Franklinton, Louisiana

March 12, 2009

6:30 P.M.

 

The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: Dan Slocum, Bruce Brown, John Breland, Mary Adams, Dewitt Perry, Freddie Jefferson, Alan McCain, Karl Bickham and Matthew Tate.  Absent:  None.

 

Agenda Item #1 - Call to order

 

The meeting was called to order by President Freddie Jefferson.  He welcomed School Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn, news media and guests.

           

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 February 12, 2009, regular board meeting (Freddie Jefferson).

 

It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board adopt the minutes of the February 12, 2009, regular board meeting as submitted to each member.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the March 3, 2009, special board meeting (Freddie Jefferson).

 

It was moved by John Breland, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board adopt the minutes of the March 3, 2009, special board meeting as submitted to each member.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding an IDEA Budget Revision (Charlotte Fasola).

 

Upon the recommendation of Charlotte Fasola, Supervisor, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board approve the IDEA Budget Revisions as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding a Preschool Budget Revision (Charlotte Fasola).

 

Upon the recommendation of Charlotte Fasola, Supervisor, it was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board approve the Preschool Budget Revisions as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding quotes received on a 1997 GMC ½ ton Pickup Truck and 1995 GMC ½ ton Pickup Truck (Billy Brignac).

 

Upon the recommendation of Billy Brignac, Supervisor, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board accept the highest bid from Thomas Welch, Franklinton, LA in the amount of $3,027.00 for the purchase of the 1997 GMC ½ ton Pickup Truck.  Motion carried unanimously.  Two other bids were received.  There were no bids on the 1995 GMC ½ ton Pickup Truck, it will be advertised again.

 

Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding a Reading First Budget Revision (Donna Alonzo).

 

       Upon the recommendation of Donna Alonzo, Chief Accountant, it was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Dan Slocum, that the Board approve the Reading First Budget Revision as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding a Special Federal Funds Budget Revision (Donna Alonzo).

 

Upon the recommendation of Donna Alonzo, Chief Accountant, it was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board approve the Special Federal Funds Budget Revision as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to retain Larry Kinlaw for research and grant writing for Pine School (Donna Alonzo).

 

It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by John Breland, that the Board retain Larry Kinlaw for research and grant writing for the Washington Parish School System at a rate of $60/hour.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution to authorize the superintendent to sign the Amendment to Investment Agreement (Beth Fussell).

 

It was moved Matthew Tate, seconded by John Breland, that the Board adopt a resolution to authorize the superintendent to sign the Amendment to Investment Agreement as follows:

RESOLUTION

 

To authorize the superintendent to sign the Amendment to Investment Agreement, pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 161 of the 2002 first Extraordinary Session of the Legislature of Louisiana, LA. R.S. 39.99, said Act providing for the investment of Tobacco Money of the School Board in the State Treasury in accordance with the provisions thereof.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #13 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding renewals for the Board’s Property Insurance (Beth Fussell).

 

Upon the recommendation of Tom Hudson, Consultant, it was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board renew the Board’s Property Insurance at an approximate cost of $776,000.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for the sale of surplus equipment from the School Lunch Program (Marsha Newman).

 

Upon the recommendation of Marsha Newman, Supervisor of School Lunch, it was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Alan McCain, that the Board authorize advertisement for the sale of surplus equipment from the School Lunch Program.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to adopt the 2009/2010 school calendar (Darrell Fairburn).

 

It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by John Breland, that the Board adopt the 2009/2010 school calendar as follows:

 

WASHINGTON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

 

SCHOOL CALENDAR - 2009-2010

 

                                                                                                                                TCHR.       INSTRUCT.

MONTH                        EVENT                                      DATE                                   DAYS        DAYS

 

August             Staff Development                           August 3, 4                               21         18

                       Staff Development (ALL)                   August 5                      

                        (½ Day Staff Dev. & ½ Day

Tchr. Work Day)

                        Classes Begin                                     August 6

 

September       Labor Day                                         September 7                            21         21

 

October            Washington Parish Fair                  October 21, 22, 23                    19         19

 

November       Educational Conventions                November 23, 24, 25,              16         16

                        Thanksgiving Holidays                      November 26, 27

 

December        Christmas Holidays                        December 18 (½ Day) - 31      14         13½

                                                                                    (Dec. 18 - ½ Day Instruct.

                                                                                    & ½ Day Tchr. Work Day (All)

                                                                                    Students dismissed at 12:00)

 

January           New Years Holidays                         January 1                                 19         19

                        Martin Luther King Day                     January 18                                    

                                   

February          Mardi Gras                                        February 15, 16                       18         18

 

March              Spring Holidays                                 March 29, 30, 31                     20         20

 

April                 Spring Holidays                                April 1, 2, 5                               19         19

                                               

May                  Staff Development (ALL)                May 20 (½ Day Instruct.         15         13½

                                    (½ Day)                                      & ½ Day Staff Dev. [ALL]

                                                                                      Students dismissed at 12:00

                        Teacher Work Day (ALL)                      May 21

                        School Closes                                      May 21

                        Report Cards Mailed                            May 21

 

                                                                                            TOTALS                     182 DAYS 177 DAYS

                                                           

 

NINE-WEEK PERIODS

October 6                     1st. Nine Weeks            43 Instructional Days                1st. Semester    87½ Days

December 18               2nd. Nine Weeks           44½ Instructional Days              2nd. Semester 89½ Days

March 9                        3rd. Nine Weeks            44 Instructional Days   

May 20                         4th. Nine Weeks            45½ 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                  

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to adopt a resolution regarding the opposition to the draft legislation (Darrell Fairburn).

 

     It was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Alan McCain that the Board adopt a resolution regarding the opposition to the draft legislation as follows:

 

RESOLUTION:

 

WHEREAS,       educational issues are a priority for all citizens of Washington Parish; and

 

WHEREAS,       The Washington Parish School Board supports and encourages positive, constructive educational reform; and

 

WHEREAS,       accountability at all levels is an important and necessary component of educational reform and improvement; and

 

WHEREAS,       proposed legislation presently under consideration by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education affecting Louisiana School Boards is of great concern to the Washington Parish School Board; and

 

WHEREAS,       the Washington Parish School Board, in principle, and in part because of the complete lack of clarity and specificity, strongly opposes the draft legislation for the 2009 legislative session presently under consideration by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.  The issues include the following proposals:

 

·         Establish term limits for local school board members

·         Eliminate salaries and only have per diem with a cap

·         Refine the nepotism statue

·         Establish a minimum education requirement to qualify for board membership (at least a high school diploma or its equivalent)

·         Require a supermajority to terminate superintendents

·         Strengthen professional development requirements with consequences for failure to comply

·         Authorize superintendents to make appointments and terminations without board approval

·         Establish provisions for removal from office for dereliction of duty (Malfeasance in Office) if the Department’s Legal Division determines that such statutory provisions do not currently exist; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Washington Parish School Board does hereby strongly oppose the draft legislation under consideration by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding Louisiana School Boards, as noted above; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution is sent to Honorable Bobby Jindal, Governor, State of Louisiana; Mr. Paul Pastorek, State Superintendent of Schools; Members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Louisiana School Boards Association, the Local Legislative Delegation and the news media.

 

I, Darrell Fairburn, Secretary of the Washington Parish School Board, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Washington Parish School Board at its regular meeting held on Thursday, March 12, 2009.  Whereof witness my signature.

                     ________________________________________

               Darrell Fairburn, Secretary

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #17 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).

 

Upon the recommendation of Richard Kennedy, Personnel Director, it was moved by Matthew Tate, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the Personnel and Transportation Adjustments as follows:

 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

 

RETIREMENT RESIGNATION

 

            Franklinton Jr. High School:  Sally B. Foy, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective May 22, 2009.

 

            Pine School District:  Linus Magee, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective May 22, 2009.

 

            Varnado School District:  Delores Myres, Bus Operator, Retirement Resignation effective May 22, 2009.

 

            Wesley Ray School District:  Marie Miley, Bus Attendant, Retirement Resignation effective March 31, 2009.

 

SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE

 

            Enon Elementary School:  Jeannie Tate, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the 2009/2010 school year only.

 

SICK LEAVE/EXTENDED SICK LEAVE

 

            Enon Elementary School:  Leslie Westmoreland, Speech Pathologist, Sick Leave/Extended Sick Leave effective March 16, 2009 through May 22, 2009.

           

Franklinton Jr. High School:  Miriam Jo’el Givens, Itinerant Talented Art Teacher, Sick Leave/Extended Sick Leave effective February 16, 2009 through May 22, 2009.

 

EXTENDED SICK LEAVE

 

Franklinton Jr. High School:  Maggie Alvear, Regular Teacher, Extended Sick Leave effective March 5, 2009 through May 22, 2009.

 

EMPLOY

 

            Enon Elementary School: Teresa Simpson, Speech Pathologist, Employ effective March 23, 2009 through May 22, 2009 (Replacing Leslie Westmoreland).

 

Franklinton Jr. High School:  Marilyn Russell, Talented Art Teacher, Employ effective February 19, 2009 through May 22, 2009.  (Fill in for Jo’el Givens).

 

            Franklinton Jr. High School:  Pepper VanNorman, Regular Teacher, Employ effective March 10, 2009 through May 22, 2009.

 

TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS

 

Angie School District:                                                     Extend the route of Steve Owens 5.5 miles one way to pick up Brittani Edwards.  Effective date:  February 18, 2009.

 

Franklinton School District:                                             Extend the route of Carolyn Fussell 3.5 miles one way to pick up Rena Davis.  Effective date:  February 25, 2009.

 

Varnado School District:                                                 Extend the route of Patsy Owens 11.1 miles one way to pick up Brandon Edwards and Matthew Easterling.  Effective date:  February 18, 2009 (afternoon).

 

Wesley Ray School District:                                           Extend the route of Mecy Kelly 22.8 miles one way to pick up Wesley Caldwell.  Effective date:  February 9, 2009.

 

                                                                                    Deduct 22.8 miles one way from the route of Mecy Kelly.  Effective date:  February 11, 2009.

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Agenda Item #18 - Superintendent’s Report

 

Add to the Agenda:  It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board discuss and take appropriate action regarding an air conditioner on the School Board owned Special Education bus.  Motion carried unanimously.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

It was moved by Alan McCain, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board accept the low quote from Fred’s Bus Service Center, Metairie, LA in the amount of $4,400.00 for the installation of an air conditioner unit on the School Board owned Special Education bus.  Motion carried unanimously.  One other quote submitted:  Kent-Mitchell Bus Sales and Service, Inc., Hammond, LA - $4,880.00.

 

Add to the Agenda:  It was moved by Mary Adams, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board consider a motion to call a special board meeting on April 28, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. for the evaluation of the Superintendent.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

       It was moved by Mary Adams, seconded by Matthew Tate, that the Board call a special board meeting on April 28, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. for the evaluation of the Superintendent.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Other dates for the Superintendent evaluations:

 

April 1                      Return completed evaluations to Richard Kennedy

April 9                      Tabulate evaluations

April 28                    Special Meeting

 

Agenda Item #19 - Other business from board members

 

Dan Slocum congratulated the basketball teams in the parish for a job well done.

 

Bruce Brown thanked everyone for their prayers and support during his recent illness.

 

Freddie Jefferson called a Capital Improvement Committee Meeting on Monday, April 20, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Agenda Item #20 - Consider a motion to adjourn.

 

It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adjourn.  Motion carried unanimously.

________________________________

    Freddie Jefferson, President

________________________________

    Darrell Fairburn, Secretary