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 October 14, 1999, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the October 14, 1999, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Report from KPMG Peat Marwick, Certified Public Accountants, regarding the 1998/99 audit of general purpose financial statements (Beth Fussell).
Mr. Joey Richard, Audit Partner, briefly reviewed the audit report with the Board. Copies of the entire report were provided for board members. Mr. Richard stated that the Board received an unqualified audit. President Smith expressed appreciation to the business department staff for the good report.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for the purchase of two (2) 2000 Chevrolet/GMC 3/4-Ton Pickups with utility bodies (William Brignac).
Upon the recommendation of William Brignac, Maintenance Supervisor, it was moved by Holly James, seconded by Richard Thomas, that the Board accept the low bid submitted by Brian Harris Autoplex, Slidell, LA, in the amount of $41,152.54 for purchase of two (2) 2000 Chevrolet/GMC 3/4-Ton Pickups with utility bodies. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for the sale and removal of 42' X 84' temporary building at Mt. Hermon School (Dennie Fowler).
Superintendent Fowler reported that no bids were received for the sale and removal of the temporary building at Mt. Hermon School. At Superintendent Fowler’s request, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize Mt. Hermon School Principal to negotiate for the removal of the temporary building. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to adopt addendum to 1999/2000 Pupil Progression Plan (Richard Kennedy).
Upon the recommendation of Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt addendum to 1999/2000 Pupil Progression Plan. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to approve an allocation to schools for the 1999/2000 operations budgets (Adren Raybourn).
Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board approve the following allocation to schools for the 1999/2000 operations budgets:
Allocation to Schools for 1999/2000 Fiscal Year Operating Budgets
$40.00 Per Pupil for Elementary
$50.00 Per Pupil for Secondary
SCHOOL TOTAL PER PUPIL ADJ. NET ALLOCATION
Angie Jr. High $ 8,320.00 $ 8,320.00
Enon Elementary 9,800.00 - $1,500.00 8,300.00
Franklinton Primary 18,360.00 8,360.00
Franklinton Elementary 16,760.00 - 2,013.78 14,746.22
Franklinton Jr. High 18,280.00 18,280.00
Franklinton High 32,550.00 32,550.00
Mt. Hermon School 22,800.00 22,800.00
Pine School 27,180.00 27,180.00
Thomas Jr. High 16,560.00 16,560.00
Varnado Elementary 6,040.00 6,040.00
Varnado High 10,850.00 - 2,000.00 8,850.00
Wesley Ray Elementary 9,240.00 - 1,500.00 7,740.00
TOTALS $ 196,740.00 - $7,013.78 $ 189,726.22
Debts to General Fund After These Adjustments:
Enon Elementary $ 27,500.00
Varnado High 76,482.50
Wesley Ray Elementary 8,500.00
TOTAL $112,482.50
Motion carried unanimously.-
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to approve restricted allocations for some schools in lieu of paying for water/sewage (Adren Raybourn).
Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board approve the following restricted allocations for some schools, in lieu of paying for water/sewage, with the understanding that amounts will be placed into the school’s contingency fund, with spending possible only with the Superintendent’s approval:
SCHOOL IN LIEU OF WATER IN LIEU OF SEWAGE TOTAL
Enon $1,838.33 $1,661.67 $3,500.00
Pine 1,838.33 1,661.67 3,500.00
Thomas 1,838.33 1,661.67 3,500.00
Mt. Hermon 1,661.67 1,661.67
Angie 1,661.67 1,661.67
Varnado Elem. 1,661.67 1,661.67
Varnado High 1,661.67 1,661.67
Wesley Ray 1,661.67 1,661.67
TOTALS $5,514.99 $ 13,293.36 $18,808.35
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments be approved, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Pine School: Anita T. Wood, Title I Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective January 21, 2000.
Varnado High School: Jack Bacot, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective January 12, 2000.
RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Jr. High School: Leland Lee, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective November 4, 1999.
Pine School: Barbara McKinley, Vocal Music Teacher, Resignation effective October 6, 1999.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE:
Franklinton Primary School: Sheila L. Burris, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave, effective the Spring semester of the 1999/2000 school year.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE WITHOUT PAY:
Pine School: Travis Ann Hunt, School Clerk, Leave Without Pay effective November 2, 1999, and for the remainder of the 1999/2000 school year.
EMPLOY:
Enon Elementary School: Paul Magee, Custodian, effective November 12, 1999.
Franklinton Primary School: Monica Thomas, Pre-School Teacher (Part-time - 1 day per week), effective November 16, 1999, and for the remainder of the 1999/2000 school year only.
Pine School: Brenda R. Conerly, Bus Operator, effective November 15, 1999.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Margaret Ann Wheeler, Special Education Paraprofessional (for sign language), effective November 12, 1999.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
THOMAS JR. HIGH SCHOOL:
Extend the route of D. Kaye Magee 4.8 miles one way due to detour (bridge out on Brumfield Road). Effective date: September 30, 1999.
WESLEY RAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:
Extend the route of Mary Knight 1.1 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: October 11, 1999.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Superintendent’s Report.
At the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Holly James, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to approve a loan of up to $15,000.00 from General Fund to Franklinton Jr.High School for roof repairs. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Holly James, that the Board approve a loan of up to $15,000.00 from General Fund to Franklinton Jr. High School for roof repairs. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Fowler reminded everyone of the upcoming election on November 20, 1999, for renewal of Washington Parish School District No. 2 Operations and Maintenance taxes and the Angie School District tax. He stressed the importance of these taxes being renewed.
Superintendent Fowler informed the Board that the December 6, 1999, committee meeting will begin at 6:00 P.M. All principals will give reports on high-stakes testing, remediation, and exit tests.
Superintendent Fowler commended those schools holding Veterans Day programs. Reports were that all programs were outstanding.
Superintendent Fowler commended Franklinton High School and Varnado High School football teams for advancing to the play-offs.
Agenda Item #13 - Other business from board members.
Juanita Barker expressed pride in The Boston Globe article commending Franklinton High School and Guidance Counselor Stephanie Nugent for implementing a character education program which was recently recognized as the best in Louisiana.
Freddie Jefferson requested that letters of commendation be written to the schools advancing to the play-offs. He, also, asked Superintendent Fowler to make teachers and students aware of the TOPS program.
Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Richard Thomas, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY