The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: President Richard N. Thomas, Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, Holly James, Juanita Barker, and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: None.
Agenda Item #1 - Call to order.
The meeting was called to order by President Thomas. He welcomed School Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn, news media, and guests.
Agenda Item #2 - Invocation.
The invocation was given by Freddie Jefferson.
Agenda Item #3 - Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Item #4 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the August 23, 2001, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board adopt the minutes of the August 23, 2001, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Presentation by area legislators (Dennie Fowler).
Representative Ben Nevers presented the Board a framed copy of House concurrent Resolution No. 111 of the 2001 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, which strongly encourages the study of the Bible as an elective in schools.
Representative A. G. Crowe encouraged the placement in every classroom of posters of our National Motto, "In God We Trust." The posters will be available free-of-charge.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for a concrete driveway at Varnado High School (William Brignac).
William R. Brignac, Jr., Supervisor, reviewed the bids received for a concrete driveway at Varnado High School, which were as follows: Itolyaso Builders, LLC - $29,100.00; F. L. Crane & Sons, Inc. - $31,300.00; and Sheridan Construction Co., Inc. - $32,800.00. Upon the recommendation of William R. Brignac, Jr., it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board accept the low bid in the amount of $29,100.00, submitted by Itolyaso Builders, LLC, for purchase of materials and labor for construction and finishing concrete driveway at Varnado High School. FOR: Karl Bickham, Bruce Brown, Hayward Boone, Richard N. Thomas, Juanita Barker, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, and Holly James. Motion carried.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize a loan of $14,252.70 from General Fund to Varnado High School for the purpose of completing the financing needed in constructing the concrete driveway at Varnado High School (available in Varnado High School Capital Projects Fund - $14,847.30). FOR: Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Bruce Brown, Richard Thomas, Juanita Barker and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: Holly James, Susanne Jones and Harold Smith. Motion carried. Susanne Jones stated, "In talking with the other board members who feel the same way that I do, we feel like this is a wish item, and we've got a lot of other schools that are in need of things besides a cement driveway. Some of our schools are in deplorable condition. Varnado already owes us a lot of money that hasn't been paid off in a very timely manner. I'd like the minutes to reflect that's why I'm voting against it." Both Holly James and Harold Smith stated they concurred.
Bruce Brown left the meeting at this time.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to adopt General Fund Budget for 2001/2002 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana revised Statutes (Adren Raybourn).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt General Fund Budget for 2001/2002 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana revised Statutes, as recommended by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance. Motion carried unanimously. (On September 13, 2001, at 6:00 P.M., a Public Hearing on the 2001/2002 Fiscal Year Budgets was held in the Board Room.)
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to adopt Angie School District Budget for 2001/2002 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (Beth Fussell).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt Angie School District Budget for 2001/2002 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as recommended by Beth Fussell, Chief Accountant and Operations Manager. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adopt School Food Service Budget for 2001/2002 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (Marsha Newman).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adopt School Food Service Budget for 2001/2002 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as recommended by Marsha Newman, Supervisor of School Food Service. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adopt School Food Service Summer Feeding Budget for 2001/2002 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (Marsha Newman).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt School Food Service Summer Feeding Budget for 2001/2002 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as recommended by Marsha Newman, Supervisor of School Food Service. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda item #11 - Consider a motion to adopt IASA Title I, Title II, Title VI and Title IV Class-Size Reduction Budgets for 2001/2002 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (T. J. Butler, Jr.).
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt IASA Title I, Title II, Title VI and Title IV Class-Size Reduction Budgets for 2001/2002 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as recommended by T. J. Butler, Jr., Supervisor of Federally Assisted Programs. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to adopt Special Federal Funds Budget for 2001/2002 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (Beth Fussell).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt Special Federal Funds Budget for 2001/2002 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as recommended by Beth Fussell, Chief Accountant and Operations Manager. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to adopt Drug Free Schools Budget for 2001/2002 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (Beth Fussell).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt Drug Free Schools Budget for 2001/2002 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as recommended by Beth Fussell, Chief Accountant and Operations Manager. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to adopt Special Education IDEA and Preschool Carryover Budgets for 2001/2002 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (Pamela Williford).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt Special Education IDEA and Preschool Carryover Budgets for 2001/2002 fiscal year in conformity with Section 88: Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as recommended by Pamela Williford, Supervisor of Special Education. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to enter into an intergovernmental cooperative endeavor to authorize the School Lunch Program to purchase a 1985 Chevrolet Van from the Chapter I Program (Marsha Newman).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board enter into an intergovernmental cooperative endeavor, wherein the Chapter I Program transfers a 1985 Chevrolet Van, Model 6000, VIN# 1GCDG15H2F7199666, to the School Lunch Program with a consideration of $1,400.00 to be paid to the Chapter I Program from the funds of the School Lunch Program. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding reapportionment matters (Dennie Fowler).
This item was moved to follow Superintendent's Report.
Agenda Item #17 - Adopt the millage rate(s) for the tax year 2001 (Adren Raybourn).
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board ratify the millage levy of July 12, 2001, and adopt the millage rate(s) for the tax year 2001 as follows:
DEBT SERVICE:
Mt. Hermon District 42.00 Mills
Franklinton/Enon District 19.00 Mills
Varnado District 25.00 Mills
OTHER TAXES:
District-wide for General Fund:
Constitutional Tax 3.91 Mills
General Operational Tax 5.12 Mills
General M & O 5.12 Mills
General M & O 4.83 Mills
Angie District Tax 5.12 Mills
FOR: Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, Richard Thomas, Holly James, Juanita Barker, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: None. ABSTENTIONS: None. ABSENT: Bruce Brown.
Agenda Item #18 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding student transfer requests for the 2001/2002 school year (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the following student transfer requests for the 2001/2002 school year be approved:
STUDENT HOME DISTRICT REQUESTED DISTRICT
Edwards, Renee R. Mt. Hermon Franklinton
Edwards, Randy, Jr. Mt. Hermon Franklinton
Agenda Item #19 - Consider a motion to adopt the following revised Washington Parish School Board policies brought about by recent legislation: File: AE - School Year; File: AF - School Day; File: GBRIB - Sick Leave; and File: JBA - Compulsory School Attendance Ages (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board adopt the following revised Washington Parish School Board policies brought about by recent legislation: File: AE - School Year; File: AF - School Day; File: GBRIB - Sick Leave; and File: JBA - Compulsory School Attendance Ages. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #20 - Consider a motion to adopt Washington Parish School Board policy File: JBCB - Admission of Non-Resident Students, brought about by recent legislation (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt Washington Parish School Board policy File: JBCB - Admission of Non-Resident Students, brought about by recent legislation. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #21 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
SICK LEAVE/EXTENDED SICK LEAVE:
Mt. Hermon School: Michael D. Anderson, Special Education Teacher, Sick Leave/Extended Sick Leave effective August 27, 2001, through March 27, 2002.
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Schools: Colleen Barber, Bus Operator, effective September 17, 2001 (replacing Lela Yates).
Franklinton Schools: Leon Roberts, Sr., Bus Operator, effective September 17, 2001 (replacing Cherrie Brumfield).
Varnado Elementary School: Tonya W. Fornea, Class-Size Reduction Teacher, effective September 4, 2001, and for the remainder of the 2001/2002 school year only (CERTIFIED).
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Velma James, Special Education Bus Attendant, effective September 17, 2001.
Motion carried unanimously.
President Thomas had to leave the meeting at this time, so Vice President Smith conducted the remainder of the meeting.
Agenda Item #22 - Superintendent's Report.
Superintendent Fowler stated that Mr. Glen Koepp, CEO, Redistricting. L.L.C., had presented a reapportionment proposal at the September 10, 2001, committee meeting. The flat rate fee for his services would be $17,500.00. Mr. Cedric Floyd was unable to attend that meeting to present his proposal but wished to do so at this time. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Holly James, that a presentation by Cedric Floyd, President, Data Center, be added to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Floyd presented a proposal for services to perform 2000 reapportionment plan for the Board at a fee of $12,500.00. If, after evaluating the districts, it is determined that reapportionment is not necessary, Mr. Floyd's fee would be $5,000.00 for his evaluation.
(Agenda Item #16) - Following discussion, the Board agreed to postpone selecting a firm to provide reapportionment services until the September 27, 2001, board meeting.
Agenda Item #23 - Other business from board members.
None.
Agenda Item #24 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
RICHARD N. THOMAS, JR., PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY