The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following board members present: President Harold Smith, Karl Bickham, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: Juanita Barker.
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 August 12, 1999, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the August 12, 1999, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the following revised Washington Parish School Board policies brought about by recent legislation: File: BD - Policy Development; File: IFBGA - Computer and Internet Acceptable Use (Delete File: IFGBA - Acceptable Use Policy, which is an older, miscoded version); File: IKDC - Prayer in Schools; File: JCD - Student Conduct; File: JD - Discipline; File: JDD - Suspension; File: JDE - Expulsion; File: GBRHA - Sabbatical Leave; and File: GBRHA-R - Sabbatical Leave Regulations (Dennie Fowler).
Following a review of the revised policies by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board adopt the following revised Washington Parish School Board policies brought about by recent legislation: File: BD - Policy Development; File: IFBGA - Computer and Internet Acceptable Use (Delete File: IFGBA - Acceptable use Policy, which is an older, miscoded version); File: IKDC - Prayer in Schools; File: JCD - Student Conduct; File: JD - Discipline; File: JDD - Suspension; File: JDE - Expulsion; File: GBRHA - Sabbatical Leave; and File: GBRHA-R - Sabbatical Leave Regulations. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to delete Washington Parish School Board policy File: IKD - School Ceremonies and Observances, which is now covered by policy IKDC - Prayer in Schools, and policy IKDB - Graduation Exercises (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board delete Washington Parish School Board policy File: IKD - School Ceremonies and Observances, which is now covered by policy IKDC - Prayer in Schools, and policy IKDB -Graduation Exercises. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to remove Bus Operator Robert Mizell’s 1989 Chevrolet bus from the pool of second buses, and place his 1983 GMC bus in the pool of second buses (Eathel Seal).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Richard Thomas, that the Board authorize removing Bus Operator Robert Mizell’s 1989 Chevrolet bus from the pool of second buses, and placing his 1983 GMC bus in the pool of second buses. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to approve student transfer requests (Eathel Seal).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Richard Thomas, that the following student transfer requests be approved for the 1999/2000 school year:
NAME HOME DISTRICT REQUESTED DISTRICT
Terrance P. Harvey Thomas Pine
Cassidy Craig Brumfield Pine Franklinton
Brittany Pounds Angie Pine
Morgan Pounds Angie Pine
Marshall Edwin Presson Varnado Pine
Rikki Nicole Martin Wesley Ray Thomas
Joycelina Fay Alsobrooks Wesley Ray Pine
Jolena Alsobrooks Wesley Ray Pine
Robert Alsobrooks Wesley Ray Pine
Santana Nicole Martin Wesley Ray Thomas
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding salary raises and adjustments for employees (Dennie Fowler).
Superintendent Fowler stated, “I recommend a salary increase for active, permanent employees retroactive to the beginning of the 1999-2000 payroll period, with percentages
applicable to salaries (excluding PIP), as follows:
5.50% Teachers, Guidance Counselors, Assessment & Appraisal Personnel, Speech Therapists, Testing Coordinators, School Nurses, Principals and Assistant Principals
4.00% (*Superintendent) and Supervisors/Administrators
3.00% All Other Support Personnel
(* As Required by Contract)
I also recommend a one-time pay supplement to be paid in January, 2000, to:
Permanent employees who, as of the beginning of the second semester, will have been actively employed on or before September 1, 1999, and on a prorated basis for active permanent employees employed after September 1, 1999, applicable to the salary of such employees (excluding PIP) as was in place at the beginning of the 1999-2000 Fiscal Year (or would have been in place, had the employee been employed at the beginning of the 1999-2000 Fiscal Year), prior to the application of any permanent percentage increase granted by action of the Board in the 1999-2000 Fiscal Year.
The Recommended Supplements are: (Applicable to salaries set out above)
1.00% Teachers, Guidance Counselors, Assessment & Appraisal Personnel, Speech Therapists, Testing Coordinators, School Nurses, Principals and Assistant Principals
1.00% (* Superintendent) and Supervisors/Administrators
3.50% All other Support Personnel
(* As Required by Contract)
I further recommend an increase of $300.00 per month in the School Board’s portion of retainage fee for our Legal Counsel, effective September 1, 1999.”
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board accept the recommendations of Superintendent Fowler regarding salary increases, retainage fee increase for Legal Counsel, and supplements, as outlined above. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the following Personnel Adjustments be approved, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Ronald King, Regular Teacher, Franklinton High School, effective the 1999/2000 school year only (CIRCULAR 665), TO Regular Teacher, Franklinton High School, effective the beginning of the 1999/2000 school year (CERTIFIED).
Anita McCaffrey, Class-Size Reduction Teacher, Pine School, TO Regular Teacher, Pine School, effective August 25, 1999, and for the remainder of the 1999/2000 school year only.
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Elementary School: Shannon Burris, Part-time Custodian, effective August 27, 1999.
Franklinton High School: Jill S. Bulloch, In-School Suspension Teacher, effective August 13, 1999, and for the 1999/2000 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).
Mt. Hermon School: James Harris, Custodian, effective August 27, 1999.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Superintendent’s Report.
Superintendent Fowler offered some additional information regarding salary increases and supplements. He stated that $812,256.30 was estimated to be available for salary increases, and $247,871.35 was estimated to be available for one-time supplements.
Superintendent Fowler stated the student enrollment, as of this date, was 4,521 students, which was one (1) above the projected enrollment. He reported a very smooth school opening, with very few problems.
Agenda Item #12 - Other business from board members.
Karl Bickham stated he had heard many positive comments regarding student uniforms. Superintendent Fowler stated he would be talking with principals regarding additional schools implementing uniforms for the next school year.
In response to an inquiry, Superintendent Fowler reported that the alternative school is in operation, with one (1) student currently enrolled. The teachers are Barbara Chitwood, Patricia Bennett, Mark Barker, Ricky Payne and Scott Bond.
Superintendent Fowler mentioned the traffic problems at Franklinton High School. An additional exit is being studied, but, in the meantime, he asked that students consider riding buses or car pooling.
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 enter into executive session under La. R.S. 42:6.1A(4) concerning investigative proceedings regarding allegations of misconduct. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board enter into executive session under La. R.S. 42:6.1A(4) concerning investigative proceedings regarding allegations of misconduct. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board act on the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler and call a tenure hearing on the employee named in the executive session for September 23, 1999, at 5:00 P.M., on the charge brought against him by the superintendent. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the following Resolution be adopted:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute 42:263 authorizes the retention of special counsel by any school board upon a statement of reasons why such counsel is necessary and upon approval by the Attorney General; and
WHEREAS, this board is in need of special counsel experienced in the issues of General School Law and, specifically, Teacher Tenure Hearings; and
WHEREAS, the Assistant District Attorney, acting as our General Counsel, has suggested that we employ special counsel to advise and to assist in a tenure hearing scheduled for September 23, 1999; and
WHEREAS, Joseph M. Bertrand has done innumerable Louisiana Teacher Tenure Hearings and is recognized as having Tenure Hearings expertise in School law.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Joseph M. Bertrand be retained as special counsel at an hourly rate of $90.00 an hour. This agreement shall be and is effective as of September 23, 1999.
__________________________________________
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY OF THE BOARD
Motion carried unanimously.
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 adjust substitute teacher pay. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjust the substitute teacher pay effective September 1, 1999, as follows:
High School Diploma $40.00
College Degree $45.00
Certified Teacher $50.00 (NO CHANGE)
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY