The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following board members present: President Harold Smith, Karl Bickham, Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Richard 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 - Election of Officers of the Board.
President Smith opened the floor for nominations for President of the Board. Susanne Jones nominated Harold Smith for President. Bruce Brown nominated Freddie Jefferson for President. Voting for Harold Smith for President were Karl Bickham, Susanne Jones, Holly James, Hayward Boone, and Richard Thomas. Voting for Freddie Jefferson for President were Juanita Barker, Freddie Jefferson, and Bruce Brown. Harold Smith abstained. Harold Smith was declared President of the Board.
President Smith opened the floor for nominations for Vice-President of the Board. Bruce Brown nominated Freddie Jefferson for Vice-President. Harold Smith nominated Hayward Boone for Vice-President. Holly James moved that nominations cease. Voting for Freddie Jefferson for Vice-President were Juanita Barker, Bruce Brown, and Freddie Jefferson. Voting for Hayward Boone for Vice-President were Karl Bickham, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, and Richard Thomas. Hayward Boone abstained. Hayward Boone was declared Vice-President of the Board.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the December 3, 1998, regular board meeting.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adopt the minutes of the December 3, 1998, regular board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the January 7, 1999, special board meeting.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the minutes of the January 7, 1999, special board meeting, as submitted to each board member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for Renovations and Additions to Mt. Hermon School (Dennie Fowler).
Superintendent Fowler reviewed the bids received for renovations and additions to Mt. Hermon School. They were as follows:
Brunt Construction, Inc. - Base Bid $1,028,000
Independence, LA
K.C. General Contractors, Inc. - Base Bid $1,125,300
Mandeville, LA
Ordak, Inc. - Base Bid $1,038,500
Slidell, LA
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Harold Smith,seconded by Hayward Boone, that the contract for renovations and additions to Mt. Hermon School be awarded to Brunt Construction, Inc., Independence, Louisiana, Brunt having submitted the lowest base bid of $1,028,000. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Fowler requested that the following item be added to the agenda: Consider a motion to award the contract for installation of a sewer treatment unit at Mt. Hermon School. It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Juanita Barker, that this item be added to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Fowler stated that only Slone Construction, Inc., Slidell, LA, had submitted a bid, which was in the amount of $32,555.00. The architect had sent bid proposal forms to Gainey Concrete Products, Smitco Excavation and Sewer, Southeast Systems and Slone Construction. The amount of Slone’s alternate bid for installation of a concrete wet well and lift station with two alternating submersible pumps was $7,978.00. Superintendent Fowler stated that the alternate bid would probably be withdrawn. Fauntleroy’s engineer would make that decision. Upon execution of the contract, Slone Construction will begin fabrication of the treatment unit components. The electrical feed and influent lines to the unit are to be constructed by the building contractor within the first 60 days of the expansion and renovation project.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the contract for installation of a sewer treatment unit at Mt. Hermon School be awarded to Slone Construction, Inc., Slidell, LA, in the amounts of $32,555.00 (Base Bid) and $7,978.00 (Alternate Bid - Subject to Withdrawal). Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding bids received for the purchase of library books (T. J. Butler, Jr.).
Following a review of the bids and a recommendation by T. J. Butler, Jr., Supervisor, Federally Assisted Programs, it was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board accept the recommendation of the Library Book Bid Committee and award contracts for the purchase of Library Books as follows:
Publisher: Children’s Press/Franklin Watts - Flat Discount Bid of 35%
Jobber: Follett Library Book Co. - Flat Discount Bid of Up to 45%
Bindery: Perma Bound Books - Flat Discount Bid of 28%
Motion carried. Mr. Butler stated that the suppliers were selected by the Library Book Bid Committee based on specifications, discount and additional services. The contracts with the suppliers will be for the period of January 14, 1999, through June 30, 2000.
Agenda Item #9 - Consider a motion to adopt proposed School Board Policy on extra buses owned by bus drivers (Anthony Triola).
Following a brief review of the proposed policy by Anthony Triola, Transportation Supervisor, it was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board adopt the following policy regarding extra buses owned by bus operators:
SCHOOL BOARD POLICY ON EXTRA BUSES OWNED BY BUS DRIVERS
It shall be the policy of Washington Parish School Board that:
A. The School Board will select from extra buses owned by bus drivers a pool of extra (second) buses to make field trips/extra runs, and that pool will be limited to ten (10). Bus owners interested in participation should fill out a questionnaire and submit it to the Transportation Director. The initial recommendation to the Board should be made by the Transportation Committee. No bus should be making an extra run that isn’t a part of the selected pool or regular fleet.
B. The primary elements of consideration for selection will be:
1. Whether the bus has passed inspection;
2. The general condition of the bus;
3. The driving record, ability, and willingness of the owner to make field trips/extra runs at a reasonable cost.
C. Once selection has been made, this pool of buses will be added to the School Board’s list of insured buses (liability only), and complete identification of the buses selected will be kept at the School Board Office, as well as given to the insurance carrier. If a separate premium is required, the School Board will pay one-half (½) of the liability premium, and the bus owner will pay the other one-half (½).
Any proposed change(s) in the pool of selected extra buses should be brought to the attention of the Transportation Director, and the Transportation Director will make a recommendation to the Board, who will make the final decision (in the same manner as changes are made in regular route fleet).
D. Selected owners should sign a statement of understanding that liability insurance purchased through the School Board affords coverage on the bus only while that bus is being used for school sanctioned activities.
E. No bus will be allowed to run on behalf of the School Board, even as a substitute, that hasn’t passed inspection.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #10 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding age limits for bus purchases by tenured and non-tenured bus operators (Anthony Triola).
Anthony Triola, Supervisor of Transportation, presented the following three (3) proposals for the Board’s consideration:
Proposal #1 - Any bus purchased by a new driver or a non-tenured driver shall not be older than ten (10) years from date of manufacture and shall be a minimum 60 passenger bus and meet all pertinent state requirements.
Proposal #2 - Any bus purchased by a tenured driver shall not be older than fifteen (15) years from date of manufacture and shall be a minimum 60 passenger bus and meet all pertinent state requirements.
Proposal #3 - Any bus purchased by any driver shall not be older than fifteen (15) years from date of manufacture and shall be a minimum 60 passenger bus and meet all pertinent state requirements.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Freddie Jefferson, that the Board adopt Proposal #3. FOR: Hayward Boone, Freddie Jefferson, and Karl Bickham. AGAINST: Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, Richard Thomas, and Bruce Brown. Motion failed.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt Proposal #1. FOR: Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, Richard Thomas, and Bruce Brown. AGAINST: Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, and Freddie Jefferson. Motion carried.
It was moved by Susanne Jones, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt Proposal #2. FOR: Juanita Barker, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Hayward Boone, Richard Thomas, and Bruce Brown. AGAINST: Harold Smith and Karl Bickham. ABSTENTION: Freddie Jefferson. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #11 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding split checks for bus operators (Anthony Triola).
Adren Raybourn, Director of Finance, reviewed the Internal Revenue Service opinion regarding the treatment of the school bus drivers’ expense reimbursements under Internal Revenue Code Section 62(c). District Counsel is of the opinion the reimbursed operational expenses from the school board should be placed on W-2's of the bus drivers as other income. These payments are subject to income tax withholding, social security tax and federal unemployment tax. The bus drivers are employees of the school board and should not be using a Schedule C for bus driving activity. The bus drivers should deduct their operational expenses on Form 2106, Employee Business Expenses, and transfer to Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, Job Expenses, subject to the 2% floor of I.R.C. Section 62(c). If the individual school bus drivers wish to pursue a different treatment of these payments, they should request a letter ruling from the National office by following the procedures set forth in Rev. Proc. 98-1. A user fee applies to a request for a letter ruling.
Bus operators had wanted reimbursed operational expenses from the school board to be treated as lease payments and reported on Form 1099. The Board took no action on this matter and requested that Anthony Triola, Transportation Supervisor, notify all bus operators of the IRS opinion.
Agenda Item #12 - Discuss and take appropriate action regarding making up two (2) instructional days that were canceled due to weather conditions (Dennie Fowler).
It was moved by Karl Bickham, seconded by Richard Thomas, that the two (2) days schools were closed due to Hurricane Georges (September 28 & 29, 1998) will be made up February 15 & 16, 1999 (Mardi Gras Holiday). Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 - 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 Personnel and Transportation Adjustments be approved, as recommended by Richard Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent:
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION:
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Glory Brown, Regular Teacher, Retirement Resignation effective January 13, 1999.
RESIGNATION:
Franklinton Elementary School: Joetta Thomas, Special Education Paraprofessional, Resignation effective January 14, 1999.
Franklinton High School: Margaret M. Piazza, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective January 13, 1999.
Franklinton High School: Jay Domengeaux, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective January 3, 1999.
Franklinton Schools: Roger Thames, Bus Operator, Resignation effective January 4, 1999.
Pine School: Chris Jenkins, In-School Suspension Teacher, Resignation effective January 13, 1999.
Pine School: Cindy Creel, Regular Teacher, Resignation effective January 15, 1999.
REQUEST FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE:
Central Office: Rebecca Kemp, Technology Director/Grant Facilitator, Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation effective the Spring semester of the 1998/99 school year.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE:
Enon Elementary School: Ann Spears, Special Education Teacher, Extended Sick Leave effective January 14, 1999, and for the remainder of the 1998/99 school year.
Pine School: Dwight Schilling, Bus Operator, Sick Leave effective December 7, 1998, through June 3, 1999.
TRANSFER:
Amy Emmons, Regular Teacher, Franklinton Elementary School, TO Special Education Teacher, Enon Elementary School, effective the Spring semester only of the 1998/99 school year - TTA (fill-in for Ann Spears, who will be on leave).
Lisa Lee Magee, Title I Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School, TO Regular Teacher, Wesley Ray Elementary School, effective January 14, 1999.
EMPLOY:
Enon Elementary School: Gladys Magee, Regular Teacher, effective the Spring semester only of the 1998/99 school year (CERTIFIED).
Franklinton Elementary School: Tammy Lynn Penton, Title I Teacher, effective the Spring semester only of the 1998/99 school year (CERTIFIED).
Franklinton Elementary School: Selena Hughes, Special Education Teacher, effective the Spring semester only of the 1998/99 school year (TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT PERMIT).
Franklinton Elementary School: Ellen D. Taylor, Regular Teacher, effective the Spring semester only of the 1998/99 school year - CERTIFIED (Replacing Amy Emmons, who is transferring to Enon Elementary School).
Franklinton Jr. High School: Terrence August, Music Teacher, effective the Spring semester only of the 1998/99 school year (CIRCULAR 665).
Franklinton High School: Robin Edwards, Regular Teacher, effective the Spring semester only of the 1998/99 school year (CIRCULAR 665).
Franklinton High School: Donna Rose Smith, Regular Teacher, effective January 4, 1999, through January 13, 1999 (replacing Jay Domengeaux), and effective January 14,1999, and for the remainder of the 1998/99 school year only (replacing Margaret Piazza) -TTA.
Franklinton High School: Shane T. Smith, Regular Teacher/Head Football Coach, effective January 14, 1999 (replacing Jay Domengeaux) - CERTIFIED).
Franklinton High School: Tommy Vise, In-School Suspension Teacher, effective the Spring semester only of the 1998/99 school year (CIRCULAR 665).
Franklinton High School: Rebecca Lynn Williams, Regular Teacher, effective the Spring semester only of the 1998/99 school year (replacing Robin Drago) - CERTIFIED.
Mt. Hermon School: Ernie Ray Painter, Lunchroom Worker, effective January 19, 1999 (pending outcome of physical examination).
Pine School: Donald W. Murtagh, In-School Suspension Teacher, effective the Spring semester only of the 1998/99 school year (replacing Chris Jenkins) - CERTIFIED.
Pine School: Iris Garner, Special Education Teacher, effective the Spring semester only of the 1998/99 school year (TTA).
Pine School: Deborah Cook, Regular Teacher, effective January 18, 1999, and for the remainder of the 1998/99 school year only - CERTIFIED (replacing Cindy Creel).
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Belinda Jackson, Title I Teacher, effective the Spring semester only of the 1998/99 school year (CIRCULAR 665).
Parishwide: Loralyn G. Waguespack, Speech Therapist, effective the Spring semester only of the 1998/99 school year (CERTIFIED).
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Enon Elementary School: Extend the route of Aulton Carter .9 mile one way to pick up Mary and Danniella Castillon. Effective date: December 1, 1998.
Franklinton Schools: Extend the route of Robert Mizell 1.0 mile one way to pick up Connie Castillon. Effective date: November 30, 1998.
Extend the route of Hazel Garrett 1.0 mile one way to pick up Jazmyne and Jericho Ortiz. Effective date: January 4, 1999.
Deduct 1.0 mile from the route of Janice Varnado. Chasity, Chance and James Wood are no longer on her route. Effective date: January 5, 1999.
Varnado Elementary School: Extend the route of Laura Kemp .5 mile one way to pick up Vince Kemp, Jr., Robert Johnson, and Draccus Peters. Effective date: September 14, 1998.
Wesley Ray Resource Center: Extend the route of Yvonne Brumfield 4.7 miles one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: November 9, 1998.
Extend the route of Yvonne Brumfield 1.0 mile one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: December 2, 1998.
Extend the route of Yvonne Brumfield .3 mile one way to pick up a Special Education student. Effective date: November 2, 1998.
Wesley Ray Elementary School: Extend the route of Lezette Crosby .5 mile one way to pick up Benjamin Holbert. Effective date: January 4, 1999.
Motion carried unanimously. In reference to Rebecca Kemp’s sabbatical leave, Superintendent Fowler stated that someone within the system would fill in on an as-needed basis.
Agenda Item #14 - Superintendent’s Report.
At the request of Superintendent Fowler, it was moved by Richard Thomas, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the following item be added to the agenda: Discuss and take appropriate action regarding installation of a new fire alarm system at Thomas Jr. High School. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Fowler stated that the old fire alarm system at Thomas Jr. High School had to be removed and a new one installed. Safe & Sound Alarms, Inc., Mandeville, LA, did the work at a cost of $6,117.11. He requested that the Board approve payment of the invoice from Thomas Jr. High School contingency fund. It was moved by Richard Thomas, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board authorize payment to Safe & Sound Alarms, Inc., in the amount of $6,117.11 for removal of old fire alarm system and installation of new fire alarm system and equipment, with payment to be made from Thomas Jr. High School contingency fund. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Other business from board members.
Following an inquiry by Hayward Boone regarding the Wesley Ray Elementary School roof, Superintendent Fowler recommended that William Brignac, Maintenance Supervisor, be given more time to obtain quotations for this work. Quotations should be ready for the February 8, 1999, committee meeting.
Agenda Item #16 - Consider a motion to enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(4) regarding a personnel matter (Harold Smith).
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board enter into Executive Session under LA R.S. 42:6.1A(4) regarding a personnel matter. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to return to regular session.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Holly James, that the Board return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #18 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Hayward Boone, seconded by Holly James, that the Board adjourn.
Motion carried unanimously.