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 March 12, 1998, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of March 12, 1998, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Recognize Frameworks Training Team members (Melanie Kennedy).
Melanie Kennedy, Coordinator/Resource Teacher for Dyslexia and Related Disorders/504 Coordinator, recognized thirty-nine (39) parish teachers who completed Level 1 4-MAT Training. This training was held to help implement Frameworks, the new guidelines by which the system must design the curriculum within the schools. These trained teachers will help design the curriculum.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Principal of Pine School for the 1998/99 school year (Harold Smith).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Principal of Pine School for the 1998/99 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to return to regular session (Harold Smith).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to employ a principal for Pine School for the 1998/99 school year (Harold Smith).
It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board employ Ronald Knight as Principal, Pine School, for the 1998/99 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adopt a school calendar for the 1998/99 school year (Dennie Fowler).
Following review by Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board adopt the following school calendar for the 1998/99 school year, with the understanding that, if the Louisiana Legislature adds additional staff development days, the calendar will have to be adjusted to reflect the additional day(s):
SCHOOL CALENDAR - 1998/99
MONTH EVENT DATE DAYS TAUGHT
August Teacher In-Service August 13
Staff Development (All) August 14
Classes Begin August 17 13 DAYS
September Staff Development (Tchrs.) September 4
Labor Day September 7 21 DAYS
October Washington Parish Fair October 21, 22, 23 19 DAYS
November Education Conventions November 23, 24, 25
Thanksgiving Holidays November 26 & 27 16 DAYS
December Christmas Holidays December 21 - 31 14 DAYS
January New Year’s Holiday January 1
Staff Development (All) January 14
Staff Development (Tchrs.) January 15
Martin Luther King Day January 18 19 DAYS
February Mardi Gras February 15 & 16 18 DAYS
March No Holidays 23 DAYS
April Spring Holidays April 2 - 9 16 DAYS
May No Holidays 21 DAYS
June Teacher Work Day June 1
School Closes June 2 2 DAYS
DAYS TAUGHT 182 DAYS
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for the purchase of replacement equipment for Varnado High School Cafeteria (Marsha Newman).
Following review and recommendation by Marsha Newman, Supervisor, School Food Service, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board accept the low bids for purchase of replacement equipment for Varnado High School Cafeteria, as follows: Buckelew - $20,736.00; Hotel & Restaurant Supply - $11,052.00; Louisiana Food Service Equipment - $14,560.00, for a total of $46,348.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding construction of covered walkway at Wesley Ray Elementary School (William Brignac).
William R. Brignac, Jr., Supervisor of Maintenance, reviewed the quotations received for construction of covered walkway at Wesley Ray Elementary School, which were as follows: Patten Buildings - $3,900.00; C & H Siding - $4,010.00; Bob Williams -$3,725.00. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board accept the low quotation submitted by Bob Williams in the amount of $3,725.00 for construction of covered walkway at Wesley Ray Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding report from Salary Study Committee (Dennie Fowler).
The following individuals addressed the Board regarding this agenda item: Jackie Varnado, General Maintenance/Asbestos Abatement Coordinator; Carolyn Combel, Administrative Secretary, Title I; Jean Turner, School Clerk. Following their presentations and discussion, it was moved by Holly James seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board accept the recommendation of the salary study committee, as follows: (SEE ATTACHED) FOR: Karl Bickham, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: Juanita Barker, Hayward Boone and Bruce Brown. The vote being SIX (6) FOR and THREE (3) AGAINST, the motion passed.
Agenda Item # 13 - Presentation by Central Office Support Staff (Carolyn Combel).
Ms. Combel stated that the proposal submitted to the Board by central office support personnel had never been acted on, and she requested that the Board give a “Yes” or “No” on the proposal. She stated the Board acted on the committee’s findings but not the proposal.
Superintendent Fowler stated that the committee looked at the proposal and heard a presentation from her. Ms. Combel asked Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn if the Board had to reply to their proposal. Mr. Kuhn replied, “The Board is the governing body of the school system. You set policies. You have the right to do whatever you wish to do, so, if someone wants to present something to the board, and you don’t do it, that’s your prerogative. You can do what you like to do. Unless the board puts it on the agenda to act on it, then it’s not being acted on.” Ms. Combel, again, asked for a “Yes” or “No.” Holly James then stated, “I think what our attorney said was, unless a board member puts a motion on the floor to be voted on, it is not being acted on.”
Agenda Item #14 - 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
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Mt. Hermon School: H. Linton Alford, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective March 13, 1998, and for the remainder of the Spring semester of the 1997/98 school year.
CANCELLATION OF EXTENDED SICK LEAVE:
Franklinton Schools: Keith Sumrall, Bus Operator, Cancel Extended Sick Leave granted for March 19, 1998, through May 15, 1998.
CANCELLATION OF EMPLOYMENT:
Cancel the employment of Julie Wascom as Special Education Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School (CIRCULAR 665), effective March 2, 1998.
EMPLOY:
Mt. Hermon School: Robert Lewis, Regular Teacher, effective March 13, 1998, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only - CERTIFIED (fill-in for H. Linton Alford, who will be on sabbatical leave).
Franklinton Schools: Linus Magee, Bus Operator, effective March 30, 1998 (replacing Rex McCain).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton Schools: Extend the route of Faye Newman 5.1 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: March 11, 1998.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Extend the route of Mary Knight 3.5 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: February 9, 1998.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Superintendent’s Report.
Superintendent Fowler informed the Board that School Accountability Plans have been submitted to the central office. A committee will review the plans on March 27, 1998, then submit them to the State Department of Education. Copies will be sent to board members the week of March 30, 1998. He, also, informed the Board that 1996/97 Louisiana Progress Profiles have been received, and these will be going out to parents, along with report cards on March 27, 1998.
Superintendent Fowler expressed condolence to the family of Ms. Hester A. Fisher, who passed away March 14, 1998. Ms. Fisher was Accounts Payable Clerk/Typist in the central office and had been employed by the school board since August 29, 1983. He, also, expressed condolence to Clara Graves, Data Clerk/Secretary in the central office, whose mother passed away on March 15, 1998.
Agenda Item #16 - Other business from board members.
Following an inquiry by Karl Bickham regarding offering Bible classes in the parish schools, Superintendent Fowler stated that information is still being sought.
Holly James suggested that board members be given a shortened version of 4-MAT training by Melanie Kennedy. She also requested that Dr. Cynthia Cibic, Coordinator, Testing and Evaluation Program, give the Board a review of parish testing.
In response to an inquiry by Juanita Barker regarding the status of Gregory Brumfield’s proposal, Comprehensive Educational Incentive Program for Education, William R. Brignac, Jr., stated that the committee that is studying the proposal needs to meet again, and he will schedule that meeting.
Agenda Item #17 - 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