The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: President Bob D. Bateman, John Dawsey, Jr., Harold Smith, Bringier H. Barker, Susanne Jones, Richard N. Thomas, and Elaine Whaley. Absent: Jimmie Corkern.
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 November 10, 1994, special board meeting.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the November 10, 1994, special board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #3 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the November 10, 1994, regular board meeting.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board adopt the minutes of the November 10, 1994, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #4 - Consider a motion to amend the Superintendent's contract to conform with original intent.
According to Attorney Kuhn, Superintendent Coleman's original contract clearly revealed his total compensation, but specifically identified the amounts he was to receive as (1) salary, as (2) travel allowance, and as (3) automobile allowance. After reviewing the original contract, the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana decided to discontinue allowing retirement contributions on his travel and automobile allowances identified in that contract. Since it was the intent of the parties that the total earnable compensation of the Superintendent be $72,000, and that contributions be made to Teachers' Retirement System based on the sum of $72,000.00 per year, it was necessary to amend --ae original contract.
It was moved by Bob Bateman, seconded by John Dawsey, that the Board amend the employment contract of Robert L. Coleman, Superintendent, as submitted, as follows: See Attachment #1. FOR: John Dawsey, Susanne Jones, Bob Bateman, Elaine Whaley and B. H. Barker. AGAINST: Harold Smith and Richard N. Thomas. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to set the term of contract for Supervisor of Maintenance and Vocational Education.
It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the Board set the term of contract for William R. Brignac, Jr., Supervisor of Maintenance and. Vocational Education at two (2) years. FOR: John Dawsey, B. H. Barker, Susanne Jones, Bob D. Bateman and Elaine Whaley. AGAINST: Richard N. Thomas. ABSTENTION: Harold Smith. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action concerning appointment of Principal of Thomas Jr. High School.
It was moved by Elaine Whaley, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board appoint Carl Merritt as Principal of Thomas Jr. High School and set the term of contract at two (2) years. FOR: John Dawsey, Harold Smith, Susanne Jones, Bob D. Bateman, Richard N. Thomas and Elaine Whaley. AGAINST: B. H. Barker. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution supporting voluntary prayer in public school system .
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the following resolution: See Attachment #2. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to adopt the schedule of school board meetings for 1995.
It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adopt the following schedule of school board meetings for 1995:
SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS COMMITTEE MEETINGS
January 12, 1995 January 9, 1995
January 24, 1995 (Tuesday)
February 9, 1995 February 6, 1995
March 9, 1995 March 6, 1995
March 23, 1995
April 13, 1995 April 10, 1995
April 27, 1995
May 4, 1995 May 1, 1995
May 18, 1995
June 8, 1995 June 5, 1995
June 22, 1995
July 27, 1995 July 24, 1995
August 10, 1995 August 7, 1995
August 24, 1995
September 14, 1995 September 11, 1995
September 28, 1995
October 12, 1995 October 9, 1995
October 26, 1995
November 9, 1995 November 6, 1995
December 14, 1995 December 11, 1995
Note: Only one (1) regular school board meeting has been scheduled for the months of February, July, November and December, 1995.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to enter into an agreement with Success Counseling to provide mental health services for the Washington Parish School System.
Following review by Dr. Pamela Williford, Supervisor of Special Education, it was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the Board enter into agreement with Success Counseling to provide mental health services for the Washington Parish School System as a pilot program for the remainder of the current school year. FOR: John Dawsey, Harold Smith, B. H. Barker, Susanne Jones and Bob D. Bateman. AGAINST: Richard N. Thomas. ABSTENTION: Elaine Whaley. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to employ Helen Welch to work in the Payroll Department three (3) days per week for a period of eight (8) working weeks.
Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board employ Helen Welch to work in the Payroll Department three (3) days per week for a period of eight (8) working weeks. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action concerning Personnel and Transportation Adjustments.
It was moved by John Dawsey, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments as presented by Supervisor Anthony Triola:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Thomas Jr. High School: Ottis Barber, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective January 5, 1995.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Freda Welch, School Clerk, Retirement Resignation effective January 13, 1995.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE:
Parishwide: Melanie Kennedy, Coordinator/Resource Teacher for Dyslexia and Related Disorders, Sick Leave effective November 29, 1994, through January 25, 1995.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE:
Varnado High School: Jack Bacot, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the Spring semester of the 1994-95 school year (January 14, 1995 - June 1, 1995).
Thomas Jr. High School: Pam Ard, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the Spring semester of the 1994-95 school year (January 14, 1995 - June 1., 1995).
Franklinton Elementary School: Elaine Conerly, Custodian, Extended Sick Leave effective January 3, 1995, through June 1, 1995.
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Elementary School: Sharon Mizell, School Clerk, effective December 12, 1994.
Franklinton High School: Veronica Martin, One-Half Time School Lunch Technician, effective December 13, 1994 (pending outcome of physical exam scheduled for December 12, 1994).
Franklinton High School: Russell E. Phelps, Head Football Coach, effective January 16, 1995.
Franklinton High School: Margaret Phelps, Regular Teacher (English), effective January 16, 1995.
Franklinton Schools: Barbara Sumrall, Bus Operator, effective December 12, 1994 (to fill vacant route of Etta Magee who transferred to another route).
Pine High School: Deana Thomas, One-Half Time School Lunch Porter, effective December 13, 1994 (pending outcome of physical exam scheduled for December 12, 1994).
Varnado Elementary School/Varnado High School: Cary M. Harry, One-Half Time School Lunch Porter, effective December 13, 1994 (pending outcome of physical exam scheduled for December 12, 1994).
Motion carried unanimously. There were no Transportation Adjustments.
Agenda Item #12 - Recognize Aubrey L. Posey.
Mr. Posey presented to each board member a copy of a letter to the Washington Parish School Board from parents and concerned citizens on the subject "Treatment of Students," which he then read to the Board. The letter stated that a grave injustice has been done to nine football players and two trainer/managers at Franklinton High School. These students were eligible to receive football jackets last year, but, due to insufficient funds in the football account, jackets were not ordered until October 24, 1994. The principal had stated that jackets for this season's juniors would not be presented until all the jackets were received. However, on November 29, 1994, the juniors who lettered in football this year were presented jackets at a basketball game, with no explanation as to where the jackets were for the players from the previous year. Jackets for last season's football players arrived on December 2, 1994. The letter stated, "We feel that after all the practices and games that these players have been through, they deserved to be treated as individuals and not have been used for personal gain, to prove points or whatever the "reason" might be. We ask that you as a school board develop procedures that will prevent schools in Washington Parish from discriminating against students in the manner that these players have been treated."
Agenda Item #13 - Superintendent's Report.
Superintendent Coleman presented plaques to outgoing board members Elaine Whaley and Bob D. Bateman. Board member Harold Smith accepted a plaque on behalf of Jimmie Corkern, who was absent due to illness.
Requests to address the Board:
1. Holly James- Subject: Hiring - Unadvertised teaching position Franklinton High School
REQUEST FOR LEAVE:
Varnado High School: Jack Bacot, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the Spring semester of the 1994-95 school year (January 14, 1995 - June 1, 1995).
Thomas Jr. High School: Pam Ard, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the Spring semester of the 1994-95 school year (January 14, 1995 - June 1, 1995).
Franklinton Elementary School: Elaine Conerly, Custodian, Extended Sick Leave effective January 3, 1995, through June 1, 1995.
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Elementary School: Sharon Mizell, School Clerk, effective December 12, 1994.
Franklinton High School: Veronica Martin, One-Half Time School Lunch Technician, effective December 13, 1994 (pending outcome of physical exam scheduled for December 12, 1994).
Franklinton High School: Russell E. Phelps, Head Football Coach, effective January 16, 1995.
Franklinton High School: Margaret Phelps, Regular Teacher (English), effective January 16, 1995.
Franklinton Schools: Barbara Sumrall, Bus Operator, effective December 12, 1994 (to fill vacant route of Etta Magee who transferred to another route).
Pine High School: Deana Thomas, One-Half Time School Lunch Porter, effective December 13, 1994 (pending outcome of physical exam scheduled for December 12, 1994).
Varnado Elementary School/Varnado High School: Cary M. Harry, One-Half Time School Lunch Porter, effective December 13, 1994 (pending outcome of physical exam scheduled for December 12, 1994).
Motion carried unanimously. There were no Transportation Adjustments.
R E S 0 L U T 1 0 N
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States, Article (1) states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."; and
WHEREAS, our Nation was founded upon by many different religious beliefs and ideals of settlers from other countries; and
WHEREAS, our Nation was founded on the freedom of religion and was not founded on the freedom from religion; and
WHEREAS, through time, court decisions and certain interest groups have contributed to the deterioration of those religious beliefs and ideals to the extent that prayer has been banned from the public school system; and
WHEREAS, the Washington Parish School Board strongly believes that reinstitution of 'Prayer in the public schools will move this nation toward those religious ideals and beliefs upon which this nation was founded; and
WHEREAS, the Washington Parish School Board urges all cities and parishes across this state to join in an effort to reinstate prayer in the public schools by passing similar resolutions and uniting in a "grass roots" movement for that purpose;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Washington Parish School Board strongly urges that prayer be returned to the public school systems of this nation and invites all cities and parishes across this state to join in an effort to reinstate prayer in the public schools by passing similar resolutions and uniting in a "grass roots" movement for that purpose;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Honorable Governor Edwin Edwards, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the area legislative delegation, the Louisiana School Boards Association, and to all city and parish school boards in the State of Louisiana.
C E R T I F I C A T 1 0 N
This is to certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by the Washington Parish School Board in regular session held at Franklinton, Louisiana, on December 8, 1994.
Bob D. Bateman, President Robert L. Coleman, Superintendent