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 present.
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 September 12, 1996, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the September 12, 1996, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Presentation by Phyllis C. Thomas, Principal, Enon Elementary School (Phyllis Thomas).
Mrs. Phyllis Thomas presented Certificates of Excellence to Enon Elementary School students Jessica Galloway and Robert Mizell and recognized their Talented Art Teacher, Mrs. Dot Lampton. These students participated in an art contest, “Unchain Your Brain,” sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Agenda Item #6 - Presentation by T. J. Butler, Jr., Supervisor, Federally Assisted Programs - Review of ECIA Budgets and Schoolwide Plans (Board).
Mr. Butler reviewed, in detail, the ECIA Budgets and Schoolwide Plans and answered questions from board members.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for the position of Special Education Paraprofessional at Wesley Ray Elementary School (Richard Kennedy).
Upon the recommendation of Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize advertisement for the position of Special Education Paraprofessional at Wesley Ray Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously. Applications will be accepted September 27, 1996, through October 11, 1996, at 4:00 P.M.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
CHANGE IN EFFECTIVE DATE OF EMPLOYMENT:
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Candace Shol, Special Education Teacher, Change effective date of employment from September 13, 1996, to August 13, 1996, and for the 1996-97 school year only - CIRCULAR 665.
CHANGE IN EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Franklinton Jr. High School: Lisa Rawls, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1996-97 school year only - TTA, TO Special Education Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School, effective August 13, 1996, and for the 1996-97 school year only - CIRCULAR 665.
EMPLOY:
Franklinton High School: Robin Drago, Agriscience Teacher, effective September 20, 1996, and for the remainder of the Fall semester only of the 1996-97 school year - CIRCULAR 665 (fill-in for William Hargrove, who is on sabbatical leave).
Pine School: Terrence August, Vocal Music Teacher, effective September 17, 1996, and for the remainder of the 1996-97 school year only - CIRCULAR 665 (fill-in for Clodean Brumfield, who is on sabbatical leave).
Motion carried unanimously.
Following discussion, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board employ Robert E. Vince as Counselor, Thomas Jr. High School, effective September 27, 1996, and for the remainder of the Fall semester only of the 1996-97 school year - TTA - Pending approval by the State Department of Education. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Superintendent’s Report.
A. Mrs. Eathel Brock, Principal, Franklinton Primary School, was present, at the request of the Board, to discuss the assistant principal position at Franklinton Primary School. Mrs. Brock stated that, since Mrs. Liz Butler, the Assistant Principal, who is also a teacher and counted in the teacher allotment, is on leave, there is no permanent vacancy for an assistant principal. Mrs. Brock suggested that the Board either follow the application/screening process for interested individuals, as in the past, or authorize the appointment of two faculty coordinators, one black and one white from Franklinton Primary School Staff, to serve while Mrs. Butler is on leave.
Following discussion, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize Principal Eathel Brock to appoint two qualified faculty coordinators, one black and one white, from Franklinton Primary School teaching staff, to serve while Mrs. Butler is on leave. FOR: Karl Bickham, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith and Richard N. Thomas. AGAINST: Juanita Barker, Holly James, Bruce Brown and Freddie Jefferson. The vote being five (5) FOR and four (4) AGAINST, the motion carried.
B. Superintendent Fowler reported he had talked with the architect regarding Varnado High School, and that plans are progressing well. He, also, reported that final payment was made this date to Thomas Mobile Homes, since the fire alarm inspection was performed by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and approval given.
C. It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize the purchase of 12.9 acres, more or less, at the price of $1,250.00 per acre, to be paid from Mt. Hermon School funds, from the owner of property adjoining Mt. Hermon School, to be described according to the survey, and authorize President Smith to sign the Act of Sale. Motion carried unanimously. (Note: On August 22, 1996, the Board authorized the purchase of ten acres of land adjoining Mt. Hermon School, but this acreage was sold to someone else.)
Agenda Item #10 - Other business from board members.
Bruce Brown stated that the Principal at Franklinton Primary School has shown a need for an additional cafeteria worker. Mrs. Marsha Newman, Food Service Supervisor, stated that the participation figures for August would warrant the school losing a cafeteria worker. She suggested waiting for September participation figures and giving a report at the October committee meeting. The Board agreed.
Karl Bickham requested that the Superintendent provide board members with monthly calendars from each school.
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board allow Kendrick Fortenberry to address the Board. Motion carried unanimously. Kendrick, an honor student at Varnado High School, requested that the Board provide the students at Varnado with a physical education and recreational concrete slab for P.E. classes, intramural program, basketball, and other team sports.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(2) involving threatening or suspected litigation, as received in form of written complaint. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(2) involving threatening or suspected litigation, as received in form of written complaint. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Holly James, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session concerning discussion of two employees under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(1).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board enter into Executive Session concerning discussion of two employees under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(1). Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board correct the salary of Patricia Williams, and pay her back-pay for the years that her salary was calculated wrongly. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board change Vicki Hassell’s date of employment from January 23, 1995, to January 20, 1995, and pay her the appropriate amount due. Motion carried unanimously.
Attorney Wayne Kuhn informed the Board of a letter he received from Attorney Bob Hammonds regarding the lawsuit filed by Dr. Guy V. Schilling. In his letter, Mr. Hammonds stated, “This office has been handling defense of the Guy Von Schilling v. Washington Parish School Board litigation. The issue in the case was whether the School Board had the right to change the job description of a tenured assistant superintendent. The District Court ruled that the School Board could not change Dr. Schilling’s job description, and the School Board voted to appeal that decision. While the case has been on appeal, we have learned that Dr. Schilling has retired from the school system. Before incurring the expenses of preparing appellate briefs, we filed a motion with the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal to find out if such retirement made the appeal moot. The First Circuit Court granted the motion on September 16, 1996. As a result of the Court’s action, this litigation is probably complete. Though Dr. Schilling has a right to appeal the Court’s dismissal of this case, that possibility would appear remote given the fact that he did not appeal the District Court decision or answer the School Board’s appeal therefrom.”
Superintendent Fowler reported that the Washington Parish School Board has been asked to provide speech therapy services for a student attending the private school in Franklinton. Following discussion and comments by Attorney Kuhn regarding the Federal Court Order involving Bowling Green School, it was determined that the Board would abide by the Court Order, and that the parent of the student would be so informed.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY