Franklinton, Louisiana

December 9, 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 November 18, 1993, board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #1 -  Presentation by 0. J. Craddock, State of Louisiana Education Manager for Edu--Quest - IBM

 

Mr. Craddock presented a plaque for "Technology and Learning" magazine's Louisiana Teacher of the year to Mrs. Martha Sumrall, Teacher of Academically Gifted, Franklinton Junior High School. This award was presented in recognition of Mrs. Sumrall's innovative way of using computer technology in the classroom with the class project, "The Bill of Rights."

 

Agenda Item #2 - Consider Resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held in Consolidated School District No. 3 and School District No. 2 of the Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, November 13, 1993, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds and the levy of a special tax therein

 

It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Washington Parish School Board proceed to canvass the returns and declare the results of the special election held in Consolidated School District No. 3 and School

 

District No. 2, and that the following document (proceedings) be adopted as part of the official minutes: SEE ATTACHMENT. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #3 - Consider allocation to schools for the 1993-94 fiscal year operating budgets

 

It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adopt the following allocation to schools, as recommended by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance:

 

ALLOCATION TO SCHOOLS FOR 1993-94 FY OPERATING BUDGETS (2)

 

$35.00 per pupil for elementary $45.00 per pupil for high

 

School                                                           Total Per Pupil         Adjustment           Net                             Allocation

Angie                                                                      $10,010.00                                           $ 10,010.00

Enon                                                                         92275.00                                               9,275.00

Franklinton Primary                                                    18,410.00                                             182410.00

Franklinton Elementary                                              17,080.00        -$5,000.00                      12,080.00

Franklinton Jr. High                                                   192705.00                                             19,705.00

Franklinton High                                                        29,070.00                                             292070.00

Mt. Hermon                                                               23,245.00                                             23,245.00

Pine                                                                         239615.00                                             23,615.00

Thomas                                                                 15,645.00 '0        +$3,386.86*                    19,031.86

Varnado Elementary                                                6,965.00 1)                                               6,965.00

Varnado High                                                           13, 050.00        -$2,150.00                      10,900.00

Wesley Ray Elementary                                             11,760.00                                             11,760.00

                                                                            $197,830.00        -$3,763.14                   $194,066.86

 

                                                                                                                                                                                        

Debts to General Fund after these adjustments: *$3,463.36

Estimated adjusted cost

 

Franklinton Elementary                           $ 13,611.36                                         of parttime janitor with­

Pine                                                         129000.00                                         held during 1992-93

Varnado High                                            90,000.00                           - 76.50    Actual cost of parttime

Wesley Ray Elementary                               1,500.00                                         janitor 1992-93

                                      TOTAL             $117,111.36                         $3,386.86  Excess withheld during

                                                                                                                       1992-93 due to estimate

                                                                                                                       of cost versus actual

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #4 - Consider approval of IDEA - Part B Discretionary Budget

 

Deleted from agenda

 

Agenda Item #5 - Adopt schedule of School Board meetings for 1994

 

It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the following schedule of School Board meetings for 1994:

 

PUBLIC MEETINGS

 

ACT 707 OF 1977

 

REGULAR MEETINGS OF WASHINGTON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD - 1994

 

The Washington Parish School Board shall meet in regular session for the year 1994 at its legal domicile, the Washington Parish School Board Office' Building, 800 Main Street, Franklinton, Louisiana, at 6:30 P.M., on the following dates:

 

THURSDAYS - SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS                                    MONDAYS - COMMITTEE MEETINGS

 

January 13, 1994                                                                                            January 10, 1994

January 27, 1994

February 10, 1994                                                                                          February 7, 1994

March 10, 1994                                                                                              March 7, 1994

March 24, 1994

April 14, 1994                                                                                                April 4, 1994

April 28, 1994

May 5, 1994                                                                                                  May 2, 1994

May 19, 1994

June 9, 1994                                                                                                  June 6, 1994

June 23, 1994

July 28, 1994                                                                                                 July 25, 1994

August 11, 1994                                                                                            August 8, 1994

August 25, 1994

September 8, 1994                                                                                         September 6, 1994

September 22, 1994

October 13, 1994                                                                                           October 10, 1994

October 27, 1994

November 10, 1994                                                                                         November 7, 1994

December 8, 1994                                                                                          December 5, 1994

 

NOTE:                ONLY ONE (1) REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR

                         THE MONTHS OF FEBRUARY, JULY, NOVEMBER, AND DECEMBER, 1994.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #6 - Personnel and Transportation 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 and Transportation Adjustments as presented by Dr. Guy V. Schilling, Assistant Superintendent:

 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

 

RESIGNATION:

 

Mt. Hermon School:   Louise LeBlanc Hart, Chapter I Tutor, Resignation effective December 31, 1993.

 

REQUEST FOR LEAVE:

 

Thomas Jr. High School:  Joan Sholes, Regular Teacher, Sick Leave effective January 3, 1994, through February 4, 1994; (24 days).

 

Enon Elementary School:  Carol J. Dillon, Librarian, Sick Leave effective January 3, 1994, through February 11, 1994

(29 days).

 

Franklinton Jr. High School:  Donna Elise M. Knight, Regular Teacher, Sick Leave effective January 3, 1994, through January 19, 1994 (12 days), and Extended Sick Leave effective January 20, 1994, through February 11, 1994 (17 days), for a total of 29 days.

 

EMPLOY:

 

Franklinton Elementary School:  Theresa Dufrene, Food Service Clerk/Technician, effective December 10, 1993 (fill-in for Mary Varnado who has applied for disability retirement).

 

TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS

 

Franklinton Schools:   Extend the route of Louise Simmons .5 mile one way' to pick up a load of Primary students each afternoon and take them to Franklinton Elementary School to catch their regular bus. Effective date: August 16, 1993.

 

Mt. Hermon School:   Extend the route of Sue Burch 1.0 mile one way to pick up Howard Jefferson. Effective date: October 27, 1993, through November 17, 1993.

 

Varnado Elementary School:  Extend the route of Willie B. Peters, Jr., 1.2 miles one way to pick up several students on the route. Effective date: November 29, 1993.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

At the request of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by B. H. Barker, that consideration of a request for sick leave from Michael Henley, Principal, Franklinton High School, be added to the agenda (Personnel Adjustments). Motion carried unanimously.

 

It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the Board grant a request for sick leave from Michael Henley, Principal, Franklinton High School, for the period beginning December 13, 1993, and ending May 31, 1994, as recommended by Superintendent Brown. Motion carried unanimously.

 

It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that Matthew Tate, Assistant Principal, Franklinton High School, be moved into the position of Principal for the period beginning December 13, 1993, and ending May 31, 1994, as recommended by Superintendent Brown. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, Harold Smith, B. H. Barker, Susanne Jones, and Richard N. Thomas. AGAINST: Bob Bateman. ABSTAINING: Elaine Whaley. Motion carried.

 

It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that Leland Lee be moved into the position of Full-time Faculty Coordinator, Franklinton High School (replacing Matthew Tate in the position of Assistant Principal) for the period beginning December 13, 1993, and ending May 31, 1994, as recommended by Superintendent Brown. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #7 - Superintendent's Report

 

At the request of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following item be added to the agenda: Authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of Library Books. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of Library Books. Motion carried unanimously. Chapter 2 and State monies will be used to purchase the books. Advertising dates will be December 22 & 29, 19933 and January 5, 1994. Bids will be accepted until January 13, 1994, at which time they will be opened during the regularly scheduled board meeting, with a recommendation made to the board at the January 27, 1994, board meeting.

 

At the request of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded 'by Harold SMITH, that the following item be added to the agenda: Authorize the purchase of metal detectors for the schools. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize the obtaining of quotations for the purchase of thirteen (13) metal detectors for the twelve (12) schools and the Vocational Center, with Anthony Triola being authorized to obtain the quotations and purchase detectors from the vendor offering the lowest quotation. Motion carried unanimously.

 

At the request of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board add the following item to the agenda: Report from Freddie Jefferson on Vocational Funds. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Jefferson stated that, since his report to the Board at the Monday night committee meeting, at which time he reviewed vocational allocations to schools and the Federal laws and guidelines that govern these allocations, he, along with Superintendent Brown and Adren Raybourn, had met with a delegation from the Pine community and shared the same information with them.

 

Agenda Item #8 - Other business from board members

 

President Bateman made the following statements:

 

At our last board meeting, Mr. Paul Crain addressed this Board calling for the resignation of the superintendent and unnamed board members. To date, neither Mr. Brown nor I have been notified by any members of their desire to resign. So I feel safe in reporting that this will not occur.

 

As to the superintendent, we feel that there is a misunderstanding by some people of the role that the superintendent plays in the operation of a school system. As Superintendent, Mr. Brown has a host of duties and responsibilities, two of these being (1) the day-to-day operation of this system, and (2) making recommendations and suggestions to this Board on any number of subjects. Once this Board has heard the recommendations or suggestions by the superintendent, then we make the final decision. Mr. Brown does not.

 

As in every public school system in the State of Louisiana, the superintendent serves at the pleasure of the Board. Mr. Earle Brown is the Superintendent of the Washington Parish School System and will remain Superintendent until such time that he no longer wishes to do so, or until the majority of this Board feels that it is time for a change.

 

Also, at this time, I would like to-report on the list of concerns and recommendations presented to the Board by the Franklinton Community Support Group. This list has been turned over to the appropriate parties for consideration. Most of the concerns are directly related to Franklinton High School and are being handled by Mr. Henley and Mr. Tate. One of the concerns was directed to Mr. Triola, and there are a couple of others that may be considered system-wide. We would like to thank this group for their understanding and patience in this matter and we hope to address all of their concerns in the very near future.

 

On motion by Harold Smith, seconded by B. H. Barker, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned.

 

BOB D. BATEMAN, PRESIDENT

 

EARLE R. BROWN, SECRETARY