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.
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 September 26, 1996, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the minutes of the September 26, 1996, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to request First Financial to act as the Board’s Third Party Administrator, instead of Plan Administrator, for the Cafeteria Plan (Adren Raybourn).
Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board require First Financial to act as the Board’s Third Party Administrator, instead of Plan Administrator, for the Cafeteria Plan, and sign a “hold harmless agreement” for the IRS compliance function. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to revise Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GCC/GCD - Nonprofessional Personnel (Richard Kennedy).
Following review by Assistant Superintendent Richard Kennedy, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the following paragraph be added to Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GCC/GCD - Nonprofessional Personnel (Employment of Bus Operators): “Any person employed as a bus operator in the Washington Parish School System must have the availability of funds to purchase a bus. The new bus operator will be given ten (10) working days from date of employment to purchase a bus and have it on the route. If a bus is needed on a route during these ten days, it is the driver’s responsibility to rent a bus and pay for all expenses. The bus operator must make sure that the bus meets all Federal and State guidelines.” Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for William R. Brignac, Jr., Supervisor of Maintenance and Vocational Education (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board renew the contract of employment for William R. Brignac, Jr., Supervisor of Maintenance and Vocational Education, for a two-year period (November 11, 1996 - November 10, 1998). Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Carl Merritt, Principal, Thomas Jr. High School (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board renew the contract of employment for Carl Merritt, Principal, Thomas Jr. High School, for a two-year period (December 9, 1996, through December 8, 1998). Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for a part-time custodian at Franklinton Elementary School (Richard Kennedy).
At the request of Assistant Superintendent Richard Kennedy, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that this item be deleted from the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to advertise for a one-half time Food Service Technician at Pine School (Marsha Newman).
Upon the recommendation of Marsha Newman, Supervisor, School Food Service, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize advertisement for a one-half time Food Service Technician at Pine School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to advertise for a temporary full-time Food Service Technician at Pine School (for remainder of 1996-97 school year) -(Marsha Newman).
Upon the recommendation of Marsha Newman, Supervisor, School Food Service, it was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize advertisement for a temporary full-time Food Service Technician at Pine School, with position to be for the remainder of the 1996-97 school year only. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Pine School: John N. Fornea, Jr., Regular Teacher, Resignation effective October 4, 1996.
TERMINATION:
Franklinton High School: John Middleton, Regular Teacher (Math) - “Troops to Teachers” Program, Termination effective September 20, 1996.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Franklinton Jr. High School: Elizabeth Diane James, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the Spring semester of the 1996-97 school year.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE:
Angie/Wesley Ray Schools: Gladys Breland, Bus Operator, Extended Sick Leave effective October 11, 1996, through November 1, 1996.
Franklinton High School: Margaret B. Burch, Regular Teacher, Extended Sick Leave effective October 8, 1996, through January 13, 1997 (Disability Retirement Pending).
Varnado Elementary School: Mary Lofthus, Regular Teacher, Extended Sick Leave effective August 28, 1996, through January 13, 1997 (Disability Retirement Pending).
APPOINTMENT:
Franklinton Primary School: Brenda Fussell and Patricia Harrison, Faculty Coordinators, effective September 30, 1996, and for the remainder of the 1996-97 school year only.
EMPLOYMENT:
Franklinton High School: David C. Belou, Regular Teacher (Math), effective September 30, 1996, and for the remainder of the 1996-97 school year only - CIRCULAR 665 (replacing John Middleton).
Special Education Office: Velva Fortenberry, IEP Facilitator, effective October 11, 1996. (If approved, sabbatical leave previously granted for the 1996-97 school year will be terminated effective October 10, 1996.)
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton Schools: Extend the route of Faye Newman 4.9 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student who is now on her route.
Effective date: September 25, 1996.
Extend the route of Mary Simmons 1.3 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student who is now on her route.
Effective date: September 20, 1996.
Mt. Hermon School: Extend the route of Naomi Tarver 1.6 miles one way due to a detour off a narrow road.
Effective date: October 1, 1996.
Pine School: Extend the route of Ladonics Dillon 1.4 miles one way to pick up a student who is now on her route.
Effective date: September 24, 1996.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item # 13 - Superintendent’s Report.
Superintendent Fowler asked Architect Sam Fauntleroy to update the Board on Varnado High School reconstruction. He stated plans are progressing well, and the intent is to accept bids by the end of the year.
Agenda Item #14 - Other business from board members.
None.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(7) to discuss a problem of a student.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(7) to discuss a problem of a student. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY