The Washington Parish School Board met in special 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 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Pupil Progression Plan revisions for the 1997/98 school year (Richard Kennedy).
A Public Hearing on the Pupil Progression Plan was held at 7:00 P.M., at which time Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent, reviewed the revisions recommended by the Pupil Progression Plan Committee.
Following discussion, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board approve the Pupil Progression Plan revisions for the 1997/98 school year, as recommended by the committee. FOR: Karl Bickham, Holly James, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: Juanita Barker and Susanne Jones. Motion carried. Board Member Jones stated, “I’m sorry, committee. I’m not voting against you; in one way, I guess I am. I appreciate the work you did on the Pupil Progression Plan, but, in good conscience, I’m the bottom and this board is the bottom line. We are accountable for what happens in this school system. People look at us and what we vote on. I agree with everything else you did with the plan, but I can’t go along with the (grade) floor and (final exam) exemption.”
Board Member Barker stated, “I would like to sanction that same thing, but the 45 floor bothers me. I think it’s a matter of students bringing us down to their standards, when we should be doing everything we can to bring them up to higher standards.”
President Smith expressed appreciation to the Pupil Progression Plan Committee members for their work on the committee.
Agenda Item #5 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Title I allocations to schools for the 1997/98 school year (T. J. Butler, Jr.).
T. J. Butler, Jr., Supervisor of Federally Assisted Programs, presented four (4) allocation plans for the board to consider, each plan utilizing the total parish allocation of $1,023,836.97. Following review of each plan and discussion, it was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board approve Plan D, which was as follows:
PLAN D - 1997-98 ALLOCATIONS
SCHOOL %FREE & REDUCED #FREE & REDUCED ALLOCATION
LUNCH LUNCH
VES 100 144 X $350.00 $ 50,400.00
VHS 100 235 X $350.00 82,250.00
WRES 98.3 283 X $350.00 99,050.00
ANGIE 93.1 246 X $350.00 86,100.00
THOMAS 90.2 377 X $350.00 131,950.00
FPS 89.6 423 X $250.00 105,750.00
FES 86.9 360 X $250.00 90,000.00
PINE 85.3 558 X $250.00 139,500.00
MT. HERMON 80.5 445 X $250.00 111,250.00
FR. JR. HIGH 74.0 370 X $150.00 55,500.00
ENON 71.6 205 X $150.00 30,750.00
FHS 58.4 412 X $100.33 * 41,336.97
*Balance of Funds TOTAL $1,023,836.97
90 - 100% $350.00 PER PUPIL
80 - 89% $250.00 PER PUPIL
79% & BELOW $150.00 PER PUPIL
During discussion, President Smith asked Superintendent Fowler which plan he would recommend. Mr. Fowler stated he would recommend a plan that was within the law and one with no intent of violation of law. He stated that the fairer plan would be Plan B, which would provide “a little more money for all schools to deal with. Some (budget) revisions would have to be made in three (3) schools.” The vote on the motion to approve Plan D was as follows: FOR: Juanita Barker, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, Freddie Jefferson, and Hayward Boone. AGAINST: Karl Bickham, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, and Holly James. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY