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 - Call to order.
The meeting was called to order by President Barker.
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 April 18, 1996, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the April 18, 1996, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Recognize Washington Parish Reading Association Young Authors Winners (Mary Jones).
Ms. Mary Jones, Supervisor of Elementary Instruction, assisted by Mrs. Anita Wood, Teacher and Co-Chairperson of the Young Authors Contest, presented awards to the following State winners in the Young Authors Contest:
Hezekia Torrence - Wesley Ray Elementary School - First Place - First Grade - Poetry Category
Warren Boyd - Enon Elementary School - Third Place - Grades 5-6 - Non-fiction Category
Victor Parkman - Thomas Jr. High School - Second Place - Grades 7-8 - Fiction Category
Creaka Newkirk - Varnado Elementary School - First Place - Grades 1-2 - Fiction Category
Ashley Wells - Enon Elementary School - First Place - Grades 1-2 - Non-fiction Category
Winners not present were the following students:
Paul Nicholson - Varnado Elementary School - Second Place - Grades 3-4 - Fiction Category
Dennis Moray - Enon Elementary School - Second Place - Grades 3-4 - Fiction Category
President Barker congratulated the students and expressed appreciation to the students teachers.
Agenda Item #6 - Presentation by Melodysee Peters on the topic, Increase in operating expenses for Washington Parish Bus Drivers (Federation of United School Employees of Washington Parish).
President Barker stated that Mr. Peters had made his presentation at the April 29, 1996, committee meeting. He asked Frank Green, supervisor in charge of transportation, to report to the Board on the information he had been asked to gather. Mr. Green stated that gas prices have increased about $.20 per gallon. An average one-way trip for bus operators is 27.67 miles, which adds up to an added cost per year per driver of $398.45. Mr. Green proposed that the Board increase the parish contribution to operation expenses by $.10 per mile one way effective May 1, 1996, and for the remainder of the current fiscal year. The parish presently contributes $.05 per mile plus $50.00 or 1% of state allowance or whichever is greater. Approximate cost to the system would be $6,886.00. It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board accept Frank Greens recommendation and increase the parish contribution to bus operation expense by $.10 per mile one way effective May 1, 1996, and for the remainder of the 1995-96 fiscal year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to adopt a proclamation proclaiming May 7, 1996, as National Teacher Day in Washington Parish.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adopt the following proclamation:
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, teachers open the doors of learning and opportunity to every child; and
WHEREAS, teachers build bridges between failure and fulfillment, and despair and hope; and
WHEREAS, teachers keep American democracy alive by laying the foundation for good citizenship; and
WHEREAS, teachers will guide this nation into the 21st century;
Now, therefore, I, Bringier H. Barker, serving as President of the Washington Parish School Board, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, May 7, 1996, as
NATIONAL TEACHER DAY
I urge all citizens to observe this day by taking time to remember and honor those who give the gift of knowledge through teaching.
Signed this 2nd day of May, 1996 _____________________________________
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of Bread, Milk and Other Food and Supplies for the 1996-97 school year (Marsha Newman).
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of Bread, Milk and Other Food and Supplies for the 1996-97 school year. Motion carried unanimously. According to Mrs. Marsha Newman, Food Service Supervisor, advertising dates will be May 15, 22, 29, 1996.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adopt Special Education Extended School Year Program Budget for June, 1996 (Pamela Williford).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt Special Education Extended School Year Program Budget for June, 1996. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adopt Special Education Extended School Year Program Budget for July and August, 1996 (Pamela Williford).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt Special Education Extended School Year Program Budget for July and August, 1996. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to adopt an investment policy (Adren Raybourn).
Following a brief review by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the following investment policy, as recommended by Adren Raybourn:
INVESTMENT POLICY
I. INTRODUCTION
Act 374 of the 1995 Regular Legislative Session enacts LSA-R.S. 33:2955 (D)
by requiring all political subdivisions to develop and adopt an investment policy,
which should (1) reflect the mandate to manage public funds prudently; (2) place
appropriate emphasis on the goals of safety of principal first, liquidity second
and yield third; (3) establish internal controls for any derivatives in use to ensure
that the risks inherent in derivatives are adequately managed.
The School Board shall invest funds under its control which it, at its discretion,
may determine to be available for investment.
II. GENERAL RULES AND GUIDELINES
A. In general, the investment activities of the Washington Parish School
Board shall be conducted in a manner consistent with prudent business
practices, and in compliance with applicable state investment statutes.
Investments of the School Board shall be made, not for speculation, but
for investment, considering (1) the probable safety of their capital, (2) the
probable liquidity requirements, and (3) the probable income to be
derived.
The primary objectives, in priority order, of investment activities are as
follows:
1. Safety of principal is the foremost objective of the investment
program. Investments shall be undertaken in a manner that seeks
to ensure the preservation of capital by mitigating the credit risk
(the risk of loss because of failure of the security issuer or backer)
and the interest rate risk (the risk that the market value of
securities will fall because of changes in the interest rate market-
place).
2. The investment portfolio shall remain sufficiently liquid to meet all
operating requirements that may be reasonably anticipated. This
shall be accomplished by structuring the portfolio so that invest-
ments mature concurrent with cash needs to meet anticipated
demands. Since cash demands cannot always be anticipated, the
portfolio should consist largely of investments that can be liquid-
ated within a reasonably short period of time.
3. The investment portfolio shall be designed with the objective of
attaining a reasonable rate of return, in relation to the market-
place, taking into account the investment risk constraints and
liquidity needs. Return on investments is of least importance
compared to safety and liquidity.
B. Persons involved in the investment process shall refrain from personal
business activity that could conflict with the proper and impartial
execution and management of the investment program, or that could
impair their ability to make impartial decisions. Employees and invest-
ment officials shall disclose any material interests in financial institu-
tions with which they conduct business.
C. Expenditures for banking or other financial services shall be evaluated
in the same manner as other expenditures of School Board Funds.
D. Financial institutions (commercial banks, savings and loan associations,
and credit unions) which serve as depositories of School Board funds
shall comply with all prevailing provisions of State statutes. Such finan-
cial institutions must be organized under the laws of Louisiana or have
their principal offices in the State of Louisiana. Deposits in such
financial institutions, whether they are time deposits, demand deposits,
or deposits in special interest-bearing accounts (e.g. NOW accounts or
Super NOW accounts) shall only be made with such institutions which
qualify to accept public deposits and are protected under the terms of
State statutes.
E. The School Board may conduct security transactions with its fiscal agent
bank, certain other carefully selected financial institutions who qualify, or
with certain security dealers. Any selected state institution must be
organized under the laws of Louisiana, and any national bank must have
their principal offices in the State of Louisiana. Security dealers with
whom the School Board conducts business shall be subject to the follow-
ing guidelines and criteria. Only dealers who qualify under the Securities
and Exchange Commission Rule 15c3-1 (uniform net capital rule) as
listed by the Market Reports Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York as Primary Dealers shall be deemed suitable to conduct School
Board Securities transactions. In addition, all dealers shall provide proof
of National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) certification and
proof of registration with State of Louisiana. They must be familiar with
the provisions of this Investment Policy.
Just because a security dealer is listed as a Primary Dealer does not
obligate the School Board to conduct business with them. The dealer(s)
will be selected at the discretion of the School Board. These primary
dealers are unique within the United States government securities
industry in that they both report and are regulated in an industry which
is typically non-reporting and non-regulated. Included on the list are
major securities firms (e.g., Prudential, Dean Witter Reynolds, Merrill
Lynch, Smith Barney, etc.) and some of the worlds largest banks (e.g.,
Chase Securities, Citicorp Securities, Nationsbanc, Chemical Securities,
etc.).
It will therefore be the policy of the Washington Parish School Board
when dealing with security brokers or dealers to restrict transactions to
this list of primary dealers. Such policy will preclude the Washington
Parish School Board from transacting business with other brokers and
dealers whose financial strength and operational capabilities cannot be
confidently determined, given the absence of reporting and regulation
requirements.
F. The School Board shall limit its purchase of investment securities to
those considered to be of high quality as follows:
1. Time certificates of deposit of state banks organized under the
laws of Louisiana, or national banks having their principal offices
in the state of Louisiana, savings accounts or shares of savings
and loan associations and savings banks, as defined by Louisiana
Revised Statute 6:703(15) and (16), or share accounts and share
certificate accounts of federally or state chartered credit unions
issuing time certificates of deposit. For those funds made availa-
ble for investment in time certificates of deposit, the rate of interest
paid shall be established by contract between the bank and the
School Board; however, the interest rate at the time of investment
shall be a rate not less than fifty basis points below the prevailing
marker interest rate on direct obligations of the United States
Treasury with a similar length of maturity.
Funds invested in accordance with this section shall not exceed at
any time the amount insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation in any one banking institution, or in any one savings
and loan association, or National Credit Union Administration,
unless the uninsured portion is collateralized by the pledge of
securities in the manner provided in Louisiana Revised Statute
39:1221 and 39:1223 through 39:1226.
2. The following obligations as specified in Louisiana Revised
Revised Statute 33:2955:
(a) Direct United States Treasury obligations, the principal and
interest of which are fully guaranteed by the government of
the United States.
(b) 1. Bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness
issued or guaranteed by federal agencies and provided such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America,
which obligations include, but are not limited to (1) U. S. Export-Import Bank; (2) Farmers Home
Administration; (3) Federal Financing Bank; (4) Federal Housing Administration Debentures; (5) General Services Administration; 6) Government National Mortgage Association-guaranteed mortgage backed bonds and guaranteed pass-through obligations; (7) U.S. Maritime Administration-guaranteed Title XI Financing; and (8) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
2. Bonds, debentures, notes, and other evidence of indebtedness issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government instrumentalities, which are federally sponsored and such obligations include but are not limited to (1) Federal Home Loan Bank Systems; (2) Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation; (3) Federal National Mortgage Association; (4) Student Loan Marketing Association; and (5) Resolution Funding Corporation.
3. Direct security repurchase agreements of any federal book entry only securities enumerated in 2(a) and 2(b) (1) & (2). Direct security repurchase agreement means an agreement under which the political subdivision buys, holds for a specified time, and then sells back those securities and obligations enumerated in 2(a) and 2(b) (1) & (2).
4. Notwithstanding the foregoing list of investments, in no instance shall the School Board invest in obligations described in (1) or (2) above which are (a) collateralized mortgage obligations that have been stripped into interest only or principal only obligations, (b) inverse floaters, © derivatives, or (d) structured notes. For purposes of this Section, structured notes shall mean securities of U.S. Government agencies, instrumentalities, or Government-sponsored enterprises which have been restructured, modified, and/or reissued by private entities.
3. The Louisiana Asset Management Pool (LAMP).
G. Generally, the School Board will only invest in money market instruments, which are defined as creditworthy, highly liquid investments with maturities of one (1) year or less. Although there may be certain circumstances in which longer term investments may be considered, such as for bond sinking funds or maturity matched construction funds, the general use of instruments with maturities in excess of one (1) year will be avoided since such maturities typically have much higher market fluctuations than do shorter term investments.
H. The School Board shall always strive to avoid investment losses. However, the incurrence of a book or accounting loss does not necessarily indicate an inappropriate investment activity or faulty portfolio management. There may be circumstances when it is more prudent to liquidate an investment at a loss and purchase a new instrument bearing a higher rate of return for an overall gain to the School Board. Such instances will be fully documented. Therefore, the School Board does not prohibit the incurrence of an occasional loss as long as the transaction can be justified in the overall portfolio management process.
I. Investment securities generally take the form of either physical or book entry only. Physical securities are in written form and bear the name of the owner of the security itself. An example is certificates of deposit from financial institutions. Book entry only securities are of the form that they have no physical document, and are recorded as an accounting entry by the issuing agency or government. In the case of book entry only instruments, it is imperative that the School Board have written evidence of both existence of the security and its registration in the name of the School Board. This is accomplished through the issuance of a safekeeping receipt by a third party designated by the School Board. Under no circumstances may both the issuing agency (or its parent, subsidiary, or holding company) and the safekeeping agent be the same entity. Therefore, all ownership of securities shall be evidenced by either the physical security itself, or by an acceptable safekeeping receipt issued by a third party financial institution acceptable to the School Board.
J. All transactions where applicable will be executed by delivery vs. payment. This ensures that payment will not be made for securities that are not delivered.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Linda Crain, Principal, Franklinton Jr. High School (Robert Coleman).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Robert Coleman, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Linda Crain, Principal, Franklinton Jr. High School, for a three-year period. Motion carried unanimously. (7/15/96 - 7/14/99)
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Emma Ross, Principal, Varnado High School (Robert Coleman).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Robert Coleman, it was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Emma Ross, Principal, Varnado High School, for a three-year period. Motion carried unanimously. (7/1/96 - 6/30/99)
Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Phyllis Thomas, Principal, Enon Elementary School (Robert Coleman).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Robert Coleman, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Phyllis Thomas, Principal, Enon Elementary School, for a three-year period. Motion carried unanimously. (7/29/96 - 7/28/99)
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Beverly Young, Principal, Franklinton High School (Robert Coleman).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Robert Coleman, it was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Beverly Young, Principal, Franklinton High School, for a three-year period. Motion carried unanimously. (7/1/96 - 6/30/99)
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Marsha D. Newman, Supervisor, School Food Service (Robert Coleman).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Robert Coleman, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Marsha D. Newman, Supervisor, School Food Service, for a three-year period. Motion carried unanimously. (8/16/96 - 8/15/99)
Agenda Item #17 - Discuss and take appropriate action concerning setting an amount for in-parish workshop presenters (Robert Coleman).
Superintendent Coleman presented his recommendations regarding this item, as well as Agenda Item #18 - Discuss and take appropriate action concerning setting the teacher stipend for workshops. Mr. Coleman recommended that pay for an in-parish workshop presenter be $200.00 for a 6-hour workshop, and that a $15.00 stipend be given to teachers attending workshops.
Following discussion, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that Agenda Items #17 and 18 be tabled until the May 16, 1996, board meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #18 - Discuss and take appropriate action concerning setting the teacher stipend for workshops (Robert Coleman).
This item was tabled until the May 16, 1996, board meeting.
Agenda Item #19 - Consider two options for amending the hiring policy: (a) screening committee chosen by draw; the pool from which the committee is drawn shall include all supervisors, principals, assistant principals, and faculty coordinators; (b) Superintendent makes all recommendations for administrative positions (supervisors, principals, assistant principals, coordinators) - (Robert Coleman)
Following review of the two options by Superintendent Coleman, President Barker stated that Karl Bickham has suggested that two board members be appointed to draw up a proposal and present to the Board at a special committee meeting. It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Bruce Brown, that Agenda Item #19 be tabled and that a committee meeting be scheduled for May 13, 1996, to discuss this one item only. Motion carried unanimously. President Barker appointed Holly James and Freddie Jefferson to draw up a recommendation to present to the Board.
Agenda Item #20 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider making the l/2 time secretary at Varnado High School a full-time secretary. Motion carried unanimously. President Barker read a letter from Ms. Emma Ross, Principal, Varnado High School, requesting that the l/2 time secretary be made full-time. It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that Dannette Boyet, presently l/2 time secretary, Varnado High School, be employed as full-time secretary (School Clerk) effective the beginning of the 1996-97 school year. FOR: Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, B. H. Barker, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: Holly James and Susanne Jones. Motion carried.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments, as presented by Anthony Triola, Supervisor:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Primary School: Wanzie Sheridan, Lunchroom Worker, Retirement Resignation effective May 31, 1996.
RESIGNATION:
Mt. Hermon School: Anna O. McElveen, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective April 30, 1996.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE:
Franklinton Primary School: Barbara Sue Crain, Special Education Paraprofessional, Leave Without pay effective March 27, 1996, through May 30, 1996.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Franklinton Primary School: Mary Ann Mobley, Speech Therapist, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the entire 1996/97 school year.
Pine High School: Clodean W. Brumfield, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the entire 1996/97 school year.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Vicki H. Boone, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the Fall semester of the 1996/97 school year.
EMPLOY:
Franklinton High School: Veronica J. Martin, Part-time Food Service Clerk, effective May 3, 1996.
Franklinton High School: Sonya Lawson, Part-time School Clerk, effective May 3, 1996.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
None
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #21 - Superintendents Report.
Superintendent Coleman gave the board the results of the recent survey regarding school uniforms, which were as follows:
SURVEY - SCHOOL UNIFORMS
SCHOOL YES NO TOTAL ENROLLMENT* %RESPONSE
Angie 50 151 201 253 79%
Enon 69 78 147 270 54%
Franklinton Primary 175 93 268 463 58%
Franklinton Elem. 175 62 237 421 56%
Franklinton Jr. High 150 82 232 514 45%
Franklinton High 43 18 61 650 9%
Mt. Hermon 151 138 289 610 47%
Pine 67 86 153 687 22%
Thomas 98 95 193 436 44%
Varnado Elem. 79 28 107 166 64%
Varnado High 17 12 29 288 10%
Wesley Ray 78 31 109 320 34%
TOTALS 1,152 874 2,026 5,078 40%
*Enrollment based on 90-Day Report
Superintendent Coleman stated that Project Connect, an $85,000 grant the school system was awarded, has the position of Administrator written into the program. Six thousand dollars ($6,000) has been designated for the salary. His recommendation was that this position be opened up for all teachers to apply and that the salary be set at $15.00 per hour. The Board agreed to study this matter and discuss at the May 13, 1996, committee meeting.
Agenda Item #22 - Other business from board members.
President Barker recognized Martha Sumrall, Technology Director/Grant Facilitator, who reported on grants that have been awarded the school system since July, 1995. A total of $351,529.00 in competitive grants has been awarded.
Referring to the added agenda item, Consider making the « time secretary at Varnado High School a full-time secretary, Susanne Jones stated, I did not vote against the person. I have a problem with the process.
Agenda Item #23 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
President Barker declared the meeting adjourned.
BRINGIER H. BARKER, PRESIDENT
ROBERT L. COLEMAN, SECRETARY