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. The invocation was given by Bruce Brown. President Barker welcomed all in attendance. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the printed agenda as the official agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #2 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the September 14, 1995, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the minutes of the September 14, 1995, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #3 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the September 19, 1995, special board meeting.
It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the minutes of the September 19, 1995, special board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #4 - Recognize Dr. Pamela Williford for presentation of award to Maggie Alvear, Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School.
Dr. Williford presented a Certificate of Achievement by Northwestern State University to Maggie Alvear for her ability to reach out to students with high potential and encourage them.
Agenda Item #5 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding recommendation of three-year graduate committee.
Superintendent Coleman reported that the committee had recommended the following regulations for three-year graduates:
1. A student must declare his/her intention of graduating in three (3) years prior to the beginning of his/her third year in high school.
2. A three-year student will not be recognized for receiving senior honors or awards.
3. Students may not take correspondence courses for required courses except for makeups.
It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Holly James, that consideration of this item be delayed for further discussion. President Barker recognized Mary Thigpen, Brenda Chance and Donna Pendarvis, who asked the Board to not take away honors from three-year graduates. President Barker declared a five-minute recess. Upon re-convening, the vote on the motion to delay for further discussion passed unanimously. President Barker asked the parents who addressed the Board, along with principals, to attend the October 9, 1995, committee meeting, at which time this item will be discussed.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to add the following to the policy manual: “All construction and renovation projects at any school must be presented to the Superintendent and approved by the Board prior to commencement of the project.”
Following discussion, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following be added to the policy manual:
All construction and renovation projects at any school with a value over $500.00 must be presented to the Superintendent and approved by the Board prior to commencement of the project.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding amending hiring policy.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board table this item until further discussion. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments.
It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments as presented by Supervisor Anthony Triola:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
TRANSFER:
Carolyn Daniel, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, to Librarian, Pine School, effective October 2, 1995 - TTA (replacing Virginia Graves, who transferred to Academically Gifted Teacher).
Carmen Magee, Regular Teacher, Pine School, to Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, effective October 2, 1995 - Certified (replacing Carolyn Daniel, who transferred to Pine School).
Delva Iris Fornea, Pre-School Teacher, Thomas Jr. High School, to Regular Teacher, Pine School, effective October 2, 1995 - Certified (replacing Carmen Magee, who transferred to Franklinton Primary School).
Eloise Magee Galloway, Special Education Teacher, Franklinton High School, to Pre-School Teacher, Thomas Jr. High School, effective October 2, 1995 - TTA (replacing Delva Iris Fornea, who transferred to Pine School).
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Jr. High School: Glenda C. Davis, Part-time School Clerk, effective October 2, 1995 (replacing Meleah Roy, who was hired as Full-time School Clerk at Franklinton Jr. High School).
Franklinton High School: Paulette Smith, Special Education Teacher, effective October 2, 1995, and for the remainder of the Fall semester only of the 1995-96 school year - 665 (replacing Eloise Magee Galloway, who transferred to Thomas Jr. High School).
Franklinton Elementary School: James Wesley Mulina, Jr., Part-time Custodian, effective October 2, 1995, through January 12, 1996 (fill-in for Elaine Conerly, who is on leave).
Franklinton Schools: Rex McCain, Bus Operator, effective January 2, 1996 (replacing Norman McCain, who is retiring).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENT:
Thomas Jr. High School: Extend the route of Ricky Jenkins .6 mile one way to pickup Bennie Netto. Effective date: September 20, 1995.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Superintendent’s Report.
Dr. Pamela Williford, Special Education Supervisor, presented for Board consideration an agreement with Electronic Information Systems for obtaining Medicaid reimbursement for specific screening and health services the Board is already providing. Public Law 100-360, the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act, amended Federal Medicaid laws to specify that Medicaid funds could be used for educationally related services provided by local school districts for children with special needs who are Medicaid eligible. Electronic Information Systems, a Baton Rouge based business, developed a computerized billing system, Health-Education Billing System (HEBS), to ease the burden on school districts participating in the Early and Periodic, Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) program. HEBS was designed to provide the school districts with a simplified approach of gathering service data for rapid filing and payment of claims, with a high degree of accuracy.
President Barker requested that Dr. Williford have School Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn review the agreement prior to the next board meeting, at which time the Board will consider this item.
Agenda Item #10 - Other business from board members.
Karl Bickham stated he had been approached by parents of some Franklinton Elementary School students regarding after-school tutoring in the use of computers. The parents are willing to pay the teacher. Superintendent Coleman will talk with Principal Karen Spears and report back to Mr. Bickham at the October committee meeting.
Hayward Boone asked about the status of Saturday detention. According to Anthony Triola, Child Welfare and Attendance Supervisor, several schools have held Saturday detention as needed. He stated that at the next board meeting, he would be asking the Board to approve paying the tutor $15.00 per hour, rather than $10.00. Freddie Jefferson asked that discussion of Saturday detention be placed on the October committee meeting agenda.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss employee grievance.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board enter into Executive Session to discuss employee grievance. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board deny the grievance filed by Evelyn Bickham, Title I Receptionist/Clerk. FOR: Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, Bringier H. Barker, Richard N. Thomas, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: Bruce Brown. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
BRINGIER H. BARKER, PRESIDENT
ROBERT L. COLEMAN, SECRETARY