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 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the September 23, 1999, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adopt the minutes of the September 23, 1999, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Recognize participants in the Governor’s Mansion Foundation Christmas art project (Mary Jones).
Supervisor Mary Jones recognized high school Talented Art students who participated in a project to select two parish representatives for the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion Foundation art project. Each school district was asked to select one female and one male student to design and paint a 4" ornament to be placed on the Governor’s Mansion Christmas Tree. On a designated school day, the two parish representatives will go to the Governor’s Mansion to decorate the ornament to be furnished to them. The students were, as follows:
Males
Honorable Mention: Deontray Alexander, Varnado High School (not present)
John Byrd, Pine School
Third Place: Rashad Harrison, Franklinton High School
Second Place: Jordan Lebo, Mt. Hermon School
First Place: Aaron Sanders, Franklinton High School
Females
Honorable Mention: DeAnna Duncan, Varnado High School (not present)
Kelly Knight, Pine School
Third Place: Sarah Morton, Franklinton High School
Second Place: Rebekah Miller, Mt. Hermon School
First Place: Kristen Wascom, Franklinton High School
Ms. Jones then recognized the Talented Art teachers, as follows: Ali Wood, Mt. Hermon School, Kaye Bell, Franklinton High School, and Caron Knight, Pine School. Vanessa Alfonso, Talented Art teacher at Varnado High School, was not present.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to advertise for bids for sale and removal of 42' X 84' temporary building at Mt. Hermon School (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Richard Thomas, that the Board authorize advertisement for bids for sale and removal of 42' X 84' temporary building at Mt. Hermon School. Advertising dates will be October 20 & 27, and November 3, 1999, and bids will be accepted until 2:00 P.M., Friday, November 5, 1999, the time of the bid opening.
Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding setting the pay to teachers for student services beyond the school day, such as tutoring,screening and evaluation, after-school detention, and remediation, at $20.00 per contact hour (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board set the pay to teachers for student services beyond the school day, such as tutoring, screening and evaluation, after-school detention, and remediation, at $20.00 per contact hour. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Title I allocations to schools for the 1999/2000 school year (T. J. Butler, Jr.)
In the absence of T. J. Butler, Jr., Director of Federally Assisted Programs, Dr. Cynthia Cibic, Coordinator, Testing and Evaluation Program, presented three (3) allocation plans for the Board’s consideration. It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board approve Allocation Plan I, which was as follows:
ALLOCATION PLAN I - 1999/2000
SCHOOL % OF LOW #FREE & ALLOCATION ADDITION OF TOTAL
INCOME REDUCED 19.8846 HIGH ALLOCATION
LUNCH FREE RED.LUNCH
Varnado High 100% 214 x $300 64,200.00 4255.30 68,455.30
Varnado Elem 99% 167 x $300 50,100.00 3320.73 53,420.73
Angie Jr. 98% 199 x $300 59,700.00 3957.04 63,657.04
Wesley Ray 97% 245 x $300 73,500.00 4871.73 78,371.73
Thomas Jr. 92% 390 x $300 117,000.00 7754.99 124,754.99
Frank.Prim. 90% 414 x $300 124,200.00 8232.21 132,432.21
Pine 88% 541 x $250 135,250.00 - 135,250.00
Frank.Elem. 84% 351 x $250 87,750.00 - 87,750.00
Frank.Jr. 75% 342 x $200 68,400.00 - 68,400.00
Mt.Hermon 72% 395 x $200 79,000.00 - 79,000.00
Enon 68% 185 x $150 27,750.00 - 27,750.00
Frank.High 68% 438 x $150 65,700.00 - 65,700.00
TOTALS $952,550.00 $32,392.00 $984,942.00
FOR: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Suzanne Jones, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, and Bruce Brown. AGAINST: None. ABSTAINING: Freddie Jefferson and Hayward Boone. Motion carried. Freddie Jefferson stated, "Let me clarify my vote. I have no problem with the other two plans, but I want to operate all our schools. If we’re going to have three plans, give us three plans that we can support. Certainly, we don’t want to cut any school out from some of the good things they are doing with their Chapter I money."
Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding agreement with Wesley Ray Community Association for use of Washington Parish School Board property located near Wesley Ray Elementary School (Freddie Jefferson).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board enter into an agreement with Wesley Ray Community Association for use of Washington Parish School Board property located near Wesley Ray Elementary School (See attached.) Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding agreement with Franklinton Dixie Baseball Association for use of Washington Parish School Board property located near the Franklinton High School athletic fields (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Holly James, that the Board enter into an agreement with Franklinton Dixie Baseball Association for use of Washington Parish School Board property located near the Franklinton High School athletic fields (See attached.) Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding declaring an emergency situation with the Franklinton Jr. High School roof and authorizing Superintendent Fowler to proceed with repairs by Rowell Sheet Metal (Dennie Fowler).
At the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board declare an emergency situation with the Franklinton Jr. High School roof, and authorize Superintendent Fowler to proceed with repairs by Paul Rowell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Foxworth, MS. Motion carried unanimously. Superintendent Fowler stated it was in the Board’s best interest to use Rowell’s standard rates for labor, material, and equipment, rather than having them submit a fixed amount for the repairs, since the extent of repairs has not been determined.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to support the efforts of United Way and authorize representatives to speak with school personnel during faculty meetings regarding their support of United Way (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board support the efforts of United Way and authorize representatives to speak with school personnel during faculty meetings regarding their support of United Way. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding school uniforms (Dennie Fowler).
Superintendent Fowler stated that committees will be formed at each school to discuss and make decisions regarding color, styles, summer/winter apparel, etc. He will be meeting with all principals after the fair to discuss all aspects of uniform implementation. Freddie Jefferson requested that the Board be informed of all committees’ decisions prior to implementation.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board approve parish wide uniforms beginning with the 2000/2001 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
At the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following personnel item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for the position of Special Education Paraprofessional (with signing skills) for Wesley Ray Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize advertisement for the position of Special Education Paraprofessional (with signing skills) for Wesley Ray Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously. Applications will be accepted October 15, 1999, through October 25, 1999, at 4:00 P.M.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments be approved, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Enon Elementary School: Darrie D. Moore, Custodian, Resignation effective October 29, 1999.
TRANSFER:
Glen Thomas, Bus Operator, Pine School, TO Bus Operator, Franklinton Schools, effective October 18, 1999 (Keith Sumrall’s route).
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Jr. High School: Samuel Williams, Regular Teacher, effective October 1, 1999, and for the remainder of the 1999/2000 school year only (TTA).
Varnado Elementary School: Charlyn L. Hartzog, Regular Teacher, effective October 15, 1999, and for the remainder of the 1999/2000 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Louise Hart, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective October 25, 1999, and for the remainder of the 1999/2000 school year only.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton Schools:
Extend the route of Ron Sharp 1.9 miles one way to pick up Larry Williams. Effective date: September 21, 1999.
Wesley Ray Resource:
Extend the route of Yvonne Brumfield 18.4 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: September 20, 1999, through October 5, 1999 (20 days).
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Superintendent’s Report.
Superintendent Fowler reported that the official October 1, 1999, enrollment was 4,573 students.
Superintendent Fowler gave reports on Varnado High School and Mt. Hermon School construction projects.
Agenda Item #16 - Other business from board members.
Hayward Boone stated, "For the record, I was not opposed to Plan I, except I support Plan II. You can understand why I support Plan II. The only problem with Plans II and III is that Plans II and III do not take into account the various programs at the schools. Certainly, we wouldn’t want to leave out any schools. I think, in the future, and this has been ongoing for several years, we need to take into account some of these, and we need to come up with a plan where we wouldn’t have that many conflicts. Certainly, we wouldn’t want to leave Enon School out. I want to clarify that for the record."
Holly James complimented the Franklinton High School, Mt. Hermon School, and Pine School Beta Club members who recently attended the district convention.
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY