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. 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 September 11, 1997, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board adopt the minutes of the September 11, 1997, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
President Smith stated the agenda would be changed to allow Mrs. Toni Tageant to present Agenda Item #9 at this time.
Agenda Item #9 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for the purchase of four (4) Laptop Word Processor Rolling Labs (Toni Tageant).
Mrs. Toni Tageant, a teacher at Franklinton High School, stated that one (1) bid was received for the purchase of four (4) Laptop Word Processor Rolling Labs, which was from NTS Computer Systems, Ltd., in the amount of $45,600.00. She recommended that the Board accept the bid.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board award the contract for the purchase of four (4) Laptop Word Processor Rolling Labs to NTS Computer Systems, Ltd., in the amount of $45,600.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Recognition of recipients of LA LEARN Teacher Grants (Rebecca Kemp).
Mrs. Rebecca Kemp, Technology Director/Grant Facilitator, introduced Jo’el Givens and Adam Kemp, teachers at Franklinton Jr. High School, who received LA LEARN Teacher Grants of $1,000.00 each.
Agenda Item #6 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Classroom Based Technology Grant (Rebecca Kemp).
Mrs. Rebecca Kemp, Technology Director/Grant Facilitator, briefly reviewed the Classroom Based Technology Fund & Technology Literacy Challenge Grant Application. It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board approve the Classroom Based Technology Fund & Technology Literacy Challenge Grant Application in the amount of $223,634.04, as presented by Rebecca Kemp, Technology Director/Grant Facilitator. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding amended Goals 2000 Improvement Plan (Rebecca Kemp).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board approve the amended Goals 2000 Improvement Plan, as presented by Rebecca Kemp, Technology Director/Grant Facilitator. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for the purchase of a truck for the maintenance department (William R. Brignac).
William R. Brignac, Supervisor of Maintenance and Vocational Education, reviewed the following bids received for the purchase of a truck for the maintenance department:
Hood Cefalu, Inc., Amite, LA $15,712.00
Mack Grubbs Motors, Inc., Bogalusa, LA $16,750.00
Sicard Motors, Inc., Franklinton, LA $17,487.00
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board award the contract for the purchase of a truck for the maintenance department to the low bidder, Hood Cefalu, Inc., Amite, LA, in the amount of $15,712.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #9 - SEE ABOVE.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Property and Casualty Insurance renewal proposal (Adren Raybourn).
Following review by Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, of the recommendations of Norris Insurance Consultants, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board place property and casualty insurance coverage with Alexander & Alexander, Inc. - National Casualty Ins. Co., effective October 1, 1997, through September 30, 1998, for the following premiums:
General Liability $ 64,734.00
Automobile 64,126.00
Umbrella/Excess Liability 17,301.00
Board Error & Omissions Liability 7,799.00
Inland Marine Floater (Portable Bldgs.) 212.00
Building & Contents 36,088.00
TOTAL $ 190,260.00
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding allocation of State Funded Materials and Supplies for Teachers (Adren Raybourn).
Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, reviewed House Bill No. 1380, which provides funds for classroom teachers to purchase materials and supplies. According to Mr. Raybourn, the guidelines sent out by the State Department of Education state that, once the school district receives the funds, it is the responsibility of the governing board to allocate funds to each classroom teacher within a school on a per pupil basis. Mr. Raybourn stated, “It is recommended that the funds be distributed to each classroom teacher based upon this year’s count (using some common date established by the local board). Once the district’s per pupil amount is established, these funds are to flow to each school based on the student count at each school. After considerable thought, we feel that we should send the funds, by check, to the individual schools to be handled through schools’ activity accounts, and the principal at each site be charged with the detailed administration associated with the spending of and the accounting for the funds, with strict guidelines from the central office.”
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Juanita Barker, that the Board approve the following allocation of State funded materials and supplies for teachers:
Total Amount Received - $62,119.00 Divided By 4,776 Students:
$13.00649 Per Student
Student Count & Teacher Count as of September 22, 1997
SCHOOL # TEACHERS #STUDENTS AMT. PER SCHOOL AMT.PER TEACHER
Angie 17 245 $3,186.48 $187.44
Enon 17 238 $3,095.53 $182.09
Franklinton Primary 33 445 $5,787.87 $175.39
Franklinton Elementary 23 397 $5,163.50 $224.50
Franklinton Jr. High 30 501 $6,516.30 $217.21
Franklinton High 46 675 $8,592.80 $186.80
Mt. Hermon 35 550 $7,153.65 $204.39
Pine 40 668 $8,476.40 $211.91
Thomas 25 411 $5,345.50 $213.82
Varnado Elementary 10 151 $1,964.00 $196.40
Varnado High 21 245 $3,186.54 $151.74
Wesley Ray 22 250 $3,251.60 $147.80
Industrial Arts Teachers 2 (Franklinton High and Pine) $ 398.83 $199.41
TOTAL $ 62,119.00
NOT INCLUDED IN TEACHER COUNT:
Pupil Appraisal Personnel Adult Ed. Teachers
Coordinators Librarians
Guidance Counselors Title I Preschool Teachers
Principals Starting Points Preschool Teachers
Speech Therapists 8(g) Preschool Teachers
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Title I 1996/97 additional allocation (T. J. Butler, Jr.).
T. J. Butler, Jr., Supervisor, Federally Assisted Programs, reviewed Plan 1 and Plan 2 for allocating 1996-97 Title I additional allocations (Total: $10,172.63). It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Board approve Plan 2, as follows:
%FREE & #FREE & AMOUNT PER AMOUNT PER
SCHOOL REDUCED REDUCED CHILD SCHOOL
Varnado High 100% 295 $4.00 $1,180.00
Varnado Elem. 100% 167 $4.00 $ 668.00
Angie Jr. High 98.4% 249 $4.00 $ 996.00
Wesley Ray 96.8% 310 $4.00 $1,240.00
Thomas Jr. High 91.9% 410 $4.00 $1,604.00
Franklinton Primary 88.7% 411 $3.00 $1,233.00
Franklinton Elem. 85.2% 359 $3.00 $1,077.00
Mt. Hermon 75.9% 463 $2.00 $ 926.00
Enon Elem. 75.9% 205 $2.00 $ 410.00
Pine 70.8% 487 $2.00 $ 838.63
Franklinton Jr. High 68.6% 343 $1.00 -0-
Franklinton High 61.3% 399 $1.00 -0-
TOTAL ALLOCATION: $10,172.63
FOR: Juanita Barker, Hayward Boone, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: Karl Bickham, Susanne Jones, Holly James and Harold Smith. The vote being FIVE (5) FOR and FOUR (4) AGAINST, the motion carried.
Agenda Item #13 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Title I 1998 supplemental allocation (T. J. Butler, Jr.).
T. J. Butler, Supervisor, Federally Assisted Programs, presented Plan A and Plan B for board consideration. Board Member Holly James offered an additional plan (Plan C) for board consideration. It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board approve Plan A, as follows:
%FREE & #FREE & AMT. PER AMT. PER
SCHOOL REDUCED REDUCED CHILD SCHOOL
Varnado Elem. 100% 144 $40.00 $ 5,760.00
Varnado High 100% 235 $40.00 $ 9,400.00
Wesley Ray 98.3% 283 $40.00 $ 11,320.00
Angie Jr. High 93.1% 246 $40.00 $ 9,840.00
Thomas Jr. High 90.2% 377 $40.00 $ 15,080.00
Franklinton Primary 89.6% 423 $20.00 $ 8,460.00
Franklinton Elem. 86.9% 360 $20.00 $ 7,200.00
Pine 85.3% 558 $20.00 $ 11,160.00
Mt. Hermon 80.5% 445 $20.00 $ 8,900.00
Franklinton Jr. High 74.0% 370 $ 5.00 $ 1,850.00
Enon Elem. 71.6% 205 $ 5.00 $ 1,025.00
Franklinton High 58.4% (412) BALANCE $ 73.29
TOTAL ALLOCATION: $90,068.29
FOR: Freddie Jefferson, Bruce Brown, Richard N. Thomas, and Hayward Boone. AGAINST: Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, and Harold Smith. The vote being FOUR (4) FOR and FIVE (5) AGAINST, the motion failed.
It was moved by Holly James, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board approve Plan C, as follows:
%FREE & #FREE & AMT. PER AMT. PER
SCHOOL REDUCED REDUCED CHILD SCHOOL
Varnado Elem. 100% 144 $30.00 $ 4,320.00
Varnado High 100% 235 $30.00 $ 7,050.00
Wesley Ray 98.3% 283 $30.00 $ 8,490.00
Angie 93.1% 246 $30.00 $ 7,380.00
Thomas Jr. High 90.2% 377 $30.00 $ 11,310.00
Franklinton Primary 89.6% 423 $25.00 $ 10,575.00
Franklinton Elem. 86.9% 360 $25.00 $ 9,000.00
Pine 85.3% 558 $25.00 $ 14,625.00
Mt. Hermon 80.5% 445 $25.00 $ 11,125.00
Franklinton Jr. High 74.0% 370 $20.00 $ 7,400.00
Enon Elem. 71.6% 205 $20.00 $ 4,100.00
Franklinton High 58.4% (412) BALANCE $ 5,348.00
TOTAL ALLOCATION: $90,068.29
FOR: Holly James, Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Susanne Jones, and Harold Smith. AGAINST: Hayward Boone, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. The vote being FIVE (5) FOR and FOUR (4) AGAINST, the motion carried.
Agenda Item #14 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Personnel and Transportation Adjustments (Richard Kennedy).
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to hire a new teacher at Pine School to relieve an overload in first grade classes. FOR: Freddie Jefferson, Bruce Brown, Richard N. Thomas, Hayward Boone and Juanita Barker. AGAINST: Karl Bickham, Holly James, Susanne Jones and Harold Smith. The vote being FIVE (5) FOR and FOUR (4) AGAINST, the motion carried.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board hire a new teacher at Pine School to relieve an overload in first grade classes. FOR: Freddie Jefferson, Bruce Brown, Richard N. Thomas, Hayward Boone and Juanita Barker. AGAINST: Karl Bickham, Holly James, Susanne Jones and Harold Smith. The vote being FIVE (5) FOR and FOUR (4) AGAINST, the motion carried.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Richard N. Thomas, that the Board approve the following Personnel and Transportation Adjustments, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RESIGNATION:
Special Education Department: Shone McNeese, Bus Attendant, Resignation effective September 22, 1997.
CANCELLATION OF SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Franklinton Primary School: Debra Lee, Regular Teacher, Cancel Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation granted for the 1997/98 school year. Effective date of cancellation: September 26, 1997.
TRANSFER:
Franklinton Schools: Transfer Douglas Talley, Bus Operator, TO Ronald Sharp’s bus route effective September 29, 1997.
Debra Lee, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Primary School, TO Louisiana Reading Initiative Early Literacy Master Teacher (Resource-Helping Teacher) - Parishwide, effective September 29, 1997, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only.
Nancy Cox, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School, TO Louisiana Reading Initiative Early Literacy Master Teacher (Resource-Helping Teacher) -Parishwide, effective September 29, 1997, and for the remainder of the 1997/98 school year only.
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
FRANKLINTON SCHOOLS: Extend the route of Mary Simmons 7.450 miles (A.M. only) to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: September 16, 1997.
THOMAS JR. HIGH SCHOOL: Extend the route of Barbara Sumrall .6 mile one way to pick up Justin Clements, son of Chris Wright. Effective date: September 17, 1997.
FOR: Karl Bickham, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown and Freddie Jefferson. AGAINST: Juanita Barker. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #15 - Superintendent’s Report.
Superintendent Fowler reported that work at Varnado High School is progressing well.
Agenda Item #16 - Other business from board members.
Juanita Barker asked if progress has been made on the study regarding salary discrepancies. Superintendent Fowler responded that a committee has been formed and information from other systems is being obtained.
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Harold Smith, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
HAROLD R. SMITH, PRESIDENT
DENNIE FOWLER, SECRETARY