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 Harold Smith, seconded by B. 11. Barker, that the Board adopt the minutes of the April 28, 1994, board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously. (Susanne Jones and Elaine Whaley were absent for this vote.)
President Bateman stated he had two requests to address the Board Mrs. Jennifer Robinson regarding no Afro-American cheerleaders, and Mr. Wilton Moses regarding problems in the Varnado School District. It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by Harold Smith, that Mrs. Robinson's request be added to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. (Note: Mr. Moses addressed the Board later in the meeting.) Mrs. Robinson was concerned that no blacks were chosen for the cheerleading squad at Thomas Jr. High School for the second straight year. Mrs. Robinson stated that, if the girls are judged by points and blacks cannot score high enough, why can't something be done to raise the black girls' points. President Bateman asked Thomas Jr. High School Principal William R. Brignac, Jr., to address the Board regarding the procedure followed in selection of cheerleaders. Mr. Brignac stated that everything was handled according to Board policy. He asked Mrs. Luella Jackson, one of the judges, to address the Board. Mrs. Jackson explained the composition of the committee (2 blacks and 2 whites) and the process used in selecting the required six (6) cheerleaders and one (1) alternate. She stated that the girls were selected on the basis of performance and skills; they did not look at any particular color. It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the Board allow Norma Bickham to address the Board on the issue of cheerleaders. Motion carried unanimously. Mrs. Bickham stated that other students told the black girls they didn't need to try out because they would not be chosen. Mr. Brignac agreed to consider Board Member Jones' suggestion of scheduling a week of cheerleading practice prior to try-outs. President Bateman encouraged the principal and parents to work together. He stated that from what he had seen at this meeting, Board policy was followed. He thanked all parties involved for their participation and attendance at this meeting.
Agenda Item #1 - Open and consider bids received for the purchase of School Supplies for the 1994-95 school year
It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board open and consider bids received for the purchase of School Supplies for the 1994-95 school year. Motion carried unanimously. Bids from the following vendors were opened by President Bateman: (1) Home Oil Co., Inc., Wichita, Kansas; (2) Pelican Office Supply, Baton Rouge, LA; (3) Leader Printing & Office Supplies, Inc., Franklinton, LA; (4) Venable Office Equipment, Kentwood, LA; (5) A to Z Paper Co., Inc., New Orleans, LA; (6) Rowley Company, New Orleans, LA; (7) Louisiana Teachers Supply, Inc., West Monroe, LA; (8) Delta Printing Co., Inc., Bogalusa, LA - Bid not acceptable - accompanied by company check and not a certified check, cashier's check or bid bond, as required in specifications; (9) Carolina Ribbon, Greensboro, North Carolina; (10) Chaselle, Inc., Columbia, Maryland; (11) Modern Office Supply, Inc., Amite, LA; ( 12) Alpha Of f ice and Educational, Inc. , Arabi, LA; ( 13) Prairie Carbon & Ribbon, Larrabee, Iowa. It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the bids be referred to the Business Office for review and recommendation at the May 19, 1994, board meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #2 - Consider adoption of Personnel Accountability Revisions
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by John Dawsey, that the Board adopt the Personnel Accountability Revisions as presented by Frank Green, Supervisor. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #3 - Consider revision of policy on the composition of Administrative Selection Committee
Following review of the present policy and the proposed revision by Mr. Freddie Jefferson, Assistant Superintendent, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the following revision to Policy CGD-P - Selection of Administrative Personnel Procedures - be adopted, as recommended by Mr. Jefferson (revision shown in bold print):
A. An in-parish selection committee will be formed to interview all qualified applicants. The committee shall be composed of the following:
1. Two (2) teachers, one (1) black and one (1) white. Each school principal and faculty shall choose two (2) teachers, one (1) black and one (1) white. The Superintendent and supervisory staff will make the final selection of one (1) black teacher and one (1) white teacher from those chosen by each principal and faculty.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #4 -Authorize advertisement for the position of School Food Service Supervisor
Upon the recommendation of Mr. Freddie Jefferson, Assistant Superintendent, it was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize advertisement, statewide, for the position of School Food Service Supervisor, with application period beginning May 9, 1994, and ending May 24, 1994. Motion carried unanimously. Notices will be posted at the central office and each parish school, with advertisement in the Official Journal May 11 & 18, 1994. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest, resume' and transcript of college credits to Mr. Jefferson. Three years of experience in the applicant's area of specialty is required. Mr. Jefferson hopes to have a recommendation for the first board meeting in June.
Agenda Item #5 - Personnel and Transportation Adjustments
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Schilling, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments, as presented by Mr. Freddie Jefferson, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
REQUEST FOR LEAVE:
Enon Elementary School: Linda Jones, Lunchroom Worker, Extended Sick Leave Without Pay effective April 25, 1994, through May 31, 1994.
Motion carried unanimously. There were no Transportation Adjustments.
Agenda Item #6 - Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Schilling informed the Board that canvassing the April 30th tax renewal election returns will be on the agenda for the May 19, 1994, board meeting.
Request to Address the Board
It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by B. H. Barker, that Mt. Wilton Moses be allowed to address the Board regarding problems in the Varnado School District. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Moses asked that the Board's student transfer policy be defined and he asked if the Board is in compliance with the policy. He stated that approximately 100 students are going to Pine School who should be attending schools in the Varnado and Angie School Districts. He stated these schools need the students back because the schools are being cheated out of per pupil funding. He asked if the Board is not in compliance, when will it be in compliance. Mr. Moses stated that he and other concerned citizens are planning to do whatever is called for to change this situation, even if it means going across the lake to see the judge.
Another area of concern for Mr. Moses was the lack of covered walkways at Varnado High School and numerous leaks at Varnado Elementary School.
He requested that the Board make a loan to Varnado High School for construction of a covered walkway to the cafeteria, like it recently did for Pine School to get lights for the football field. Mr. Moses asked that this be accomplished prior to the beginning of the 1994-95 school year.
Mr. Jefferson stated that Mr. Fornea (Principal, Varnado Elementary School) plans to have a roofing job done this summer. President Bateman suggested that a citizen representative meet with Mr. Frank Green, Maintenance Supervisor, and Board Member Dawsey to look at problem areas. Mr. Green agreed to meet with the principal and Mr. Moses Friday (5/6/94), if it could be arranged with the principal, to address these concerns.
Regarding student transfers, Superintendent Schilling stated there are existing policies that govern student transfers. There was a provision in the last court order that provided for certain exceptions under certain conditions, where students could attend schools out of their attendance zones. During the month of May every year, parents have an opportunity to submit official transfer requests to Supervisor Anthony Triola's office, and these requests are considered. Dr. Schilling stated that principals are required to know whether or not students are eligible to attend their schools. Mr. Barker commented that there are people crossing lines without following the proper administrative procedures. Dr. Schilling stated that some principals had remarked to him that the Board hasn't shown any perpensity to really want to rigidly enforce this policy. Mr. Barker commented that, if it is made known that a student is going out of his school district without permission from the Board, the principal should be held accountable, and the per pupil amount of money that is allotted to that student will be given back to the school he should be attending. President Bateman suggested that the Board discuss this matter at the next committee meeting on June 6, 1994. Mr. Barker requested that principals and Anthony Triola be asked to attend the committee meeting.
Agenda Item #7 - Other business from board members
President Bateman informed everyone that Mr. Hoyt Watson will be here on May 15th to bring to the Board the names and paperwork of the five (5) finalists for the position of Superintendent. Interviews will be conducted May 16th through 20th. A board meeting will be scheduled for Saturday morning (5/21/94), if it is needed. A press release will be out shortly, which will give more information.
President Bateman congratulated the Franklinton High School baseball team on winning two play-off games thus far.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Jimmie Corkern, that the Board send a letter of congratulations to the Principal and Staff of Franklinton Jr. High School for the outstanding work that has been demonstrated in the implementation of the Project PreTech Computer Lab. Motion carried unanimously.
On motion by John Dawsey, seconded by Harold Smith, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned.
BOB D. BATEMAN, PRESIDENT
GUY VON SCHILLING, SECRETARY