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.
Agenda Item #1 - Opening of meeting.
The meeting was called to order by President Bateman. Invocation was given by Matthew Tate. President Bateman welcomed the news media, School Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn and guests.
Agenda Item #2 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the August 11, 1994, board meeting.
It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by John Dawsey, that the Board adopt the minutes of the August 11, 1994, board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #3 - Consider a motion to hold a Public Hearing on the General Fund Budget for 1994-95.
Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by Harold Smith, that the General Fund Budget for 1994-95 be reviewed at the regularly scheduled committee meeting on September 6, 1994, beginning at 6:00 P.M., and that the Board hold a Public Hearing on the General Fund Budget for 1994-95 on Thursday, September 8, 1994, at 6:00 P.M., at the School Board Office. Motion carried unanimously. Adoption of the budget will be an agenda item at the regularly scheduled board meeting, which will follow at 6:30 P.M.
Agenda Item #4 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding entering into agreements with the following contractors to provide services to Washington Parish School Board, Special Education Department: Dr. James L. Bradford, Meshell Barker, Dr. Richard 0. Bessent, Dr. Stephen R. Meyer, Dr. George Ellis and Ed Desporte.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board enter into agreements with the following contractors:
(A) Dr. James L. Bradford, licensed Otolaryngologist, for the period July 1, 1994, through June 30, 1995 - Provide otolaryngological examinations and physical medical examinations to specified students referred by the Director/Supervisor of Special Educational Services of the Washington Parish School System. The School Board will reimburse the contractor a sum of $45.00 per case requiring a physicians medical examination, and $45.00 per case requiring an otolaryngological examination only;
(B) Meshell Barker, for the period August 1, 1994, through July 1, 1995 - Catherization for a student at Franklinton Elementary School - Contractor will be reimbursed at a rate of $4.75 per hour, up to a maximum of $900.00;
(C) Dr. Richard 0. Bessent, licensed Ophthalmologist, and Dr. Stephen R. Meyer, licensed Ophthalmologist, for the period July 1, 1994, through June 30, 1995 - Provide ophthalmological examinations to students referred by the Washington Parish School System, Special Education Department. The School Board will reimburse the contractor a sum of $50.00 for each examination and report;
(D) Dr. George Ellis, a licensed Pediatric Ophthalmologist, for the period August 1, 1994, through July 1, 1995 - Provide pediatric ophthalmologist examinations to students referred by the Washington Parish School System, Special Education Department. The School Board will reimburse the contractor a sum of $75.00 for each examination and repor t.
(E) Mr. Ed Desporte, a licensed Audiologist, for the period August 1, 1994, through July 1, 1995 - Provide audiological examinations and Impedance measurements to designated students referred by the Director/Supervisor of Special Educational Services for the Washington Parish School System. The School Board will reimburse the contractor a sum of $40.00 per case requiring an audiological examinations and Impedance measurements to designated students referred by the Director/Supervisor of Special Educational Services for the Washington Parish School System. The School Board will reimburse the contractor a sum of $40.00 per case requiring an audiological examination, and $27.00 for students requiring an Impedance measurement when deemed necessary.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Discuss and take appropriate action concerning repair of Franklinton High School Stadium.
The Board heard a presentation by Robert Crain, who identified himself as a taxpayer, parent, and booster of Franklinton High School football. Mr. Crain presented a list of repairs and renovations needed at Franklinton High School stadium, along with price quotations for the work. Repairs of an emergency nature included fencing around and inside the stadium, steam cleaning the stadium structure, and the seating area. Principal Beverly Young asked the Board to consider these repairs as an emergency situation. It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by B. H. Barker, that "these be followed through and carried out." Superintendent Coleman asked Frank Green, Maintenance Supervisor, to report on his survey of the stadium and identify those items that could not be taken care of by the maintenance crew. It was determined that contractors would be needed for the fence repairs ($1,000), roof repairs to a dressing room (cost undetermined), and steam cleaning the stadium structure ($2,400). Mr. Green stated that all the repairs could not be accomplished within the next two weeks, when the first game is scheduled, but enough of the work could be completed to make it a safe facility. Following further discussion, it was suggested by Superintendent Coleman that the Board proceed with contracting for fence repairs for $1,000, steam cleaning for approximately $2,400, and purchase of paint for $442 (painting to be done by volunteers), for a total of $3,842.00, and take this amount from the $25,477.00 balance in contingency funds at Franklinton High School. Mr. Corkern stated his motion was to take $3,842.00 out of Franklinton High School contingency funds to repair the fence, steam clean the stadium structure and purchase paint for the Franklinton High School stadium. Mr. Barker seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to employ Sheila Ann Meyers, R.N., as Special Education School Nurse.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the board employ Sheila Ann Meyers, R.N., as Special Education School Nurse. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to employ the part-time school clerks at Franklinton High School and Mt. Hermon School as full-time school clerks.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board employ the part-time school clerks at Franklinton High School and Mt. Hermon School as full-time school clerks. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, Harold Smith and B. H. Barker. OPPOSED: John Dawsey, Susanne Jones, Bob Bateman, Richard N. Thomas and Elaine Whaley. Motion failed.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action concerning Personnel Adjustments.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments, as presented by Freddie Jefferson, Acting Assitant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Enon Elementary School: Clarice Jones, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective August 31, 1994.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
Franklinton Primary School: Jaqueline D. Peters, Special Education Teacher, Sick Leave effective September 20, 1994, through October 4, 1994 (11 days), and Extended Sick Leave effective October 5, 1994, through November 3, 1994 (19 days), for a total of 30 days.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Thomas Jr. High School: Freida Matschnig, Special Education Teacher, effective August 15, 1994, and for the 1994-95 school year only (TTA), to Special Education Teacher, effective August 15, 1994 (now certified).
CHANGE IN TEACHING ASSIGNMENT:
Varnado Elementary School: Janice W. Campbell, Regular Teacher, to Special Education Teacher, effective Aug
-95 school year August 29, 1994, and for the 1994 only (TTA).
TRANSFER:
Judy Carter, Special Education Teacher, Pine High School, to Academically Gifted Teacher, Varnado Elementary School, Varnado High School, and Pine High School, effective August 29, 1994.
Michael Dillon, Custodian, Franklinton Primary School, to Custodian, Central Office, effective September 1, 1994.
Iris Fornea, Teacher for Model Early Childhood Program - 8(g), Thomas Jr. High School, to Teacher for Chapter I Four-Year Old Program, Thomas Jr. High School, effective August 15, 1994.
Annie Eloise Galloway, Paraprofessional for Model Early Childhood Program 8(g), Thomas Jr. High School, to Paraprofessional for Chapter I Four-Year Old Program, Thomas Jr. High School, effective August 15, 1994.
Jacquelyn Lambert, Special Education Teacher, Varnado Elementary School, to Special Education Teacher, Enon Elementary School, effective August 29, 1994 (TTA).
EMPLOY:
Enon Elementary School: Dinah Corkern, Special Education Teacher, effective August 15, 1994, and for the 1994-95 school year only (TTA).
Thomas Jr. High School: Penny Kennedy, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective August 29, 1994, and for the remainder of the 1994-95 school year only.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Superintendent's Report.
Superintendent Coleman reported on the search for a Head Football Coach/ Athletic Director for Franklinton High School. Several promising prospects have stated they do not want to take such a position so close to the start of the season. They would not have time to improve on the football team. Several prospects expressed interest in the position in January Therefore Superintendent Coleman and Principal Beverly Young have decided, if the Board agrees, to go through the season with the Interim Coach, and seek a Head Football Coach/Athletic Director around mid-term.
Agenda Item #10 - Other business from board members.
At the request of President Bateman, it was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider requests for student transfers. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Elaine Whaley, that a request for a student's transfer from Enon Elementary School to Franklinton Elementary School due to hardship, and a request for a student's transfer from Wesley Ray Elementary School to Pine School due to hardship be granted. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Freddie Jefferson reported a good school opening. Enrollment this date was 4,904, which is down 290 students from the maximum number of enrollees during the 93/94 school year.
Ms. Beverly Young stated she had submitted a request to address the Board about clarification. President Bateman stated her request was "clarification on office employees," which referred to something Mr. Coleman stated; therefore, Mr. Coleman needed to discuss this with Ms. Young. President Bateman ruled that Ms. Young could not address the Board. Jimmie Corkern offered a motion to object to the ruling of the Chair, and his motion was seconded by B. H. Barker. Mr. Barker stated a "Request to Address the Board " form had been submitted by Ms. Young, and the topic was "Clarification on office employees Mr. Coleman said Franklinton High School has." Mr. Barker stated he saw no reason why she could not come before the Board. Superintendent Coleman read the request Ms. Young submitted, as follows: "Clarification on office employees Mr. Coleman said Franklinton High School has. Presently we have I fulltime assistant principal, 1 l/2 time secretaries. We must have the half full-time. Please re-consider." Mr. Coleman stated he said Franklinton High School is alloted a half-time assistant principal (as recommended by the Southern Association), and they have I full-time assistant principal. They have I Guidance Counselor, with an allotment of 1, and I full-time and I half-time school clerk, with an allotment of 2 full-time clerks. Overall, total office employees equals total allotment, as recommended by the Southern Association. The vote on Mr. Corkern's motion was, as follows: FOR: Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, Harold Smith, B. H. Barker, Richard N. Thomas and Susanne Jones. OPPOSED: Bob Bateman. ABSTAINING: Elaine Whaley. Motion carried. Therefore, Ms. Young was allowed to address the Board. Ms. Young stated she would like for the Board to reconsider the employment of half-time position of the clerical worker at Mr. Hermon School, as well as Franklinton High School, on the basis that these are the two largest schools, and the help is critically needed. It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the part-time school clerks at Franklinton High School and Mt. Hermon School be made fulltime clerks. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, Harold Smith and B. H. Barker. OPPOSED: John Dawsey, Susanne Jones, Bob D. Bateman, Richard N. Thomas and Elaine Whaley. Motion failed.
On motion by John Dawsey, the meeting was declared adjourned.
BOB D. BATEMAN, PRESIDENT
ROBERT L. COLEMAN, SECRETARY