Franklinton, Louisiana

December 8, 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, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: Hayward Boone.

 

            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 November 13, 1997, regular board meeting.

 

            It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board adopt the minutes of the November 13, 1997, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #5 - Report from KPMG Peat Marwick, Certified Public Accountants, regarding the 1996/97 audit of general purpose financial statements (Beth Fussell).

 

            Mr. Joey Richard, Audit Partner, briefly reviewed the audit report with the Board. Copies of the entire report were provided for board members.  Mr. Richard stated that the Board received an unqualified audit.  President Smith expressed appreciation to the business department staff for the good report.

 

            Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adopt schedule of school board meetings for 1998 (Dennie Fowler).

 

            It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adopt the following schedule of school board meetings for 1998:

 

THURSDAYS - SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS                  MONDAYS - COMMITTEE MEETINGS

 

January 15, 1998                                                           January 12, 1998

January 29, 1998          

 

February 12, 1998                                                          February 9, 1998

February 26, 1998

 

March 12, 1998                                                              March 9, 1998

March 26, 1998

 

April 9, 1998                                                                  April 20, 1998

April 23, 1998

 

May 7, 1998                                                                  May 18, 1998

May 21, 1998

 

June 11, 1998                                                                June 8, 1998

June 25, 1998

 

July 23, 1998                                                                 July 20, 1998

 

August 6, 1998                                                              August 17, 1998

August 20, 1998

 

September 10, 1998                                                       September 21, 1998

September 24, 1998

 

October 15, 1998                                                           October 12, 1998

 

November 12, 1998                                                        November 9, 1998

 

December 3, 1998                                                          November 30, 1998

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).

 

            It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:

 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

 

RESIGNATION:

 

Franklinton High School: Doris Corkern, Food Service Technician, Resignation effective December 31, 1997.

 

Varnado High School: Mary Alice Klein, Guidance Counselor, Resignation effective December 15, 1997.

 

REQUEST FOR LEAVE:

 

Franklinton High School: Melanie Primes, Regular Teacher, Extended Sick Leave effective November 1, 1997, through January 14, 1998.

 

Franklinton High School: Veronica J. Martin, Food Service Technician, Extended Sick Leave effective November 13, 1997, through January 5, 1998.

 

TRANSFER:

 

Norma Adams, Part-time Food Service Technician, Varnado High School, TO Part-time Food Service Technician, Pine School, effective January 5, 1998.

 

Freida Matschnig, Special Education Teacher, Enon Elementary School, TO Special Education Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School, effective January 15, 1998.

 

Franklinton Schools: Transfer Janice Varnado, Bus Operator, to Mack Varnado’s bus route, effective December 9, 1997.

 

EMPLOY:

 

Franklinton High School: Sybil O’Ree, Regular Teacher, effective November 1, 1997, through January 14, 1998 - CIRCULAR 665 (fill-in for Melanie Primes, who is on leave).

 

Mt. Hermon School: Rebecca Magee, Full-time Food Service Technician, effective December 9, 1997 (pending outcome of physical examination).

 

Pine School: Louise Crain, Regular Teacher, effective January 5, 1998, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only (CERTIFIED).

 

Pine School: Kelly Crain, Regular Teacher, effective January 15, 1998 (CERTIFIED).

 

EMPLOY:

 

Pine School: Kimberly Sue Crain, Regular Teacher, effective January 15, 1998 (CERTIFIED).

 

TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS

 

Franklinton Schools:  Extend the route of Hazel Garrett 17.6 miles one way due to detour (bridge out on Hwy. 450). Effective date: December 2, 1997.

 

Franklinton Schools:  Extend the route of Juanita M. Tullos 1.5 miles one way to pick up two (2) special education students.  Effective date: October 31, 1997.

 

Pine School:      Extend the route of Glen Thomas 1.1 miles one way to pick up Shawanda Lee.  Effective date: November 19, 1997.

 

Wesley Ray Elementary School: Extend the route of Veona J. Crain 5.4 miles one way to pick up three (3) special education students.  Effective date: September 15, 1997.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #8 - Superintendent’s Report.

 

            Superintendent Fowler stated that work is going well at Varnado High School.  He asked Architect Sam Fauntleroy to discuss Phase 2 construction.  According to Mr. Fauntleroy, the following schedule will assure that a contractor will be working at the site for the beginning of the summer, if not sooner:

 

_Month of December, 1997 - Finalize plan revisions and begin Construction Documents.

_March 31, 1998 - Complete Construction Documents and advertise for bids.

_April, 1998 - Contractors will be preparing bids for project.

_April 30, 1998 - Receive bids from Contractors.

_May 14, 1998 - Issue Notice to Proceed to lowest bidder.

_May 15, 1998 to June 3, 1998 - Contractor mobilizes at site in preparation of work.

_June 4, 1998 - School Board to move out of existing Cafeteria Building and out of existing classrooms which are scheduled to be abandoned.

_June 4, 1998 to August 14, 1998 - Contractor to demolish structures not scheduled to be reused.

_June 4, 1998 to August 14, 1998 - School Board to relocate portable classrooms which are to be retained.

_June 4, 1998 to August 14, 1998 - Contractor to renovate some areas of existing spaces prior to beginning of school.

_April, 1999 - Completion of Gymnasium and all other portions of work.

 

The Board was in agreement with this schedule, which will permit the construction of Phase 2 of the work without disrupting the school campus and without the school board having to pay a premium to get work completed at an unnecessary pace.         

            Agenda Item #9 - Other business from board members.

 

            Following discussion, the Board authorized Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent, to employ/transfer personnel prior to the January 15, 1998, board meeting, since the Spring semester begins January 14, 1998.  Any action taken by Mr. Kennedy will be ratified at the January 15, 1998, board meeting.

 

            Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

 

            It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjourn.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT

 

DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY