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 May 15, 1997, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board adopt the minutes of the May 15, 1997, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Fowler recommended that Agenda Item #12 be deleted and considered at a special board meeting on Thursday, June 5, 1997, at 7:30 P.M. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that Agenda Item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Title I allocations to schools for the 1997/98 school year (T. J. Butler, Jr.) be deleted and considered at a special board meeting to be held Thursday, June 5, 1997, at 7:30 P.M. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Recognition of Outstanding School Support Employees (William R. Brignac).
Mr. William R. Brignac, Supervisor, briefly reviewed the Outstanding School Support Employee Awards Program, which is mandated by legislation. The following presentations for the 1996/97 school year were made by the school principals:
Aline Quin, Special Education Paraprofessional, Mt. Hermon School
Outstanding School Support Employee - Elementary Level
Principal: Alan Graham
Valerie Seal, Lunchroom Manager, Angie Jr. High School
Outstanding School Support Employee - Junior High Level
Principal: Geary McKenzie
(Mrs. Seal was unable to be present.)
Mary Smith, Special Education Paraprofessional, Varnado High School
Outstanding School Support Employee - Senior High Level
Principal: Emma Ross (Award presented by Gregory Brumfield, Faculty
Coordinator, on behalf of Ms. Ross, who was unable to be present)
Superintendent Fowler expressed congratulations and appreciation to the award recipients.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for construction of classroom/administrative wing and cafeteria building at Varnado High School (Dennie Fowler).
Superintendent Fowler commented on the low bid received from Brunt Construction, Inc., in the amount of $1,391,700.00, which included the two alternates. After discussions with the Varnado High School Committee, Architect Sam Fauntleroy, and the construction company regarding ways to reduce the overall bid, it was determined that Alternate I would remain, but Alternate 2 would be deleted. (Note: Alternate 1 - Changing composition of some interior walls; Alternate 2 - Sewage treatment plant). Further deductions, along with changing some features, were, also, agreed upon. He then reviewed Varnado High School Reconstruction Fund - Projections prepared by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, as follows:
VARNADO HIGH SCHOOL RECONSTRUCTION FUND - PROJECTIONS
Base Bid for Construction $1,300,200.00
Add back Alternate #1 + 2,500.00
Subtotal $1,302,700.00
- 55,546.88 Estimate of Total Deductions Selected
Subtotal $1,247,153.12 Projected Basic Construction Cost
Anticipated Expense for Sewage Treatment + 50,000.00
Anticipated Expense for Fencing + 5,000.00
Projected Unearned Architect Fees + 30,000.00 (To be paid in the future for Phase I)
Projected amount needed for project $1,332,153.12 (Phase I)
Funds available 4-30-97 $1,243,924.33
Projected interest earnings between 4/30/97 & depletion of fund + 25,000.00
Total Projected Funds Available $1,268,924.33
OBSERVATION:
Comparing projected amount needed for project with total projected funds available, we come out with a projected shortfall of $63,228.79. If the projected shortfall of $63,228.79 were added to the existing debt of Varnado High School to Washington Parish School Board General Fund ($92,094.50), the total of projected shortfall and current debt would amount to $155,323.29.
It is planned to put the shortfall for Phase I into the proposed Bond Issue expected to finance Phase II. It is, also, planned (when mobile units are no longer needed) to sell off three (3) of the four (4) mobile units and apply the proceeds to the remaining debt of Varnado High School to Washington Parish School Board General Fund.
Following further discussion, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board accept the low bid submitted by Brunt Construction, Inc., less deductions, in the amount of $1,247,153.12, with the projected shortfall of $63,228.79 for Phase I being put into the proposed bond issue expected to finance Phase II (gymnasium and additional work to the North wing). Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to approve Special Education IDEA and Preschool Flow-Through Budgets for the 1997/98 fiscal year (Pamela Williford).
Following review and discussion, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board approve Special Education IDEA and Preschool Flow-Through Budgets for the 1997/98 fiscal year, with funds allocated for a one-half time speech therapist being placed in Materials and Supplies category. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Pupil Progression Plan revisions for the 1997/98 school year (Richard Kennedy)
Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent, reviewed revisions recommended by the Pupil Progression Plan Committee. A Public Hearing on the Pupil Progression Plan will be held Thursday, June 5, 1997, at 7:00 P.M., with the Board taking action on the plan at the special meeting to follow at 7:30 P.M.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to appoint an Official Journal for the period beginning July 1, 1997, and ending June 30, 1998 (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, the Board appoint The Era-Leader as Official Journal for the period beginning July 1, 1997, and ending June 30, 1997. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of Martha Sumrall, Technology Director/Grant Facilitator, for the period beginning July 29, 1997, and ending July 28, 1998 (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board renew the contract of Martha Sumrall, Technology Director/Grant Facilitator, for the period beginning July 29, 1997, and ending July 28, 1998. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to change the substitute pay for teachers and bus operators (Richard Kennedy).
Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent, presented for the Board’s consideration the following proposals regarding substitute pay for teachers, bus operators, and bus attendants:
Bus Operators: Present substitute pay $36.66
RAISE TO $44.24
Bus Attendants: Present substitute pay $15.00
RAISE TO $19.00
Teachers: Present substitute pay - with degree $40.00
Present substitute pay - with at least
2 years college $36.00
Present substitute pay - with high school
diploma $34.00
RAISE TO: $50.00 FOR CERTIFIED TEACHERS
$40.00 FOR ALL OTHERS
Following discussion, it was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt a change in pay for substitute bus operators and bus attendants, as follows: Bus Operator - $44.24; Bus Attendant - $19.00), and the following pay scale for substitute teachers: Certified Teacher - $50.00; College Degree - $40.00; High School Diploma - $36.00. FOR: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: None. ABSTENTION: Richard N. Thomas. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Title I allocations to schools for the 1997/98 school year (T. J. Butler, Jr.).
This item was deleted.
Agenda Item #13 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustment Adjustments as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Enon Elementary School: Paul Magee, Custodian, Resignation effective June 30, 1997.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Ray P. St. Pierre, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective May 30, 1997.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Helen Hood, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective May 30, 1997.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Wilda B. Tynes, Title I Tutor, Resignation effective May 30, 1997.
Parishwide: Jerry L. Kennedy, Homebound Teacher, Resignation effective May 30, 1997.
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Mt. Hermon School: Aline Quin, Special Education Paraprofessional, Retirement Resignation effective May 30, 1997.
Varnado Elementary School: June Bracey, Title I Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective May 30, 1997.
TERMINATION:
Franklinton Elementary School: Elaine Conerly, Part-time Custodian, Termination effective May 29, 1997. (She did not return to work at the end of her leave without pay.)
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Enon Elementary School: Bonnie G. Pope, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the Fall semester of the 1997/98 school year.
Enon Elementary School: Jeannie Kay Tate, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the entire 1997/98 school year.
Enon Elementary School: Cindy W. Pace, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the entire 1997/98 school year.
Franklinton Primary School: Jeanie B. Matthews, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the entire 1997/98 school year.
Central Office: Martha Sumrall, Technology Director/Grant Facilitator, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective August 14, 1997, and for the remainder of the Fall semester of the 1997/98 school year.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE:
Varnado Elementary School: Mary Lofthus, Regular Teacher, Leave Without Pay effective the Fall semester of the 1997/98 school year.
TRANSFER:
Susan Corkern, Regular Teacher, Varnado Elementary School, TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, effective the beginning of the 1997/98 school year.
Kay Crain, Guidance Counselor, Franklinton High School, TO Guidance Counselor, Pine School, effective the beginning of the 1997/98 school year.
EMPLOY:
Enon Elementary School: Gilbert O. Bond, Itinerant Speech Therapist Assistant, effective the beginning of the 1997/98 school year (Certified).
Pine School: Larry Sylvest, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 1997/98 school year (Certified).
Varnado Elementary School: Lauren Smith, Itinerant Speech Therapist Assistant, effective the beginning of the 1997/98 school year (Certified).
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Tisha Thomas, Special Education Teacher, effective the beginning of the 1997/98 school year (Certified).
Parishwide: Karen Varnado, Homebound Teacher, effective the beginning of the 1997/98 school year and for the 1997/98 school year only.
Motion carried unanimously. There were no Transportation Adjustments.
Agenda Item #14 - Superintendent’s Report.
1. Anthony Triola, Supervisor of Transportation, reviewed quotations received from area physicians for bus operator physicals. It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Hayward Boone, that consideration of this item be added to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board accept the quotation of $35.00 submitted by Dr. Roger Casama. Motion carried unanimously. If a bus operator chooses to go to another physician, the Board will pay only $35.00 on the physician’s fee.
2. At the request of Anthony Triola, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that consideration of holding preservice training for bus operators be added to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that Anthony Triola be authorized to schedule preservice training for bus operators this summer, with the Board paying approximately $300.00 to cover cost of the training. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Following discussion concerning auditing bus routes, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that consideration of this item be added to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that, by draw, a minimum of ten (10) bus routes be audited each year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Other business from board members.
None.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY