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, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: Holly James.
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 - Election of Officers of the Board.
President Smith opened the floor for nominations for President and Vice-President of the Board. Freddie Jefferson nominated Harold Smith for President. His nomination was seconded by Susanne Jones. Karl Bickham nominated Hayward Boone for Vice-President. His nomination was seconded by Richard N. Thomas. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that nominations cease. Motion carried unanimously. The vote on Harold Smith for President was as follows: FOR: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: None. ABSTENTION: Harold Smith. ABSENT: Holly James. Motion carried. The vote on Hayward Boone for Vice-President was as follows: FOR: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: None. ABSTENTION: Hayward Boone. ABSENT: Holly James. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the December 12, 1996, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the December 12, 1996, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
DISABILITY RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Thomas Jr. High School: Timothy Sumrall, Disability Retirement Resignation effective January 8, 1997.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Pine High School: Rita Wood, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the Spring semester of the 1996-97 school year and the Fall semester of the 1997-98 school year.
REQUEST FOR EXTENDED SICK LEAVE:
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Misty D. Mulford, Regular Teacher, Extended Sick Leave effective January 6, 1997, through April 4, 1997.
TRANSFER:
Pamela Briggs, Home Economics Teacher, Varnado High School (CIRCULAR 665), TO Special Education Teacher, Varnado High School (CIRCULAR 665), effective January 14, 1997, and for the remainder of the 1996-97 school year only.
Rhonda Gunnell, Special Education Teacher, Pine High School, TO Home Economics Teacher, Varnado High School, effective January 14, 1997 (replacing Pamela Briggs, who is transferring to Special Education Teacher, Varnado High School).
Samuel Nugent, Special Education Teacher, Varnado High School (CIRCULAR 665), TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School (CIRCULAR 665), effective the Spring semester only of the 1996-97 school year (fill-in for Diane James, who will be on sabbatical leave).
Karen Varnado, Special Education Teacher, Pine High School, TO Homebound Instructor, effective the Spring semester only of the 1996-97 school year (fill-in for Jerry Kennedy, who will be on sabbatical leave).
EMPLOY:
Pine High School: Charles Ackeman, Regular Teacher (CIRCULAR 665), effective the Spring semester only of the 1996-97 school year (replacing Ann McKenzie, who is retiring effective January 13, 1997).
Pine High School: Burneva Ellzey, Special Education Teacher (TTA), effective the Spring semester only of the 1996-97 school year (replacing Rhonda Gunnell, who is transferring to Varnado High School).
Pine High School: Ali Wood, Special Education Teacher (TTA), effective the Spring semester only of the 1996-97 school year (fill-in for Karen Varnado, who is transferring to Homebound Instructor for the Spring semester only of the 1996-97 school year).
Pine High School: Lue Brock, Regular Teacher, effective the Spring semester only of the 1996-97 school year - CERTIFIED (fill-in for Rebecca Graves, who will be on sabbatical leave).
Thomas Jr. High School: Virginia Lynne Graves, Regular Teacher, effective the Spring semester only of the 1996-97 school year - CERTIFIED (fill-in for Jackie Jenkins, who will be on sabbatical leave).
Thomas Jr. High School: Dawn Seal, Regular Teacher, effective January 9, 1997 -CERTIFIED (replacing Timothy Sumrall, who will be taking Disability Retirement effective January 8, 1997).
Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board approve the following Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton Schools: Deduct .3 mile one way from the route of Rex McCain
due to student (Daniel Dubison) moving off route.
Effective date: December 13, 1996.
Franklinton Schools: Deduct 5.2 miles one way from the route of Violonia
Edwards due to special education student moving off
route. Effective date: December 9, 1996.
Pine High School: Extend the route of Russell Barber 2.0 miles one way
to pick up James, Erica, and Alisa Fritz. Effective date:
December 2, 1996.
Thomas Jr. High School: Extend the route of Kaye Magee 1.0 mile one way to
pick up Valerie Ratley. Effective date: November 4,
1996.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Superintendent’s Report.
Superintendent Fowler briefly reported on a meeting held January 8, 1997, at which time members of the Second District Superintendents Association met with State Superintendent of Education Cecil Picard. It was a productive meeting, with several important issues discussed.
Agenda Item #8 - Other business from board members.
Mrs. Juanita Barker asked for an explanation of what transpired “when we were trying to determine whether or not that motion passed at the last meeting.” Superintendent Fowler asked Attorney Wayne Kuhn to give the explanation and opinion. (Note: At the December 12, 1996, board meeting, the following action was taken: “It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board follow State guidelines and qualifications for filling administrative positions, and drop the Plus 30 requirement. FOR: Karl Bickham, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, and Richard N. Thomas. AGAINST: Juanita Barker, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. Motion carried.” At a later date, the passage of the motion was questioned, since the vote was not a 3/4th’s vote.)
Attorney Kuhn stated that the question presented to him was whether or not a motion at the last meeting, which passed by a majority vote, should have required a 3/4th’s vote for passage, if it was a change in board policy. Mr. Kuhn stated, “This same issue was presented to me in a meeting on June 22, 1995, concerning a motion at a previous meeting on June 8, 1995, involving a reduction in force for support personnel. The vote was six (6) FOR the motion and three (3) AGAINST the motion. At that time, I was asked to research this. I have been told in board meetings that a motion that changes board policy would require a 3/4th’s vote. Upon studying the policy, “Voting Method At Board Meetings,” one paragraph states, “Reconsideration of action shall be according to Robert’s Rules of Order, with the exception that matters voted on by the Board shall not be brought up for reconsideration except by a three-fourths vote of the Board.” After studying the policy, it is my conclusion that the motion to reconsider would require a 3/4th’s vote. The paragraph does not say, “to change the board policy.” The paragraph deals with reconsideration of action, which is a technical motion in Robert’s Rules of Order stating, “Reconsider - a motion of American origin - enables a majority in an assembly, within a limited time and without notice, to bring back for further consideration a motion which has already been voted on. The purpose of reconsidering a vote is to permit correction of hasty, ill-advised, or erroneous action, or to take into account added information or a changed situation that has developed since the taking of the vote.” The motion to reconsider has the following characteristics: 1. It can be made only by a member who voted with the prevailing side; 2. Is subject to time limits---In a session of one day, the motion to reconsider can be made only on the same day the vote to be reconsidered was taken; 3. Must be seconded at the time it is made; 4. Is not amendable; 5. Requires only a majority vote to adopt the motion. It was not until I did the research in 1995 that I concluded that our policy is dealing with the motion to reconsider and not dealing with all board policy. To support that position, the Board also has a policy that states, under “Suspension of Policy,” that the Board may suspend policy by a majority vote of the Board.”
Mr. Kuhn was asked if the Board did the right thing at the last meeting. He replied, “Yes, the motion was correct, and it passed. Nowhere in our policy manual does it say that a 3/4th’s vote is required to change policy.”
President Smith stated he was given a “Request to Address the Board” from Cheryl Carey, President, Franklinton Area Concerned Parents Association, on the topic, “Due Process Hearing for Cochita Miller.” It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Juanita Barker, that Ms. Carey be allowed to address the Board. Following discussion, it was determined that the request was for an appeal hearing, which would have to be placed on the agenda, either for the next board meeting or for a special board meeting.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY