The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: President Harold Smith, Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: None.
Agenda Item #1 - Call to order.
The meeting was called to order by President Smith. He welcomed guests and news media.
Agenda Item #2 - Invocation.
Invocation was given by Bruce Brown.
Agenda Item #3 - Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Item #4 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the August 22, 1996, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the August 22, 1996, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the positions of Pupil Appraisal Coordinator and Educational Diagnostician/Assessment Teacher (Board).
It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the positions of Pupil Appraisal Coordinator and Educational Diagnostician/Assessment Teacher. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to return to regular session (Board).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to appoint a Pupil Appraisal Coordinator (Board).
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board appoint Ann Thames as Pupil Appraisal Coordinator. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to appoint an Educational Diagnostician/Assessment Teacher (Board).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board appoint two (2) Educational Diagnostician/Assessment Teachers, as follows: Judy Carter and Kay Foil. Motion carried unanimously. The Board agreed to allow Kay Foil to give a two-week notice with her present employer.
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for the position of IEP Facilitator. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize advertisement for the position of IEP Facilitator. Motion carried unanimously. This position was made vacant upon the appointment of Judy Carter as Educational Diagnostician/Assessment Teacher.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Assistant Principal, Pine School (Board).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Assistant Principal, Pine School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to return to regular session (Board).
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to appoint an Assistant Principal at Pine School.
It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board appoint Ronald Knight as Assistant Principal, Pine School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to adopt General Fund Budget for 1996-97 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (Adren Raybourn).
Following a brief review by Adren Raybourn, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board adopt General Fund Budget for 1996-97 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. Motion carried unanimously. (On September 12, 1996, at 6:00 P.M., a Public Hearing on the General Fund Budget for 1996-97 fiscal year was held in the Board Room.)
Following review by Adren Raybourn, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the Angie School District Maintenance Tax Budget for 1996-97 fiscal year. Motion carried unanimously.
Following review by Marsha Newman, School Food Service Supervisor, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the School Food Service Budget for 1996-97 fiscal year. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board adopt the ECIA Title I, Title II, Title IV and Title VI Budgets for the 1996-97 fiscal year. Motion carried unanimously. These budgets were not reviewed due to the absence of T. J. Butler, Jr., Supervisor, Federally Assisted Programs. Following discussion regarding the need to have these budgets presented to the Board and reviewed prior to adoption, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that, in the future, all budgets be presented to the Board at a committee meeting and reviewed by the person responsible for the budget, prior to being adopted by the Board. Motion carried unanimously. Following a request by Hayward Boone, the Board agreed to request that T. J. Butler, Jr., attend the next board meeting to explain the ECIA Budgets for the 1996-97 fiscal year, along with the school wide plans.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the Special Federal Funds Budget for 1996-97 fiscal year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to adopt Revised IDEA Budget for the Special Education Department (Pamela Williford).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the Revised IDEA Budget for the Special Education Department. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for a Fiscal Agent to serve for the period November 1, 1996, through October 31, 1998 (Adren Raybourn).
At the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board authorize advertisement for a Fiscal Agent to serve for the period November 1, 1996, through October 31, 1998. Motion carried unanimously. Advertising dates will be September 18 and 25, 1996, and October 2, 1996; bids will be accepted until 4:00 P.M., October 10, 1996; bids will be opened at 10:00 A.M., October 11, 1996; a recommendation for selection of the Fiscal Agent Bank will be made at the October 24, 1996, board meeting.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to authorize Bus Operator Cherrie Brumfield to purchase a 1987 International 71-passenger school bus (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board authorize Bus Operator Cherrie Brumfield to purchase a 1987 International 71-passenger school bus, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to adopt addendum to Personnel Evaluation Program (Dennie Fowler).
Following review and recommendation by Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adopt addendum to Personnel Evaluation Program, which assigns all duties related to personnel to the Assistant Superintendent and all duties related to transportation to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, effective immediately. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to approve the appointment of Melanie Kennedy as 504 Coordinator, with all responsibilities of that position, and remove any 504 responsibilities from Dr. Pamela Williford (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board approve the appointment of Melanie Kennedy as 504 Coordinator, with all responsibilities of that position, and remove any 504 responsibilities from Dr. Pamela Williford. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #18 - Consider a motion to authorize Architect Sam Fauntleroy to draw up plans for Varnado High School reconstruction (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board authorize Architect Sam Fauntleroy to draw up plans for Varnado High School reconstruction. Motion carried unanimously. Superintendent Fowler stated Mr. Fauntleroy will draw up plans for Phase I, which will consist of rebuilding the classroom section and building a cafeteria, using insurance money.
Agenda Item #19 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding purchasing an automobile for the Superintendent (Harold Smith).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of an automobile for the Superintendent. Motion carried unanimously. Advertising dates will be September 18 and 25, 1996, and October 2, 1996, with a recommendation being given to the Board at the October 24, 1996, board meeting.
Agenda Item #20 -Discuss and take appropriate action regarding constructing a storage building for the central office (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board authorize construction of a 16' X 55' concrete block storage building for the central office. Motion carried unanimously. Superintendent Fowler stated estimates for materials have been obtained and will total less than $5,000.00.
Agenda Item #21 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel Adjustments (Anthony Triola).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Holly James, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments, as presented by Anthony Triola, Supervisor:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Mt. Hermon School: Sue Burch, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective October 1, 1996.
RESIGNATION:
Franklinton High School: Master Sergeant Robert Evans, JROTC Instructor, Resignation effective September 1, 1996.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Thomas Jr. High School: Jackie W. Jenkins, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the Spring semester of the 1996-97 school year.
TRANSFER:
Frances W. Robinson, Chapter I Tutor, Franklinton Primary School, TO Paraprofessional, Adult Education Learning Center, effective September 16, 1996.
Samuel A. Nugent, Special Education Teacher, Varnado High School - CIRCULAR 665 (effective August 14, 1996, and until Vivian Peters, Special Education Teacher, is able to return to work - presently on Workmen’s Compensation) TO Special Education Teacher, Varnado High School, retroactive to August 13, 1996, and for the 1996-97 school year only - CIRCULAR 665 (fill-in for Eunice Annette Seal, who is on sabbatical leave).
EMPLOY:
Franklinton High School: Lester Anthony, Full-time Custodian, effective September 16, 1996 (replacing Jerry Smith, who resigned).
Franklinton High School: Junior Ray Magee, Full-time Custodian, effective September 16, 1996 (new position).
Pine High School: John N. Fornea, Jr., Regular Teacher (Science), effective September 16, 1996 - Certified (replacing Geary McKenzie, who was appointed Principal, Angie Jr. High School).
Thomas Jr. High School: Gladys Causey, Half-time Food Service Technician, effective September 16, 1996.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Candace Shol, Special Education Teacher, effective September 13, 1996, and for the remainder of the 1996-97 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).
FOR: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Bruce Brown and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: Richard N. Thomas. Motion carried.
Following discussion regarding the vacancy in the position of Assistant Principal, Franklinton Primary School, due to the present assistant principal being on sick leave, it was agreed that Mrs. Eathel Brock, Principal, Franklinton Primary School, would be asked to attend the next board meeting to discuss the assistant principal position.
Mr. Triola requested that the Board consider the recommendation of Carl Merritt, Principal, Thomas Jr. High School, that Robert Vince be employed as Counselor at Thomas Jr. High School on a Temporary Teaching Assignment (TTA), since a certified counselor cannot be found. (At the August 22, 1996, board meeting, the Board approved his employment as a day-by-day substitute.) At Richard N. Thomas’ request, the Board agreed to delay consideration of this matter until the next board meeting.
Agenda Item #22 - Superintendent’s Report.
A. At the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following item be added to the agenda: Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the 1996 Property and Liability Insurance Renewal Quote. Motion carried unanimously. Following review by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, of the recommendations of Norris Insurance Consultants, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board place insurance coverage with Alexander & Alexander, Inc. - National Casualty Ins. Co., effective October 1, 1996, through September 30, 1997, for the following premiums:
General Liability $ 66,522.00
Automobile 64,603.00
Umbrella/Excess Liability 18,500.00
Board Error and Omissions 8,445.00
Inland Marine Floater 1,792.00
Building & Contents 33,969.00
TOTAL $ 193,831.00
Motion carried unanimously.
B. Mrs. Juanita Barker reported that the committee to plan the Franklinton Primary Auditorium dedication ceremony will include the following members: Mrs. Juanita Barker, Chairperson, Greg Route, Arthur Thompson, Mrs. Elvena Bickham, Mrs. Willie Mae Johnson, wife of R. W. Johnson, for whom the building will be named, Walter L. Johnson, who originated the idea, Mrs. Liza Ann Watson, Mrs. Katherine Burkhalter, Mrs. Eathel Brock, Superintendent Dennie Fowler, and Harold Smith. The dedication ceremony will be held December 1, 1996, at 3:00 P.M.
Agenda Item #23 - Other business from board members.
A. Freddie Jefferson requested that discussion regarding substitutes in special education classes be an agenda item for the next committee meeting.
B. Bruce Brown requested that the court orders be reviewed for rulings regarding hiring black/white assistant principals.
Agenda Item #24 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY