The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: Richard Thomas, Jr., Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Matthew Tate and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: Dan Slocum, Holly James and Bruce Brown.
Agenda Item #1 - Call to order
The meeting was called to order by President Richard Thomas. He welcomed 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 March 10, 2005, regular board meeting (Richard Thomas).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the March 10, 2005, regular board meeting as submitted to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the 2005/2006 school calendar (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the 2005/2006 school calendar as follows:
WASHINGTON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
SCHOOL CALENDAR - 2005-2006
TCHR. INSTRUCT.
MONTH EVENT DATE DAYS DAYS
August Staff Development August 11 15 13
Staff Development (ALL) August 12
(2 Day Staff Dev. & 2 Day
Tchr. Work Day)
Classes Begin August 15
September Labor Day September 5 21 21
October Washington Parish Fair October 19, 20, 21 18 18
November Educational Conventions November 21, 22, 23 17 17
1st. Term Emergency Days* November 21, 22
Thanksgiving Holidays November 24, 25
December Christmas Holidays December 20 (2 Day) - 31 14 13
(Dec. 20 - 2 Day Instruct.
& 2 Day Tchr. Work Day (All)
Students dismissed at 12:00)
January New Years Holidays January 2, 3 19 18
Staff Development Day January 12
Martin Luther King Day January 16
February Mardi Gras February 27, 28 18 18
March No Holidays 23 23
April Good Friday April 14 14 14
Spring Holidays April 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
2nd Term Emergency Day* April 20, 21
May Staff Development (ALL) May 30 (2 Day Instruct. 23 21
(2 Day) & 2 Day Staff Dev. [ALL]
Students dismissed at 12:00
Teacher Work Day(ALL) May 31
School Closes May 31
Report Cards Mailed May 31
TOTALS 182 DAYS 177 DAYS
NINE-WEEK PERIODS
October 14 1st. Nine Weeks 44 Instructional Days 1st. Semester 88 Days
January 11 2nd. Nine Weeks 44 Instructional Days 2nd. Semester 88 Days
March 20 3rd. Nine Weeks 44 Instructional Days
May 30 4th. Nine Weeks 44 Instructional Days
NO. OF HOLIDAYS 177 Instructional Days
Labor Day 1 Day 3 Staff Development Days
WP Fair 3 Days 2 Teacher Work Days
Educational Conventions 3 Days 182 Teacher Days
Thanksgiving 2 Days
Christmas/New Year=s 10 Days
Martin Luther King Day 1 Day 177 Instructional Days = 63,720 Minutes
Mardi Gras 2 Days
Spring Holidays 6 Days
TOTAL HOLIDAYS 28 Days *IF NOT NEEDED, THESE DAYS WILL BE HOLIDAYS.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding construction projects (Dennie Fowler).
Superintendent Fowler gave an update on the projects. No action needed.
Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
Upon the recommendation of Richard Kennedy, Personnel Director, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board approve the following personnel and transportation adjustments:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION
Mt. Hermon School: Victoria A Crain, LINCS Technology Instructor, Retirement Resignation effective June 1, 2005.
RESIGNATION
Pine School: Jean Knight, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective March 18, 2005.
Pine School: Leigh Ann Watson, Business Teacher, Resignation effective April 22, 2005.
EMPLOY
Mt. Hermon School: Donice Thomas, Custodian effective March 30, 2005.
Pine School: Steven Bradley Barton, Regular Teacher effective March 21, 2005 (Certified)(Replacing Jean Knight).
Pine School: Stanley Magee, Custodian effective March 30, 2005.
Varnado Elementary School: Sandra Seal, Special Education Paraprofessional effective April 4, 2005.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
ANGIE SCHOOLS: Extend the route of Tim Duncan 1.7 miles one way to pick up Dendraviss Johnson and Quierra Bickham. Effective date: February 21, 2005.
FRANKLINTON SCHOOLS: Extend the route of James Mulina 2.5 miles one way to pick up Wayne Murphy and Blake Miller. Effective date: March 10, 2005.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Fowler congratulated the Pine Lady Raiders Basketball team in their advancement to the playoffs this year.
Assistant Superintendent Richard Kennedy stated that summer school would be held at the following locations:
Angie Jr. High School 4th Grade & 8th Grade
Franklinton Elementary School 4th Grade
Franklinton Jr. High School 8th Grade & High School
Pine School 4th Grade, 8th Grade and High School
Summer school will be completed by July 1, 2005.
Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent, also stated that the system has until January 6, 2006 to get all paraprofessionals and teachers highly qualified. Mr. Kennedy said that all paraprofessionals will be highly qualified by January 6, 2006. We have 112 paraprofessionals and 88 are highly qualified as of now. Any paraprofessional not highly qualified by January 6, 2006, will be automatically terminated.
Beth Fussell, Director of Finance, discussed changes in insurance premiums.
Agenda Item #9 - Other business from board members.
None.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.