Athens High School to close
Budget constraints to cut jobs as well
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
It’s
now official -- Athens High School will close at the end of this school year
amid ever increasing budget constraints.
With a
packed house at Thursday’s monthly school board meeting, it was once again with
heavy hearts that school board members voted to close Athens High School. In
fact, it was so difficult at first that no one made a motion to do so. After a
short period of time, School Board President Will Maddox asked the school board
attorney what it meant if no one made a motion.
When
Maddox got ready to move on, District 2 School Board Member Linda Knox made the
motion to close the school. It was seconded by District 8 School Board Member
Almeter Willis, and it was approved.
District
10 School Board Member Stewart Griffin was absent.
Claiborne
Parish Schools Business Manager Fred Evans outlined cost-saving measures to the
board to tighten up an approximate $1.5 million deficit in the budget. The idea
behind these measures is to save as many teachers jobs as possible while
closing the deficit.
There
were four things he outlined as follows:
1.
Activate Reduction in Force (RIF). Without the other three cost saving measures,
a total of 29 positions would be eliminated, which include six
paraprofessionals, one bus driver through retirement, one central office clerk
through retirement, one central office coordinator through resignation and 20
teachers. The board voted to activate RIF.
2.
Transfer a portion of the general fund to the 1978 sales tax fund, which would
save five teaching positions, knocking the total of 20 teachers up for RIF back
to 15. The parish-wide 1978 sales tax fund is a one percent sales tax that goes
towards salary, benefits and other operating expenses. According to Evans, a
total of $275,995 will be transferred to the sales tax fund. District 5 School
Board Member Dr. Robert Haynes made the motion, seconded by District 3 School
Board Member Linda Knox, and approved by the board.
3.
Close Athens High School, saving a total of $384,889. This eliminates 11
teaching positions, however, 10 of those positions are projected to be saved by
moving them to Homer schools. The current principal will fill a vacant
principal’s position and the guidance counselor would be reassigned to another
school, thereby reducing the need for four counselors to three. The current
secretary would fill a vacant secretarial position, reducing the secretary
position by one. Custodial positions would be reduced by two, paraprofessionals
reduced from three to two and one aid would be reassigned to Homer schools.
4.
Freeze the allocations to Junction City Schools for Claiborne Parish students,
which would save $43,436. The idea is to amend the formula used for the
allocations to Junction City Schools, freezing the current allocation and
reducing it by the percentage of the reduction in Minimum Foundation Program
funding for the next school year.
And
even though the Claiborne school board agreed to this option, it still has to
go before the school board in Junction City for their approval. According to
Hatch, this is an agreement between the two school boards and there is no law
that deals with these kinds of agreements. So, the school board approved, 7-2,
the allocation freeze pending the approval of Junction City Schools. If that
board does not agree to the reduction, then that means those students in
Claiborne Parish attending Junction City schools will have to return to
Claiborne Parish schools.
The two
lone votes against the allocation freeze and percentage reduction were Knox and
Willis.
As of
press time, no decision had been made by the other party.
Option
4 would save one position. In total, 14 positions would be saved from RIF.
And at
closing Athens High School, many were upset about the school closing, asking if
there was a better way to save money other than closing the school. There are
only 163 students at the school, and several grades had been combined. This
means that some teachers were teaching two grades at one time.
School
Board Vice President Vera Meadors said she felt that a teacher teaching two
grades is ineffective, because some of the grades combined at Athens have a
single digit number of students.
Williams
said three were combined, including Pre-K and kindergarten, first and second,
and fifth and sixth grades.
“I
visited those classes on a regular basis, and a teacher would work with one
class on one grade level, prepare work for the other grade level, and it was difficult
at best for students at those ages and grade levels to try to maintain and work
on an individual basis,” the superintendent said.
The
senior graduating class for 2011-12 was 14. As of February 1, the largest class
at Athens was sixth grade with 21 students, the smallest class was kindergarten
with eight students.
The
implementation of these measures were on a projected student count of 1,956
students for the 2012-13 school year, which is a decrease of approximately 60
students.
“In
fact, we lost about 30 students from October to February,” Evans said. “The
prior year we lost 10.”
As of
right now, there are 139 teachers who are paid from the general fund, and then
there are the federal program teachers that are paid by federal funds, such as
Title I and II.
Evans
said one of the reasons they looked so closely at closing Athens is that out of
13 grades, 11 of them had less than 15 students.
“We had
five grades that were less than 10,” he said. “It’s just
been going down and that’s why we made the recommendation. It wasn’t easy for
us.”
However,
the approval didn’t come without some discussion by board members and community
members, and the tone of the discussion was civil. One audience member asked
why the school board had to have so many supervisory positions and why not have
a teacher fill in one of those positions? According to Claiborne Parish Schools
Superintendent Dr. Janice Williams, a teacher cannot fill a supervisory
position.
Williams
also explained that some supervisors are required by law, while others already
wear many different hats.
“It’s
not like they have one duty they are assigned,” Williams said. “Like the
secondary supervisor, he’s vocational, he’s ‘career and tech ed’, driver’s
education, counsel supervisor, testing supervisor and Title II.”
She
went on to explain some of the other supervisory positions that also have
additional responsibilities as well.
“It’s
not that they do just one thing; they have multiple responsibilities,” she
said.
Sadie
Flucas, who attended the meeting, asked why the board didn’t call for a special
committee to deal with the closing of Athens or what they are going to do with
the students at Junction City.
“Why
haven’t you asked for that?” she asked, since the board members have known the
final numbers since March. “At least to have the public think that you’re
looking at everything instead of hiding behind closed doors and making
decisions. The gentleman (Evans) said you looked at different options. I didn’t
hear anything about any options to consolidate any schools. Why is that off the
table? If you’re talking about saving money, why are we not talking about
consolidating schools? It just seems to me that you are cherry-picking the
things you want to look at in order to base your decisions on.”
She
continued by saying that the board doesn’t seem to be transparent in the way
it’s dealing with this.
Another
audience member, who didn’t give her name, said the approach is more negative.
“Now
you’re not talking about gaining students,” she
said. “What are you going to do with those students? All those students aren’t
going to go to Homer. They’re going to go somewhere outside the parish, so
we’re going to lose again. It’s set up to lose. Let’s start thinking positive;
we may have an increase. I haven’t heard anything positive said.”
Maddox
addressed her comment, saying it’s hard to project an increase with the current
shape of the economy.
“The
economy is bad,” he said. “I don’t think anybody would argue that fact.”
Keith
Beard, a counselor at Athens High School, said students were upset because
their school is closing. In fact, he said, he had some students who adamantly
said they weren’t going to Homer schools.
“I’ve
talked to some of them that don’t understand that they can’t automatically do
that,” he said. “A lot of them will probably go on to Homer, but we let’s say
we lose 30 to 35 kids. That’s not out of the question. That’s going to knock
off what we’re going to save. That could play into it.”
He
explained that when Webster Parish Schools consolidated and shifted grades
around in Minden, they lost several students to private schools, home schooling
and other ways. He said he’d read in the Minden Press-Herald that school board
members were surprised at what they actually lost and what money they didn’t
save.
Webster
Parish at the end of the 2010-11 school year consolidated Shongaloo, Sarepta
and Cotton Valley High Schools into Springhill High School, renaming it North
Webster High School. The junior high and elementary grades were spread out
between Cotton Valley, Sarepta and Shongaloo. Also, Doyline’s schools were
consolidated at Doyline High School into a Pre-K-12 school. In Minden, Stewart
Elementary was closed and grades were consolidated by two at each of the
remaining elementary schools -- Richardson, Harper and Jones Elementary.
At the
beginning of the meeting, after prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and approval
of April’s school board minutes, Claiborne Parish teacher Linda Mozeke asked
that the agenda be amended without saying what it was about. The first agenda
posted had a matter in which they would meet in executive session to allow a
“teacher to address the board.” A revised agenda was again sent out with the
same item number on it. But, when the final agenda was posted, the item was
removed entirely.
Hatch
said she would have to follow procedure for grievances. According to Hatch,
school employees must follow a certain protocol guided by Title 17, Section
12:31, which sets the school employee policy for grievances.
Mozeke insisted
that she did follow protocol, but at the advice of Hatch, board members decided
not to amend the agenda.
In
other news, the school board recognized its 2012 retiring employees, each given
a plaque in honor of their years of service.
Retiring
are: Dalton Pugh, a bus driver for Homer Elementary with 43 years of service,
Herman Harris, a bus driver for Homer Elementary with 21 and one half years of
service, Steve Boyett, a bus driver for Homer Elementary with 10 years of
service, Patricia “Pat” Lee, principal of Homer Elementary with 27 years of
service, Rebecca Green, secretary for Homer Elementary with eight years of
service, Bobby R. Evans, a teacher at Homer Elementary with six years of
service, Maxine Curry, a paraprofessional with Homer Junior High with 13 years
of service, Karen Smith, a teacher at Summerfield High School with 20 years of
service, Nancy Dodson, a teacher at Junction City with 10 years of service,
Deborah Barron, a teacher at Junction City with 17 years of service, Mike
Blackwelder, a supervisor with Central Office with 33 years of service, Carl
“Steve” Craig, a supervisor with Central Office with 30 years of service and
Saundra Bays, a secretary with Central Office with 28 and one half years of
service.
School board honors retirees
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
The Claiborne Parish School Board honored
the school system’s retirees with a reception Thursday evening at Homer City
Hall. With cake, punch and good fellowship, retirees were able to visit and
bring their families to share in their milestones of retiring. During the
regular meeting of the school board later that evening, retirees were each
given a plaque in honor of their service to Claiborne Parish Schools. According
to their number of years of service, they have 267 years combined. Pictured
above are the 2012 retirees. They are, back row from left, Mike Blackwelder
with 33 years of service, Carl “Steve” Craig with 30 years of service, Steve
Boyett with 10 years of service and Dalton Pugh with 43 years of service.
Seated are Maxine Curry with 13 years of service (left), and Saundra Bays with
28 and one half years of service (right).
‘Potluck at the Fair’ this Friday!
The Guardian-Journal file photo
The Monday Nite Choir Boys of Springhill
provided the entertainment for Haynesville’s first ‘Potluck at the Fair.’ They
will again be performing during the event this year. The funds raised at this
year’s event will go toward maintenance and repairs to the Claiborne Parish
Fair Complex building.
The Guardian-Journal
The
second annual “Potluck at the Fair” will be once again an event to remember.
Set for
6 p.m., Friday, May 18, at the Claiborne Parish Fair Complex, this event is set
to raise money to make repairs and replacements of several things for the
building itself. According to Citizen Advisory Committee members, the building
has multiple HVAC units, and there are some that need to be replaced as soon as
possible. Other things the money will be used for is maintenance on the
building and replacement of tables and chairs. Also, the sound system, stage
and the kitchen area are areas that need work.
Sixteen
churches in the Haynesville area will be providing some good Southern food
potluck-style. The meal will begin at 6 p.m.
Also at
6 p.m., the silent auction will begin and will conclude at 7:15 p.m. Absolutely
no bids will be taken after 7:15. Some of the items for auction include a
certificate to play golf at Southern Trace Golf Course in Shreveport donated by
Glenn Hooks, a ladies watch donated by Gray’s Jewelry, a one-night stay at Lake
Claiborne State Park donated by the Butler Abshire Clinic, large framed art
donated by Citizens Bank and framed art and two home decor items donated by
Courtyard Florist and Gifts.
Door
prizes will also be given away during the event.
This
year’s entertainment will once again be provided by the Monday Nite Choir Boys
of Springhill. The group will entertain guests with gospel music.
According
to a press release, the Monday Nite Choir Boys was formed in the spring of 2008
and features the band’s stylings of old time gospel favorites.
“The
‘Boys’ sound is the result of the band members’ diverse musical backgrounds,”
it states. “the music is infused with elements of blues, jazz, rock, bluegrass,
old-time gospel and multi-part harmonies. The band refers to their sound as
‘dirt road gospel.’ The music is down to earth, honest, high energy and
glorifies our risen Lord and Saviour.”
The
band has played extensively in Northwest Louisiana, Southwest Arkansas and East
Texas at festivals, church functions and fundraisers.
The
group’s first CD, “Gonna Need Somebody,” was released in February 2011, and a
second CD, “Dirt Road Gospel,” is in production and will be released in August
2012.
“We
look at our music as a ministry, not just entertainment,” the press release
states. “The ‘love offerings’ and fees we receive are given to support
nonprofit groups such as the Fuller Center, Wild Goose Ministries, Teen
Challenge, community projects and numerous fundraisers for people needing
medical treatment.”
Band
members include Mike Buckner, front man and lead vocals, Bobby Funderbunk,
drums, Ricky Herrington, harmonica, accordian, Cajun squeeze box, Yamaha wind
machine, bongos and sax, Jeff Jackson, mandolin, lead and harmony vocals, Keith
McCullen, bass, David Rhea, guitar, lead and harmony vocals, Larry Tucker, lead
guitar, ukulele and vocals, and Steve Hodges, sound engineer.
Seating
is limited to about 400, so if you haven’t gotten your ticket yet, please do so
in a hurry! If writing a check, please make payable to the Haynesville
Beautification Committee. Tickets are $20 per person.
The
event is sponsored by the Haynesville Beautification Committee and the Town of
Haynesville Citizens Advisory Committee. Come out, have a good time and eat
some good food prepared by some of Haynesville’s best cooks!
For
more information, please call Keith or Beverlee Killgore at 318-624-1122 or
.
Lions Chicken Charbroil May 18
The
Homer Lions Club are still selling tickets for this year’s Chicken Charbroil!
Tickets are $7, and plates include chicken, beans, potato salad, bread and a
dessert. Plates can be picked up in the parking lot at Regions Bank 11 a.m.
until 1 p.m.
If you
have not gotten your ticket(s), please contact any Lions Club member to get
them!
Homer man arrested for rape
The Guardian-Journal
A Homer
man was arrested on a rape charge after he allegedly sexually assaulted a
woman.
According
to a news release from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, May
14, deputies received a complaint of a sexual assault in progress. Deputies
John Eric Stephenson and J.T. Williams responded, along with Detective Darren
Keel.
Officers
were dispatched to a residence in Claiborne Parish regarding the complaint.
During Keel’s subsequent investigation of the situation, he discovered that
Demarcus S. Payton, 24, of Homer, had sexually assaulted a woman.
Upon
completion of his investigation, Keel arrested Payton and charged him with
unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, two counts of aggravated rape,
simple battery, two counts of theft of firearms and felon in possession of a
firearm.
Payton’s
bonds are to be set by a judge.
In
light of this, Sheriff Ken Bailey stated that he wants to remind people that
all citizens need to be extremely cautious regarding their personal safety.
Unfortunately,
we have people residing in our parish that do not adhere to the laws and could
do immeasurable damage to innocent victims. You can help be your best
protection by taking a few simple steps.
• Take
precautions when leaving and entering your residence.
• Be
alert to your surroundings and the people in them.
•
Double check all locks on your doors and windows to secure your home.
•
Always check the back seat of a vehicle before you get in to leave.
•
Always keep your vehicle locked -- even if it is in your carport or garage.
These
are a few simple things that may help ensure your safety, but if you or someone
you know has been a victim of violent crime, please contact Deputy Donna Smith,
advocate for victims, at the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-927-9800.
In a
separate incident, two people were arrested on drug charges following a traffic
stop.
According
to a news release, Deputy Heath Tingle was on routine patrol in the parish on
Sunday, May 13, when he discovered a vehicle travel into the opposite lane as
it rounded a curve. The vehicle traveled into the opposing lane of traffic again
and at that time, Tingle initiated a traffic stop.
The
driver, Sommer M. Vanosdell, 29, of Ruston, had a passenger in the vehicle
identified as Jared K. Poland, 35, of Dubach.
Canine
Deputy Aaron Christian arrived on scene to assist.
Christian’s
K-9 officer alerted on the vehicle and a subsequent search was performed. The
search of the vehicle revealed a pill bottle containing what appeared to be 16
Watson 503 (Lortab) tablets. The bottle was located on the passenger’s side
floor next to the console.
No one
claimed ownership of the pills and both subjects were then placed under arrest.
Poland
was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center where he was booked
and charged with possession of Schedule III CDS
(Lortab) with bond set at $5,000.
Vanosdell
was transported to the sheriff’s office where she was booked and charged with
careless operation with bond set at $500 and possession of schedule III CDS
(Lortab) with bond set at $5,000.
Theft investigation continues
Suspect believed to be involved in
others
An
investigation continues after the arrest of a Homer man who police say admitted
to taking property that didn’t belong to him.
Demarcus
Henderson, 18, of Homer, was arrested on Friday, May 4, and charged with two
counts of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling with bond set at $16,000,
theft with bond set at $10,000 and a failure to appear warrant, where he is to
serve 20 days.
According
to police, Henderson was arrested after admitting to breaking into two
residences, one on East College Street and one on Edgewood, both in Homer.
Police also say he admitted to taking property from both residences, of which
Captain Donald Malray, investigating officer, recovered “a piece of evidence”
at an address on Washington Street.
“What
he would is go to people’s houses and do a little work,” Captain Donald Malray
said. “People would pay him and he’d come back and steal their stuff.”
Items
he’s taken, Malray said, include weed eaters, blowers, jewelry, video cameras
and other items.
“He
would go to their house, knock on the door, and if they weren’t home, he’d
enter the residence or take stuff from outside the home,” Malray said.
The
Homer Police Department is still investigating several burglaries he’s believed
to have been involved in, Police Chief Russell Mills said. Police are also
advising anyone that’s had contact with Henderson and has had stuff taken to
call the police station, even if they bought something from him.
“If
anyone has purchased anything from him, please call the police station,” Malray
said. “They will receive immunity. But, if you bought something from him (and
did not call) and you are caught with it, you will be arrested for illegal
possession of stolen things.”
Mills
also advised that if Henderson comes knocking on the door, do not allow him
inside or allow him to do any work for you.
Reports
say he also had an active bench warrant for failure to pay off a fine. He was
booked and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
Woman arrested for destroying school
property
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
An
Athens woman is in jail on several charges after she destroyed some property at
Mount Olive Christian School.
AnnMarie
Booth Warren, 39, was charged with simple criminal damage to property with bond
set at $10,000, battery of a school teacher with bond set at $10,000 and
unlawful disruption of school with bond set at $10,000.
According
to Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, Detective Randy Smith and Deputy Randy
Pugh responded to a call from the school on Wednesday, May 9. He said when they
walked in, she was coming down the hall and they immediately took her into
custody.
“She
went down there and caused a ruckus,” Bailey said. “She went to the school to
talk with the administration about her son and an altercation ensued.”
The
sheriff said she’d done some damage to some of the school’s computers, cutting
lines to some of them, knocked over a television and VCR as well as a podium in
one of the classrooms. She reportedly got into a physical altercation with a
member of the school’s administration, he said.
Warren
is currently incarcerated at the Claiborne Parish Women’s Jail.
Account opened for accident victim
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
An
account has been opened at First Guaranty Bank to help the family of a
motorcycle accident victim.
Bryon
Burham, 30, of Homer, was involved in an accident with a vehicle on Dutchtown
Road and the Hwy. 79 truck bypass on the morning of Thursday, May 3. According
to Louisiana State Police, the driver of the other vehicle, Carolyn L. Allen,
52, of Homer, was cited for driving left of center. The accident happened when
Allen crossed the center line into the other lane of traffic, hitting him on
his motorcycle.
He
sustained severe injuries to his leg and fractured his back, his mother,
Charlene Burham, said.
“He’s
in a back brace because he has three fractured vertebrates,” she said.
According
to Mrs. Burham, Bryon has just gotten out of the intensive care unit at
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) in Shreveport, but
he’s not out of the woods yet. Since the day of the accident, he’s had five
surgeries to try and save his leg, which was shattered upon impact with the
other vehicle.
“Right
now, it’s still up in the air on keeping his leg,” she said.
Burham
and his wife have two children, a boy and a girl, both students at Homer
Elementary School. Due to health issues, his wife does not work, so right now,
the family has no income coming in. Burham is a mechanic/welder for the
Claiborne Parish Police Jury’s Highway Department, and was the sole provider
for the family.
And not
only have friends and family rallied around Burham, but his fellow highway
department employees have discussed donating some of their sick leave and
vacation time to Burham so that he can continue to get some form of a paycheck.
At
Wednesday’s police jury meeting, jurors approved employees doing this pending
the approval of the parish’s auditors.
According
to Secretary Treasurer Dwayne Woodard, the personnel policy was amended to
allow employees to make a one-time donation of their sick leave and/or vacation
time to a fellow employee in an emergency circumstance.
Woodard
said Burham had enough accrued vacation time that he will make at least the
next payroll period. However, with the severity of his injuries, Burham has a
long road of recovery ahead of him.
For
those who wish to donate to Burham and his family, go by First Guaranty Bank
and make a deposit into the account in his name.
Jubilee to feature artist Jasmine Morelock Field
Jasmine Morelock Field
Set for
Saturday, May 26, the Claiborne Jubilee will feature Jasmine Morelock Field as
the featured artist for the 2012 Claiborne Jubliee.
No
stranger to Claiborne Parish, Field was married to Max Morelock of Haynesville,
and the family often came to the area to visit family and friends.
At the
Jubilee she will be signing copies of her recently published book Valerie as
well as exhibiting her paintings.
Following
a retrospective one-man show in 2010, Jasmine started writing the life of her
daughter, Valerie. Valerie was the granddaughter of M. M.and Lalia Morelock of
Haynesville. Mr. Morelock was an attorney and Mrs. Morelock was known for her
generosity and hospitality. Valerie and her brother Maurice, a teacher of
chemistry at the Louisiana Math, Science, and Arts School in Natchitoches,
spent many happy days visiting their grandparents in this area.
This
book is honoring Valerie who was murdered at LSU her senior year. The book
entitled Valerie was printed and published locally in 2011 and is available in
area gift shops.
In the
book are Valerie’s writings in the form of diaries. While paintings are
included, the artist projects her philosophy of gratitude for the abundant life
of her daughter, the blessings God has bestowed during that life, and joy in
the knowledge that she lives. God gave His only Son who overcame death so that
we would not die but have everlasting life. Valerie was strong in her faith,
and she shared that in her life. Valerie’s friends often remark that she is
still a part of their lives today through their joy in remembering her.
Jasmine
Morelock Field was involved in the Arts from an early age. She was always
creating in drawing or painting. She began teaching at LSU as she received the
graduate fellowship award.
Always
creating and participating on a professional level, she still was engaged in
teaching young people in private and in groups from her home. She taught
portrait drawing at Bossier Parish Community College and led classes at the
Barnwell Center in watercolor.
After
teaching art for Southfield Private School, she returned to the classroom at
LSU-S and received a professional education degree and certification. With this
certification she started teaching for the Caddo Parish Schools. At the time
of the “cross-over,” she enjoyed two years at Eden Garden’s Junior High
followed with eight years at C.E. Byrd High School.
While
teaching, she continued to pursue her painting career and achieved many awards
on the local as well as national level. With two or more summers and one fall
term at the International Arts School of San Miguel Allende, she graduated with
the Masters of Fine Arts degree cum laude and had her thesis show in Mexico and
also at the Barnwell Garden and Art Center.
Her
paintings are represented in many public as well as private places. Her work
is described as multimedia and romantic with central interest in color both in
Representational and Abstract presentations.
For
more information on the Jubilee, contact Cynthia Steele at 927-2566 or .
