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 June 13, 1996, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the June 13, 1996, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the June 18, 1996, special board meeting.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the minutes of the June 18, 1996, special board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for the purchase of 1 - 36' X 60' used trailer and 2 - 24' X 60' used trailers (Anthony Triola).
Anthony Triola reviewed the sole bid received, which was submitted by Thomas Mobile Homes, Inc., Amite, LA, as follows:
One Double Wide Unit, 24' x 60' 10,000.00
One Double Wide Unit, 24' x 60' 10,000.00
One Triple Wide Unit, 36' x 60' 10,000.00
Set Up and Delivery for each: $2,500.00 7,500.00
Total $37,500.00
Following discussion, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the previous action by Robert L. Coleman and Freddie Jefferson (agreement to purchase four (4) trailers for $50,000.00 from Thomas Mobile Homes, Inc., said agreement signed on May 17, 1996, by Robert L. Coleman, Freddie Jefferson, and Kerry O. Thomas, President, Thomas Mobile Homes, Inc.) be declared null and void, with Dr. Kerry O. Thomas agreeing to this action. Motion carried unanimously.
President Barker asked Mr. Thomas if he could lower the $2,500.00 setup fee for each trailer. Mr. Thomas agreed to adjust the total setup bid down from $7,500.00 to $4,500.00.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board accept the bid from Thomas Mobile Homes, Inc., subject to the bid for setup being adjusted to $4,500.00, making the total bid $34,500.00, said bid meeting the Board’s specifications and public bid law. Roll call vote was as follows:
District 1 Harold Smith FOR
District 2 Karl Bickham FOR
District 3 Bruce Brown FOR
District 4 Richard N. Thomas FOR
District 5 Hayward Boone FOR
District 6 Susanne Jones FOR
District 7 Holly James FOR
District 8 B. H. Barker FOR
District 9 Freddie Jefferson FOR
Motion carried unanimously. It was determined that the Board needs to have something in writing from Mr. Thomas regarding the adjustment of the setup bid.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for the position of Full-time Food Service Technician at Franklinton High School (Marsha Newman).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize advertisement for the position of Full-time Food Service Technician at Franklinton High School, as recommended by Mrs. Marsha Newman, Food Service Supervisor. Motion carried unanimously. Instead of replacing a one-half time technician, a full-time technician will be hired.
Agenda Item #8 - Authorize advertisement for the position of Full-time Food Service Technician at Pine School (Marsha Newman).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize advertisement for the position of Full-time Food Service Technician at Pine School, as recommended by Mrs. Marsha Newman, Food Service Supervisor. Motion carried unanimously. This position needs to be filled due to the retirement of Mrs. Clara Kennedy.
Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action on Robert Coleman’s contract settlement (Board).
At the request of Attorney Wayne Kuhn, consideration of this item was delayed until Mr. Kuhn could confer with Mr. Coleman’s attorney.
Agenda Item # 10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel Adjustments.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments as presented by Anthony Triola, Acting Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Pine High School: Johnette French, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 1, 1996.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Enon Elementary School: Bettye M. Talley, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the entire 1996-97 school year.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Linda M. Steinwinder, Computer Lab Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the entire 1996-97 school year.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Essie B. Williams, Title I Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the entire 1996-97 school year.
TRANSFER:
Debra Wilkerson, Regular Teacher (English), Varnado High School, TO Regular Teacher (English), Franklinton High School, effective the 1996-97 school year.
EMPLOY:
Angie Jr. High School: Alice Terrell, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Angie Jr. High School: Tonya Steadman, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Enon Elementary School: Linda Jones, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Franklinton Primary School: Janice Brumfield, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Franklinton Primary School: Frances Robinson, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Franklinton Primary School: Alice Dillon, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Merile Cook, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Franklinton High School: Kim McKenzie, Regular Teacher (Science), effective the 1996-97 school year - Certified.
Franklinton High School: Gilbert Hartzog, Agri-Science Teacher, effective the 1996-97 school year - Certified.
Mt. Hermon School: Natha Lee Alford, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Mt. Hermon School: Rebecca Foley, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Mt. Hermon School: Seleria Jones, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective the 1996-97 school year.
Pine School: Doris Holmes, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Pine School: Kathy Graham, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Pine School: Sherry Warren, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Thomas Jr. High School: Valerie Penton, Title I Paraprofessional (Preschool), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Thomas Jr. High School: Donna Sue Adams, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Thomas Jr. High School: Nellene Barber, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Varnado Elementary School: Mary Williams, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Varnado Elementary School: Aline Nelson, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Varnado Elementary School: Barbara Saucier, Title I Paraprofessional (Preschool), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Varnado High School: Shirley Davis, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Wilda Tynes, Title I Paraprofessional (School wide), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Cindy Sheridan, Title I Paraprofessional (Preschool), effective the 1996-97 school year.
Varnado High School: Mary Alice Klein, Guidance Counselor, effective the 1996-97 school year - Certified.
Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board take the following action:
RESCISSION OF BOARD ACTION ON JUNE 13, 1996:
Varnado Elementary School: Mary Lofthus, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective June 27, 1996.
RE-EMPLOY:
Varnado Elementary School: Mary Lofthus, Regular Teacher,
effective May 16, 1996, for the 1996-97 school year. (She was
not included on the re-hire list approved by the Board on May 16,
1996. She has applied for disability retirement but must still be
employed by the Board while her disability retirement application
is being processed; therefore, the acceptance of her retirement
resignation by the Board on June 13, 1996, needs to be rescinded,
and she needs to be re-hired.)
Motion carried unanimously.
Return to Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action on Robert Coleman’s contract settlement.
At the request of President Barker, Attorney Wayne Kuhn reviewed the proposed Agreement of Amendment and Modification of Employment Contract Between the Washington Parish School Board and Robert Coleman. Mr. Kuhn stated that Mr. Coleman and his attorney concur with the terms of the agreement.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board authorize the Board President and Board Attorney to enter into an Agreement of Amendment and Modification of Employment Contract Between the Washington Parish School Board and Robert Coleman, as follows: SEE ATTACHED. Roll call vote was as follows:
District 1 - Harold Smith FOR
District 2 - Karl Bickham FOR
District 3 - Bruce Brown FOR
District 4 - Richard N. Thomas FOR
District 5 - Hayward Boone FOR
District 6 - Susanne Jones FOR
District 7 - Holly James FOR
District 8 - B. H. Barker FOR
District 9 - Freddie Jefferson AGAINST
The vote being eight (8) FOR and one (1) AGAINST, the motion carried.
Agenda Item #11 - Superintendent’s Report.
A. Following a report by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, the Board agreed that no change would be made in the Board’s Worker’s Compensation program at this time.
B. Architect Sam Fauntleroy reported on a meeting this date with Richard Phillips, Adjuster, General Adjustment Bureau Robins, regarding the Varnado High School insurance settlement. He stated it looks like the Board will receive in the range of $1,380,000 to $1,400,000 on the building and around $433,000 on furnishings. He stated the next step will be for Mr. Phillips to discuss settlement with Scotsdale Insurance Company, and to determine procedure for culminating the settlement.
C. At the request of Beverly Young, Principal, Franklinton High School, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board approve an expenditure of $3,037.50, to be taken from Franklinton High School allocation, for repairs and maintenance at Franklinton High School (low quote submitted by Decorating Showroom for installation of vinyl composition tile in three (3) areas of the school). Motion carried unanimously.
D. At the request of Carl Merritt, Principal, Thomas Jr. High School, it was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve an expenditure of $775.00, to be taken from Thomas Jr. High School allocation, for repairs and maintenance at Thomas Jr. High School (low quote submitted by Kennedy’s Decorating Center for installation of carpet in the office areas of Thomas Jr. High School). Motion carried unanimously.
E. It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board authorize Acting Superintendent Anthony Triola to, on behalf of the Board, pursue the Technical Options and Preparation for Seniors (TOPS) program developed by LA Technical College-Sullivan Campus. Motion carried unanimously. The TOPS program is a new joint effort by the two educational systems whereby approximately 30 Washington Parish high school students will be attending LTC-SC in the upcoming school year. In the TOPS program, students will be awarded credit at LTC-SC for courses taken at LTC-SC for courses taken in high school by passing a proficiency exam. Advanced technical courses which correspond with the student’s chosen career plans will be available through TOPS so students will get high school credit and technical college credit for some courses at the same time. Also, students needing only the English IV to complete high school graduation requirements will be able to get it at LTC-SC, because the school is hiring an instructor who will teach that class to the high school seniors, who will take other classes the rest of the day.
F. At the request of Anthony Triola, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the Board employ Lakeitha Magee as temporary file clerk at the school board office on a day-by-day basis during the summer until the Board can advertise this temporary position. Motion carried unanimously.
G. The Board authorized Attorney Wayne Kuhn and Anthony Triola to negotiate with the Board’s insurance company to settle a claim arising from a tree falling on Raylene Perry’s vehicle while it was parked at the school board office.
H. It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the July 8, 1996, committee meeting be canceled and that only the regular board meeting be held on July 8, 1996, at Varnado High School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Other business from board members.
None.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
BRINGIER H. BARKER, PRESIDENT
ANTHONY J. TRIOLA, ACTING SECRETARY