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 June 11, 1998, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the minutes of the June 11, 1998, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding increasing the price of at-cost (nonstudent) meals, both breakfast and lunch, effective August 17, 1998 (Marsha Newman).
According to Marsha Newman, Supervisor of School Food Service, the current charge for “at cost” (nonstudent/nonemployee) meals, both breakfast and lunch, is insufficient to cover actual meal costs and should be adjusted to meet federal guidelines, per the State Department of Education. Upon the recommendation of Mrs. Newman, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the “at cost” charge for breakfast be increased to $1.25, and the “at cost” charge for lunch be increased to $2.50. Motion carried unanimously.
President Smith stated that the agenda would be changed, and that Items #6, #7, #8, and #9 would be considered after Agenda Item #15.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotations received for a new roof for the Title I Media Center (William Brignac).
Supervisor William Brignac reviewed the quotations received, which were as follows: Warren Construction Company - $4,100.00; Franklinton Roofing & Sheet Metal -$4,125.00; Smith Roofing Company - $4,685.00; King’s Quality Roofing (Curtis King, Jr.) -$5,312.00. Upon the recommendation of T. J. Butler, Jr., Supervisor of Federally Assisted Programs, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board accept the low quotation from Warren Construction Company in the amount of $4,100.00 for a new roof for the Title I Media Center. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotations received for re-carpeting three (3) classrooms at Mt. Hermon School (William Brignac).
Supervisor William Brignac reviewed the quotations received, which were as follows: Carpet Wholesalers - $2,429.00; Kennedy’s Decorating Center, Inc. - $2,553.00; Decorating Showroom - $3,097.71. Upon the recommendation of Alan Graham, Principal, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board accept the low quotation from Carpet Wholesalers in the amount of $2,429.00 for re-carpeting three (3) classrooms at Mt. Hermon School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Act 56 of the 1997 Louisiana Legislature, as it amended Louisiana Revised Statute 23:631, to require the payment for any unused accrued vacation time at the time of an employee’s termination (Adren Raybourn).
Following review of Act 56 of the 1997 Louisiana Legislature, as it amended Louisiana Revised Statute 23:631, by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board change the Washington Parish School Board annual leave policy as it relates to compensation for unused annual leave payable to an employee or his heirs upon resignation, death, removal or other termination of employment, and the wording contained in the Board’s policy manual, FILE GBRK, by deleting the wording “not to exceed ten (10) days,” and “except that such payment shall not exceed the value of ten (10) working days,” thereby, removing the limit of ten (10) working days from the Board’s policy, and effective as of August 15, 1997. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to renew student accident insurance policy with Mega Life Insurance Company (Adren Raybourn).
Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, and John Norris, the Board’s insurance consultant, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board renew student accident insurance policy with Mega Life Insurance Company. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda item #14 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding student transfer requests for the 1998/99 school year (Anthony Triola).
Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent, presented the student transfer requests in the absence of Supervisor Anthony Triola. Upon the recommendation of Mr. Triola, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the following student transfer requests for the 1998/99 school year be approved:
STUDENT’S NAME HOME DISTRICT REQUESTED DISTRICT
Jeramine L. Magee Pine Franklinton
Candice Ann Kimbrell Enon Franklinton
Christopher M. Jones Franklinton Enon
D’Andrea Procell Pine Franklinton
Jeremy Paul Taylor Pine Franklinton
Jason P. Herbert Pine Franklinton
Tanada Bernice Pope Pine Franklinton
Kandace M. Ard Pine Franklinton
Roan Rayshun Bickham Thomas Franklinton
Shawn Ryan Duncan Thomas Pine
Timothy Matthew Stafford Wesley Ray Franklinton
Justin Alan Payne Franklinton Enon
Benton Jawayne Magee Franklinton Pine
Derek Scott Dominquez Franklinton Enon
Brittany L. Jones Franklinton Enon
Kayla Brianne Dunn Pine Enon
David Allen Merritt Pine Enon
Leland Price Yates Franklinton Enon
William Joseph Barber Enon Franklinton
Bridgette Nicole Watson Wesley Ray Franklinton
Joseph Paul Whaley Pine Franklinton
Selena Brooke Bankston Pine Franklinton
Monica Leighann Bankston Pine Franklinton
Byron Michael Williams Wesley Ray Franklinton
Zachary Maras Thomas Franklinton
Lauren Patrice Harrell Pine Franklinton
Valerie Magee Varnado Wesley Ray
Britney S. Rogers Wesley Ray Pine
Ladarrius Bickham Thomas Franklinton
Lester Dewayne Bankston II Pine Franklinton
Tonya Seal Varnado Pine
Sophia Maras Thomas Franklinton
Sarah K. Ladner Pine Franklinton
Brad J. Chatelier Varnado Pine
Leslie Ann Williams Varnado Pine
Jonathan Anthony Sigler Mt. Hermon Franklinton
Joseph William Kennedy Pine Mt. Hermon
Whitney LaDon McNeese Pine Mt. Hermon
Motion carried unanimously. Freddie Jefferson stated that only students approved by the Board are to be transferred. The deadline for transfer requests is June 30, 1998.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to adopt as Board policy 504/Bulletin 1903/Act 1120/ADHD/IDEA Referral Process (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adopt as Board policy 504/Bulletin 1903/Act 1120/ADHD/IDEA Referral Process, as follows: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the positions of Principal, Wesley Ray Elementary School, and Assistant Principal, Franklinton High School (Harold Smith).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the positions of Principal, Wesley Ray Elementary School, and Assistant Principal, Franklinton High School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to return to regular session (Harold Smith).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to employ a Principal for Wesley Ray Elementary School (Harold Smith).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that Dorothy Young be employed as Principal, Wesley Ray Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to employ an Assistant Principal for Franklinton High School (Harold Smith).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Juanita Barker, that Mary Henderson be employed as Assistant Principal, Franklinton High School. Karl Bickham offered an amendment to the motion, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, to employ Beverly Bailey as Assistant Principal, Franklinton High School. Voting in favor of the amendment to the motion were Karl Bickham, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith and Richard N. Thomas. Voting against the amendment to the motion were Holly James, Juanita Barker, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. Amendment to the motion carried. Voting in favor of the original motion to employ Mary Henderson were: Juanita Barker, Holly James, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. Voting against the original motion were Karl Bickham, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, Hayward Boone, and Richard N. Thomas. Original motion failed. President Smith stated that the amendment carried, and Beverly Bailey had been named Assistant Principal at Franklinton High School.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to authorize withdrawal privileges for Dorothy Young on all Wesley Ray Elementary School bank accounts effective July 1, 1998, and terminate the withdrawal privileges for Annie Moses on all Wesley Ray Elementary School bank accounts effective June 17, 1998. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize withdrawal privileges for Dorothy Young on all Wesley Ray Elementary School bank accounts effective July 1, 1998, and terminate the withdrawal privileges for Annie Moses on all Wesley Ray Elementary School bank accounts effective June 17, 1998. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent, reviewed the Personnel Adjustments. One recommendation was to rescind the employment of Vivian Peters, Special Education Teacher, Varnado High School, effective May 21, 1998, because she is a retired teacher and, therefore, cannot be employed at this time. Hayward Boone stated that Mrs. Peters has not been dealt with fairly. She is a long-time employee who was injured at schoolbreaking up a fight, had to have surgery, and is extremely disabled. He could not understand how she was released from Worker’s Compensation when she is disabled. He requested that Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn check on her Worker’s Compensation status. Mr. Kuhn agreed to do this and report back to Mr. Boone. Mrs. Peter’s husband stated that she has been signing a contract as a Special Education Teacher for the past 12 years. She was retired at the time she returned to employment at Varnado High School. She returned to school and became certified as a Special Education teacher. She has been signing a contract at the same time as the rest of the teachers. Superintendent Fowler stated that the hiring of retired teachers is done at the last board meeting prior to the opening of school, in order to make a thorough search for certified teachers. Retired people, along with TTA’s and 665's are considered for employment in July, if certified teaches cannot be found. According to Richard Kennedy, by law, non-certified and retired persons are not supposed to be hired until the end of July, even though this has been done before.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Juanita Barker, that this item be voted on separately from the other personnel adjustments. FOR: Juanita Barker, Hayward Boone, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, Freddie Jefferson, Karl Bickham, and Harold Smith. AGAINST: Holly James and Susanne Jones. Motion carried.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the following Personnel Adjustments be approved, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Franklinton High School: Roxann M. Lewis, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective June 3, 1998.
Franklinton High School: Julie P. Gillenwater, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective June 26, 1998.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Wendy Manning, Special Education Bus Attendant, Franklinton Primary School, TO Part-time Food Service Technician, Franklinton Elementary School, effective August 12, 1998 (pending outcome of physical examination).
Eva Causey, Part-time Food Service Porter, Franklinton Elementary School, TO Part-time Food Service Technician, Pine School, effective August 12, 1998 (pending outcome of physical examination).
Central Office: Change employment status of Melanie Kennedy, Coordinator/Resource Teacher for Dyslexia and Related Disorders - 504 Coordinator, FROM 11 months annual employment TO 12 months annual employment, effective July 1, 1998.
EMPLOY:
Franklinton High School: Sharon Mullings, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 1998/99 school year - CERTIFIED (replacing Julie P. Gillenwater).
Franklinton High School: Carolyn J. Johnson, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 1998/99 school year - CERTIFIED (replacing Roxann Lewis).
Franklinton Schools: Marie A. Vince, Bus Operator, effective the beginning of the 1998/99 school year (replacing Linus Magee, who transferred to Nena Passman’s route).
Mt. Hermon School: Tammy W. Voth, Regular Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only - CERTIFIED (fill-in for Bobbi Brumfield, who will be on leave without pay).
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Amanda Knight, Special Education Bus Attendant, effective the beginning of the 1998/99 school year.
Central Office: Rebecca Kemp, Technology Director/Grant Facilitator, effective July 1, 1998, through June 30, 1999, or until such time that Martha Sumrall may return to work.
Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the employment of Vivian Peters, Special Education Teacher, Varnado High School, be rescinded effective May 21, 1998. FOR: Holly James, Susanne Jones, and Harold Smith. AGAINST: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Hayward Boone, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. Motion failed.
Agenda Item #17 - Superintendent’s Report.
At the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following item be added to the agenda: Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotations received for termite treatment of Washington Parish Vocational Center. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Fowler reviewed the quotations received, which were as follows: Orkin Pest Control - $5,900.00; Southeast Regional Pest Control - $6,345.00; Ja-Roy -$8,984.00. Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board accept the low quotation from Orkin Pest Control in the amount of $5,900.00 for termite treatment of Washington Parish Vocational Center. Motion carried unanimously.
Referring to Board action of June 11, 1998, Superintendent Fowler reported that the low quotation ($3,500.00) submitted by Richard Kuhn for painting the exterior of Wesley Ray Elementary School (labor only) was in order; therefore, the contract was awarded to him.
Superintendent Fowler reported on recent conversations with Beverly Young, Principal, Franklinton High School, and Matthew Tate, Member, Washington Parish Police Jury, regarding building an additional access road at Franklinton High School. The police jury has agreed to supply labor for building the road. Franklinton High School would pay for materials out of the school’s operations budget. The cost should not exceed $4,438.32, and could have a starting date of six to eight months from now. Superintendent Fowler recommended giving the police jury permission to proceed.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Holly James, that consideration of this item be added to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board grant permission to Franklinton High School to spend $4,438.32 of operations money (the projected cost of materials) to construct a roadway at Franklinton High School to serve as an additional exit, with the Washington Parish Police Jury supplying the labor. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #18 - Other business from board members.
Freddie Jefferson requested that, at the next committee meeting, Superintendent Fowler share with the Board the procedures in place for accountability of school funds.
Agenda Item #19 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY