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 Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the March 10, 1994, board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #1 -Consider engaging the services of KPMG Peat Marwick to perform the audits for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1994, June 30, 1995, and June 30, 1996
Upon the recommendation of Ms. Beth Fussell, Chief Accountant & Operations Manager, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board authorize Superintendent Guy V. Schilling to sign the contract engaging the services of KPMG Peat Marwick to perform the audits for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1994, June 30, 1995, and June 30, 1996, at a fee of $26,500 for 1994, $27,000 for 1995, and $27,500 for 1996. FOR: John Dawsey, Harold Smith, B. H. Barker, Susanne Jones, Bob Bateman, Richard N. Thomas, and Elaine Whaley. OPPOSED: Jimmie Corkern. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #2 - Presentation by Dr. Pamela Williford, Supervisor, Special Education
Dr. Williford recognized the following individuals who were recipients of various grants/honors:
$500 Special Grants for Classroom Projects:
Ethel Ogborne - Franklinton Jr. High School
Gary Slade - Franklinton Elementary School (not present)
Freida Matschnig - Thomas Jr. High School
Ricky Payne - Thomas Jr. High School
National Gardening 1994 Youth Gardens Grants Program:
Steve Knight - Pine School
Honorable Mention - Louisiana School Boards Association Artwork Contest:
Jeremy Williamson, Student, Angie Jr. High School
Agenda Item #3 - Personnel and Transportation Adjustments
President Bateman stated this item would be held until last, if there were no objections. There were none.
Agenda Item #4 - Superintendent's Report
1. The date for the Louisiana School Boards Association training for board members was confirmed for April 19, 1994, at 5:30 P.M., at the Franklinton High School Library.
2. At the request of Superintendent Schilling, it was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider sabbatical leave request from Gail Stiles, Regular Teacher. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Schilling reviewed the request and existing unusual circumstances. The request was for sabbatical leave for rest and recuperation effective March 17, 1994, through May 31, 1994, and August 15, 1994, through October 11, 1994 - I semester. Dr. Schilling shared with the Board a legal opinion obtained from the State Department of Education - Legal Counsel which stated there were no legal impediments to a school board granting such a sabbatical leave under the conditions described. Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Schilling, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Jimmie Corkern, that the Board grant Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective March 17, 1994, through May 31, 1994, and August 15, 1994, through October 11, 1994, to Gail Stiles, Regular Teacher, Enon Elementary School, but that the Board not set a precedent in doing so. Motion carried unanimously.
3. At the request of Superintendent Schilling, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by John Dawsey, that the following item be added to the agenda: Adopt Proclamation declaring April as Child Search/ChildNet Month in Louisiana. Motion carried unanimously.
Following the reading of the proclamation by Superintendent Schilling, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Jimmie Corkern, that the Board adopt a proclamation declaring April as Child Search/ChildNet Month in Louisiana. Motion carried unanimously.
President Bateman declared a five-minute recess.
Agenda Item #3 - Personnel and Transportation Adjustments
Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Superintendent Schilling, were reviewed by Mr. Freddie Jefferson, Assistant Superintendent. President Bateman stated that personnel items would be voted on individually, but first a vote would be taken on the Transportation Adjustments.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the following Transportation Adjustments be approved as presented:
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Enon Elementary School: Extend the route of Gilda McCain 1.9 miles one way due to detour (road repair in progress). Effective date: March 3, 1994.
Pine School: Extend the route of Nelester Tate 6.0 miles one way due to detour (bridge out). Effective date: February 3, 1994.
Pine School: Extend the route of Cage Williams 6.0 miles one way due to detour (bridge out). Effective date: February 3, 1994.
Motion carried unanimously.
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by Harold Smith, that the following Personnel Adjustment be approved:
Retirement Resignation:
Franklinton Elementary School: Dorothy Sumrall, Lunchroom Work( Retirement Resignation effective March 31, 1994.
Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by John Dawsey, that the followin Personnel Adjustment be approved:
Request for Leave:
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Vicki H. Boone, Regular Teacher, Sick Leave effective April 6, 1994, through April 21, 1994 (1/2 day) - 11 1/2 days, and Extended Si Leave effective April 21, 1994 (~ day), through May 13, 1994 16 1/2 days, for a total of 28 days
Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by Harold Smith, that the following Personnel Adjustment be approved:
Employ:
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Haley O'Quin, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective April 4, 1994, and for the remainder of the 1993-94 school year only.
Motion carried unanimously.
Personnel Item:
Employ:
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Tammy Eubanks, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective April 4, 1994, and for the remainder of the 1993-94 school year .only.
It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by B. H. Barker, that Ms. Eubanks' name be stricken from the employment list due to previous work records. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, Harold Smith, B. H. Barker, Susanne Jones, Bob Bateman and Elaine Whaley. OPPOSED: Richard N. Thomas. Motion carried.
It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by Susanne Jones, that Patricia Seals' name be added to the Personnel Adjustments for employment as Special Education Paraprofessional, Wesley Ray Elementary School, effective April 4, 1994, and for the remainder of the 1993-94 school year only. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, Harold Smith, B. H. Barker, Susanne Jones, Bob Bateman, and Elaine Whaley. OPPOSED: Richard N. Thomas. Motion carried.
It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by B. H. Barker, that Mr. Jason Marks' request to address the Board on the topic of insurance requirement for all school gyms be added to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Marks asked if it was a requirement that organizations which want to rent school facilities must have insurance. Superintendent Schilling reviewed the existing Board policy regarding the use of school facilities by outside groups. One of the requirements is that any group using a school facility must provide proof of liability insurance. Mr. Marks and several board members expressed concern about the policy being administered fairly. Superintendent Schilling stated the present policy is not being consistently enforced across the parish. Dr. Schilling and Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, were asked to contact the Board's insurance company regarding liability coverage for activities other than those that are school-related. President Bateman stated that present Board policy should be followed until such time it was changed by the Board. The Board agreed to further discuss this policy at the April 4, 1994, committee meeting.
Agenda Item #5 - Other business from board members
President Bateman announced that Townley & Watson Consulting Firm will be in the parish April 4 & 5, 1994, to meet with various school and community groups in order to build a profile for the new superintendent. A community meeting will be held April 4, 1994, at 7:30 P.M., at Franklinton Elementary School. President Bateman called a committee meeting for April 5, 1994, at 7:00 P.M., to meet with Townley & Watson Consulting Firm.
President Bateman made the following Board response to the requests of United School Employees of Washington Parish made at the March 10, 1994, board meeting:
"At our March 10th meeting, the United School Employees of Washington Parish asked the Board to respond to three (3) questions or areas of concern. On the question of the tax renewal election, of course this system wants the endorsement of the USEWP, as it does all employees and employee groups. This should not be a question that needs an answer. Any and all help and donations will be greatly appreciated by this system and its children. We ask that any group or individual that desires to donate their time or money to this tax renewal effort to please contact Dr. Schilling so that we may coordinate our efforts.
On the question of collective bargaining, the USEWP came to the Board last year on the issue of a collective bargaining election. At that time, this Board voted unanimously not to grant collective bargaining, and our position has not changed.
On the question of salary increases for the employees of the Washington Parish School System, the Washington Parish School Board or a committee of this Board will meet with a representative group of all employees to discuss all finances of this system. We will do our best to schedule this meeting as soon as possible. We ask for your understanding and patience during the next several months due to the fact that our superintendent search and the tax renewal effort is taking a lot of our time."
On motion by John Dawsey, seconded by B. H. Barker, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned.
BOB D. BATMAN, PRESIDENT
SCHILLING, SECRETARY