Franklinton, Louisiana

January 23, 1996

6:30 P.M.

 

            The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson.  Absent: Bringier H. Barker.

 

            Agenda Item #1 - Call to order.

 

            The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Smith in the absence of President Barker, who was unable to attend due to illness.

 

            Agenda Item #2 - Invocation.

 

            The invocation was given by Bruce Brown.

 

            Agenda Item #3 - Pledge of Allegiance.

 

            Agenda Item #4 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the January 11, 1996, board meeting.

 

            It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the minutes of the January 11, 1996, board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to amend the personnel transfer policy.

 

            Superintendent Coleman recommended the following changes to Washington Parish School Board Personnel Transfer Policy, File: GBM:

 

            Page 1, Paragraph 1: The following phrase has been deleted:

 

                        “for any succeeding scholastic year.”

 

            Page 2, Paragraph 1:

 

                        Addition: “and Personnel Supervisor”

                        Addition: “and make a recommendation to the Superintendent to fill the position.”

 

            Page 2 - An additional paragraph has been inserted immediately following the first paragraph (“When a vacancy occurs during the school year. . . . .”), which reads as follows:

 

            “When a vacancy occurs during the school year, at the end of that school year, transfer requests made when the vacancy occurs will be considered by the principal and Personnel Supervisor.  The principal and Personnel Supervisor will make a recommendation to the Superintendent to fill the position.  If a certified teacher is employed to temporarily fill that vacancy during the year, he/she may be transferred to any vacancy in his/her area of certification.”

 

            Following discussion, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board amend the personnel transfer policy, as recommended by Superintendent Coleman, but modify Superintendent Coleman’s recommendation to allow for midterm and end-of-school-year (summer) transfers.  Motion carried unanimously. (See Atttachment)

 

            Following discussion regarding transferring a regular teacher at Pine to a homebound teacher position, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board amend the revised personnel transfer policy just adopted to include the stipulation that recommendations for midterm transfers will be voted on by the Board no later than the first board meeting in the second semester.  Motion carried unanimously. (Revised personnel transfer policy, File: GBM, in its entirety is attached.)

 

            Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adopt revised policy File: JB -Attendance, due to 1995 legislative change.

 

            It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the following revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: JB - Attendance, due to 1995 legislative change:

 

ATTENDANCE

 

            The Board believes regular attendance in the school accompanied by the responsibility to study and participate in school activities is essential to the learning process.  Once a pupil arrives at school, he is expected to remain and attend each class throughout the day.

 

            Elementary and secondary students shall be present the minimum number of days as required by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and enumerated in the Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, to receive credit for courses taken.  Exception can be made only in the event of extended personal illness verified by a physician’s statement or if other extenuating circumstances exist and are approved by the Supervisor of Child Welfare in consultation with the school principal.

            All students shall be under the jurisdiction of the school during normal school hours, from the time the student arrives at school each day until he leaves the school campus in the afternoon.  In case a student rides a bus, he shall be under the jurisdiction of the school from the time he boards the bus until the student exits the bus in the afternoon. Students shall be under the jurisdiction of the school while attending any school sponsored activity either at school or away from school.  This shall apply to all students, including athletic teams, pep clubs, band and other student organizations.

 

Revised: December, 1991

Revised: January, 1996

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 17:221, 17:226, 17:227;

Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, State Department of Education

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to support a proclamation by Governor Mike Foster proclaiming January 24, 1996, as School Nurse Day in Louisiana.

 

            It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board support a proclamation by Governor Mike Foster proclaiming January 24, 1996, as School Nurse Day in Louisiana.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments.

 

            It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments be approved as presented by Supervisor Anthony Triola:

 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

 

REQUEST FOR LEAVE:

 

Wesley Ray Elementary School: Shirley M. Jackson, School Clerk, Sick Leave effective November 30, 1995, through January 15, 1996.

 

EMPLOY:

 

Franklinton High School: Paulette Smith, Special Education Teacher, effective January 16, 1996, and for the remainder of the 1995-96 school year only (CIRCULAR 665)

 

Franklinton High School: James Lewis, Regular Teacher (Math and Science), effective January 16, 1996, and for the remainder of the 1995-96 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).

 

Pine School: John Middleton, Regular Teacher (Math), effective January 16, 1996, and for the remainder of the 1995-96 school year only (Fill-in for Ann McKenzie, who is on sabbatical leave; hired under the Troops for Teachers program).

 

TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS

 

Franklinton Schools:  Extend the route of Juanita Tullos 1.0 mile one way to pick up a Special Education student.  Effective date: January 3,1996.

 

Pine School:      Extend the route of Nelester Tate 3.0 miles one way effective December 11, 1995 (bridge out).

 

Pine School:      Extend the route of Cage Williams 3.0 mile one way effective December 11, 1995 (bridge out).

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

            It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to transfer Jerry Kennedy, Regular Teacher, Pine School, to Homebound Teacher, Parishwide, and transfer Peggy Kemp, Regular Teacher, Varnado Elementary School, to Regular Teacher, Pine School (replacing Jerry Kennedy).  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board transfer Jerry Kennedy, Regular Teacher, Pine School, to Homebound Teacher, Parishwide, and transfer Peggy Kemp, Regular Teacher, Varnado Elementary School, to Regular Teacher, Pine School (replacing Jerry Kennedy).  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #9 - Superintendent’s Report.

 

            At Superintendent Coleman’s request, Holly James, the Board’s representative on the Washington Parish Sales/Use Tax Centralization Commission, reviewed the contract for collection of sales and use tax between Washington Parish Sales/Use Tax Centralization Commission and Duane Blair, Sheriff and Ex-Officio Tax Collector for Washington Parish.  The term of the agreement shall be for three years, beginning July 1, 1996, and ending June 30, 1999.

 

            Superintendent Coleman reported that Attorney Bob Hammonds will attend the February 8, 1996, board meeting to discuss Guy Von Schilling v. Washington Parish School Board.

 

            Agenda Item #10 - Other business from board members.

 

            Hayward Boone stated he would like to see the Board make a decision tonight on the appeal in the matter of Guy Von Schilling v. Washington Parish School Board.  (NOTE: In the matter of Guy Von Schilling v. Washington Parish School Board, Judge Stephen A. Duczer ordered that there be judgment in favor of the plaintiff, Guy Von Schilling, and against the defendant, Washington Parish School Board, restoring to the plaintiff all of the personnel duties he formerly exercised - Judgment dated January 12, 1996.)  It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Richard N. Thomas,  that the matter of an appeal concerning Guy Von Schilling v. Washington Parish School Board be added to the agenda. FOR:  Hayward Boone, Holly James, Harold Smith and Richard N. Thomas.  AGAINST: Karl Bickham, Susanne Jones, Bruce Brown and Freddie Jefferson.  The vote being FOUR (4) FOR, FOUR (4) AGAINST, with ONE (1) ABSENT, the motion failed.

 

            In response to an inquiry by Freddie Jefferson regarding the status of the Varnado High School insurance claim, Superintendent Coleman asked Architect Sam Fauntleroy to give the Board a report on his recent meetings with the insurance adjustors.  Mr. Fauntleroy stated he will be comparing the estimates submitted by the Board’s insurance company and the adjustor hired by the Board, Tom Krautner, and meeting with all parties concerned to try to resolve some of the inconsistencies with which the insurance company is taking issue in Mr. Krautner’s estimate.

 

            Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

 

            On motion by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, the Board adjourned.

 

BRINGIER H. BARKER, PRESIDENT

 

ROBERT L. COLEMAN, SECRETARY

 

Attachment to Minutes of January 23, 1996, Board Meeting

 

Washington Parish School Board Policy FILE: GBM - Personnel Transfer

 

            The School Board may transfer any teacher or other employee, including personnel employed as principals and supervisor, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, from one position, school or grade to another by giving written notice to the teacher or employee of such intention to transfer.  Such transfer shall be without loss of status or violation of contract and shall not be for political or personal reasons.  The Board may transfer any teacher only in accordance with applicable state law.

 

            All personnel involuntarily reassigned to a lesser position than previously held shall have their salary unchanged.  Such personnel shall be placed in the salary schedule appropriate to the new position and there shall be no increase in salary until the salary in that schedule is at least equal to their present salary.  Personnel shall be entitled, however, to any cost of living increases granted all employees.

 

VOLUNTARY TRANSFER

 

            Employed teachers in the Washington Parish School System who wish to be transferred to another school in the system, or those who wish to transfer from one program to another (i.e. Chapter I to Regular Program) shall submit a written request to the Personnel Director.  The Personnel Director shall maintain a current file of these requests on an annual basis.  The request must be specific in identifying the reason(s) for the requested transfer and the school, grade preferences and/or program into which the teacher would like to be placed.

 

            When vacancies occur in teaching positions in the parish system during the summer vacation period, the Personnel Director and principal shall review the “Request for Transfer File” and determine all applicable requests for transfer to the particular vacancy.  The principal and Personnel Supervisor shall consider all eligible applicants for transfer, along with any other qualified applicants for said position, and make a recommendation to the Superintendent to fill the position.

 

            When a vacancy occurs during the school year, at the end of that semester, transfer requests will be considered by the principal and Personnel Supervisor.  The principal and Personnel Supervisor will make a recommendation to the Superintendent to fill the position.  To transfer an employee, the principal of the school with the vacancy must recommend the transfer to the Superintendent.  For midterm transfers, the recommendation will be voted on by the board no later than the first board meeting in the second semester.  Midterm transfers will take effect as soon as a suitable replacement is available.  If a certified teacher is employed to temporarily fill that vacancy, he/she may be transferred to any vacancy in his/her area of certification.

 

            In instances where a teacher is denied transfer to a position he/she has requested, the teacher may request a review conference in writing to the Superintendent.  The conference shall include a discussion of various criteria relating to the reasons the teacher was not recommended for the position.  Members included in the conference shall be the teacher, principal, Superintendent and Personnel Director.  The Superintendent and Personnel Director shall make a determination if any change should be made in the transfer decision.

 

            The primary consideration in determining teacher transfers shall be the job performance record of the individual in the school system.  All other factors being equal, tenured teacher shall be given preference, and hardships presented by travel distances shall be considered.  When otherwise appropriate, transfers may be made to reduce excessive travel for teachers.

 

            In circumstances where a Reduction in Force or over staffing is involved, the existing Board policies shall take precedence.

 

Revised: June, 1989

Revised: September, 1994

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 17:443; Board minutes, 4-13-89, 7-14-94.