Franklinton, Louisiana

September 22, 1994

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 Ned 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 John Dawsey. 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 September 8, 1994, board meeting.

 

It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the September 8, 1994, board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #3 - Discuss and take appropriate action concerning Special Education IDEA and Pre-School Budget Revisions for the 1994-95 fiscal year.

 

It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board approve the Special Education Pre-School Budget Revision for the 1994-95 fiscal year, as presented and recommended by Dr. Pamela Williford, Supervisor, Special Education. Motion carried unanimously.

 

It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by John Dawsey, that the Board approve the Special Education IDEA Budget Revision for the 1994-95 fiscal year, as presented and recommended by Dr. Pamela Williford. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #4 - Consider a motion to loan Pine School $17,985.00 for completing repairs, with the loan being paid back at a rate of 5% each year of their Maintenance and Operation allocation. (Note: The Board agreed to change Agenda Item #4 to read "$17,985.00", rather than $29,000.00, which was the original amount indicated on Agenda Item #4.)

 

Upon the request of Ed Deas, Principal, Pine School, it was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Elaine Whaley, that the Board loan Pine School $17,985.00 for completing repairs, with the loan being paid back at a rate of 5% each year of their Maintenance and Operation allocation. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #5 - Discuss and take appropriate action concerning Personnel Adjustments.

 

Following review of Personnel Adjustments by Freddie Jefferson, Acting Assistant Superintendent, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Franklinton Elementary School Clerk position be removed from the Personnel Adjustments and voted on separately. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, Harold Smith, B. H. Barker, and Bob Bateman. OPPOSED: Susanne Jones and Elaine Whaley. ABSTENTION: Richard N. Thomas. Motion carried.

 

It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by John Dawsey, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments:

 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

 

RESIGNATION :

 

Adult Education:  Mae H. Barnes, Part-time Adult Education Teacher, Resignation effective September 12, 1994.

 

Central Office:  Frank Green, Acting Supervisor of Maintenance, Resignation effective October 31, 1994.

 

RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:

 

Franklinton Schools:  James R. Rushing, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective November 2, 1994.

 


TERMINATION:

 

Franklinton Jr. High School:  Roland Pigott, Food Service Porter, Terminate employment effective September 21, 1994 (failed to report to work).

 

REQUEST FOR LEAVE:

 

Special Education Office:  Amanda Dillon, Pupil Appraisal Clerk, Sick Leave effective October 24, 1994, through November 4, 1994 (10 days), and Extended Sick Leave effective November 7, 1994, through December 2, 1994 (15 days) for a total of 25 days.

 

Central Office:  Tracey L. Bickham, Switchboard Operator/Receptionist Clerk, Sick Leave effective October 3, 1994, through January 31, 1995 (74 days).

 

EMPLOY:

 

Varnado High School:   Helen Peters, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective September 26, 1994.

 

Central Office:  Carritha Young, Switchboard Operator/Receptionist Clerk, effective September 26, 1994, through January 31, 1995 (fill-in for Tracey L. Bickham).

 

Wesley Ray Elementary School:  LaChrisa Carnegie, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective September 26, 1994.

 

Wesley Ray Elementary School:  Tonya Brumfield, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective September 26, 1994.

 

FOR: Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, Harold Smith, B. H. Barker, Susanne Jones, Bob D. Bateman and Richard N. Thomas. OPPOSED: Elaine Whaley. Motion carried.

 

It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by John Dawsey, that the Board employ S. Chris Forbes as School Clerk, Franklinton Elementary School, effective September 26, 1994. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, Bob D. Bateman, Susanne Jones and Elaine Whaley. OPPOSED: B. H. Barker and Harold Smith. ABSTENTION: Richard N. Thomas. Motion carried.

 

Mr. Barker stated his reason for asking that these personnel adjustments be separated was that there were other persons involved who are school employees. "We keep them on part-time jobs - college-trained graduates - who are able to fill in and do the job . . . We bypass them, and I don't think that's fair . . . I think that this Board owes something to our part-time employees." Mr. Barker further stated he wanted to register his complaint.

 

Mr. Jefferson requested permission to add the following item to the agenda:

 

Employ: Varnado High School - Luvenia Jenkins, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective September 26, 1994. It was moved by Elaine Whaley, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that this item be added to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Elaine Whaley, that the Board employ Luvenia Jenkins as Special Education Paraprofessional at Varnado High School, effective September 26, 1994 (call back). Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #6 - Superintendent's Report.

 

Superintendent Coleman reported that, due to water pump problems at Mt. Hermon School, classes would not be held at Mt. Hermon School on Friday, September 23, 1994.

 

President Bateman stated Ed Martina had requested to address the Board in order to answer any questions the Board may have regarding a cafeteria plan. It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Jimmie Corkern, that the Board add this request to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Martina reiterated some of the statements he had made to the Board during his presentation on August 11, 1994. He stated that AFLAC is not an insurance agency, a plan administrator, or a third party administrator, but that AFLAC is the largest supplemental insurance company in the world. AFLAC will implement a cafeteria plan for the Board. AFLAC will do the Board's bill compliance work, keep the Board in line with regulations and keep employees informed of any changes or updates in policies. AFLAC will hold the Board harmless as far as any claims arising from the company's policies. Superintendent Coleman asked Mr. Martina why the company hasn't signed the hold harmless agreement drawn up by Attorney Kuhn. Mr. Martina replied that his company submitted a hold harmless agreement that gave the Board even more protection than the one drawn up by Mr. Kuhn. Mr. Kuhn stated that several differences in the two hold harmless agreements had been cleared up. He further stated that the real issue seems to be whether the Board wants a third party administrator to administer a cafeteria plan, or whether the Board wants a service provider to make a cafeteria plan available to the Board, with the Board being responsible for the operation and administration of the plan. Following further discussion, Mr. Martina was asked to provide a list of school systems who have the AFLAC cafeteria plan in their system in order for these systems to be contacted to see who is administering their cafeteria plan. President Bateman asked, with no objections from the Board, that Superintendent Coleman and staff, along with Attorney Kuhn, investigate the differences and what direction the Board should take. This will be discussed at the next committee meeting.

 

Agenda Item #7 - Other business from board members.

 

Sue Jones stated that board members would be receiving copies of the Washington Parish Parent Advisory Committee Bylaws for discussion at the next committee meeting.

 

In response to an inquiry by B. H. Barker, Superintendent Coleman reported that Sullivan Vo-Tech night classes may be held at Franklinton Jr. High School beginning in approximately two weeks. Details are presently being worked out with Mr. Michael Murphy, Director, Sullivan Vo-Tech. Mr. Barker requested that the Board identify the problems encountered at Franklinton High School, which prevented vo-tech classes from being held at that location. Superintendent Coleman and Mr. Barker will discuss this matter with Mr. Murphy.

 

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

 

BOB D. BATEMAN, PRESIDENT

 

ROBERT L. COLEMAN, SECRETARY