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, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: Richard N. Thomas.
Agenda Item #1 - Call to order.
The meeting was called to order by President Smith. He welcomed guests and news media present.
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 March 27, 1997, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the minutes of the March 27, 1997, regular board meeting as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to approve 4X4 Block Schedule for Varnado High School effective the 1997-98 school year (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board approve the 4X4 Block Schedule for Varnado High School effective the 1997-98 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding renewing the contract of Norris Insurance Consultants, Inc. (Adren Raybourn).
Upon the recommendation of Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Holly James, that the Board renew the contract with Norris Insurance Consultants for a one-year period at a fee of $7,080.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to engage Peat-Marwick for the purpose of conducting an audit of the School Board’s general books and procedures in accordance with the Single Audit Act (Beth Fussell).
Upon the recommendation of Beth Fussell, Chief Accountant and Operations Manager, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Holly James, that the Board authorize the Superintendent to sign an engagement letter engaging the services of KPMG Peat Marwick to perform the audit for fiscal years ending June 30, 1997, June 30, 1998, and June 30, 1999, at a fee of $27,000 per yearly audit. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Consider a motion to approve Special Education Extended School Year Budget for June, 1997 (Pamela Williford).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board approve Special Education Extended School Year Budget for June, 1997, as recommended by Dr. Pamela Williford, Supervisor of Special Education. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to approve Special Education Extended School Year Budget for July - August, 1997 (Pamela Williford).
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board approve Special Education Extended School Year Budget for July - August, 1997, as recommended by Dr. Pamela Williford, Supervisor of Special Education. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Consider a motion to approve Bus Operator Violonia Edward’s request to purchase a 1992 Chevrolet Carpenter Cadet, 20-passenger Special Education bus (Anthony Triola).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board approve Bus Operator Violonia Edward’s request to purchase a 1992 Chevrolet Carpenter Cadet, 20-passenger Special Education bus. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding allocation of Title I surplus funds (Freddie Jefferson).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that Title I surplus funds in the amount of approximately $11,000.00 be divided equally among all parish schools, with funds to be used for supplies/equipment needed to get online with the Internet, contingent upon approval by the State Department of Education. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
There were no personnel or transportation adjustments to be approved.
Agenda Item #13 - Superintendent’s Report.
A. Superintendent Fowler reported that Franklinton Elementary School recently completed Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation review and was approved. He commended the principal and faculty for the favorable review.
B. Superintendent Fowler provided copies of two (2) proposed 1997-98 school calendars, which will be sent to all schools on April 11, 1997, for review and consideration.
C. Superintendent Fowler reported advertising dates for bids for construction of classroom/administrative wing and cafeteria building at Varnado High School will be April 9, 16 & 23, 1997, with bid opening scheduled for May 13, 1997, at 2:00 P.M., at the School Board Office. A pre-bid conference will be held April 24, 1997, at Varnado High School.
D. Anthony Triola, Supervisor of Transportation, requested that an item be added to the agenda. It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that consideration of Bus Operator Russell Barber’s request to purchase a new bus be added to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board approve a request by Bus Operator Russell Barber to purchase a 1996, 66-passenger International bus, which meets all Louisiana specifications. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #14 - Other business from board members.
Karl Bickham requested that a letter of appreciation be written to CLECO and Washington-St. Tammany Electric Co-op for their continual assistance to the school system.
Agenda Item #15 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 6.1.A(7) for the purpose of hearing an appeal of a suspension of student #0002012 at Franklinton Jr. High School (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Holly James, that the Board enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 6.1.A(7) for the purpose of hearing an appeal of a suspension of student #0002012 at Franklinton Jr. High School. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board uphold the in-school suspension of student #0002012 at Franklinton Jr. High School, as ruled by the school administration and the central office. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY