Franklinton, Louisiana

August 6, 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, and Freddie Jefferson.  Absent: Richard N. Thomas and 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 July 23, 1998, regular board meeting.

 

            It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board adopt the minutes of the July 23, 1998, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #5 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotations received for chain link fencing at Varnado High School (Dennie Fowler).

 

            Superintendent Fowler reviewed the quotations received, which were as follows: Davis Fence - $4,105.05; Scott Fence United Corp. - $4,487.40; Thomas Fence Co. -$4,678.00.  All quotations met specifications.  Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board award the contract for chain link fencing at Varnado High School to Davis Fence in the amount of $4,105.05.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding salary increases for supervisors/administrators, not funded by State (Dennie Fowler).

 

            Superintendent Fowler stated, “House Concurrent Resolution No. 104 of the regular Louisiana Legislative Session, 1998, provides a mandated, State funded salary increase for classroom teachers, some other certificated personnel and school nurses.  This mandated increase includes classroom teachers, therapists/specialists/counselors, school site-based principals, assistant principals, and other school administrators, and school nurses. 

 

            For Washington Parish, the Minimum Foundation Program assures funding the minimum of $800.00 per position listed above.  Based on tentative projections, there is a possibility that the State may fund up to $1,284.00 per position listed above for the Washington Parish School System, but the exact amount of total funding will not be known until the adoption of the 1998/99 Budget Letter by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (expected in January, 1999).

 

            At this time, I recommend a salary increase in the amount of $1,000.00 per year for all full-time, and $500.00 per year for part-time certificated personnel and school nurses, other than supervisors/administrators who are not school site-based, effective at the beginning of the 1998/99 payroll period.  I, further, recommend delaying the implementation of a raise greater than $1,000.00 until the Budget Letter is adopted.  At the time the actual amount funded is known, the difference between the two can be paid in a lump sum, retroactive to the beginning of the 1998/99 payroll period, and, afterwards, payments can be made according to the adjusted current payroll schedule.”

 

            It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board accept the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler and implement a salary increase in the amount of $1,000.00 per year for all full-time, and $500.00 per year for part-time certificated personnel and school nurses, other than supervisors/administrators who are not school site-based, effective at the beginning of the 1998/99 payroll period, and delay implementation of a raise greater than $1,000.00 until the Budget Letter is adopted. At the time the actual amount funded is known, the difference between the two can be paid in a lump sum, retroactive to the beginning of the 1998/99 payroll period, and, afterwards, payments can be made according to the adjusted current payroll schedule.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding salary increases for supervisors/administrators, not funded by State (Dennie Fowler).

 

            Superintendent Fowler stated, “Last year we discussed, and the Board generally agreed, that salaries of supervisors/administrators should be indexed to salaries of principals, and that an approximate $2,000.00 differential should be maintained between salaries of supervisors/administrators and principals.  Our principals are included, and funded, in the State mandated salary increases, but our supervisors/administrators, who are not school site-based, are not. 

 

            Therefore, I recommend a salary increase in the amount of $1,000.00 per year for our supervisors/administrators, who are not school site-based, effective at the beginning of the 1998/99 payroll period.  I, further, recommend delaying the implementation of a raise greater than $1,000.00, until the amount of the total increase per principal is known (expected in January, 1999).  When the total increase per principal is known, that exact increase will be applicable to supervisors/administrators, and the difference can be paid in a lump sum retroactive to the beginning of the 1998/99 payroll period, and, afterwards, payments can be made according to the adjusted current payroll schedule. Supervisors/administrators who are not school site-based include the following:

 

            Billy Brignac, Supervisor of Voc. Ed. & Maint.      (To be funded by G.F.)

            Dennie Fowler, Superintendent                            (As required by contract)“

            Beth Fussell, Chief Accountant & Operations Mgr.“

            Mary Jones, Supervisor of Elementary Instruction“

            Robert Johnson, Supervisor of Adult Ed.“

            Richard Kennedy, Ass’t. Supt. & Supvr. of Sec. Ed.“

            Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance“

            Anthony Triola, Supvr. of Child Welfare & Attendance/Supvr. Of Transportation

            Pamela Williford, Supervisor of Special Education“

            T. J. Butler, Jr., Dir. of IASA Federal Programs    (To be funded by Title I)

            Marsha Newman, Supvr. of Sch. Food Service      (To be funded by School Food Service)”

 

            It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Holly James, that the Board accept the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler and implement a salary increase in the amount of $1,000.00 per year for supervisors/administrators, who are not school site-based, effective at the beginning of the 1998/99 payroll period, and delay the implementation of a raise greater than $1,000.00 until the amount of the total increase per principal is known.  When the total increase per principal is known, that exact increase will be applicable to supervisors/administrators, and the difference can be paid in a lump sum retroactive to the beginning of the 1998/99 payroll period, and, afterwards, payments can be made according to the adjusted current payroll schedule.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding pay supplements for non-certificated support staff, funded by State (Dennie Fowler).

 

            Superintendent Fowler stated, “Pursuant to House Bill 1 of the 1998 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, a one-time pay supplement for non-certificated support staff has been funded for 1998/99.  The funding provides a supplement of $300.00 per full-time support personnel and $150.00 per part-time support personnel.  I recommend a one-time pay supplement in the amount of $300.00 per full-time support personnel and a one-time pay supplement in the amount of $150.00 per part-time support personnel, to be paid to employees in a lump sum in September, 1998, based on active employees employed as of September 1, 1998.”

 

            It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board accept the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler and approve a one-time pay supplement in the amount of $300.00 per full-time support personnel and a one-time pay supplement in the amount of $150.00 per part-time support personnel, to be paid to employees in a lump sum in September, 1998, based on active employees employed as of September 1, 1998.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).

 

            It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the following Personnel Adjustments be approved, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:

 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

 

RESIGNATION:

 

Franklinton High School: Gayle Ladner, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective July 31, 1998.

 

Franklinton Primary School: Vanessa B. Roberts, Bus Attendant, Resignation effective August 6, 1998.

 

REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:

 

Franklinton Jr. High School: Emma Route, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the entire 1998/99 school year.

 

REQUEST FOR LEAVE:

 

Enon Elementary School: Ann Spears, Special Education Teacher, Extended Sick Leave effective August 13, 1998, through January 13, 1999.

 

CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:

 

Franklinton Primary School: Shirlene Magee, Regular Teacher, TO Special Education Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TTA).

 

Franklinton Primary School: Olene Mathers, Special Education Bus Attendant, TO Special Education Paraprofessional, effective the 1998/99 school year only.

 

TRANSFER:

 

Enon Elementary School: Denise Gilmore, Special Education Paraprofessional, TO 8(g) Pre-Kindergarten Paraprofessional, effective the 1998/99 school year only.

 

EMPLOY:

 

Angie Jr. High School:    Bryan Stewart, Title I In-School Suspension Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).

 

Enon Elementary School: Dwanna Barber, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective the 1998/99 school year only.

 

Franklinton Primary School: Zyndall Jones, Special Education Teacher, effective the beginning of the 1998/99 school year (CERTIFIED).

 

Franklinton Elementary School:   Lynn Mulina, Faculty Co-Coordinator, effective the 1998/99 school year only.

 

Franklinton Elementary School:   Ella Rose Bickham, Faculty Co-Coordinator, effective the 1998/99 school year only.

 

Franklinton Elementary School:   Jeanie Bryant, Regular Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (CERTIFIED) - Fill-in for Mary Henderson, who is serving as Principal, Franklinton Jr. High School, for the 1998/99 school year.

 

Franklinton Jr. High School: Kimberly Jones, Regular Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (CERTIFIED) - Fill-in for Emma Route, who will be on sabbatical leave.

 

Franklinton High School: Charles Ackerman, In-School Suspension Teacher, effective the Fall semester only of the 1998/99 school year (CIRCULAR 665).

 

Franklinton High School: Nicole S. Aucoin, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TTA).

 

Franklinton High School: David Belou, Regular Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).

 

Franklinton High School: Steven E. Bullock, Regular Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT PERMIT).

 

Franklinton High School: Jennifer Thomas, Regular Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).

 

Pine School: Betty Nelson, Regular Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT PERMIT).

 

Thomas Jr. High School: Juanette Thomas, Regular Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (CERTIFIED).

 

Varnado High School:     William Spikes, In-School Suspension Teacher, effective the 1998/99 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

            It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to authorize Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent, to hire the remaining teaching personnel needed prior to opening of school.  Motion carried unanimously.  It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent, to hire the remaining teaching personnel needed prior to opening of school, with the Board ratifying his action at the August 20, 1998, meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #10 - Superintendent’s Report.

 

            Superintendent Fowler reported that the time of day when students at some parish schools will be dismissed has changed this year because of the Louisiana Legislature’s requirement of 360 minutes of instructional time per day for each student.  High schools were already meeting that requirement, but because of bus routes, some of the elementary schools were not.  He announced the following dismissal times:

 

                        Angie Jr. High School                 2:50 P.M.

                        Enon Elementary School            3:00 P.M.

                        Franklinton Primary School         2:35 P.M.

                        Franklinton Elementary School    2:45 P.M.

                        Franklinton Jr. High School         2:55 P.M.

                        Franklinton High School              3:10 P.M.

                        Mt. Hermon School                    2:45 P.M.

                        Pine School                               2:47.5 P.M.

                        Thomas Jr. High School              2:49 P.M.

                        Varnado Elementary School        2:52 P.M.

                        Varnado High School                  2:55 P.M.

                        Wesley Ray Elementary School  2:40 P.M.

                       

The time when buses leave the schools can be determined by adding five (5) minutes to the dismissal time.

 

            Agenda Item #11 - Other business from board members.

 

            Holly James requested that, at the next board committee meeting, the Board discuss parents’ roles in scheduling their children’s courses at the high school level.

 

            Also to be discussed at the next committee meeting, at the request of Freddie Jefferson, will be curriculum and what’s being done to increase test scores.

 

            Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

 

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

 

HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT

 

DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY