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 July 31, 1997, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the July 31, 1997, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt Washington Parish School Board Policy File: BCBI - Public Participation (Harold Smith).
Following review of the proposed policy by School Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn, and discussion among board members, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adopt the following policy to comply with Act 895 of the 1997 Louisiana Legislative Session, enacting LA. Rev. Ann. 42:5.1 requiring, at any meeting of the school board, a public comment period before taking any vote:
FILE: BCBI - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
It is the policy of the Board to conduct all meetings in full view of and with welcomed participation by the public. However, the Board reserves the right to recess into or call executive sessions for discussing matters as provided by state law. At no time shall actions be taken or resolutions made during executive sessions.
All delegations or individuals who wish to appear before the Board shall submit their requests to the Superintendent in writing at least five (5) working days prior to the meeting date, stating what matters they wish to take up with the Board and the approximate time such matters should consume at the meeting. The Superintendent shall have the authority to determine whether items requested are appropriate for Board action and inclusion on the agenda. Each delegation appearing before the Board shall select one person in advance as its spokesperson and notify the Superintendent.
A public comment period shall be held before any vote is taken on an agenda item. The comment period shall precede each agenda item. However, a person is not entitled to take up matters before the Board unless the item in which the person is interested has been placed on the agenda of that meeting. After the public comment period, the Board shall then discuss the agenda item. Public comment during the Board discussion is not permitted. A reasonable limitation will be placed on the amount of time for a public presentation on an agenda item which is established at five (5) minutes for up to two persons and three (3) minutes for more than two persons. This time limitation may be waived by a majority vote of the board members present.
Public presentations should be germane to the agenda item and made in an orderly manner. Public complaints concerning any School Board employee are not considered conducive to an orderly meeting and are not permitted.
The Board President has the authority to maintain an orderly and efficient Board meeting. The Board President shall have the authority to remove any person disrupting or interfering in any manner with the conduction of a meeting of the Board.
Notwithstanding the above, the Board President may recognize persons at the Board meetings for the purpose of introducing such persons.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of Laptop Word Processors in conjunction with 8(g) grant (Toni Tageant).
Toni Tageant, English Teacher, Franklinton High School, informed the Board of an 8(g) grant from the State for Project LEAP, which has the goal of helping students “leap” into the 21st Century by being well prepared and technologically proficient. Each of the four high schools in the parish will receive a Rolling Lab containing 40 Laptop Word Processing Units. The rolling lab will be used in the English departments at the high schools to meet objectives that will address student participation, absenteeism, and achievement. This program will enable each student within a class to have equal access to a computer when completing the writing process. The rolling lab will be used in conjunction with existing computers and printers and will greatly enhance the English programs at the high schools. If all the evaluation criteria are met, the grant can be renewed. Once the pilot year is completed, the grant will, hopefully, be extended to include the junior high schools and, possibly, the elementary level during the third year.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of four (4) Laptop Word Processor Rolling Labs. Motion carried unanimously. Advertising dates will be August 20 & 27, 1997, and September 3, 1997, with bids being opened at the Washington Parish School Board Office at 3:00 P.M. Thursday, September 18, 1997. Official action will be taken on the bids at the September 25, 1997, board meeting.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to approve Special Education IDEA-B budget revision (Pamela Williford).
Upon the recommendation of Dr. Pamela Williford, Special Education Supervisor, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board approve Special Education IDEA-B budget revision. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Hear report from Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, regarding Minimum Foundation Program and fiscal year 1996/97; hear report from Dennie Fowler, Superintendent, regarding expectations and proposals for fiscal year 1997/98; discuss and take appropriate action regarding these reports (Adren Raybourn and Dennie Fowler).
Mr. Raybourn’s report addressed 1996/97 General Fund observations and 1997/98 MFP projections, and was, as follows:
“While all the analytical work has not yet been done on General Fund’s performance for the 1996/97 fiscal year, we have done sufficient analysis to establish that performance was acceptable. Revenue exceeded expenditures due, primarily, to increases in both sales tax and ad valorem tax. Sales tax revenue was $100,193.41 more than budgeted, and ad valorem tax due General Fund was $95,010.06 more than budgeted.
As for MFP, the State’s original projection for 1996/97 was $16,782,001.00
As it worked out, we actually received a total of - 16,596,981.00
A difference of $ 185,020.00
We had budgeted a total of $16,682,001.00, so the total we received was only $85,020.00 less than expected.
The tentative MFP projection by the State for FY 97-98 $17,963,989.00
Total MFP revenue received in 96-97 (after adjustments) - 16,596,981.00
Tentative projected increase in MFP (State’s figures) $ 1,367,008.00
Allowance for margin of error recommended by us 225,000.00
Subtotal $ 1,142,008.00
Less: Estimated Adjustments:
Cost of In-School Suspension - 150,000.00
Additional cost of Health Insurance - 7,500.00
Cost of rate increase in Teachers’ Retirement - 11,232.45
Cost of Step Increases - 75,000.00
44.32% Increase in rate of pay for sub. bus drivers - 7,756.05
14% Average increase in rate of pay for sub. teachers - 28,617.55
$50.00 Per pupil for Voc. Ag. Pupils’ Mat. & Sup. (Grades 9-12) - 14,500.00
Estimated remaining increase in MFP for 1997/98 Fiscal Year $ 847,401.95
NOTE: It is important to realize that the discussion of MFP for 1997/98 FY concentrates only on the projected increase. We are not expecting any noticeable increases in local revenue.”
Superintendent Fowler presented the following four (4) proposals for Board consideration:
PROPOSAL #1 (PROJECTION FOR GENERAL FUND ONLY)
Note: This information is based on 388 Certificated/Administrative; teacher average salary of
$26,000.00 per year - not including PIPs.
Certificated/Administrative - $1,550.00 Per Person
Base Salary Increase $601,400.00
Employer Contribution to Teachers’ Retirement 98,629.60
Employer Portion Medicare Tax 8,720.30
$708,749.90
For teachers, based on average, would equate to approximately 5.96%
Non-Certificated/Non-Administrative - 3.00%
$2,675,127.65 (1% = $26,751.28)
+12% Avg. Ret. 3,210.15
+1.45% Med. 387.89
$30,349.32
(Must provide Minimum of $350.00 Full-time /$175.00 Part-time - Not fully provided at 3.00%)
+$ 91,047.96
799,797.86
Estimated remaining increase in MFP for
1997/98 Fiscal Year $847,401.95
- 799,797.86
$ 47,604.09
Propose an increase of $1,550.00 per year per person for full-time certificated or administrative personnel, including those on sabbatical leave and those otherwise being paid from a teachers’ salary schedule, and an increase of 3%, with a minimum of $350.00 per year, for full-time non-certificated or non-administrative personnel, and $175.00 per year for part-time non-certificated or non-administrative personnel, retroactive to July 1, 1997.
Further propose that the Board not grant any other salary rate increases (beyond normal step increases) until after the 1998/99 Fiscal Year, other than possible state mandated increases and increases due to indexing or contractual provisions.
PROPOSAL #2 (PROJECTION FOR GENERAL FUND ONLY)
Propose bringing full-time School Clerks from a 10-month work year to an 11-month work year.
$12,817.00 divided by 10 $1,281.70 (Base pay for extra month) $12,817.00
210.20 Employer’s share Tch.Ret. + 1,281.70
18.58 Employer’s share Medicare $14,098.70
$1,510.48 Per person X 16 - $24,167.68
NOTE: Salary rate increase of 3% provided in Proposal #1 is also applicable to Proposal #2.
PROPOSAL #3
Propose adjustment in Supervisor/Administrative Salaries.
Propose an additional adjustment of $2,000.00 for Supervisors/Administrators
$2,000.00 X 16.4% Retirement = $328.00 $2,000.00 Proposed Adjustment
+ 328.00 Tch. Ret.
$2,328.00 Est. Cost Per Person X 9=$20,952.00
(To be funded by General Fund)
Propose inclusion of:
(To be funded by G.F.)
Supervisor of Voc. Ed. & Maintenance
Superintendent (As required by Contract)
Chief Accountant & Operations Manager
Supervisor of Elementary Instruction
Supervisor of Adult Education
Assistant Superintendent & Supervisor of Secondary Instruction
Director of Finance
Supervisor of Child Welfare & Attendance & Supervisor of Transportation
Supervisor of Special Education
(To be funded by Title I)
Director of ESEA Title I Programs
(To be funded by School Food Service)
Supervisor of School Food Service
At the beginning of the 1993/94 fiscal year, principals were given a salary adjustment. At that time, it was generally understood that supervisors and administrators would also get an adjustment in the near future, because failure to do so would cause a noticeable decrease in the salary range between supervisors/administrators and principals. Since that time, some major administrative changes have occurred. Although a considerable amount of discussion has taken place, the supervisors and administrators still have not received their adjustment.
Propose inclusion of instructional supervisors, administrators in upper management positions whose salaries are indexed to those of instructional supervisors, and administrators in upper management who are in key performance areas. Propose inclusion of the positions shown above, retroactive to July 1, 1997.
PROPOSAL #4
Propose school board contribute $900.00 per month toward Wayne Kuhn’s total compensation as an Assistant District Attorney representing the Washington Parish School Board.
(We had budgeted $9,600.00 in Legal Services for 96-97 fiscal year. Would require budgeting only $1,200.00 additional. We do not anticipate any legal fees being spent during 97-98 on the MFP suit.)
Following discussion, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board approve all four (4) proposals as recommended by Superintendent Dennie Fowler. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement on August 27, 1997, that a Public Hearing on the Washington Parish School Board Budgets will be held September 11, 1997, at 6:00 P.M. (Adren Raybourn).
Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board authorize advertisement on August 27, 1997, that a Public Hearing on the Washington Parish School Board Budgets will be held September 11, 1997, at 6:00 P.M. Motion carried unanimously. The Board will consider adoption of all budgets at the September 11, 1997, board meeting.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding finalization of Superintendent’s evaluation (Harold Smith).
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Holly James, that the Board extend for one (1) additional year (July 23, 1998, through July 22, 1999) the employment contract of Superintendent Dennie Fowler because of his satisfactory evaluation. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Enon Elementary School: Cindy P. Stafford, Guidance Counselor, Resignation effective August 6, 1997.
Enon Elementary School: Dinah Corkern, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective August 1, 1997.
Franklinton High School: Sonya Lawson, Part-time School Clerk, Resignation effective July 24, 1997.
Franklinton High School: Michael Wilcox, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective August 6, 1997.
Varnado High School: Arlene C. Gomes, Band Director, Resignation effective August 1, 1997.
Varnado High School: Shannon Chatmon, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 11, 1997.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Franklinton High School: Ann Scott Harrell, Librarian, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the Fall semester only of the 1997/98 school year.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE:
Franklinton High School: Matthew Tate, Assistant Principal, Sick Leave effective August 18, 1997, through January 15, 1998 (90 days).
Mt. Hermon School: Willie B. Schilling, Food Service Technician, Sick Leave effective August 13, 1997, through August 26, 1997, and Leave Without Pay effective August 27, 1997, through January 14, 1998.
TRANSFER:
Ann Spears, Regular Teacher, Enon Elementary School, effective the 1997/98 school year only (fill-in for Jeannie Tate, who will be on sabbatical leave), TO Special Education Teacher, Enon Elementary School, effective the beginning of the 1997/98 school year - CERTIFIED (replacing Dinah Corkern, who resigned).
Tammy R. Boyd, Academically Gifted Teacher, Mt. Hermon School, effective the 1997/98 school year only (TTA), TO Special Education Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School, effective the 1997/98 school year only (TTA).
EMPLOY:
Enon Elementary School: Sheree Voth, Faculty Coordinator, effective the beginning of the 1997/98 school year.
Enon Elementary School: Debra F. Hughes, Regular Teacher, effective the 1997/98 school year only - CERTIFIED (fill-in for Jeannie Tate, who will be on sabbatical leave).
Franklinton Primary School: Patricia Harrison, Faculty Co-Coordinator, effective the beginning of the 1997/98 school year.
Franklinton Primary School: Brenda Fussell Quin, Faculty Co-Coordinator, effective the beginning of the 1997/98 school year.
Franklinton Primary School: Olene Mathers, Special Education Bus Attendant, effective August 18, 1997.
Franklinton Elementary School: Eva Causey, Part-time Food Service Porter, effective August 15, 1997 (pending outcome of physical examination).
Franklinton High School: Edna Lowe, Faculty Co-Coordinator, effective the Fall semester only of the 1997/98 school year.
Franklinton High School: Beverly Bailey, Faculty Co-Coordinator, effective the Fall semester only of the 1997/98 school year.
Franklinton High School: Terrence August, Regular Teacher, effective the Fall semester only of the 1997/98 school year (CIRCULAR 665).
Franklinton High School: Robin Drago, Regular Teacher, effective the Fall semester only of the 1997/98 school year - CIRCULAR 665 (fill-in for Ann Scott Harrell, who will be on sabbatical leave).
Thomas Jr. High School: Kathy J. Knight, Regular Teacher, effective the 1997/98 school year only - CERTIFIED (fill-in for Billy W. Knight, who will be on sabbatical leave).
Thomas Jr. High School: Billie Jean Smith, Kindergarten Teacher, effective the beginning of the 1997/98 school year (CERTIFIED).
Varnado High School: James Griffin, Jr., Band Director, effective August 6, 1997, and for the 1997/98 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).
Varnado High School: Vol J. Holden, Regular Teacher, effective the 1997/98 school year only - CERTIFIED (replacing Shannon Chatmon, who resigned).
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Superintendent’s Report.
A. Superintendent Fowler reminded the Board that today (8/14/97) was the first day of work for teachers, with staff development scheduled for Friday (8/15/97). Kathy Mouton, Program Director, English/Language Arts Frameworks, State Department of Education, will be presenting information to teachers on Frameworks and changes in state testing of students. Teachers will attend one of three sessions scheduled throughout the day at Franklinton High School.
B. Superintendent Fowler reported that work at Varnado High School is progressing slowly due to rain, but no significant problems regarding time delays are foreseen.
C. President Smith asked for a motion to grant a request to address the Board. It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board grant a request by Richard Magee to address the Board. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Magee, a former employee in the Washington Parish School System, expressed appreciation and support of parish teachers and principals, and complimented the Board for raising teachers’ pay.
Agenda Item #13 - Other business from board members.
President Smith read a letter from Washington Parish School System principals complimenting Superintendent Fowler, Assistant Superintendent Richard Kennedy and central office personnel.
Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY