Varnado, Louisiana

July 8, 1996

5:30 P.M.

 

            The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date at Varnado High School 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 approve the Pupil Progression Plan revisions for the 1996-97 school year (Frank Green).

 

            Following review of revisions by Frank Green and discussion, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the Board approve the Pupil Progression Plan revisions for the 1996-97 school year, with the understanding that the percentage representing the lowest “F” will continue to be studied and determined by the principals and central office staff.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to approve Uniform General Sales and Use Tax Ordinance (Holly James).

 

            Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn informed the Board that the ordinance is not ready for action by the Board, even though it went into effect July 1, 1996.  It was moved by Holly James, seconded by B. H. Barker, that this item be tabled.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to authorize withdrawal privileges for Eathel Brock on all Franklinton Primary School bank accounts, and terminate withdrawal privileges of Dorothy Young, effective July 1, 1996 (Adren Raybourn)

 

            It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize withdrawal privileges for Eathel Brock on all Franklinton Primary School bank accounts, and terminate withdrawal privileges of Dorothy Young, effective July 1, 1996. Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding increased cost of health insurance (Adren Raybourn).

 

            Mr. Raybourn informed the Board that a $148,000 increase to either the Board or employees will affect the July payroll.  He stated that the last two (2) increases were borne by the Board, and that the Board could absorb the cost of this increase.  Following discussion, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Hayward Boone, that appropriate action be taken for the Washington Parish School Board to absorb the increased cost of health insurance.  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.

 

            Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding salary adjustment for Anthony Triola, Acting Superintendent (B. H. Barker).

 

            It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that this item be tabled until the July 25, 1996, board meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding student transfer requests for the 1996-97 school year (Anthony Triola).

 

            Following review by Anthony Triola, followed by discussion, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the following student transfer requests be approved for the 1996-97 school year, and that Mr. Triola and staff review the present transfer policy and make recommendations for revisions to be effective the 1997-98 school year:

 

STUDENT’S NAME                                HOME DISTRICT           REQUESTED DISTRICT

 

Dustin M. Stogner                                  Wesley Ray                  Pine

Shannon Renee O’Quinn                        Wesley Ray                  Franklinton

Casey Scott O’Quinn                             Wesley Ray                  Franklinton

Miranda O’Quinn                                    Wesley Ray                  Franklinton

Jonathan Kule Edwards                          Out of State                   Wesley Ray

Haley M. Freeman                                 Wesley Ray                  Pine

Jordan D. Freeman                                 Wesley Ray                  Pine

T. Matthew Stafford                                Thomas                         Franklinton

Preston Derrick Kuippor                          Wesley Ray                  Pine

Shawn Hano                                          Pine                              Franklinton

Candace Singley                                    Varnado                        Wesley Ray

Richard R. Williamson                            Varnado                        Wesley Ray

Jeremy Duncan                                      Varnado                        Wesley Ray

Melanie Duncan                                     Varnado                        Wesley Ray

Alana Garrett                                         Pine                              Franklinton

Lynnette Garrett                                     Pine                              Franklinton

Earl Winston Seal, II                              Angie                            Thomas

Heather Ducote                                      Franklinton                    Mt. Hermon

Jason Fazekas                                      Franklinton                    Mt. Hermon

Zachary Moras                                       Thomas                        Franklinton

Sophia Moras                                        Thomas                         Franklinton

Nathan M. Lambert                                Enon                             Franklinton

Justin W. Lambert                                  Enon                             Franklinton

Sarah Ladner                                         Pine                              Franklinton

Richard Heath McNeese                         Enon                             Franklinton

Joseph Paul Whaley                              Pine                              Franklinton

Tyrell A. Magee                                     Pine                              Franklinton

Brittany K. Sullivan                                 Thomas                        Franklinton

Jerimiah Mathers                                   Pine                              Franklinton

Dorcas Mathers                                     Pine                              Franklinton

Whitney Hart                                         Pine                              Franklinton

Tiffany Hart                                            Pine                              Franklinton

Heather N. Freeman                               Angie                            Thomas

Lesley Williams                                     Varnado                        Pine

Johnny Erin Tarver                                  Franklinton                    Mt. Hermon

Bridgette W. Watson                              Wesley Ray                  Franklinton

Cheryl Harrell                                         Pine                              Franklinton

Robbie Harrell                                        Pine                              Franklinton

LaSean T. Williams                                Mt. Hermon                   Franklinton

Jermaine Lanell Magee                           Pine                              Mt. Hermon

Justin Cody Magee                                Pine                              Franklinton

Samantha L. Miller                                 Wesley Ray                  Thomas

Bryan W. Hart                                       Pine                              Franklinton

Brandon Kinnonson                                Angie                            Thomas

Benton Magee                                       Franklinton                    Thomas

Matthew R. Williams                              Varnado                        Pine

Heather Michelle Yates                          Franklinton                    Enon

Stephen Maver                                       Franklinton                    Enon

Lauren Witkowski                                  Enon                             Franklinton

Jolanda Davis                                        Pine                              Franklinton

Jovell Davis                                            Pine                              Franklinton

Kathie Lynn Miller                                  Wesley Ray                  Thomas

Brad Chatellier                                       Varnado                        Pine

John Michael Seals                                Varnado                        Pine

Joshua Kelly Robertson                          Varnado                        Enon

Sandra M. Barber                                   Enon                             Franklinton

David Clayton Taylor                               Pine                              Franklinton

Sonny Mitchell Morgan                           Pine                              Mt. Hermon

Rusti Nielson                                         Pine                              Franklinton

John L. Beckett, Jr.                                Pine                              Franklinton

Henry Jacob “Jabe” Kennedy                   Varnado                        Franklinton

Joshua A. Hart                                       Pine                              Franklinton

Donald J. Williams                                 Varnado                        Wesley Ray

Dustin J. Williams                                  Varnado                        Wesley Ray

Clint Wayne Johnson                             Varnado                        Wesley Ray

Andrew Burris Johnson                           Varnado                        Wesley Ray

Adam Stewart Magee                             Varnado                        Wesley Ray

Mary Rita Ducote                                   Franklinton                    Mt. Hermon

D’Andra Procell                                      Pine                              Franklinton

Charles Mathers                                    Pine                              Franklinton

Ariana Mathers                                      Pine                              Franklinton

 

Roll call vote was as follows:

 

                        District 1 - Harold Smith             FOR

                        District 2 - Karl Bickham             FOR

                        District 3 - Bruce Bickham          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.  Mr. Triola asked that two (2) board members serve on a committee to study the transfer policy.  President Barker appointed Harold Smith and Freddie Jefferson to serve.  Mr. Triola will select two (2) principals to serve.

 

            Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel Adjustments.

 

            It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments as presented by Anthony Triola, Acting Superintendent:

 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS   

 

RESIGNATION:

 

Thomas Jr. High School: Faye S. Brock, Food Service Technician, Resignation effective August 1, 1996.

 

REQUEST FOR LEAVE:

 

Enon Elementary School: Lynda Comeaux, Regular Teacher, Leave Without Pay effective the entire 1996-97 school year.

 

TRANSFER:

 

Dinah Corkern, Special Education Teacher, Enon Elementary School, TO Regular Teacher, Enon Elementary School, effective the 1996-97 school year only (fill-in for Lynda Comeaux, who will be on leave without pay).

 

Ann Spears, Special Education Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School, TO Special Education Teacher, Enon Elementary School, effective the 1996-97 school year only (fill-in for Dinah Corkern, who is transferring to a regular education position for the 1996-97 school year only).

 

EMPLOY:

 

Franklinton Jr. High School: Ray St. Pierre, Regular Teacher, effective the 1996-97 school year (replacing Maggie Alvear, who resigned).

 

Enon Elementary School: Chanda Corkern, Regular Teacher, effective the 1996-97 school year only (fill-in for Bettye Talley, who will be on sabbatical leave).

 

Wesley Ray Elementary School: Lisa Lee, Regular Teacher, effective the 1996-97 school year only (fill-in for Willie Delores Harry, who will be on sabbatical leave).-

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #11 - Superintendent’s Report.

 

            A.         At the request of Anthony Triola, Acting Superintendent, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board accept the retirement resignation of Mary Louise Brumfield, Regular Teacher, Franklinton High School, effective July 31, 1996.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            B.         At the request of Anthony Triola, Acting Superintendent, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board authorize advertisement for a Cafeteria Manager at Franklinton High School. Motion carried unanimously.

 

            C.         Mr. Triola informed the Board that an alternative school waiver has been granted for the 1996-97 school year.

 

            D.         Attorney Wayne Kuhn discussed with the Board the matter of an assignment

                        of insurance proceeds of the Varnado fire to Jansen & Company, a public

                        appraiser the board hired shortly after the fire for a fee of 4% of the amount

                        recovered from the insurance.  There is no written contract with Jansen &

                        Company, but there is an assignment in favor of   Jansen & Company, which is in the possession of the insurer.  To date,

                        Jansen & company has been paid $51,536.24 (4% of the amount

                        received from the insurer).  Based upon future proceeds to be paid by

                        the insurer, there is the possibility that an additional $16,000.00 may be

                        claimed by Jansen & Company.  Mr. Kuhn stated that the last check

                        issued was payable to both Jansen & Company and the School Board,

                        and the insurer advised that, since there is an assignment in place,

                        future checks will be issued in the same manner.  The board should

                        decide the value of the services rendered by Jansen & Company and if it

                        wishes to reject payment of any future fees.  If so, it is possible that the

                        board may request of the insurer that all future payments be made

                        directly to the School Board and that the board agree to execute a hold

                        harmless and indemnity agreement with the insurer in the event of a

                        claim or suit by Jansen & Company.  Mr. Kuhn proposed that, if the

                        board is not satisfied with the performance by Jansen & Company, he

                        be authorized to request documentation from Jansen & Company

                        (breakdown of costs incurred - man hours, travel, etc.) And give notice

                        of the Board’s intentions.

 

                        Following further discussion, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded

                        by Harold Smith, that the Board authorize Attorney Wayne Kuhn to

                        request of the insurer that all future payments be made directly to the

                        School Board, and that the Board authorize Attorney Kuhn to execute

                        a hold harmless and indemnity agreement with the insurer in the event

                        of a claim or suit by Jansen & Company. Motion carried unanimously.

 

            E.         At the request of Mrs. Linda Crain, Principal, Franklinton Jr. High

                        School, it was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Holly James, that

                        the Board approve an expenditure of $2,044.00, to be taken from

                        Franklinton Jr. High School allocation, for repairs and maintenance

                        at Franklinton Jr. High School (low quote submitted by Kennedy’s

                        Decorating Center for installation of carpet).  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            F.         Frank Green, supervisor in charge of transportation matters, informed the

                        Board that bus operator physicals will be performed by two physicians -

                        one in Franklinton and one in Bogalusa.

 

            Agenda Item #12 - Other business from board members.

 

            It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Holly James, that the Board hold a special board meeting on July 15, 1996, at 6:30 P.M., for the purpose of interviewing candidates for the position of Superintendent.  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 moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that an agenda item for the July 15, 1996, special board meeting be to authorize advertisement for any vacant position that may arise when the Superintendent is named, and that the advertising period begin July 15, 1996, and continue for two (2) weeks.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            In reference to a vacant food service technician position at Thomas Jr. High School, Bruce Brown offered a motion, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that Nellie Dillon, presently a part-time technician at Thomas Jr. High, be made full-time, and the Board advertise for a part-time position.  Following discussion, the motion and second were withdrawn to allow time for further discussion.

 

            It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by B. H. Barker, that the July 25, 1996, regular board meeting be moved to July 22, 1996.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

 

            It was moved by B. H. Barker, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.

 

BRINGIER H. BARKER, PRESIDENT

 

ANTHONY J. TRIOLA, ACTING SECRETARY