The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following board members present: President Harold R. 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, School Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn, and news media present.
Agenda Item #2 - Invocation.
The invocation was given by Bruce Brown.
Agenda Item #3 - Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Item #4 - Presentation by Rhonda Gunnell, Assistant Home Economist, and John Wyble, Associate County Agent, regarding the 4H Youth Development Program (Dennie Fowler).
Mrs. Gunnell recognized Robert Clark, President of Washington Parish Junior Leaders Club, who reviewed past and present 4H activities. He recognized some of the outstanding 4H members from the past year, including Jessica Schexnider, Julie Pritchard, Ryan Smith, Jay Miller, Brandon Jenkins, Dustin Jenkins, Danielle Ezell, Pharion Route, Casey Gerald, Ashley McKenzie, Kattie Miller, Steven Sumrall, Heather Slocum, and Stacy Phillips.
Mr. Clark announced that Superintendent Dennie Fowler has been selected to receive the State 4H Educational Leadership Award for his outstanding contribution to the Louisiana 4H Youth Development Program. This is the highest honor given to an education administrator.
President Smith thanked the club members for the delicious refreshments served prior to the board meeting.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the September 9, 1999, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the September 9, 1999, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Presentation of BellSouth Mini Grant award to Stephanie Nugent by Billy Tauzin, III, BellSouth Corporate & External Affairs (Dennie Fowler).
Mr. Tauzin presented Mrs. Stephanie Nugent, a teacher at Franklinton High School, a check for $500.00. She was the recipient of the BellSouth Mini Grant award in Washington Parish for her proposed "Higher Order of Language Acquisition" project.
At the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following item be added to the agenda: Discuss and take appropriate action regarding placement of property and casualty insurance. Motion carried unanimously.
Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, asked the Board’s insurance consultant, John Norris, to make his recommendation for purchase of property and casualty insurance. Mr. Norris stated that only one (1) complete quotation had been received and that was from Bill McGehee Ins., Inc, Bogalusa, LA, in the amount of $166,968.00. He recommended that this quotation be accepted for the period October 1, 1999, through September 30, 2000. It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board accept the quotation submitted by Bill McGehee Ins., Inc. (National Casualty), in the amount of $166,968.00 for property and casualty insurance for the period October 1, 1999, through September 30, 2000. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotations received for providing drug testing for athletes (Eathel Seal).
Eathel Seal, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, reviewed the quotations received for providing drug testing for athletes, in accordance with the board’s recently adopted policy, as follows:
Micon Safety Services, Bogalusa, LA
Charge for negative sample $50.00
Charge for positive sample $70.00
Oakwood Rehabilitation Center, Bogalusa, LA
Charge for negative sample $30.00
Charge for positive sample No Quote
Rate for on-site collection An additional $50.00 per hour
Upon the recommendation of Supervisor Seal, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board accept the quotation submitted by Micon Safety Services for providing drug testing for athletes at a fee of $50.00 per test for negative samples and $70.00 per test for positive samples. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of two (2) 2000 Chevrolet/GMC 3/4 Ton Pickups with Utility Bodies (William Brignac).
At the request of William Brignac, Jr., Maintenance Supervisor, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for the purchase of two (2) 2000 Chevrolet GMC 3/4 ton pickups with utility bodies. Motion carried unanimously. Bids will be received until 2:00 P.M., October 25, 1999, the time of the bid opening.
Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Richard Thomas, that the following Personnel Adjustments be approved, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Schools: Keith Sumrall, Bus Operator, Resignation effective October 1, 1999.
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Jr. High School: Billy R. Breland, Part-time Assistant Principal, effective October 1, 1999 (replacing Vernell Rushing, who is retiring).
FOR: Karl Bickham, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Richard Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: Juanita Barker. Motion carried.
At the request of Richard Kennedy, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard Thomas, that the Board add the following item to the agenda: Authorize advertisement for the position of Special Education Paraprofessional at Wesley Ray Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize advertisement for the position of Special Education Paraprofessional at Wesley Ray Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously. Applications will be accepted until October 7, 1999, at 4:00 P.M.
Agenda Item #10 - Superintendent’s Report.
At the request of T. J. Butler, Jr., Supervisor of Federally Assisted Programs, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the following item be added to the agenda: Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotations received for erecting an 8' x 90' covered walkway and an 8' x 45' covered ramp for the Title I Media Center. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Butler stated he had obtained two (2) quotations for this project, as follows:
Patten Buildings, Franklinton, LA $5,950.00
Itolyaso Builders, Angie, LA $5,870.00
Upon the recommendation of Supervisor T. J. Butler, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board accept the low quotation submitted by Itolyaso Builders in the amount of $5,870.00 for erecting an 8' x 90' covered walkway and an 8' x 45' covered ramp for the Title I Media Center. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Fowler informed the Board that results of the State Accountability Program (School Performance Scores) were released today (September 23, 1999) by the State Department of Education. The majority (85.9%) of school systems in Louisiana, including Washington Parish, fell into two categories - - Academically Above Average and Academically Below Average. The Washington Parish School System K-8 schools’ School Performance Scores were as follows:
SCHOOL NAMED SCHOOL PERFORMANCE SCORE
Franklinton Jr. High School 70.6 (Academically Above Average)
Mt. Hermon School 72.7 "
Pine School 72.1 "
Wesley Ray Elementary School 75.7 "
Angie Jr. High School 66.9 (Academically Below Average)
Enon Elementary School 64.8 "
Franklinton Elementary School 63.1 "
Franklinton Primary School 63.1 "
Thomas Jr. High School 64.7 "
Varnado Elementary School 64.6 "
(Accountability scores for grades 9-12 will begin in 2000-2001.)
The scores of the six (6) schools that were Academically Below Average were close to the State average score of 69.4. State-level scores were as follows:
SCHOOL PERFORMANCE CATEGORY # OF SCHOOLS PERCENT
School of Academic Excellence 1 0.1%
School of Academic Distinction 14 1.2%
School of Academic Achievement 95 8.0%
Academically Above Average 524 44.1%
Academically Below Average 497 41.8%
Academically Unacceptable School 574 .8%
Superintendent Fowler reported that all schools are in the process of conducting school uniform surveys. The survey results will be given to the Board at the October 14, 1999, board meeting.
Agenda Item #11 - Other business from board members.
At the request of Freddie Jefferson, it was agreed that stipends for workshop attendees would be discussed at the next committee meeting. Mr. Jefferson stated that some inconsistencies exist in the payment of stipends.
Susanne Jones expressed appreciation to Mary Henderson for the work she did at Franklinton Jr. High School during the 1998-99 school year when she served as principal. Mrs. Jones felt that Mrs. Henderson was not praised enough at the September 9, 1999, board meeting when the school received a good audit report from Durden & Alonzo, CPAs.
At the request of Richard Thomas, Superintendent Fowler will discuss with Principal Ed Deas a classroom location problem at Pine School. Students are having to cross the highway to attend a class.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA. R.S. 42:6.1A(4) concerning investigative proceedings regarding allegations of misconduct (Harold Smith).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard Thomas, 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.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adjourn.
Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY