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 January 15, 1998, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adopt the minutes of the January 15, 1998, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution providing for the opening of the sealed bids received for the purchase of $1,250,000 of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 1998, of Varnado School District of Washington Parish, Louisiana, approving the Official Notice of Bond Sales and Official Statement in connection therewith (Harold Smith).
SEE ATTACHMENT NO. 1
Agenda Items #6 and #7 - Delayed until later in meeting to allow time for David Wolf, Bonding Attorney, to review bids.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to grant permission for the establishment of a new fund - - Varnado School District Bond Sinking Fund - - to account for the tax revenue collected and the distribution of that revenue to settle the bonds of the Varnado School District Bond Issue (Adren Raybourn).
Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board grant permission for the establishment of a new fund, Varnado School District Bond Sinking Fund, to account for the tax revenue collected and the distribution of that revenue to settle the bonds of the Varnado School District Bond Issue. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to grant permission to open a checking account for the Varnado School District Bond Sinking Fund, with withdrawal privileges given to the Superintendent, or his designee, and the Board President (Adren Raybourn).
Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board grant permission to open a checking account for the Varnado School District Bond Sinking Fund, with withdrawal privileges given to the Superintendent, or his designee, and the Board President. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Varnado Elementary School: Mary Lofthus, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective January 26, 1998.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Pine School: Edward Deas, Principal, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the entire 1998/99 school year.
Pine School: Anita T. Wood, Title I Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the entire 1998/99 school year.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE:
Franklinton High School: Matthew Tate, Assistant Principal, Extended Sick Leave effective January 21, 1998, through May 29, 1998.
EMPLOYMENT:
Franklinton High School: Beverly Bailey, Faculty Co-Coordinator, effective the Spring semester only of the 1997/98 school year.
Franklinton High School: Edna Lowe, Faculty Co-Coordinator, effective the Spring semester only of the 1997/98 school year.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Belinda Jackson, Special Education Pre-School Teacher, effective February 2, 1998, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only - CIRCULAR 665.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton Schools: Extend the route of Ron Sharp 2.0 miles one way to pick up Jennifer Blackwell. Effective date: January 15, 1998.
Wesley Ray Elem. School: Extend the route of Delores Mingo 7.4 miles one way due to detour (bridge out). Effective date: January 7, 1998.
Special Education: Extend the route of Juanita Tullos .9 mile one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: January 12, 1998.
Special Education: Extend the route of Violonia Edwards 6.1 miles one way to pick up Special Education students. Effective date: January 21, 1998.
Special Education: Extend the route of Mary A. Simmons 7.2 miles one way to pick up Special Education students. Effective date: September 22, 1997.
Special Education: Deduct 13.5 miles from the route of Mary A. Simmons due to Special Education students moving off route. Effective date: January 21, 1998.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Superintendent’s Report.
The Superintendent’s Report was given by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent, in the absence of Superintendent Dennie Fowler.
Mr. Kennedy reported that the Parish Science Fair was held at Thomas Jr. High School on January 22, 1998, with good participation by students.
There was discussion among board members regarding a bus route vacancy and the location of the vacancy, whether it was in Bruce Brown’s district or Harold Smith’s district. Both board members indicated they would abide by board policy in filling that vacancy.
Agenda Item #12 - Other business from board members.
Karl Bickham, again, indicated his interest in a Bible study class in the high schools. Richard Kennedy stated that Superintendent Fowler is obtaining information regarding a class.
Susanne Jones asked Anthony Triola, Transportation Supervisor, to have ready for the February committee meeting certain information requested by the bus operators.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution accepting the best bid for the purchase of One Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,250,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 1998, of Varnado School District of Washington Parish, Louisiana (Harold Smith).
SEE ATTACHMENT NO. 1
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the incurring of debt and issuance of One Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,250,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 1998, of Varnado School District of Washington Parish, Louisiana; prescribing the form, terms and conditions of said Bonds; designating the date, denominations and place of payment of said Bonds; providing for the payment thereof in principal and interest; and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Harold Smith).
SEE ATTACHMENT NO. 1
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY