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, 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 Mr. Freddie Jefferson. President Bateman welcomed the news media, School Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn, and guests.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by John Dawsey, that the Board adopt the minutes of the January 13, 1994, board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #1 - Consider bids received for the purchase of Library Books
Following a brief report and recommendation by Supervisor T. J. Butler, Jr., it was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board accept Mr. Butler's recommendation and award contracts for the purchase of Library Books to the following: PUBLISHER: Franklin Watts - Flat Discount Bid: 35%; JOBBER: Baker & Taylor - Flat Discount Bid: 27.1%; BINDERY: Econo Clad - Flat Discount Bid: 29%. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #2 - Presentation by United School Employees of Washington Parish representative concerning Board's Superintendent selection procedure
Mr. Leland Lee, Chairman, USEWP, requested that a Superintendent's Search Committee be formed to find the most qualified candidate for the position. He suggested that the committee be comprised of parents, teachers, support personnel, principals, and board members.
President Bateman responded that, at the next committee meeting, the Board will be discussing how the superintendent search will be initiated.
Agenda Item #3 - 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 Adjustments as presented by Dr. Guy V. Schilling, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
DISABILITY RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Elementary School: Mary Varnado, One-half Time School Lunch Technician, and One-half Time School Lunch Clerk, Disability Retirement Resignation effective JanÂuary 3, 1994.
RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Jr. High School: Jill Jenkins, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective January 28, 1994.
EMPLOY:
Varnado High School: Douglas Jones, Regular Teacher, effective January 3, 1994, and for the remainder of the 1993-94 school year only (fill-in for Nancy Jenkins who is on leave).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Linda Hornsby, Special Education Teacher, effective January 31, 1994, and for the remainder of the 1993-94 school year only.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #4 - Report from Personnel Committee
Mr. Barker reported that the Personnel Committee had met this date to discuss several proposals for handling the vacancy created by Superintendent Brown's leave. "It is the Personnel Committee's recommendation that Dr. Guy Schilling will serve as interim Superintendent until a permanent Superintendent is selected. Dr. Schilling will receive a salary adjustment of 8% pro rated over a five-month period." Mr. Barker offered a motion to this effect, seconded by Richard N. Thomas. FOR: John Dawsey, B. H. Barker, Susanne Jones, Bob Bateman, Richard N. Thomas, and Elaine Whaley. OPPOSED: Jimmie Corkern and Harold Smith. Motion carried.
Regarding the position that Dr. Schilling will leave vacant, Mr. Barker stated, "We (Personnel Committee) are asking that the Board approve the employment of Mr. Freddie Jefferson. He will assume the personnel-related functions in addition to his present duties, with a salary adjustment of 8% pro rated over a five-month period." Mr. Barker offered a motion to this effect, seconded by Susanne Jones. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Barker further stated, "In the discussion with the Board committee today, it was found out that there were several areas of responsibility that we need to address further, and we would like to get with Dr. Schilling and Mr. Jefferson in order to provide assistance, as necessary, in the central office to help alleviate the short-term overload of activities. This will be discussed at the next committee meeting."
Agenda Item #5 - Superintendent's Report
At Superintendent Brown's request, the Board agreed he would be permitted to address the Board prior to presenting the Superintendent's Report.
Superintendent Brown stated, "This ends my 44 years with the System, and I've had the privilege to serve in this system from teacher to superintendent ... I've had the wonderful opportunity to work with the youth in the parish. We've got some of the finest in this country ... As for the teachers, they are excellent, dedicated professionals ... As for the principals providing the leadership, they are in the trenches, and I think they have one of the most thankless jobs in this system." Mr. Brown expressed his appreciation to the general public for their financial support of the Washington Parish School System. He expressed special thanks to the Central Office Staff. He, also, expressed appreciation to his family for their understanding and support over the years. Mr. Brown concluded with several observations and recommendations regarding the many changes that the Board will be facing in the near future. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve the Washington Parish School System, and he wished the Board and the. System well in the future.
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 withdrawal privileges for Hayward Boone on all Varnado High School bank accounts, and terminate the withdrawal privileges of Emma Ross, effective January 14, 1994. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board authorize withdrawal privileges for Hayward Boone on all Varnado High School bank accounts, and terminate the withdrawal privileges of Emma Ross) effective January 14, 1994. Motion carried unanimously.
At the request of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the following item be added to the agenda: Authorize withdrawal privileges for Dr. Guy V. Schilling on all Washington Parish School Board bank accounts, and terminate the withdrawal privileges of Earle R. Brown, effective February 1, 1994. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board authorize withdrawal privileges for Dr. Guy V. Schilling on all Washington Parish School Board bank accounts, and terminate the withdrawal privileges of Earle R. Brown, effective February 1, 1994. Motion carried unanimously.
At the request of Superintendent Brown, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the following item be added to the agenda: Authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of 30 Desktop Computers for Franklinton Jr. High School (to be purchased with grant from American Honda). Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of 30 Desktop Computers for Franklinton Jr. High School (to be purchased with grant from American Honda). Motion carried unanimously. The Board will advertise February 2, 9, and 16, 1994, and bids will be accepted until 6:30 P.M., March 10, 1994, at which time they will be opened and considered during the regularly scheduled board meeting.
In response to a concern expressed by Mr. Jimmie Corkern at the January 13, 1994, board meeting regarding bad music being played during a Franklinton High School basketball tournament, Superintendent Brown reported that the policy manual had been researched, and no policy was found relating to music being played at school functions. The Board determined that this matter would be discussed at the February 7, 1994, committee meeting.
Agenda Item #6 - Other business from board members
All board members expressed appreciation to Superintendent Brown for his many years of dedicated service to the Washington Parish School System.
Dr. Guy Schilling, newly appointed Interim Superintendent, thanked the Board for the vote of confidence and expressed the desire to work with the Board toward making the Washington Parish School System a better system.
Following some words of appreciation for Superintendent Brown from several individuals in attendance, President Bateman declared the meeting adjourned.
BOB D. BATEMAN, PRESIDENT
EARLE R. BROWN, SECRETARY