Franklinton, Louisiana

January 15, 1998

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 December 8, 1997, regular board meeting.

 

            It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board adopt the minutes of the December 8, 1997, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the December 11, 1997, special board meeting.

 

            It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board adopt the minutes of the December 11, 1997, special board meeting, as submitted to each board member.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to authorize payment through General Fund for Internet access for all schools under E-rate (Rebecca Kemp).

 

            It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board authorize payment through General Fund for Internet access for all schools under E-rate, as requested by Rebecca Kemp, Technology Director/Grant Facilitator.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for bids for E-rate telecommunications (Rebecca Kemp).

 

            It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for E-rate telecommunications, as requested by Rebecca Kemp, Technology Director/Grant Facilitator.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to authorize Hattie Brumfield, Bus Operator, to purchase another bus to update the 1974 GMC she presently owns (Anthony Triola).

 

            It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize Hattie Brumfield, Bus Operator, to purchase another bus to update the 1974 GMC she presently owns, as recommended by Anthony Triola, Transportation Supervisor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adopt evaluation forms for the following support personnel: Paraprofessional/Technology Assistant, School Bus Owner/Operators, Clerical Personnel, Maintenance Personnel, Custodial Personnel, and Food Service Technician (Richard Kennedy).

 

            It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt evaluation forms for the following support personnel: Paraprofessional/Technology Assistant, School Bus Owner/Operators, Clerical Personnel, Maintenance Personnel, Custodial Personnel, and Food Service Technician, as recommended by Richard Kennedy,Assistant Superintendent.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adopt revision to Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GBRHA - Sabbaticals (Richard Kennedy).

 

            It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board adopt a revision to Washington Parish School Board Policy File: GBRHA - Sabbaticals, as follows: Page 2, No. 2, now reads: “Sabbatical leave may be granted on the ratio of two (2) semesters (one scholastic year) immediately following any twelve (12) or more consecutive semesters of active service in this parish, or on the ratio of one (1) semester (one-half scholastic year) immediately following any six (6) or more consecutive semesters of service subject to the following conditions.”  Page 2, No. 2-a, now reads: “Sabbatical leave may be taken in increments of semesters only and not in terms of days or months. The use of a portion of a semester for sabbatical leave shall be deemed to be the use of a whole semester of eligibility, even in the event a person returns to work in the same or a new position.”  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to establish an Uninsured Motorists limit of $25,000 on the school board’s current fleet policy, and authorize the Superintendent to sign the Uninsured Motorists Selection or Rejection form (Adren Raybourn).

 

            It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Holly James, that the Board establish an Uninsured Motorists limit of $25,000 on the school board’s current fleet policy, and authorize the Superintendent to sign the Uninsured Motorists Selection or Rejection form, as recommended by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to grant permission for the establishment of a new fund -- Varnado High School Capital Project Fund -- to account for the proceeds of the Varnado School District Bond Issue (Adren Raybourn).

 

            It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board grant permission for the establishment of a new fund -- Varnado High School Capital Project Fund -- to account for the proceeds of the Varnado School District Bond Issue, as recommended by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to grant permission to open a checking account for the Varnado High School Capital Project Fund, with withdrawal privileges given to the Superintendent, or his designee, and the Board President (Adren Raybourn).

 

            It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board grant permission to open a checking account for the Varnado High School Capital Project Fund, with withdrawal privileges given to the Superintendent, or his designee, and the Board President, as recommended by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to grant permission to open a separate Louisiana Asset Management Pool (LAMP) account for the Varnado High School Capital Project Fund, with permission given to the Director of Finance and/or the Chief Accountant to invest in that fund and transfer from that fund to other school board owned fund(s) (Adren Raybourn).

 

            It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board grant permission to open a separate Louisiana Asset Management Pool (LAMP) account for the Varnado High School Capital Project Fund, with permission given to the Director of Finance and/or the Chief Accountant to invest in that fund and transfer from that fund to other school board owned fund(s), as recommended by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #15 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding establishment of a list of insurance companies approved by the Board whose products should be offered on School Board owned sites through the supervision and control of the Third Party Administrator of the Cafeteria Plan, with premiums to be collected via payroll deduction (Adren Raybourn).

 

            Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board request the Third Party Administrator of the Cafeteria Plan, with input from local representatives, to submit a list of insurance companies to the Board for approval as their recommendation to the Board of insurance companies whose products should be offered on School Board owned sites , through the exclusive supervision and control of the Third Party Administrator, with the understanding that, when feasible, preference is to be given to local agents and, once approved by Board, no insurance company be added to or deleted from the list without prior Board approval.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Third Party Administrator, or their designees, be given exclusive access to all School Board owned sites for the purpose of insurance supervision and solicitation, and no new policy premium(s) be collected via payroll deduction, unless the insurance company’s name appears on the School Board’s approved list and solicited through the supervision of the Third Party Administrator.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board rescind the requirement that a minimum of 50 employees buy policies with an insurance company in order for that insurance company to qualify to have those policy premiums collected via payroll deduction.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to adopt the following revised board policies brought about by 1997 state legislation: File: JD - Discipline, File: JDD -Suspension, File: JDE - Expulsion, File: JDF - Discipline of Students with Disabilities, File: BH - School Board Ethics, File: DFE - Short Term Notes, File: DFL -Investments, File: DJED - Bids and Quotations, File: ED - Student Transportation Management, File: EE - School Food Service Management, File: GBRA - Health Examinations, File: GBRJ - Substitute Teachers, File: GCD - Support Personnel Employment, File: ID - Curriculum, File: IHA - Grading Systems, File: JBC - School Admission, File: JGC - Student Health Services (Dennie Fowler).

 

            Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adopt the following revised board policies brought about by 1997 state legislation: File: JD - Discipline, File: JDD -Suspension, File:  JDE - Expulsion, File: JDF - Discipline of Students with Disabilities, File: BH - School Board Ethics, File: DFE - Short Term Notes, File: DFL - Investments, File: DJED - Bids and Quotations, File: ED - Student Transportation Management, File: EE -School Food Service Management, File: GBRA - Health Examinations, File: GBRJ -Substitute Teachers, File: GCD - Support Personnel Employment, File: ID - Curriculum, File: IHA - Grading Systems, File: JBC - School Admission, File: JGC - Student Health Services.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #17 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).

 

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

 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

 

RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:

 

Franklinton Jr. High School: Joanna Bickham, Cafeteria Manager, Retirement Resignation effective January 15, 1998.

 

REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:

 

Franklinton Elementary School:   Ella Rose Bickham, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the Spring semester of the 1997/98 school year.

 

REQUEST FOR LEAVE:

 

Franklinton High School: Troy Ginn, Regular Teacher, Sick Leave effective January 15, 1998, through March 20, 1998.

 

Franklinton High School: Veronica Martin, Food Service Technician, Extended Sick Leave effective January 6, 1998, through January 30, 1998.

 

Varnado Elementary School: Mary Lofthus, Regular Teacher, Leave Without Pay effective the Spring semester only of the 1997/98 school year.

 

TRANSFER:

 

Franklinton Schools: Transfer Cherrie Brumfield, Bus Operator, TO Janice Varnado’s bus route, effective January 16, 1998.

 

Penny S. Moses, Guidance Counselor, Wesley Ray Elementary School/Varnado Elementary School, TO Guidance Counselor, Varnado High School, effective January 15, 1998 (Ten months employment).

 

Ali Wood, Special Education Teacher, Pine School, TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton Jr. High School, effective January 15, 1998, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only - TTA (fill-in for Mary McCullen, who is on sabbatical leave).

 

Theresa Dufrene, Full-time Food Service Technician/Clerk, Franklinton Elementary School, TO Acting Cafeteria Manager, Franklinton Jr. High School, effective January 16, 1998, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only (Certified Manager).

 

CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:

 

Franklinton Elementary School:   Eva Causey, Part-time Food Service Porter, TO Part-time Food Service Porter/Part-time Food Service Technician, effective January 16, 1998, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only (fill-in as Part-time Food Service Technician for Theresa Dufrene for the remainder of the current school year).

 

EMPLOY:

 

Enon Elementary School: Leonard P. Helmstetter, Special Education Teacher, effective January 15, 1998, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only (CERTIFIED).

 

Franklinton Primary School: Monica N. Thomas, Special Education PreSchool Teacher, effective February 2, 1998, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).

 

Franklinton Primary School: Denise Gilmore, Special Education PreSchool Paraprofessional, effective February 2, 1998, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only (call back).

 

Franklinton Elementary School:   Suzette Nielson, Regular Teacher, effective the Spring semester only of the 1997/98 school year - CERTIFIED (fill-in for Ella Rose Bickham, who will be on sabbatical leave).

 

Franklinton Elementary School:   Tammy Gendusa, Title I Teacher, effective January 15, 1998, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only (CERTIFIED).

 

Franklinton Elementary School:   Chat L. Jones, Special Education Teacher, effective January 16, 1998, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only - CIRCULAR 665 (replacing Debbie Arena).

 

Franklinton High School: Robin Edwards, Regular Teacher, effective January 15, 1998, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).

 

Franklinton High School: Jennifer Thomas, Regular Teacher, effective January 15, 1998, through March 20, 1998 - CIRCULAR 665 (fill-in for Troy Ginn, who will be on leave).

 

Franklinton High School: Rebecca Barber, Full-time Food Service Technician, effective January 20, 1998 (pending outcome of physical examination).

 

Pine School: Cindy Creel, Regular Teacher, effective January 15, 1998, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only (CERTIFIED).

 

Pine School: Francine Robinson, Special Education Teacher, effective January 15, 1998, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only - CIRCULAR 665 (fill-in for Ali Wood, who is transferring to Franklinton Jr. High School).

 

EMPLOYMENT EXTENSION:

 

Central office:    Rebecca Kemp, Technology Director/Grant Facilitator, Extend employment effective January 15, 1998, through February 20, 1998 (fill-in for Martha Sumrall, who will be on leave).

 

TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS

 

Franklinton Schools:  Extend the route of Robert Mizell 1.2 miles one way to pick up Clay O’Brien.  Effective date: December 16, 1997.

 

                        Extend the route of Faye Newman 6.6 miles one way due to detour (bridge being replaced on McDougal Road).  Effective date: December 2, 1997.

 

Mt. Hermon School:  Extend the route of Naomi Tarver .8 mile one way to pick up Jason Daniel Bullock.  Effective date: November 3, 1997.

 

Varnado Elementary School:  Extend the route of Laura L. Kemp 3.5 miles one way to pick up Deroyce Harris.  Effective date: December 1, 1997.

 

Wesley Ray Elementary School: Extend the route of Mary Knight 3.9 miles one way due to detour (bridge out due to rain).  Effective date: January 8, 1998.

 

                        Extend the route of Mary Knight 1.6 miles one way to pick up Jasmine Bria and Tyler Nichols.  Effective date: December 12, 1997.

 

                        Extend the route of Veona Crain 1.8 miles one way to pick up Robert Alsobrooks.  Effective date: January 5, 1998.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #18 - Superintendent’s Report.

 

            At the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the following item be added to the agenda: Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for wastewater treatment unit at Varnado High School.  Motion carried unanimously.  Superintendent Fowler stated that the original bids obtained by the contractor for a treatment plant were too high; therefore, the alternate bid was not accepted.  Sam Fauntleroy, Architect, then advertised for bids directly from companies who could perform the work, and the following three bids were submitted: Sloan Construction, Inc., - $37,785.00; Southeast Systems, Inc., - $38,000.00; and Dunham Wastewater Systems, Inc., - $85,385.18.  Superintendent Fowler recommended that the bid submitted by Sloan Construction, Inc. be accepted.  It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board award the bid for installation, one-year maintenance and training related for the 10,000 gallon per day wastewater treatment plant for Varnado High School to Sloan Construction, Inc., in the amount of $37,785.00.  Motion carried unanimously. 

 

            Agenda Item #19 - Other business from board members.

 

            Karl Bickham requested that Superintendent Fowler obtain information regarding the possibility of offering a Bible course at all high schools. 

 

            It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Holly James, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session concerning discussion of an employee under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(1).  Motion carried unanimously.  It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board enter into Executive Session concerning discussion of an employee under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(1). Motion carried unanimously. 

 

            It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board return to regular session.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Holly James, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion authorizing Superintendent Fowler to call for a tenure hearing for Jeffery Cotton.  Motion carried unanimously.  It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that a tenure hearing for Jeffery Cotton be held, with hearing to be set at the Superintendent’s discretion.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item # 20 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

 

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

 

HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT

DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY