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 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 22, 1994, board meeting.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adopt the minutes of the September 22, 1994, board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #3 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Fiscal Agency Contract for the period November 1, 1994 - October 31, 1996.
Following a brief review of bids submitted by Washington Bank, First State Bank and Parish National Bank and a recommendation by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board award the contract for Fiscal Agency for the period November 1, 1994, through October 31, 1996, to Parish National Bank. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #4 - Consider renewal of Policy Updating Service with Forethought.
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Coleman, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board renew the Policy Updating Service with Forethought for the period November, 1994, through October, 1995, at a cost of $1,590.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to select a board member to the Discipline Policy Review Committee.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board appoint John Dawsey to the committee. Following an objection by Mt. Dawsey, Mr. Barker withdrew his motion, and Harold Smith withdrew his second. It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board appoint Elaine Whaley to serve on the Discipline Policy Review Committee. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, Harold Smith, B. H. Barker, Susanne Jones, Bob Bateman and Richard N. Thomas. OPPOSED: Elaine Whaley. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to appoint a plan administrator or a third party administrator for the Washington Parish School Board Cafeteria Plan.
President Bateman stated he had two requests to address the Board on this issue -- one from Jim Pierce and one from Mark Kebadeaux. It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board allow these individuals to address the Board. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Pierce read the following letter to the Board: Dear School Board Members:
There seems to be some confusion surrounding the decision of the School Board to have AFLAC implement a Section 125, Premium only cafeteria plan. At the August school board meeting, when four companies made presentations to the Board, I specifically stated that "we were AFLAC, not an agency, brokerage house, or third party administrator." We are the largest (and safest) insurance company writing guaranteed renewable supplemental health insurance to over 80,000 employee groups in the U.S. The Board voted approving AFLAC as the plan implementor. In addition, we agreed to implement a no-cost cafeteria program for participating employees of the Washington Parish School Board in order for employees to take advantage of the tax savings associated with an approved pre-tax plan. The confusion may have begun when the minutes of the meeting were transcribed stating that AFLAC would be the TPA. The hold harmless agreement offered by AFLAC addresses employees who choose to enroll in one of the AFLAC plans. We hold the board harmless for disputes and claims that arise between the policyholder and AFLAC. Our local representatives, Jim Pierce and Hershel Creel, have obligated themselves to provide the best service possible to both the board and the employees. To address the question of a hold harmless agreement signed by a TPA, AFLAC has a licensed third party administrator in Louisiana. Mr. Mark Kebadeaux. of First Financial is present and is prepared to answer your questions so that AFLAC, the company you voted on to provide your supplemental health coverage, may begin the enrollment of any employees who wish to participate in the pre-tax advantages of a cafeteria program offered through First Financial. We are looking forward to serving you and your employees. /Signed/ Ed Martina, Jr., Jim Pierce, Hershel Creel.
Mr. Kebadeaux stated that First Financial is a licensed third party administrator and can work with AFLAC in implementing a cafeteria plan for the system. (He later stated that First Financial can be a plan administrator, also.) First Financial is willing to sign a hold harmless agreement for the compliance aspect of the plan, and AFLAC will sign a hold harmless agreement indemnifying the school board from any claims arising from the company's policies.
Superintendent Coleman stated the Board needs to decide whether it wants a plan administrator or a third party administrator. He further stated that, according to his understanding, a plan administrator is an insurance agency that takes care of all paperwork, and employees can choose any insurance company. A third party administrator doesn't sell insurance; it administers the plan, and an insurance committee would select which plans would be offered.
Following a request, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by John Dawsey, that the Board allow Francis Clements of Taylor & Sons Insurance Agency to address the Board regarding this issue. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Clements stated that Taylor & Sons currently serves as plan administrator for twenty-two Louisiana school systems. If Taylor & Sons were to be selected as plan administrator, all insurance companies currently on payroll could continue marketing their products in the system.
President Bateman asked Superintendent Coleman for a recommendation. Superintendent Coleman stated that, after much thought, he would recommend the Board appoint a plan administrator. It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by John Dawsey, that the Board accept Superintendent Coleman's recommendation of a plan administrator. FOR: B. H. Barker, John Dawsey, Harold Smith, Susanne Jones, Richard N. Thomas and Bob Bateman. OPPOSED: Elaine Whaley and Jimmie Corkern. Motion carried. Superintendent Coleman further recommended that Taylor and Sons be appointed plan administrator, since that company is administering the most cafeteria plans in school systems (20 systems out of the approximately 60 systems surveyed). It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that First Financial be appointed plan administrator. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, Elaine Whaley, Richard N. Thomas, John Dawsey and Bob Bateman. OPPOSED: Susanne Jones, Harold Smith and B. H. Barker. Motion carried. The vote was changed to unanimous following Mr. Barker's request for a re-vote to show solidarity.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to reinstate compensation through school lunch funds for Kathy Dykes, Mt. Hermon School, for clerk assistance.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Jimmie Corkern, that the Board reinstate compensation through school lunch funds for Kathy Dykes for clerk assistance at Mt. Hermon School, retroactive to the beginning of the 1994-95 school year. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas and B. H. Barker. OPPOSED: John Dawsey, Susanne Jones, Bob Bateman and Elaine Whaley. Motion failed. Mr. Dawsey asked that Mrs. Marsha Newman, Food Service Supervisor, prepare an updated list of school lunch personnel needs in all schools for the next board meeting and consider reinstatement of Kathy Dvkes' compensation at that time, along with consideration of other needs. Mr. Smith asked that the report be given at the November committee meeting.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to permit Norman McCain to purchase a 1986 60-passenger school bus to replace the 1975 model he is presently driving.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board permit Norman McCain to purchase a 1986 60-passenger school bus to replace the 1975 model he is presently driving. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to modify the Washington Parish School Board Policy Manual to comply with the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994.
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Coleman, it was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the Washington Parish School Board Policy Manual (File: JDE - Expulsion) be modified to comply with the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adopt the Washington Parish Parent Advisory Committee Bylaws.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by John Dawsey, that the Washington Parish Advisory Committee Bylaws, along with the following Resolution, be adopted: WHEREAS, parents are essential participants in the education of their children, and WHEREAS, the education of children extends beyond the home and school and involves the entire community, and WHEREAS, the Washington Parish School Based seeks to broaden and strengthen the involvement of parents in the education of their children and broaden and strengthen community involvement in schools. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Washington Parish School Board hereby supports the establishment of the Washington Parish Parent Advisory Committee for the purpose of creating a partnership uniting schools, parents and all other community members who share particular abilities, knowledge and resources for the benefit of all students. Motion carried unanimously. President Bateman asked Superintendent Coleman to send letters of appreciation to the committee members and Susanne Jones. Mrs. Jones asked that a supervisor be appointed to work with the committee. President Bateman directed Superintendent Coleman to make the appointment.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action concerning Personnel and Transportation Adjustments.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Franklinton High School: Clarice Dianne Corkern, Part-time School Lunch Clerk, Resignation effective October 14, 1994.
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Central Office: Freddie H. Jefferson, Acting Assistant Superintendent/ Supervisor of Vocational Education and Maintenance, Retirement Resignation effective December 30, 1994.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE:
Franklinton Elementary School: Billie Ann Sumrall, Lunchroom Worker, Leave Without Pay effective September 29, 1994, through May 31, 1995.
Varnado Elementary School: Marie G. Hollywood, Regular Teacher, Sick Leave effective October 3, 1994, through October 18, 1994 (12 days), and Extended Sick Leave effective October 24, 1994, through November 4, 1994 (10 days), for a total of 22 days.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Mary M. Speed, Regular Teacher, Sick Leave effective October 5, 1994, through October 14, 1994 (8 days), and Extended Sick Leave effective October 17, 1994, through November 18, 1994 (22 days), for a total of 30 days.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Franklinton Elementary School: Debra Wood, Part-time Food Service Technician, to Full-time Food Service Technician, effective October 17, 1994, through May 31, 1995 (fill-in for Billie Ann Sumrall).
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Elementary School: Janet Burton, Part-time Food Service Technician, effective October 24, 1994, through May 31, 1995 - Pending outcome of physical examination (fill-in for Debra Wood who is filling in full-time for Billie Ann Sumrall).
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Jr. High School: Stacey Garrett, Part-time Food Service Porter, effective October 24, 1994 (pending outcome of physical examination).
Varnado Elementary School: Patricia Maples, Regular Teacher, effective October 14, 1994, through November 4, 1994 (fill-in for Marie Hollywood who is on leave).
Adult Education Center: Flora M. Johnson, Part-time Adult Education Teacher, effective October 18, 1994.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton Schools: Extend the route of Douglas P. Talley .6 mile one way to pick up Mandy Welch. Effective date: September 21, 1994.
Extend the route of Mack Varnado 1.2 miles one way to pick up Chasity and Chance Marx. Effective Date: September 27, 1994.
Special Education: Extend the route of Faye Newman .7 mile one way to pick up three (3) Special Education students. Effective date; September 21, 1994.
Mt. Hermon School: Extend the route of Bob Smith 1.0 mile one way to pick up Ashley Bourgeois. Effective date: September 26, 1994.
Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Jefferson thanked the Board for allowing him to work for the Washington Parish School System the past 38 years.
Agenda Item #12 - Superintendent's Report.
Superintendent Coleman gave copies of ACT statewide score results to board members to make them aware of how Washington Parish ranked.
Superintendent Coleman asked Martha Sumrall, Technology Director, to share some information with the Board. Mrs. Sumrall stated that BellSouth has invited her and board members to attend two conferences to become aware of videos, teleconferencing and networking capabilities that could be implemented in some of our schools in the future. Mr. Corkern asked that Board Member-Elect Karl Bickham be invited to attend in his place.
Agenda Item #13 - Other business from board members.
Jimmie Corkern made a motion, which he later withdrew, to add to the agenda review and study of some of the hiring policies.
For the Board's information, Mrs. Jones named the members of the Steering Committee for the Washington Parish Parent Advisory Committee, as follows: Karl Bickham, Earl Bradley, Dana Truxillo (Chairperson), Alexander Magee, Phyllis Thomas, Paul Crain, Troy Seals and Leonard Oswald.
Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
On motion by John Dawsey, seconded by B. H. Barker, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned
BOB D. BATEMAN, PRESIDENT
ROBERT L. COLEMAN, SECRETARY