Franklinton, Louisiana

August 22, 1996

5:00 P.M.

 

            The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: President Harold Smith, Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson.  Absent: None.

 

            Agenda Item #1 - Call to order.

 

            The meeting was called to order by President Smith.

 

            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 August 8, 1996, regular board meeting.

 

            It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the minutes of the August 8, 1996, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #5 - Recognition of Sylvia Smith, Teacher, Franklinton High School - Louisiana Finalist for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching (Beverly Young).

 

            Beverly Young, Principal, Franklinton High School, introduced Mrs. Sylvia Smith, one of six (6) Louisiana State Finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching.  She will receive a grant of $750.00 from the National Science Foundation, which she may use for professional development or to enhance her classroom.

 

            Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Principal, Angie Jr. High School (Board).

 

            It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board enter into Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Principal, Angie Jr. High School.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.

 

            It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board return to regular session.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to employ a Principal for Angie Jr. High School (Board).

 

            It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board employ Geary McKenzie as Principal, Angie Jr. High School.  FOR: Karl Bickham, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, and Richard N. Thomas. OPPOSED: Juanita Barker, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson.  Motion carried.

 

            Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for the sale of Merchantable Timber on the Franklinton High School Property (Dennie Fowler).

 

            Superintendent Fowler reported that only one (1) bid was received, and it was from County Service Co. (R. W. Richardson), Franklinton, Louisiana, in the amount of $10,000.00.  It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Holly James, that the bid received from County Service Co. In the amount of $10,000.00 be accepted.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to set salary of Assistant Superintendent/Supervisor at $50,000.00 (Harold Smith).

 

            It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the salary of the Assistant Superintendent/Supervisor be set at $50,000.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #11 - Consider a motion to make an equity restoration adjustment for the Director of Finance (Harold Smith).

 

            It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board make an equity restoration adjustment for the Director of Finance and tie it to the salaries of instructional supervisors.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #12 - Consider a motion to implement a $1,200.00/year pay raise for teachers effective beginning with the 1996-97 payroll period (Dennie Fowler).

 

            It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board implement a $1,200.00/year pay raise for teachers effective beginning with the 1996-97 payroll period.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #13 - Consider a motion to implement a 5%/year pay raise for other school employees effective beginning with the 1996-97 payroll period (Dennie Fowler).

 

            It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board implement a 5%/year pay raise for other school employees effective beginning with the 1996-97 payroll period.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #14 - Consider a motion to implement a fuel adjustment of $.10 per mile one way for bus operators (Dennie Fowler).

 

            It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board implement a fuel adjustment of $.10 per mile one way for bus operators effective the beginning of the 1996-97 fiscal year.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to adopt Revised IDEA and Preschool Budgets for the Special Education Department (Pamela Williford).

 

            Following discussion, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Juanita Barker, that consideration of this item be delayed until the next regularly scheduled board meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to authorize advertisement on August 28, 1996, that a Public Hearing on the General Fund Budget will be held September 12, 1996, at 6:00 P.M. (Adren Raybourn).

 

            It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board authorize advertisement on August 28, 1996, that a Public Hearing on the General Fund Budget will be held September 12, 1996, at 6:00 P.M., as requested by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to take $100,000 from Undesignated, Unreserved portion of Fund Balance and place it into “Reserved for Property Insurance Deductible” in General Fund (Adren Raybourn).

 

            It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board take $100,000 from Undesignated, Unreserved portion of Fund Balance and place it into “Reserved for Property Insurance Deductible” in General Fund.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #18 - Consider a motion to ratify the action of Director of Finance, who instructed the fiscal agent bank to honor the signature of Alan Graham for withdrawal privileges on any account related to Mt. Hermon School, and to removed withdrawal privileges of Dennie Fowler on that same group of accounts (Adren Raybourn).

 

            At the request of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board ratify the action of Director of Finance, who instructed the fiscal agent bank to honor the signature of Alan Graham for withdrawal privileges on any account related to Mt. Hermon School, and to remove withdrawal privileges of Dennie Fowler on that same group of accounts.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #19 - Consider a motion to require that any special education bus purchased must be equipped with a lift, and that the bus must be at least 21 feet in length (Frank Green).

 

            At the recommendation of Frank Green, Supervisor, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board require that any special education bus purchased must be equipped with a lift, and that the bus must be at least 21 feet in length, effective August 23, 1996.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Agenda Item #20 - Consider a motion to postpone advertising for the positions of Pupil Appraisal Coordinator and Educational Diagnostician/Assessment Teacher until further study is done, at which time the positions will be re-advertised (Dennie Fowler).

 

            At the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board postpone advertising for the positions of Pupil Appraisal Coordinator and Educational Diagnostician/Assessment Teacher until further study is done, grant permission for revision of job descriptions for the two positions, with revisions being approved by the Personnel Evaluation Committee, and then advertise. Motion carried unanimously.  The positions will be advertised in the Daily News on September 1, 1996, and in The Era-Leader on September 4, 1996.  Application deadline will be September 9, 1996, at 4:00 P.M., interviews will be held September 11, 1996, and a recommendation to the Board will be made at the September 12, 1996, board meeting.

 

            Agenda Item #21 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel Adjustments (Anthony Triola).

 

            It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve the following Personnel Adjustments as presented by Supervisor Anthony Triola:

 

PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS

 

REQUEST FOR LEAVE:

 

Angie/Wesley Ray Schools: Gladys Breland, Bus Operator, Sick Leave effective August 14, 1996, through October 10, 1996 (40 days).

 

Franklinton Primary School: Carolyn Magee, Special Education Bus Attendant, Sick Leave effective August 14, 1996, through October 30, 1996 (51 days).

 

Franklinton Primary School: Michelle Sones, Regular Teacher, Sick Leave effective August 13, 1996, through September 6, 1996 (18 days).

 

Pine School:  Gussie Robertson, Food Service Technician, Leave Without Pay effective August 12, 1996, through May 30, 1997.

 

Wesley Ray Elementary School: Barbara Roberts, Food Service Technician, Leave Without Pay effective August 13, 1996, and for an undetermined length of time (per doctor’s statement).

 

TRANSFER:

 

Madis Russell,   Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton Elementary School, TO Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton High School, effective the 1996-97 school year (due to cutting a Special Education class at Franklinton Elementary School).

 

Shirley Williams, Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton Jr. High School, TO Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton Primary School, effective  August 26, 1996 (replacing Barbara Crain, who retired; also, had to reduce one Special Education class at Franklinton Jr. High School, which required that a paraprofessional be transferred. Ms. Williams will go to Franklinton Jr. High School once a day to catheterize a severe/profound student.  She will be compensated for mileage and providing this service).

 

Anita Thomas,   Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton Jr. High School, TO Special Education Paraprofessional, Franklinton High School, effective August 26, 1996, due to an increase in student enrollment in Special Education.

 

Sandra B. Duncan, Regular Teacher, Varnado Elementary School, TO Regular Teacher, Enon Elementary School, effective August 26, 1996, due to a drop in enrollment.

 

EMPLOY:

 

Angie Jr. High School:  Shanna B. Hundley, Special Education Teacher (Mild/Moderate) effective the 1996-97 school year only (CIRCULAR 665) - Replacing Chanda Harry, who resigned.

 

Franklinton Elementary School:   Brenda Pittman, Half-time Food Service Porter, effective August 26, 1996 (replacing Carol Johnson, who is now Full-time Food Service Technician at Franklinton High School).

 

Franklinton Jr. High School: Daniel Rester, Band/Vocal Music Teacher, effective the 1996-97 school year only - CIRCULAR 665 (replacing Ronnie L. McCall, who declined the position).

 

Franklinton Jr. High School: Stephanie Kepner, Academically Gifted Teacher, effective August 16, 1996, and for the remainder of the 1996-97 school year only (TTA).

 

Franklinton High School: Rebecca Barber, Full-time Food Service Porter, effective August 26, 1996 (replacing Annette Williams, who is now Food Service Manager at Franklinton High School).

 

Franklinton Schools: Cherrie C. Brumfield, Bus Operator, effective August 23, 1996.

 

Pine School: Glen Thomas, Bus Operator, effective August 23, 1996.

 

Thomas Jr. High School: Dawn Seal, Regular Teacher, effective August 13, 1996, through December 4, 1996 (fill-in for Tim Sumrall, who is on sabbatical leave) - Certified.

 

Thomas Jr. High School: Robert Vince, Counselor, effective August 19, 1996, as a day-by-day substitute.

 

Thomas Jr. High School: Nellie Dillon, Full-time Food Service Technician, effective August 26, 1996 (replacing Faye Brock, who resigned).

 

Varnado High School:  Pamela Briggs, Home Economics Teacher, effective the 1996-97 school year only (CIRCULAR 665).

 

Varnado High School:  Samuel A. Nugent, Special Education Teacher, effective August 14, 1996, and until Vivian Peters, Special Education Teacher, is able to return to work (presently on Workmen’s Compensation) - CIRCULAR 665.

 

Varnado High School:  Norma Adams, Half-time Food Service Technician, effective August 26, 1996 (replacing Ozelia Spikes, who resigned).

 

            Motion carried unanimously.

 

            Anthony Triola, Supervisor, stated that, due to the resignation of a custodian at Franklinton High School, the Board would need to grant permission to advertise for that position.  Beverly Young, Franklinton High School Principal, requested that the Board give Franklinton High School two (2) additional custodians.  It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Bruce Brown, that discussion of the custodian positions at Franklinton High School be added to the agenda.  Motion carried unanimously.  Following discussion, it was the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler that one (1) additional custodian be added at Franklinton High School, for a total of four (4) positions.  It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board accept Superintendent Fowler’s recommendation and advertise for two (2) full-time custodian positions at Franklinton High School (the vacant position and the one additional position).  FOR: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: None.  ABSTENTION: Richard N. Thomas.  Motion carried.

 

            Agenda Item #22 - Superintendent’s Report.

 

            A.         It was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that consideration of the length of Geary McKenzie’s contract be added to the agenda.  Motion carried unanimously.  Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the length of Geary McKenzie’s contract as Principal, Angie Jr. High School, be for a period of two (2) years, effective August 26, 1996, through August 25, 1998.  Motion carried unanimously.  Superintendent Fowler stated that Frank Green’s last day to work in the central office as supervisor will be August 30, 1996.

 

            B.         It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Karl Bickham, that consideration of an audit for Angie Jr. High School and Mt. Hermon School be added to the agenda.  Motion carried unanimously.  Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board engage the services of Durden & Alonzo to perform audits of the financial records of Angie Jr. High School and Mt. Hermon School.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            C.         It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to authorize withdrawal privileges for Geary McKenzie on any account related to Angie Jr. High School, and remove withdrawal privileges for James R. Kennedy on that same group of accounts. Motion carried unanimously.  It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board authorize withdrawal privileges for Geary McKenzie on any account related to Angie Jr. High School, and remove withdrawal privileges for James R. Kennedy on that same group of accounts.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            D.         It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to ratify Franklinton High School’s purchase of two (2) sump pumps, plus installation, from PSI, Inc., in the amount of $3,470.55.  Motion carried unanimously.  Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board ratify Franklinton High School’s purchase of two (2) sump pumps, plus installation, from PSI, Inc., in the amount of $3,470.55.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            E.         At the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Holly James, that the following item be added to the agenda: Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the purchase of ten (10) acres of land, adjoining Mt. Hermon School, through Orman and Bickham Real Estate.  Motion carried unanimously. Following discussion, it was moved by Juanita Barker, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board authorize the purchase of ten (10) acres of land, adjoining Mt. Hermon School, through Orman and Bickham Real Estate at a cost of $1,500.00 per acre, to be paid from school funds.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            F.           Superintendent Fowler reported that Franklinton Primary School Auditorium can legally be named for R. W. Johnson, since the auditorium is part of the total complex of Franklinton Primary School.  The Board authorized Juanita Barker to form a committee of board and community members to organize a dedication ceremony.

 

            G.         Superintendent Fowler reported that the committee formed to review the student transfer policy will be made up of the following members: Harold Smith, Holly James, Anthony Triola, Emma Ross, Ed Deas, Mickey Fornea, and Karen Spears.  The committee will meet August 27, 1996, at 9:00 A.M.               

 

             H.        Superintendent Fowler commented on the Varnado High School situation. He stated that several meetings of the Varnado reconstruction steering committee have been held, and at the most recent meeting, Architect Sam Fauntleroy presented a proposed plan showing locations of classroom facilities, cafeteria, gymnasium, and incorporation of the North wing into the total plan.  He stated, “Direction has been set. We’re getting closer to having something that can be presented before Varnado district people.”

 

            I.          It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Karl Bickham, that a request from Gabriel Walker to address the Board be added to the agenda.  Motion carried unanimously.  Mr. and Mrs. Walker expressed concerns regarding discipline policies not being consistent in all schools.  Superintendent Fowler told the Walkers to first talk with the principal, then, if necessary,  Anthony Triola, Child Welfare Supervisor.  He also suggested they consider talking with the Washington Parish Parent Advisory Committee.

 

            Agenda Item #23 - Other business from board members.

 

            A.         Following an inquiry by Freddie Jefferson, Superintendent Fowler reported that the student count on the first day of classes was down 58 students from the first day last year, but the count is increasing daily.

 

            B.         It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to authorize advertisement for an Assistant Principal at Pine School.  Motion carried unanimously.  It was moved by Richard N. Thomas, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board authorize advertisement for a Part-time Assistant Principal at Pine School, beginning August 26, 1996, for a two-week period.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            C.         It was pointed out that Franklinton Primary School needs an assistant principal, since the present assistant principal is on leave.  The Board agreed to discuss this at the next committee meeting.

 

            D.         Holly James requested that, at the next board meeting, T. J. Butler, Jr., Supervisor, Federally Assisted Programs, update the Board on the Title I program.

 

            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.

 

HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT

 

DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY