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 October 23, 1997, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board adopt the minutes of the October 23, 1997, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Recognize Parish Outstanding Teachers (Richard Kennedy).
Assistant Superintendent Richard Kennedy, assisted by Carl Merritt, Principal, Thomas Jr. High School, Geary McKenzie, Principal, Angie Jr. High School, and Beverly Young, Principal, Franklinton High School, recognized and presented plaques to the following Parish Outstanding Teachers:
Outstanding Elementary Teacher: Angela Thomas, Thomas Jr. High School
Outstanding Junior High Teacher: Bernell Johnson, Angie Jr. High School
Outstanding Senior High Teacher: Barbara Chitwood, Franklinton High School
Superintendent Fowler and President Smith congratulated these teachers for their accomplishments and expressed appreciation for the outstanding work they are doing in their classrooms.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to authorize an expenditure in excess of $2,000 for bathroom partitions at Franklinton Primary School (Eathel Brock).
Upon the recommendation of Eathel Brock, Principal, Franklinton Primary School, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize an expenditure in excess of $2,000 for bathroom partitions at Franklinton Primary School. The low quotation of $9,000.00, submitted by Blaine Window Hardware, Inc., Hagerstown,Maryland, was approved. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to approve an allocation to schools for the 1997/98 operations budgets (Adren Raybourn).
Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board approve the following allocations to schools for the 1997/98 operations budgets:
Allocation to Schools for 1997-98 Fiscal year Operating Budgets
$35.00 Per Pupil for Elementary
$45.00 Per Pupil for Secondary
SCHOOL TOTAL PER PUPIL ADJ. NET ALLOCATION
Angie Jr. High $ 9,030.00 $ 9,030.00
Enon Elementary 9,485.00 9,485.00
Franklinton Primary 15,925.00 15,925.00
Franklinton Elementary 14,700.00 14,700.00
Franklinton Jr. High 17,605.00 17,605.00
Franklinton High 31,995.00 31,995.00
Mt. Hermon 21,795.00 21,795.00
Pine 25,635.00 $2,000.00 23,635.00
Thomas Jr. High 4,525.00 14,525.00
Varnado Elementary 4,900.00 4,900.00
Varnado High 11,700.00 11,700.00
Wesley Ray Elementary 10,395.00 10,395.00
TOTALS $187,690.00 $2,000.00 $185,690.00
Motion carried unanimously.
Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the following restricted allocations for some schools, in lieu of paying for water/sewage, with the understanding that amounts will be placed into the school’s contingency fund, with spending possible only with the Superintendent’s approval:
SCHOOL IN LIEU OF WATER IN LIEU OF SEWAGE TOTAL
Enon $1,838.33 $ 1,661.67 $ 3,500.00
Pine 1,838.33 1,661.67 3,500.00
Thomas 1,838.33 1,661.67 3,500.00
Mt. Hermon* 1,661.67 1,661.67
Angie 1,661.67 1,661.67
Varnado Elem. 1,661.67 1,661.67
Varnado High 1,661.67 1,661.67
Wesley Ray 1,661.67 1,661.67
TOTALS $ 5,514.99 $13,293.36 $18,808.35
*Mt. Hermon went on the community water system in May, 1997.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to schedule a special board meeting on December 11, 1997, at 6:30 P.M., for the purpose of adopting a Resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the special election held in the Varnado School District of Washington Parish, Louisiana, on Saturday, November 15, 1997, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein (Harold Smith).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board schedule a special board meeting on December 11, 1997, at 6:30 P.M., for the purpose of adopting a Resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the special election held in the Varnado School District of Washington Parish, Louisiana, on Saturday, November 15, 1997, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to rescind board action of May 16, 1996, whereby the Board set the teacher stipend for workshops at $15.00 per hour (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Holly James, that the Board rescind board action of May 16, 1996, whereby the Board set the teacher stipend for workshops at $15.00 per hour. FOR: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, and Bruce Brown. AGAINST: Freddie Jefferson. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to set the amount of teacher stipend for workshop participation as flexible, but not to exceed $15.00 per hour.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Holly James, that the Board set the amount of teacher stipend for workshop participation as flexible, but not to exceed $15.00 per hour. FOR: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, and Bruce Brown. AGAINST: Freddie Jefferson. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to rescind board action of May 16, 1996, whereby the Board set the amount for in-parish workshop presenters at $300.00 (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board rescind board action of May 16, 1996, whereby the Board set the amount for in-parish workshop presenters at $300.00. FOR: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, and Bruce Brown. AGAINST: Freddie Jefferson. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to set the amount for In-House Presenters/Consultants as flexible and negotiable, not to exceed $50.00 per hour (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board set the amount for In-House Presenters/Consultants as flexible and negotiable, not to exceed $50.00 per hour. FOR: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, and Bruce Brown. AGAINST: Freddie Jefferson. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #13 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Elementary School: Melanie Cruce, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective October 31, 1997.
DISABILITY RETIREMENT:
Mt. Hermon School: Willie B. Schilling, Food Service Technician, Disability Retirement effective August 27, 1997.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Franklinton Jr. High School: Mary McCullen, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective November 3, 1997, through November 2, 1998.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Tammy R. Boyd, Special Education Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the Spring semester of the 1997/98 school year.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE:
Franklinton Schools: Keith Sumrall, Bus Operator, Sick Leave effective November 6, 1997, through March 18, 1998, and Extended Sick Leave effective March 19, 1998, through May 15, 1998.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Kasi Redfearn, Special Education Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School, TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School, effective November 1, 1997, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only (CERTIFIED).
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Elementary School: Debbie Ann Arena, Special Education Teacher, effective November 3, 1997, through January 14, 1998 (CERTIFIED).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
ENON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Extend the route of Michael Sharp 1.0 mile one way to pick up Joshua and Lacey Patton. Effective date: September 29, 1997.
Extend the route of Michael Sharp .3 mile one way to pick up Ashley Lott. Effective date: October 24, 1997.
WESLEY RAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Extend the route of Lezette Crosby 2.1 miles one way to pick up Angelica and Christopher Gulotta. Effective date: October 30, 1997.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Superintendent’s Report.
A. Superintendent Fowler reminded the Board of the special election to be held in the Varnado School District on November 15, 1997, and urged all registered voters in that district to exercise their right to vote.
B. Superintendent Fowler complimented the schools holding programs in observance of Veterans’ Day.
Agenda Item #15 - Other business from board members.
At the request of Holly James, Anthony Triola, Supervisor of Transportation, briefly reported on bus mileage audits and bus route vacancies.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY