Franklinton, Louisiana

October 28, 1993

6:30 P.M.

 

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 Freddie Jefferson. 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 October 14, 1993, board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item 11 - Open and consider bids received for compliance with State of Louisiana, Department of Natural Resources, Pipeline Safety Division, Regulation 9, External Corrosion Control, Cathodic Protection

 

It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board open bids received. Motion carried unanimously. The following bids were opened by President Bateman:

 

(1)        National Corrosion Service, Inc., New Orleans, LA

Bid on all phases except Phase II:

 

Angie Jr. High School                                                       $      3,746.76

Enon Elementary School                                                          3,286.30

Franklinton Resource Center and

               Primary School                                                         3,709.50

Franklinton Elementary School                                                 2,936.70

Franklinton Jr. High School                                                       2,375.50

Franklinton High School                                                           1,185.50

Mt. Hermon School                                                                  5,469.73

Pine School                                                                            6,008.20

Thomas Jr. High School                                                           7,020.09

Varnado Elementary School                                                      3,871.50

Varnado, High School                                                              4,887.70

Wesley Ray Elementary School                                                3,563.15

School Board Office                                                                 1,939.15

                                                                TOTAL                $49,999.78

 

Bid on Phase II (bonding of electrical discontinuities and removal of foreign contacts: $45.00 per hour.

 

(2)        Harco Technologies Corporation, Kenner, LA

Declined to bid on project.

 

It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the bid be taken under advisement for study by Freddie Jefferson, Superintendent Brown, and a consultant, with authorization given for entering into a contract with National Corrosion Service, Inc., if the bid meets specifications and is in the best interest of the Board. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item 12 -  Open and consider quotations received for the sale of Official School Board Automobile

 

On motion by John Dawsey, seconded by Harold Smith, and unanimously carried, the following quotations were opened by President Bateman:

 

J. W. Payne - $1,860.00 Melva Dean Conerly - $1,576.00 Victoria Long - $2,300.00

 

It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board accept Victoria Long's quotation in the amount of $2,300. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item 13 -  Response to Murdock Brumfield's request concerning Franklinton Junior High School's mascot


It was moved by Bob Bateman, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board carry this item over to the next board meeting scheduled for November 18, 1993, since Ms. Beverly Young, Principal, was out of town and unable to be present. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, Harold Smith, B. H. Barker, Susanne Jones, Bob D. Bateman, and Richard N. Thomas. AGAINST: None. ABSTENTION: Elaine Whaley. Motion carried.

 

Agenda Item #4 -  Report from Anthony Triola - Safe Schools and Weapons Advisory Committee

 

Mr. Triola reported that the committee has been reviewing the Washington Parish School Board Policy Manual as it relates to students. Several items have been discussed and agreed upon, including the possibility of metal detectors for each school, frequent searches conducted by the Sheriff's Department with the drug dog, visibility of law officers in and around schools, and, sometime in the future, the possibility of an alternative program for students who cannot adjust to the regular program. The committee is continuing the study of the policy regarding fighting. The committee is, also, conferring with Attorney Kuhn on the legalities of any changes in present policy.

 

Agenda Item 15 - Personnel Adjustments

 

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by John Dawsey, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments as presented by Dr. Guy V. Schilling, Assistant Superintendent:

 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

 

REQUEST FOR LEAVE:

 

Pine School:  Geraldine Jefferson, Special Education Paraprofessional, Sick Leave effective October 7, 1993, through November 19, 1993 (28 days).

 

Franklinton Primary School:  Debra E. Berry, Special Education Paraprofessional, Sick Leave effective October 28, 1993, and October 29, 1993 (1/2 day) - 1 1/2 days, and Leave Without Pay effective October 29, 1993 (1/2 day), through December 9, 1993 - 23 1/2 days, for a total of 25 days.

 

EMPLOY:

 

Franklinton Jr. High School:  Betty Durr, Part-time (3 1/2 hours per day) Food Service Technician effective November 1, 1993.

 

Franklinton Primary School:  Luvenia Jenkins, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective October 28, 1993, through December 9, 1993 (fill-in for Debra Berry).

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #6 - Superintendent's Report

 

At Superintendent Brown's request, it was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the following item be added to the agenda: "Consider adoption of a resolution regarding unfunded federal mandates." Motion carried unanimously.

 

Following the reading of the resolution by Superintendent Brown, it was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the following Resolution, with copies to be sent to the local Congressional delegation: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Superintendent Brown reported to the Board on the Louisiana Teacher of the year Program and Reception held October 27, 1993, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when Mrs. Linda M. Fortenberry, Teacher, Mt. Hermon School, was honored as one of 24 State finalists. It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by B. H. Barker, that a letter of congratulations be sent to Mrs. Fortenberry by Superintendent Brown. Motion carried unanimously.

 

President Bateman stated the following individuals completed request forms to address the Board: (1) Linda Spears - Subject: Consolidation of Pine and Varnado High Schools; (2) Loretta Gatlin - Subject: Justice Being Equal; (3) Dorothy Stewart - Subject: Positive Peer Group. It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that these individuals be allowed to address the board, with comments limited to 8 minutes each. Motion carried unanimously.

 

(1)        Ms. Spears, speaking on behalf of Citizens to Save Our Schools Committee, read a statement (copies provided for board members) in which numerous questions were asked concerning consolidation of Pine and Varnado High Schools. Mrs. Spears concluded by stating verbal answers were desired. All questions were addressed by the Board and Superintendent Brown.

 

(2)        Ms. Gatlin expressed the opinion that equal justice was not done, referring to an October 13, 1993, incident at Franklinton High School and subsequent investigations. She requested that a black representative be appointed by the Board to the committee conducting a second investigation. (At the October ]4th board meeting, Dr. Guy V. Schilling and Principal Michael Henley were unofficially appointed to serve as a committee.) Mr. Barker commented that he had asked the president after the October ]4th meeting if a black representative, namely Mr. Freddie Jefferson, could work with the committee, and he was told by Mr. Bateman that he would take care of it. It was Mr. Barker's understanding that Mr. Jefferson would work with the committee. When asked, President Bateman and Dr. Schilling said they had not asked Mr. Jefferson to serve on the committee. Mr. Barker stated that, since there was no formal motion made to have the second committee formed, he would like to offer a motion that findings of the committee consisting of Mr. Henley, Mr. Brown, Chief Armand, Mr. Tate, and Mr. Triola be accepted by the Board. Motion was seconded by Harold Smith. Since, as it was pointed out, the Board has not heard nor seen the report from this committee, Mr. Barker withdrew his motion, and Mr. Smith withdrew his second.

 

3.         Ms. Stewart voiced some concerns regarding the Franklinton High School Positive Peer Group and how it functions. Mr. Matthew Tate, Assistant Principal, Franklinton High School, was in attendance and briefly reviewed the program.

 

It was moved by Bob Bateman, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following item be added to the agenda: "Report from Dr. Guy V. Schilling on his findings of the investigation." B. H. Barker offered an amendment that the Board listen to both committees reports (first investigation and second investigation). Since Mr. Henley was not present and had not been asked to give a report at this meeting, Mr. Barker withdrew his amendment. FOR: Bob Bateman and Susanne Jones. AGAINST: Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, Harold Smith, B. H. Barker, Richard N. Thomas, and Elaine Whaley. Motion failed.

 

It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board hear reports from Mr. Henley and Dr. Schilling on the two investigations at the next board meeting (November 18, 1993) and that all persons involved in the two investigations be asked to attend the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. President Bateman stated these reports will be heard in Executive Session pursuant to LA R.S. 42:6.1, investigative proceedings regarding allegations of misconduct.

 

Agenda Item Other business from board members

 

None.

 

On motion by Harold Smith, seconded by John Dawsey, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned.

 

BOB D. BATEMAN, PRESIDENT

 

EARLE R. BROWN, SECRETARY

 

EXCERPT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE WASHINGTON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD IN THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE, FRANKLINTON, LOUISIANA, ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993.

 

It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the following Resolution, with copies to be sent to the local Congressional delegation:

 

R E S 0 L U T I 0 N

 

WHEREAS,    the Washington Parish School Board is directly accountable to the taxpayers and, unlike the federal government, must balance our budget every year; and

 

WHEREAS,    the federal government is increasingly requiring school boards to perform services and implement programs without providing any money to pay for the services; and

 

WHEREAS,    shifting the cost of mandates to school boards is hurting our students academically because millions of dollars that could be spent on books, computers and science equipment are, instead, being spent to comply with burdensome federal requirements; and

 

WHEREAS,    parents and taxpayers are unaware of the impact on the schools of unfunded federal mandates; and

 

WHEREAS,    we agree that many of the required services are worthwhile and improve education, but, if the federal government is going to require a program, it must provide us with the money to carry it out;

 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington Parish School Board urges Congress and the Administration to include full federal funding for any new mandate arising from federal law, regulation or policy; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that federal departments and agencies be required to provide scientific proof of any health, safety or environmental risks before imposing a new mandate on the schools; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Washington Parish School Board supports "National Unfunded Mandates Day" on October 27, which marks the beginning of our effort to inform parents of children in our schools and taxpayers about unfunded federal requirements and their impact on the schools and their need for new funds.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the local Congressional delegation.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

I, Earle R. Brown, duly acting and qualified Superintendent of the Washington Parish School Board, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of the resolution adopted by the Washington Parish School Board at a regular meeting held in the School Board Office, Franklinton, Louisiana, on Thursday, October 28, 1993, at 6:30 P.M.

 

Earle R. brown, Superintendent/Secretary Washington Parish School Board