Franklinton, Louisiana

August 28, 1997

6:30 P.M.

 

            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 August 14, 1997, regular board meeting.

 

            It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the August 14, 1997, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #5 - Presentation by Nelda Purvis, President, Washington Parish Reading Council (Dennie Fowler).

 

            Mrs. Nelda Purvis, President, Washington Parish Reading Council, reviewed recent activities/accomplishments of the council.  At the Louisiana Reading Association Leadership Workshop Awards Banquet held in June, the Washington Parish Reading Council was one of seven (7) councils in Louisiana to achieve Honor Council status.

 

            Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to increase hours worked for cafeteria managers (Marsha Newman).

 

            Supervisor Marsha Newman recommended that the Board increase the workday for all lunchroom managers by one-half (½) hour.  It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that this item be tabled until the next committee meeting for further discussion.  FOR: Karl Bickham, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown and Freddie Jefferson.  AGAINST: Juanita Barker and Holly James.  Motion carried.  Karl Bickham then withdrew his motion.

 

            Following discussion, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board increase the workday by one (1) hour for lunchroom managers at the seven (7) schools who do not have lunchroom clerks.  FOR: Freddie Jefferson, Bruce Brown, Richard N. Thomas, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones and Karl Bickham. AGAINST: Juanita Barker, Holly James and Harold Smith.  Motion carried.

 

            It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that, as schools lose part-time school lunch clerks through attrition, one (1) additional hour be added to the lunchroom manager’s workday at that school site.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding purchase of a maintenance truck (Dennie Fowler).

 

            It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of a 1997 Chevrolet/GMC Pickup for the maintenance department.  Motion carried unanimously.  Advertising dates will be September 3, 10, & 17, 1997, with bid opening scheduled for 2:00 P.M., Thursday, September 18, 1997.  The Board will take official action on the bids at the September 25, 1997, regular board meeting.

 

            Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding termite treatment for Angie Jr. High School (Dennie Fowler).

 

            Superintendent Fowler stated that Geary McKenzie, Principal, Angie Jr. High School, had obtained three (3) quotations for termite treatment of the school, and the recommendation was to accept the low quote submitted by Mr. Termite Control Company, Monticello, MS, in the amount of $4,349.50. 

 

            It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Holly James, that the Board accept the low quote submitted by Mr. Termite Control Company in the amount of $4,349.50, to be taken from Angie Jr. High School contingency fund.  FOR: Harold Smith, Holly James, Hayward Boone and Bruce Brown.  AGAINST: Richard N. Thomas, Freddie Jefferson, Karl Bickham and Susanne Jones.  ABSTENTION: Juanita Barker.  Motion failed.  Hayward Boone then withdrew his motion, and Holly James withdrew her second to the motion. Discussion followed regarding the bid law.  According to Wayne Kuhn, School Board Attorney, the Louisiana bid law does not apply to services; quotes do not have to be obtained for contracted services.  The Board would not be in violation of the law, if it did not accept quotations for termite treatment.  No further action was taken on this item.

 

            Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).

 

            It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:

 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

 

RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:

 

Franklinton Primary School: Lizzie Butler, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective August 29, 1997.

 

RESIGNATION:

 

Franklinton High School: Wendy Taylor, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 20, 1997 (hired to fill in for Sylvia Smith while she is on sabbatical leave).

 

Franklinton Jr. High School: Debra Gibson, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective August 15, 1997.

 

TRANSFER:

 

Tina Smith, Regular Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School, TO Academically Gifted Teacher, Wesley Ray/Enon/Mt. Hermon Schools (based at Wesley Ray), effective August 25, 1997, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only - TTA (transfer due to decrease in enrollment at Wesley Ray Elementary School).

 

Essie Williams,             Regular Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School, TO Title I Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School, effective August 25, 1997 (transfer due to decrease in enrollment at Wesley Ray Elementary School).

 

EMPLOY:

 

Angie Jr. High School:    Ester Davis Matthews, Bus Operator, effective September 2, 1997 (replacing Rovella Thompson, who has retired).

 

Franklinton Jr. High School: Lisa McNeese, Special Education Teacher, effective September 2, 1997, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).

 

Franklinton High School:  Eva Lafont, Special Education Teacher, effective August 21, 1997, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).

 

Franklinton High School:  Carritha B. Young, Part-time School Clerk, effective August 29, 1997.

 

Mt. Hermon School: Joni Fanguy, Part-time Food Service Technician (Temporary -One (1) semester only), effective August 29, 1997 (pending outcome of physical examination).

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #10 - Superintendent’s Report.

 

            A.         Superintendent Fowler reported that student enrollment is down from last year.  Enrollment on August 27, 1997, was 4,776.

 

            B.         Superintendent Fowler reminded the Board of staff development for school personnel on August 29, 1997 (no school for students).

 

            Agenda Item #11 - Other business from board members.

 

            Juanita  Barker mentioned a letter all board members had received from the central office secretaries regarding salary discrepancies.  She stated that this matter should be addressed and “straightened out, no matter what it takes.”  Bruce Brown and Freddie Jefferson agreed that consideration should be given to the discrepancies.

 

            Karl Bickham informed the Board that the Town of Franklinton was awarded a grant to place police officers at three Franklinton area schools each school day -  Franklinton High School - 6 hours per day;  Franklinton Jr. High School - 3 hours per day; Franklinton Elementary School - 2 hours per day.  Superintendent Fowler mentioned that a Washington Parish Sheriff’s Deputy is moving into the mobile home located on the campus of Franklinton High School.

 

            Agenda Item #12 - 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