The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: President Bringier H. Barker, Karl Bickham, Jr., Hayward Boone, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: None.
Agenda Item #1 - Opening of meeting.
The meeting was called to order by President Barker. Invocation was given by Bruce Brown. President Barker recognized several Franklinton High School students present, along with their organization sponsor, Ms. Roxanne Lewis.
Agenda Item #2 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the February 9, 1995, special board meeting.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adopt the minutes of the February 9, 1995, special board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #3 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the February 9, 1995, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board adopt the minutes of the February 9, 1995, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #4 - Consider a motion to approve Summer Food Program Agreement with the Washington Parish Police Jury.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Holly James, that the Board approve the Summer Food Program Agreement with the Washington Parish Police Jury. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Discuss and take appropriate action concerning Personnel and Transportation Adjustments.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments as presented by Supervisor Anthony Triola:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Mt. Hermon School: Dale Stewart, Chapter I Tutor, Resignation effective March 3, 1995.
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Special Education Department: Mattie F. Seal, Social Worker, Retirement Resignation effective February 26, 1995.
CONTRACT AGREEMENT:
Carritha Young - Input information into computer program on 504 students in the Washington Parish School System (finish out Terri Manning's contract) - 77.75 hours, total amount of contract not to exceed $647.12.
EMPLOY:
Franklinton Jr. High School: Meleah Roy, One-Half Time School Clerk, effective March 13, 1995 (replacing Terri Manning, who is now fulltime school clerk).
Mt. Hermon School: Michelle Miller, Regular Teacher, effective February 15, 1995, through June 1, 1995 (fill-in for Anita Joiner, who is on leave).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Franklinton Schools: Extend the route of Juanita Tullos 3.0 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: February 20, 1995.
Mt. Hermon School: Extend the route of Albert Lebo .5 mile one way to pick up Dustin Diddon and Kyle Hamm. Effective date: February 13, 1995.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Recognize Richard Wade - Student complaint at Franklinton High School.
This item was deleted due to Richard Wade's absence.
Agenda Item #7 - Superintendent's Report.
Anthony Triola announced that an in-service on drug testing would be held on March 13, 1995 for bus operators and March 14, 1995 for administrators.
At the request of Anthony Triola, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following item be added to the agenda: "Authorize advertisement for the position of Educational Diagnostician/Assessment Teacher." Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize advertisement for the position of Educational Diagnostician/ Assessment Teacher, with applications being received March 10 -21, 1995, interviews conducted March 22, 1995, and a recommendation being brought to the Board on March 23, 1995. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Triola agreed to inform board members of the names of the applicants and the person selected by the selection committee prior to the March 23rd. board meeting.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize the Superintendent to send letters of commendation to principals and coaches of those schools whose basketball teams went to the state play-offs. Motion carried unanimously.
Attorney Wayne Kuhn was asked to report on his study of Bell South Mobility's contract to provide discount cellular phone service to school employees. He asked the Board to pass a resolution asking the Attorney General's Office for an official opinion on some legal questions/concerns regarding the proposed contract with Bell South Mobility. It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board ask for an official Attorney General's opinion regarding the proposed contract with Bell South Mobility. Motion carried unanimously.
Freddie Jefferson asked Anthony Triola to poll parish bus operators to obtain their opinion of cellular phones.
President Barker stated a request to address the Board had been submitted by Ricky Payne on the subject, "Employee Sick Leave and Sub Pay." It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board allow Ricky Payne to address the Board. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Payne voiced concern that when a teacher uses all his/her sick leave days, the substitute teacher's pay is increased from $34 -$40 to $61 - $100. He stated that teachers who are sick and need to use their sick leave days are being penalized. He further stated that he was told that this had been a problem in the past, and this was a way to encourage teachers not to miss work. Monica Ellis, UniServ Representative for Louisiana Association of Educators, also commented on this subject and asked the Board to address the situation and use laws provided to deal with offenders, rather than punishing all teachers for a few teachers. Mr. Payne asked the Board to address this situation before the next board meeting.
President Barker stated that Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, is reviewing the situation.
President Barker stated he was presented a resolution from The Federation of United School Employees of Washington Parish, and he asked that Holly James read the resolution to the Board. Following the reading of the resolution, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Holly James, that the Board go on record as adopting the resolution, as follows: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda item #9 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation in accordance with LA. R.S. 42: 6.1(A)(2).
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation in accordance with LA R.S. 42:6.](A)(2). Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that in the matter of Dorothy Stogner vs. Washington Parish School Board and Etta Magee, the Board authorize Attorney Wayne Kuhn to continue discovery and pursuit of defense of the claim and refer the matter to the Board's insurance carrier. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that in the matter of Jerry Smith vs. Washington Parish School Board, the Board authorize the Superintendent, Director of Finance and the School Board Attorney to enter into negotiations with Mr. Smith. FOR: Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, B. H. Barker, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. OPPOSED: Holly James. Motion carried.
On motion by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Harold Smith, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned.
BARKER, PRESIDENT
ROBERT L. COLEMAN, SECRETARY
R E S 0 L U T 1 0 N
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature enacted during its 1994 regular session a one-time, five percent salary supplement for all teachers, college professors and school-related personnel; and
WHEREAS, funding for that salary supplement was predicated upon receipt of monies from the opening of a land based New Orleans casino, now ,scheduled for April 1, 1995; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana ranks 48th among the states and District of Columbia in the American Federation of Teachers Salary Survey for 1993-94, and ;next to last among the 15 Southern states ranked by the Southern Region Education Board;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington Parish School Board does urge and request the Governor and Legislature to honor their pledge and, ensure that teachers and school employees receive the supplement by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 1995;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Parish School Board oppose conditioning future pay raises for teachers, college professors and school employees on uncertain revenues;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Washington Parish School Board does urge and request the Legislature to annualize this pay raise during the 1995 .session so that it may become a permanent part of the salary schedule;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Washington Parish School Board favors making all future pay raises permanent salary increases rather than one-time supplements.
C E R T I F I C A T 1 0 N
This is to certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by the Washington Parish School Board in regular session held at Franklinton, Louisiana, on March 9, 1995.
Bringier H. Barker, President
Robert L. Coleman, Superintendent