddie Jefferson to outline the procedure used in selecting the elementary counselors (6 positions available). Mr. Jefferson stated the screening committee was composed of the elementary principals, three junior high principals, and one secondary principal (Pine). Each of the seven (7) applicants was given ample time for interview, with each principal having the opportunity of asking questions of each applicant. At the completion of the interview process, the nine principals were given a ballot on which to write their choices for the top six (6) applicants. The principals of the schools that will be sharing a counselor teamed up and prioritized their top choice, second choice, and third choice. At the conclusion, the third step was that the central office would make the assignment, but, in going through the second step, each principal was satisfied with their chosen applicant. Those schools that were paired were Franklinton Elementary/Enon, Pine/Franklinton Primary, and Wesley Ray/Varnado Elementary. The principals of Angie, Franklinton Jr. High, and Thomas made their choices individually, since their counselors will be fulltime. All principals were able to make their selections during the process. Mr. Jefferson said he felt the selection process was fair and equitable, and the applicants were treated with respect and dignity.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that Superintendent Brown open the envelope containing the screening committee's recommendations. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, Harold Smith, B. H. Barker, Richard N. Thomas, and Elaine Whaley. AGAINST: Susanne Jones and Bob Bateman. MOTION CARRIED. Superintendent Brown read the following recommendation:
After screening seven (7) applicants who applied for Elementary School Counselor positions, we recommend the following persons and assignments:
Terri Jones - Enon and Franklinton Elementary Schools
Marion Pierce - Angie Jr. High School
Penny Moses - Wesley Ray and Varnado Elementary Schools
Sidney Zeringue - Franklinton Jr. High School
Barbara Hunt - Franklinton Primary and Pine Elementary Schools
John Breland - Thomas Jr. High School
Members of the Screening Committee were:
Richard Kennedy, Principal, Angie Jr. High School
Linda Crain , Enon Elementary School.
Eathel Brock, Principal, Franklinton Primary School
Karen Spears, Principal, Franklinton Elementary School
Beverly Young, Principal, Franklinton Jr. High School
Edward Deas, Principal, Pine School
Billy Brignac, Principal, Thomas Jr. High School
Gary Fornea, Principal, Varnado Elementary School
Charles Wayne Penton, Principal, Wesley Ray Elementary School
Freddie H. Jefferson, Supervisor, Central Office
/S/
Freddie H. Jefferson, Chairman
It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board employ Elementary Guidance Counselors as recommended by the screening committee. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, Harold Smith, John Dawsey, B. H. Barker, and Richard N. Thomas. AGAINST: Bob Bateman, Susanne Jones, and Elaine Whaley. MOTION CARRIED. Both Mrs. Jones and Mr. Bateman stated they did not vote against the applicants; they had concerns about the process used.
Agenda Item 15 - Personnel Adjustments
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments as presented by Dr. Guy V. Schilling, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
TRANSFER:
Gilda McCain, Bus Operator, Franklinton Schools, to Bus Operator, Enon Elementary School, effective August 30, 1993 (replacing Harriett Hickman who resigned).
Michael Sharp, Bus Operator, Franklinton Schools, to Bus Operator, Enon Elementary School, effective August 30, 1993 (replacing D. 0. Fussell who retired).
Colston Martin, Jr., Bus Operator, Franklinton Schools, to Bus Operator, Mt. Hermon School, effective August 30, 1993 (replacing Sylvester Manning who is deceased).
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Schools: Robert Mizell, Bus Operator, effective August 27, 1993 (replacing Michael Sharp who transferred to Enon Elementary School).
Franklinton Schools: Billy Burton, Bus Operator, effective August 27, 1993 (replacing Colston Martin, Jr., who transferred to Mt. Hermon School).
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Superintendent's Report
The final inspection of Franklinton Elementary School's new roof was conducted this date, and all was found to be in order.
President Bateman stated he had a request from Betty Durr to address the Board regarding clear school book bags. It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that Mrs. Durr be allowed to address the Board. Motion carried unanimously. Mrs. Durr expressed concern over the clear book bags tearing up after being used only a few days. She said she cannot keep buying the clear book bags. She suggested that "shakedowns" be used in the schools to curtail the carrying of guns and knives, as an alternative to the clear book bags only School Board policy.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board do away with the clear book bags only policy and go back to allowing the use of regular book bags. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, Harold Smith. B. H. Barker, Richard N. Thomas, and Elaine Whaley. AGAINST: Bob Bateman, Susanne Dawsey. A 3/4 vote (6 of 8) of the Board is required to overturn a School Board policy already implemented; therefore, the motion failed. At the request of Jimmie Corkern, a roll call vote was taken, which was as follows:
District I - Harold Smith FOR
District 2 - Jimmie Corkern FOR
District 3 - Elaine Whaley FOR
District 4 - Richard N. Thomas FOR
District 5 - John Dawsey AGAINST
District 6 - Susanne Jones AGAINST
District 7 - Bob Bateman AGAINST
District 8 - B. H. Barker FOR
Notion failed.
Mr. Barker suggested looking into a policy that would be more controlling of guns in schools and the possibility of conducting random searches, if legal.
Following the suggestion of using mesh book bags, it was moved by Jimmie Corkern that mesh bags be acceptable as long as the principal sees the bag and feels secure with the bag. A teacher/parent in the audience stated that pencils and other objects will fall through the mesh bags. Mr. Corkern withdrew his motion. Mr. Barker asked Mr. Kuhn to research the legality of searches at the schools and report back to the Board at the next meeting.
Agenda Item #7 - Other business from board members
Jimmie Corkern stated he is in favor of the 504 Project READ. He would like for Melanie Kennedy to come back every so often and work with the Board and try to get every school involved in getting teachers ready to teach and educate every child we possibly can. He would like to see a show of hands from the Board that Mrs. Kennedy can proceed to carry out Project READ. Mr. Barker stated he thinks the Board has been quite aware of the fact that it has an obligation, legally, to do this, and it is the Board's intent to do this. The Board is going to be sure that persons who have been classified as dyslexic are given the intervention that should be given. It's going to take some cooperative effort between Mrs. Kennedy, Mr. Butler, and Mr. Brown in trying to come up with a workable solution, and he thinks they know which direction the Board wants to go. He said he didn't think the Board needed a vote.
On motion by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned.
BOB D. BATEMAN, PRESIDENT
EARLE R. BROWN, SECRETARY