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, and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: Bruce Brown.
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 Freddie Jefferson.
Agenda Item #3 - Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Item #4 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the June 25, 1998, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board adopt the minutes of the June 25, 1998, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the July 13, 1998, special board meeting.
It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the July 13, 1998, special board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Presentation by Melanie Kennedy, Coordinator/Resource Teacher for Dyslexia and Related Disorders - 504 Coordinator (Dennie Fowler).
Ms. Kennedy reported that twenty-one parish teachers are participating in a week-long 4MAT training, after which they will become In-house 4MAT Trainers. They are receiving no stipend, which means they are there because they want to be. Ms. Kennedy introduced the two consultants who are conducting the training - Susan Rossi, Vice-President of Excel, the company that provided the 4MAT training and materials, and Susan Morris, Director of Education for Excel. Ms. Morris presented certificates to the participants, who were as follows: Ella R. Bickham, Gail Bond, Cherry A. Brown, Patsy W. Breland, Nancy B. Cox, Joan K. Ezell, Linda Fortenberry, Rhonda K. Gunnell, Olga Jackson, Sally Thigpen, Jean E. Knight, Debra D. Lee, Brenda Nevels, Helen T. Ruffino, Sherry A. Seal, Stephanie Smith, Onshella M. Vernon, Mary W. Wood, Tisha Thomas, Cynthia McCormick, Scott Bond, Judith Smith, and Sylvia Graves.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to adopt a Resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the special election held in Mt. Hermon School District of the Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, July 18, 1998, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein (Harold Smith).
Following comments by Attorney David M. Wolf of the law firm of Foley & Judell, LLP, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board adopt the following Resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the special election held in Mt. Hermon School District of the Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, July 18, 1998, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to adopt a Resolution authorizing the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of One Million One Hundred Fifty-Five Thousand Dollars ($1,155,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 1998, of Mt. Hermon School District of the Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana; giving notice of official intent pursuant to Section 1.150-2 of the Treasury Regulations; and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Harold Smith).
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board adopt the following Resolution authorizing the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of One Million One Hundred Fifty-Five Thousand Dollars ($1,155,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 1998, of Mt. Hermon School District of the Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana; giving notice of official intent pursuant to Section 1.150-2 of the Treasury Regulations; and providing for other matters in connection therewith : SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Principal, Franklinton Jr. High School, effective the 1998/99 school year only (Harold Smith).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Principal, Franklinton Jr. High School, effective the 1998/99 school year only. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to employ a Principal for Franklinton Jr. High School for the 1998/99 school year only (Harold Smith).
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board employ Mary Henderson as Principal, Franklinton Jr. High School, for the 1998/99 school year only, effective July 27, 1998, through June 15, 1999. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion authorizing withdrawal privileges for Mary Henderson on all Franklinton Jr. High School bank accounts effective July 27, 1998, and terminate the withdrawal privileges for Linda Crain on all Franklinton Jr. High School bank accounts effective July 27, 1998. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board authorize withdrawal privileges for Mary Henderson on all Franklinton Jr. High School bank accounts effective July 27, 1998, and terminate the withdrawal privileges for Linda Crain on all Franklinton Jr. High School bank accounts effective July 27, 1998. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the proposed 1998 tax levy (Adren Raybourn).
Following review by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the following Resolution regarding the 1998 tax levy: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement on August 26, 1998, that a Public Hearing on the Washington Parish School Board Budgets will be held September 10, 1998, at 6:00 P.M. (Adren Raybourn).
Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize advertisement on August 26, 1998, that a Public Hearing on the Washington Parish School Board Budgets will be held September 10, 1998, at 6:00 P.M. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to set the effective date of Dorothy Young’s contract as Principal, Wesley Ray Elementary School (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Dennie Fowler, Superintendent, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board set the effective date of Dorothy Young’s contract of employment as Principal, Wesley Ray Elementary School, as beginning July 1,1998, and ending June 30, 2000. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Alan Graham, Principal, Mt. Hermon School (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Dennie Fowler, Superintendent, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the contract of employment for Alan Graham, Principal, Mt. Hermon School, be renewed for the period beginning August 9, 1998, and ending August 8, 2000. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent/Supervisor (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Dennie Fowler, Superintendent, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the contract of employment for Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent/Supervisor, be renewed for the period beginning August 9, 1998, and ending August 8, 2000. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to renew the contract of employment for Geary McKenzie, Principal, Angie Jr. High School (Dennie Fowler).
Upon the recommendation of Dennie Fowler, Superintendent, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded Freddie Jefferson, that the contract of employment for Geary McKenzie, Principal, Angie Jr. High School, be renewed for the period beginning August 26, 1998, and ending August 25, 2000. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #18 - Consider a motion to approve additional student transfer requests for the 1998/99 school year (Anthony Triola).
Upon the recommendation of Anthony Triola, Supervisor, Child Welfare and Attendance, it was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the following additional student transfer requests be approved for the 1998/99 school year:
STUDENT’S NAME HOME DISTRICT REQUESTED DISTRICT
Brittany K. Sullivan Pine Franklinton
Stephen Marver Franklinton Enon
Lauren Mauer Franklinton Enon
Brittany Stinson Thomas Pine
Chakaira Hart Pine Franklinton
Zachary Wilson Buchanan Wesley Ray Franklinton
Deanna Cotton Varnado Pine
James Heath Thomas Pine Franklinton
Barrett Breland Angie Thomas
William Elislia Williams Wesley Ray Franklinton
Johnny Erin Tarver Franklinton Mt. Hermon
Morgan Pounds Angie Pine
Brittany Pounds Angie Pine
Ashton Bradford Franklinton Mt. Hermon
Kimberly Bradford Franklinton Mt. Hermon
Jacob Bradford Franklinton Mt. Hermon
Larry Wendell Johnson, III Wesley Ray Pine
Trenton Alexander Johnson Wesley Ray Pine
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #19 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding finalization of Superintendent’s evaluation (Harold Smith).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Holly James, that the Board extend for one (1) additional year (July 23, 1999, through July 22, 2000) the employment contract of Superintendent Dennie Fowler because of his satisfactory evaluation. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #20 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the following Personnel Adjustments be approved, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Mt. Hermon School: H. Lin Alford, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective July 20, 1998 (Waive requirement of returning to service for one semester following sabbatical leave for the Spring semester of the 1998/99 school year).
RESIGNATION:
Angie Jr. High School: Marion Pierce, Guidance Counselor, Resignation effective July 22, 1998.
EMPLOY:
Angie Jr. High School: Jerry L. Hutcheison, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TTA).
Enon Elementary School: Karen Ballard, Regular Teacher, effective the Fall semester only of the 1998/99 school year - CERTIFIED (fill-in for Gail Stiles, who will be on sabbatical leave).
Franklinton Elementary School: Kasi Redfearn, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 1998/99 school year (CERTIFIED).
Franklinton Elementary School: Wendy Manning, Part-time Porter, effective August 12, 1998 (pending outcome of physical examination).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Connie Ingram, Academically Gifted Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TTA).
Franklinton Jr. High School: John E. Veca, Jr., Band Director, effective the 1998/99 school year only (CERTIFIED).
Franklinton High School: Clay Magee, Band/Vocal Music Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TEP).
Franklinton High School: Samuel Nugent, Regular Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TTA).
Franklinton High School: Margaret Piazza, Regular Teacher, effective the beginning of the 1998/99 school year (CERTIFIED).
Franklinton High School: Stephen Burris, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TTA).
Franklinton Primary School: Vanessa Roberts, Special Education Bus Attendant, effective the beginning of the 1998/99 school year.
Franklinton Primary School: Chanda Corkern, Regular Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (CERTIFIED).
Franklinton Primary School: Mamilyn Dupre, Pre-School Special Education Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TTA).
Mt. Hermon School: Lorraine C. Jenkins, Spanish Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TEP).
Mt. Hermon School: Tina Smith, Academically Gifted Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TTA).
Mt. Hermon School: Jacki Grady, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1998/99school year only (TTA).
Pine School: Burneva Ellzey, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (CERTIFIED).
Pine School: Danny Reeves, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TTA).
Pine School: Chris Jenkins, In-School Suspension Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (CERTIFIED).
Pine School: Allen Little, Agriculture Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (Nine Months Employment) - CERTIFIED (Fill-in for Ronald Knight, who is serving as Principal, Pine School, for the 1998/99 school year).
Pine School: Billy W. Gerald, Faculty Co-Coordinator, effective the 1998/99 school year only.
Pine School: Louise Topps, Faculty Co-Coordinator, effective the 1998/99 school year only.
Thomas Jr. High School: Christine Thomas, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TTA).
Thomas Jr. High School: Stacy Payne, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TTA).
Varnado High School: Douglas Jones, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TTA).
Washington Parish Career Center: Wayne Taylor, Auto Mechanics Instructor, effective the beginning of the 1998/99 school year.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Mary M. Lofthus, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TTA).
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Shelia Davis, Pre-School Special Education Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TTA).
TRANSFERS:
Debra Lee, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, TO Louisiana Reading Initiative Early Literacy Master Teacher (Resource-Helping Teacher) - Parishwide, effective the 1998/99 school year only.
Nancy Cox, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School, TO Louisiana Reading Initiative Early Literacy Master Teacher (Resource-Helping Teacher) - Parishwide, effective the 1998/99 school year only.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #21 - Superintendent’s Report.
Superintendent Fowler commended the Mt. Hermon community for its support and passage of the bond issue.
He informed the Board that the dedication ceremony for Phase I, Varnado High School Construction Project, will be held August 16, 1998, at 3:00 P.M.
Agenda Item #22 - Other business from board members.
President Smith thanked the people of the Mt. Hermon School District for their support of the bond issue. He also thanked the news media for the excellent coverage of the bond issue.
Comments were made regarding the Bible Study class being considered by the Board. Holly James stated that someone in her district had contacted her regarding an article in the newspaper about the survey that was done at the schools. She stated that the Board may want to do a different kind of survey in order to have a better idea of whether or not the community wants a Bible Study class in the high schools. Freddie Jefferson suggested that a public hearing be held. Superintendent Fowler stated that we are still awaiting approval of the course by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Agenda Item #23 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY