The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following board members present: President Harold Smith, Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Richard 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 11, 1999, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the March 11, 1999, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the March 22, 1999, special board meeting.
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the minutes of the March 22, 1999, special board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments be approved, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Pine School: Don Murtagh, In-School Suspension Teacher, Resignation effective March 15, 1999.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton Schools: Extend the route of Violonia Edwards 7.5 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: March 1, 1999.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Superintendent’s Report.
At the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to adopt a Resolution opposing State collection of local sales and use taxes. Motion carried unanimously.
Following review of the resolution by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, and unanimously carried, that the Board adopt the following Resolution opposing State collection of local sales and use taxes:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The 1974 Constitution of the State of Louisiana in Article VI, Section 29, grants local governments, including school boards, the authority to levy and collect local sales and use taxes, and
WHEREAS, This taxing authority of local governments, including school boards, was written into the Constitution after much debate and discussion during the Constitutional Convention of 1973, and
WHEREAS, Local governments desire to maintain the right among themselves to choose who will collect local sales and use taxes due to them, and
WHEREAS, The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry is proposing to have the State of Louisiana collect local sales and use taxes, rather than leaving this function at the local level, and
WHEREAS, This legislative proposal has drawn solid opposition from the Louisiana Municipal Association and other organizations representing local governments, who state that this legislation, if enacted into law, will have a detrimental effect on local sales and use tax revenues, including, but not limited to, delays in the receipt of tax revenues and lost interest revenues; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That Washington Parish School Board does hereby oppose state collection of local sales and use taxes, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be sent to Governor Mike Foster, members of the local legislative delegation, Robert Barham, Chairman of the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee, and John Alario, Jr. Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
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STATE OF LOUISIANA
PARISH OF WASHINGTON
I, Dennie Fowler, duly acting and qualified Superintendent of the Washington Parish School Board, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of the resolution adopted by the Washington Parish School Board at a regular meeting held in the School Board Office, Franklinton, Louisiana, on Thursday, March 25, 1999, at 6:30 P.M.
_____________________________________________
DENNIE FOWLER, SUPERINTENDENT/SECRETARY
WASHINGTON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
At the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to enter into contract with the Washington Parish Government for the Summer Food Program. Motion carried unanimously.
Following review of the contract, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board enter into contract with the Washington Parish Government for the Summer Food Program, as follows: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
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: Consider a motion to approve bids and allow Superintendent Fowler to enter into contracts for equipment, maintenance, and upgrades to Internet network for Washington Parish School Board during the 1999-2000 school year under the federal e-Rate program. Motion carried unanimously.
Following review of bids and contracts by Rebecca Kemp, Technology Director/Grant Facilitator, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board approve bids and allow Superintendent Fowler to enter into contracts for equipment, maintenance, and upgrades to Internet network for Washington Parish School Board during the 1999-2000 school year under the federal e-Rate program, as follows:
•Contract with Hunt Brothers, LLC, for equipment and wiring supplies for all schools;
•Contract with Hunt Brothers, LLC, to complete network at Franklinton Primary School/Adult Education building;
•Contract with Hunt Brothers, LLC, for network maintenance of the Internet network (Two (2) bids received - (1) BellSouth - $1,900/month, (2) Hunt Brothers, LLC - $1,500/month);
•Contract with BellSouth Mobility for cellular service for all schools.
e-Rate Contracts to be extended for period of 04/10/2000 to 06/30/2000 only:
•BellSouth - T-1 lines @$358 per month before discount
•BellSouth - Internet Access @$2,058 per month before discount
•BellSouth - POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service)
•Hunt Wireless - Paging services @$8.95 per month per pager before discount
•Lucent Technologies - PBX (phone network)
•AT&T - Long Distance Services
•US Telecom International - Phone Master Systems for schools (Homework hotline)
Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Fowler provided board members copies of the proposed 1999-2000 school calendar for their review. A calendar will be adopted at the April 22, 1999, board meeting.
Superintendent Fowler updated the Board on construction projects at Mt. Hermon School and Varnado High School.
Agenda Item #8 - Other business from board members.
Susanne Jones thanked board members and supervisors for participating in Miles for Meals sponsored by Washington Parish Council on Aging.
Freddie Jefferson asked that Superintendent Fowler look into the possibility of scheduling “Community School Week,” during which time parents and patrons would be encouraged to perform volunteer work at the parish schools.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY