The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: President Harold Smith, Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Holly James, Susanne Jones, and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: Bruce Brown and Richard N. Thomas.
Agenda Item #1 - Call to order.
The meeting was called to order by President Smith.
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 July 22, 1996, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the July 22, 1996, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Appoint a successor for deceased School Board Member Bringier H. Barker (Board).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board appoint Mrs. Juanita S. Barker to succeed her late husband, Bringier H. Barker, as School Board Member, District 8. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Barker was serving as President of the Board at the time of his death on August 1, 1996.
Agenda Item #6 - Administer Oath of Office to new board member.
Attorney Dale Branch and Rev. Terrence August administered the Oath of Office to Mrs. Juanita S. Barker, District 8.
Agenda Item #7 - Elect a Vice-President of the Board (Board).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Holly James, that Hayward Boone be elected Vice-President. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Holly James, that nominations cease. The vote to elect Hayward Boone as Vice-President was unanimous.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to approve a proclamation ordering a special election to fill the vacancy for District 8; primary election to be April 5, 1997; general election May 3, 1997; qualifying to be February 12 - 14, 1997 (Board).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board adopt the following proclamation: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
President Smith stated that Agenda Items #9 - 15 would be moved to follow Agenda Item # 26 - Superintendent’s Report.
Agenda Item #16 - Presentation by Assistant Police Chief Charles Brumfield regarding hiring school crossing guards for the Franklinton schools (Frank Green).
Supervisor Frank Green reviewed what had been discussed at the August 5th committee meeting regarding a request by the Franklinton Police Department for assistance in obtaining capable people for school crossing guards. The Board has agreed. Mr. Green stated, “This has no bearing on the way they are paid or the money that will be paid; it will remain the same. All we’re doing is trying to assist them to acquire quality people as school crossing guards.”
Agenda Item #17 - Presentation by Ricky J. Payne, President, Washington Parish Association of Educators, on the following topics:
a. Consider implementation of the state pay increase for teachers and others included by the state.
b. Consider implementation of pay increase for employees not included
in the state pay increase (Ricky Payne).
Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, stated, “The amount of the MFP will not be known until January, 1997. At that time, the State will send out the budget letters. We are being paid right now as if we are going to receive $16,782,001.00. This may not be the final amount. If there is an increase or decrease, it will be adjusted the last four (4) months of the fiscal year.”
Superintendent Fowler stated he will soon be making a recommendation to the Board regarding pay increases.
Agenda Item #18 - Consider a motion to authorize investment in the Louisiana Asset Management Pool (Adren Raybourn).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Holly James, that the Board authorize investment in the Louisiana Asset Management Pool, as recommended by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #19 - Consider a motion to approve an expenditure in excess of $500.00 for repairs and maintenance at Pine School, as requested by Ed Deas, Principal (Dennie Fowler), and Agenda Item #20 - Consider a motion to approve an expenditure in excess of $500.00 for repairs and maintenance at Wesley Ray Elementary School, as requested by Wayne Penton, Principal (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that discussion and motion regarding expenditures in excess of $500.00 for repairs and maintenance at schools be added to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Following discussion, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that all construction and renovation projects at any school with a value over $2,000.00 must be presented to the Superintendent and approved by the Board prior to commencement of the project; all construction and renovation projects at any school with a value of $500.00 - $2,000.00 must be presented to and approved by the Superintendent prior to commencement of the project. Motion carried unanimously. This change was requested by the parish principals and recommended by Superintendent Fowler.
Agenda Item #21 - Consider a motion to authorize Veona Gaille to purchase a 1990 35-passenger Chevrolet bus (Frank Green).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board ratify Veona Gaille’s purchase of a 1990 35-passenger Chevrolet bus. Motion carried unanimously. The Board requested that Superintendent Fowler send a memo to all bus operators reminding them they must have board approval prior to purchasing a bus. Supervisor Frank Green recommended that, in the future, any special education bus purchased must contain lifts. His recommendation will be discussed in the next committee meeting.
Bruce Brown entered the meeting at this time.
Agenda Item #22 - Consider a motion to transfer Ladonics Dillon, Bus Operator, to Jessie Marks’ route (Frank Green), and Agenda Item #23 - Consider a motion to transfer Roy Burton, Bus Operator, to Wardell Tate’s route (Frank Green).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that Ladonics Dillon, Bus Operator, be transferred to Jessie Marks’ route, and that Roy Burton, Bus Operator, be transferred to Wardell Tate’s route, as recommended by Frank Green, Supervisor. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #24 - Consider a motion to accept the Varnado High School insurance settlement proposal (Adren Raybourn).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board accept the Varnado High School insurance settlement proposal, as recommended by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, and Dennie Fowler, Superintendent, as follows: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #25 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel Adjustments (Anthony Triola).
Richard N. Thomas entered the meeting at this time.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments as presented by Supervisor Frank Green in the absence of Supervisor Anthony Triola:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Angie Jr. High School: Chandra Harry-Adedeji, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective August 1, 1996.
Franklinton High School: Pauline Hart, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective August 1, 1996.
Franklinton High School: Jerry Smith, Janitor, Resignation effective July 31, 1996.
Franklinton High School: Jeffery Boone, Regular Teacher (fill-in for William Hargrove, who will be on sabbatical leave the Fall semester of the 1996-97 school year), Resignation effective August 8, 1996.
Thomas Jr. High School: Donna Pendarvis, Guidance Counselor, Resignation effective August 2, 1996.
Varnado Elementary School: Scarlett T. Lynn, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective July 26, 1996.
Varnado High School: Jaqueline Peters, Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective August 6, 1996.
Varnado High School: Ozelia Spikes, Part-time Food Service Technician, Resignation effective August 1, 1996.
Varnado High School: Normal Keller, Jr., Special Education Teacher, Resignation effective August 2, 1996.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Vicki Boone, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective August 2, 1996.
Special Education Office: Charlotte Harris, Educational Diagnostician/Assessment Teacher, Resignation effective August 26, 1996.
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Primary School: Barbara Sue Crain, Special Education Paraprofessional, Retirement Resignation effective August 13, 1996.
SABBATICAL LEAVE CANCELLATION:
Special Education Office: Ann Thames, School Social Worker, Cancel Sabbatical Leave for the Fall semester of the 1996-97 school year.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Vicki Boone, Regular Teacher, Cancel Sabbatical Leave for the Fall semester of the 1996-97 school year.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Enon Elementary School: Janice Buckhanan, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the 1996-97 school year.
Pine School: Rebecca Lynn Graves, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the Spring semester of the 1996-97 school year.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE:
Varnado Elementary School: Mary Lofthus, Regular Teacher, Extended Sick Leave effective August 13, 1996, through August 27, 1996 (Disability Retirement Pending).
TRANSFER:
Lisa Lee, Regular Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School, effective the 1996-97 school year only (fill-in for Willie D. Harry, who will be on sabbatical leave), TO Regular Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School, effective the 1996-97 school year (replacing Nelda Hudson, who resigned).
EMPLOY:
Enon Elementary School: Amy Creel Emmons, Regular Teacher, effective the 1996-97 school year only (fill-in for Janice Buckhanan, who will be on sabbatical leave).
Franklinton High School: Annette Williams, Full-time Lunchroom Manager, effective the 1996-97 school year.
Franklinton High School: Zyndall J. Jones, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1996-97 school year (Certified).
Franklinton High School: Carol Johnson, Full-time Food Service Technician, effective the 1996-97 school year.
Franklinton High School: John B. Middleton, Regular Teacher (Math), effective the 1996-97 school year (replacing Kimberly Easterling, who resigned) - Forty percent (40%) of Mr. Middleton’s salary will be reimbursed by the Troops for Teachers Program.
Franklinton High School: Master Sergeant Robert Evans, JROTC Instructor, effective the 1996-97 school year.
Franklinton Jr. High School: Tania Thompson, Special Education Teacher, effective the 1996-97 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).
Pine School: Deanna Thomas, Full-time Food Service Technician, effective the 1996-97 school year.
Pine School: Cherie B. Warren, Regular Teacher, effective the 1996-97 school year.
EMPLOY:
Varnado High School: Douglas Jones, Special Education Teacher/Assistant Football Coach, effective the 1996-97 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).
Varnado High School: Ruthie M. Torrence, Special Education Teacher, effective the1996-97 school year only (replacing Jaqueline Peters, who resigned) - CIRCULAR 665.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Eva Lynn Lafont, Chapter I Computer Lab Teacher, effective the 1996-97 school year only (fill-in for Essie Williams, who will be on sabbatical leave) - CIRCULAR 665.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Billie Cooper, Regular Teacher, effective the 1996-97 school year only (fill-in for Willie D. Harry, who will be on sabbatical leave) - Pending Louisiana Certification.
Itinerant: Gilbert O. Bond, Itinerant Speech Therapist Assistant, effective the 1996-97 school year only (fill-in for Mary Mobley, who will be on sabbatical leave).
Itinerant: Lawren Smith, Itinerant Speech Therapist Assistant, effective the 1996-97 school year.
Itinerant: Jo’el Givens, Itinerant Talented Art Teacher, effective the 1996-97 school year (Certified).
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Marilyn Denise Conerly, Regular Teacher, effective the 1996-97 school year only (fill-in for Linda Steinwinder, who will be on sabbatical leave).
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #26 - Superintendent’s Report.
A. Superintendent Fowler acknowledged, with deep regret, the loss last week of Bringier H. Barker. He stated, “This Board, our system, and our community have certainly lost a person who has been well thought of and who possessed a great deal of pride and dignity.” He welcomed Mrs. Barker to the Board.
B. At the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Hayward Boone, that discussion and motion regarding tearing out the burned section adjoining the North wing of Varnado High School be added to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Following discussion, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize Creel Construction to tear out the burned section adjoining the North wing of Varnado High School, at a cost of $1,600 - $2,000, with the slab being left for the time being after debris is removed, and with Creel Construction being responsible for disposal of debris. Motion carried unanimously.-
C. Superintendent Fowler stated he has been talking with Kerry Thomas of Thomas Mobile Homes regarding meeting fire code requirements, which is part of Mr. Thomas’ obligation in order to get the trailers at Varnado High School ready for school to start next week. He stated that he and Mr. Thomas had made a verbal agreement that Mr. Thomas would purchase materials for a ramp system required to comply with fire code regulations, and the Board’s maintenance crew would help construct the ramps.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to authorize Superintendent Fowler, on behalf of the Board, to enter into an agreement with Kerry Thomas regarding construction of a ramp system in order to meet fire code regulations. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board authorize Superintendent Dennie Fowler, on behalf of the Board, to enter into the following agreement with Kerry Thomas: SEE ATTACHED. Motion carried unanimously.
Kerry Thomas requested that the Board give him a draw of $20,000, with the remainder being paid upon completion of the ramps. Superintendent Fowler recommended that full payment be made upon completion of work.
D. Superintendent Fowler stated that Rev. Argene Moses had addressed the Board at the committee meeting regarding the Board granting permission to Wesley Ray Little League Association to build bleachers on the site of the old Wesley Ray football stadium, It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that consideration of this request be added to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board grant permission for the Wesley Ray Little League Association to build bleachers on the site of the old Wesley Ray football stadium. Motion carried unanimously.
E. Architect Sam Fauntleroy updated the Board on work on the North wing of Varnado High School. He stated he would advise the moment work is completed.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Principal of Mt. Hermon School (Board).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Principal of Mt. Hermon School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to return to regular session (Board).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Holly James, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to employ a Principal for Mt. Hermon School (Board).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Holly James, that the Board employ Alan Graham as Principal, Mt. Hermon School, for a two-year period effective August 9, 1996. FOR: Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas and Freddie Jefferson. OPPOSED: Juanita Barker and Bruce Brown. The vote being seven (7) FOR and two (2) OPPOSED, the motion carried.
Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Assistant Superintendent/Supervisor (Board).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Assistant Superintendent/Supervisor. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to employ an Assistant Superintendent/Supervisor (Board).
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Karl Bickham, that the Board employ James Richard Kennedy as Assistant Superintendent/Supervisor for a two-year period. FOR: Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Juanita Barker, Harold Smith and Richard N. Thomas. OPPOSED: Bruce Brown and Freddie Jefferson. The vote being seven (7) FOR and two (2) OPPOSED, the motion carried.
Agenda Item #15 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding authorizing advertisement for any vacant position that may arise due to the naming of Assistant Superintendent/Supervisor and Principal of Mt. Hermon School (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize advertisement for the position of Principal, Angie Jr. High School, and receive applications beginning August 9, 1996, and ending at 4:00 P.M., on August 16, 1996. Motion carried unanimously. The Board agreed that Richard Kennedy will remain at Angie Jr. High School until his replacement is named.
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize advertisement for the positions of Pupil Appraisal Coordinator and Educational Diagnostician/Assessment Teacher and receive applications beginning August 9, 1996,and ending at 4:00 P.M., on August 16, 1996. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #27 - Other business from board members.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board pay Kerry Thomas, Thomas Mobile Homes, Inc., the set-up fee of $4,500.00 for the trailers at Varnado High School. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Holly James, that solicitation at schools be allowed only before or after school hours. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Bruce Brown, that discussion regarding naming Franklinton Primary School Auditorium after R. W. Johnson, Principal, Washington Parish High School, be added to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
Following discussion, it was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that, if there are no legal problems, the Franklinton Primary School Auditorium be named after R. W. Johnson, Principal, Washington Parish High School. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #28 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY