The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: President Bringier H. Barker, Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: None.
Agenda Item #1 - Opening of meeting.
The meeting was called to order by President Barker. Invocation was given by Bruce Brown. President Barker welcomed all in attendance.
Agenda Item #2 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the March 23, 1995, board meeting.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board adopt the minutes of the March 23, 1995, board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #3 - Recognize Outstanding School Support Employees
Mr. William Brignac, Supervisor, briefly reviewed the Outstanding School Support Employee Awards Program, which is mandated by legislation. The following presentations for the 1994-95 school year were made by the school principals:
Martha McNeal, Chapter I Tutor, Franklinton Primary School Outstanding School Support Employee -Elementary Level Principal: Eathel Brock
Leona Bickham, Special Education Paraprofessional, Angie Jr. High School Outstanding School Support Employee - Junior High Level Principal: Richard Kennedy
Ida Lee Sibley, Custodian, Franklinton High School Outstanding School Support Employee - Senior High Level Principal: Beverly Young
President Barker congratulated the honorees and expressed appreciation for the outstanding jobs they are doing.
Agenda Item #4 - Recognize Ricky Payne - Discuss possible changes in Reduction in Force Policy for Support Personnel.
Mr. Payne briefly reviewed the proposed policy he had presented at the March 23, 1995, board meeting.
President Barker stated that the board and the Superintendent will thoroughly review the proposed policy and then respond to Mr. Payne.
Agenda Item #5 - Recognize Lonnie Brothers, National Teacher Associates Discuss supplemental health benefit changes.
Mr. Brothers asked why his insurance programs, already on payroll deduction, did not go under the Section 125 cafeteria plan administered by First Financial, resulting in covered employees having to switch from National Teacher Associates to another company.
President Barker asked that Mark Kebodeaux respond to Mr. Brothers' question. Mr. Kebodeaux stated that disability policies and return of premium are disallowed under the cafeteria plan in order to keep the school system in tax compliance. He further stated he attempted to obtain information from NTE regarding which policies have disability and/or return of premium, since policies excluding disability coverage and/or return of premium could have been placed under the cafeteria plan; however, NTA did not respond with the needed information.
President Barker asked that Mr. Kebodeaux and Mr. Brothers meet with Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, and School Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn to try and resolve the situation. These individuals then left the board meeting in order to discuss this matter.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to approve the Goals 2000 Parish Plan.
At the request of President Barker, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Harold Smith, that this item be removed from the agenda and that a special board meeting be held April 25, 1995, at 6:00 P.M., to consider this item. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action concerning recommendation for parishwide dress code.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that this item be deleted and considered at the April 25, 1995, special board meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action concerning bus insurance for substitute buses.
Frank Green, Supervisor in charge of Transportation, reported that, since field trips had been scheduled for this week, he insured two (2) buses, one on each side of the parish, to be used by all schools for field trips. Principals are aware that only these two buses are to be used for field trips.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to extend the expiration date of the Board's insurance policies from June 24, 1995, to October 1, 1995.
At the request of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board extend the expiration date of the Board's insurance policies from June 24, 1995, to October 1, 1995. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to change the Board's insurance servicing agent from Mr. Bill Vaughn to Mr. M. B. Slocum.
Adren Raybourn requested that this item be deleted and that two (2) items be added to the agenda.
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that Agenda Item #10 be deleted. Motion carried unanimously.
At the request of Adren Raybourn, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the following item be added to the agenda: Grant permission to request proposals for insurance coverage so that the Board can have an alternative in the event the Board's policies are not extended, and that permission be granted. Motion carried unanimously.
At the request of Adren Raybourn, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider engaging the services of Norris Insurance Consultants to perform insurance consulting work for the Board. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board engage the services of Norris Insurance Consultants. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #II - Consider a motion authorizing the placement of Northern Insurance Co. on payroll deduction.
Adren Raybourn requested that the Board authorize the placement of Northern Life's group deferred tax sheltered annuity premium for Washington Parish School Board employees on payroll deduction status, providing they have an acceptable hold-harmless agreement signed, and that they have at least 50 employees signed up for this plan. President Barker asked that representatives of Northern Ins. Co. in attendance meet with Mr. Raybourn and Attorney Kuhn to review the hold harmless agreement prepared by Mr. Kuhn and report back to the Board later in the meeting.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to adopt General Fund Budget Revision and Angie School District Budget Revision for the 1994-95 fiscal year.
Following a brief review by Adren Raybourn, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adopt the General Fund Budget Revision and the Angie School District Budget Revision for the 1994/95 fiscal year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to adopt the Special Education Extended School Year Budgets for June, July and August, 1995, and June, 1996.
Upon the recommendation of Dr. Pamela Williford, Supervisor of Special Education, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board adopt the Special Education Extended School year Budgets for June, July and August, 1995, and June, 1996. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to adopt the Special Education Physical Therapy Budget for the 1995/96 fiscal year.
Upon the recommendation of Dr. Pamela Williford, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the Special Education Physical Therapy Budget for the 1995/96 fiscal year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to approve a contract with Jamie Rocques to train Special Education personnel in the administration of the Denver 11 program.
Upon the recommendation of Dr. Pamela Williford, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board approve a contract with Jamie Rocques to train Special Education personnel in the administration of the Denver II program. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to allow the employees of the Washington Parish School System to enter into an agreement with BellSouth Mobility to purchase cellular phones and air time through the Washington Parish School Board.
A motion by Hayward Boone and a second by Richard N. Thomas to allow the employees of the Washington Parish School System to enter into an agreement with BellSouth Mobility to purchase cellular phones and air time through the Washington Parish School Board were withdrawn following discussion by Attorney Kuhn and board members and a recommendation by Attorney Kuhn to wait for the Attorney General's Opinion before taking any action. The Board was in agreement with President Barker's suggestion to table this item until the Board obtains all needed information.
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion authorizing receipt of quotations for the sale of a 1985 Thomas built school bus, VIM I IGBJ6PIB6FV111874, owned by Franklinton High School.
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the board authorize receipt of quotations for the sale of a 1985 Thomas built school bus, VIN #IGBJ6PIB6FV111874, owned by Franklinton High School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #18 - Consider a motion authorizing receipt of quotations for the sale of a 1979 GMC 1/2 ton pickup truck, VIM #TCL249A509852.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board authorize receipt of quotations for the sale of a 1979 GMC 1/2 ton pickup truck, VIN #TCL249A509852. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #19 - Consider a motion authorizing receipt of quotations for the sale of thirty-one (31) electric typewriters from Pine School Business Department.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize receipt of quotations for the sale of thirty-one (31) electric typewriters from Pine School Business Department. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #20 - Recognize Dr. Pamela Williford - Announce that April, 1995, has been proclaimed Child Search/Child Awareness Month by Governor Edwards.
Dr. Williford, along with Child Search Coordinator Charlotte Harris, presented to the Board Governor Edwards' proclamation regarding Child Search/ Child Awareness Month. It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board accept the proclamation. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #21 - Discuss and take appropriate action concerning Personnel and Transportation Adjustments-.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments as presented by Supervisor Anthony Triola:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Pine School: David H. Jenkins, Bus Operator, Resignation effective May 15, 1995.
Pine School: Geary McKenzie, Head Football Coach, Resignation (as Head Football Coach) effective June 1, 1995.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton Schools: Extend the route of L. Monroe McElveen .7 miles one way to pick up Rapheal Watson. Effective date: March 5, 1995.
Extend the route of Elmer Williams .5 mile one way to pick up Alecia and Julie Jenkins. Effective date: March 13, 1995.
Motion carried unanimously.
At the request of Anthony Triola, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to set advertising dates for the position of Head Football Coach at Pine School, and that the Board authorize advertising for this position April 24, 1995, through May 10, 1995. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #22 - Superintendent's Report.
(A) Report on Agenda Item #11 - Northern Insurance Co. has at least 50 employees signed up and has agreed to sign a hold harmless agreement. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize placement of Northern Ins. Co. on payroll deduction. Motion carried unanimously.
(B) Superintendent Coleman asked Anthony Triola to report on the discipline law. Mr. Triola and Dr. Bobby Pierce briefly discussed the Alternative Educational Program and gave board members copies for their review. Superintendent Coleman suggested that this be discussed at the April 25, 1995, special board meeting in order to give board members time to review the program.
Requests to address the Board:
(A) Jim C. Pierce, AFLAC - Stated he was available to answer any questions regarding AFLAC or BM& insurance programs.
(B) Leland Lee, United School Employees of Washington Parish - Reminded the Board that, at the last board meeting, he had asked that an employee committee be formed to develop a new reduction in force policy for support personnel. President Barker stated that was still "in the making."
(C) Lynetta Gatlin, Parent - Questions regarding rules for suspensions. President Barker asked Supervisor Anthony Triola to meet with Ms. Gatlin to try and resolve her concerns.
Agenda Item #23 - Other business from board members.
Holly James - Commended Beverly Bailey, Teacher, Franklinton High School, and the approximately 200 students who participated in Young Americans.
Freddie Jefferson - Expressed desire for Board to hold public hearings in order to obtain input from citizens regarding the direction ill which the Board should go, and then the Board can proceed with finalizing its goals and objectives.
Agenda Item #24 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
On motion by Harold Smith, seconded by Hayward Boone, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned.
BRINGIER H. BARKER, PRESIDENT
ROBERT L. COLEMAN, SECRETARY