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, Susanne Jones, Richard N. Thomas and Elaine Whaley. Absent: Bringier H. Barker.
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 October 13, 1994, board meeting.
It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, 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 - Report from KPMG Peat Marwick, Certified Public Accountants, regarding the 1993-94 audit of general purpose financial statements.
Mr. Joey Richard, Audit Partner, reviewed the audit report with the Board. His review included Peat Marwick's responsibilities in the audit and comments regarding the various financial statements that were examined. The report stated, "We (Peat Marwick) conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the general purpose financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the general purpose financial statements present fairly, in all material aspects, the financial position of the School Board at June 30, 1994, and the results of its operations and the cash flows of its proprietary fund type for the year then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles."
Ms. Beth Fussell, Chief Accountant and Operations Manager, thanked employees in the central office for contributing to the success of the audit.
Agenda Item #4 - Report from Durden and Alonzo, Certified Public Accountants, regarding audits of school activity accounts at Enon Elementary School, Franklinton Jr. High School, Franklinton High School and Varnado High School.
William R. Durden and Donna W. Alonzo presented the following audit reports to the Board: SEE ATTACHED. Following the presentation and discussion, President Bateman requested that Superintendent Coleman and the accounting department review the audit findings, meet with the principals to review procedures and discuss problems, and make a report, including recommendations, to the Board at the first meeting in December.
President Bateman stated he had a request from Wayne McElveen to address the Board regarding audits for Washington Parish Schools. It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board allow Mr. McElveen to speak and address questions to Mr. William Durden regarding the audits of the schools. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by Harold Smith, that Mr. Durden be allowed to answer Mr. McElveen's questions, upon no objection from Mr. Durden. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. McElveen asked several questions regarding accounting and bookkeeping records at the four audited schools, transfer of funds from one account to another, and responsibility at the school level for missing funds.
Agenda Item #5 - Discuss and take appropriate action concerning Personnel and Transportation Adjustments.
It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board approve the following Transportation Adjustments:
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton Schools: Extend the route of Robert Mizell 1.6 miles one way to pick up Rhonda and Krystal Williams. Effective date: October 17, 1994.
Varnado, High School: Extend the route of Mary K. Knight 4.5 miles one way to pick up a special education student. Effective date: October 10, 1994.
Motion carried unanimously. There were no Personnel Adjustments.
Agenda Item #6 - Superintendent's report.
Superintendent Coleman stated he had no items to report to the Board.
President Bateman stated he had a request from Beverly Young to address the Board regarding a one-half time lunchroom technician for Franklinton High School. It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Jimmie Corkern, that Beverly Young be allowed to address the Board. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Young asked about the status of a request for another parttime technician, for which Franklinton High School is eligible. It was moved by Jimmie Corkern, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board add to the agenda consideration of hiring a temporary part-time school lunch technician at Franklinton High School until Mrs. Marsha Newman, School Food Service Supervisor, reports to the Board on school lunch personnel needs at the November committee meeting. FOR: Jimmie Corkern, John Dawsey, and Harold Smith. OPPOSED: Bob Bateman, Susanne Jones, Richard N. Thomas and Elaine Whaley. Motion failed.
President Bateman stated he had three requests to address the Board regarding transportation and bus routes. It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Jimmie Corkern, that Dennis Downey, Debra Murray and Judy Dale be allowed to address the Board. Motion carried unanimously. President Bateman stated each person would be allowed 5 minutes. Ms. Dale presented a letter to the Board objecting to a recent change in Doug Talley's bus route, which is now started at the end of the route rather than in the middle of the route. The change was made by Anthony Triola, Transportation Supervisor, when a parent objected to his child being picked up first on the route even though he lived in the middle of the route. Ms. Dale's letter included a petition signed by 99% of all families on Mr. Talley's bus route requesting that the route be run as it has since the beginning of school.
Debra Murray stated that her daughter cannot eat breakfast at school since the route has changed, because she arrives at school when the bell rings for classes to begin.
Mr. Downey stated there is a lack of cooperation, and it has been a matter of taking care of the person driving the bus instead of taking care of the children.
Mr. Triola stated that his decision to change the starting point of the route was based primarily on state law that requires bus routes to be designed so that they begin at the farthest point from the school or schools served and proceed on the shortest charted course. Mr. Triola further stated that the established route now adheres to the law, in that it is the most economical route, and it is a safe route.
No motion was offered by a board member to alter the present route, as established by Mr. Triola to comply with state law.
Agenda Item #7 - Other business from board members.
None.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
BOB D. BATEMAN, PRESIDENT
ROBERT L. C, SECRETARY