January 3, 2000

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 2000

The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in regular session at the Concordia Parish School Board Office, in Vidalia, Louisiana, on Monday, January 3, 2000, at five-thirty (5:30) o’clock p.m. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Ricky Raven,Vice-President, who declared that the Board, after prayer by Superintendent Peterman, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, was ready for the transaction of business.

Members present were Mr. Ricky Raven, Mr. Lynn White, Mr. Don Joseph, Rev. Johnnie Brown, Mrs. Mary Campbell, Mrs. Martha Rabb, Mr. Eddie Coleman, and Mr. Darrell Crofford.

Member absent was Mr. Mike Grantham.

The meeting was opened with nominations for Year 2000 officers.

It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Rev. Brown to nominate Mrs. Mary Campbell for Board President.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph to leave the officers as they are currently with Mike Grantham as President and Ricky Raven as Vice President.

It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Rabb to close the nominations.

On the motion to elect Mrs. Campbell as Board President, the motion failed 5-3. The roll call vote was as follows:

Rev Johnnie Brown YES

Mrs. Mary Campbell YES

Mr. Eddie Coleman YES

Mr. Darrell Crofford NO

Mr. Donald Joseph NO

Mrs. Martha Rabb NO

Mr. Ricky Raven NO

Mr. Ernest Lynn White NO

Mr. Mike Grantham ABSENT

On the motion to leave the officers as they are currently with Mike Grantham as President and Ricky Raven as Vice President, the motion passed 5-3. The roll call vote was as follows:

Rev. Johnnie Brown NO

Mrs. Mary Campbell NO

Mr. Eddie Coleman NO

Mr. Darrell Crofford YES

Mr. Donald Joseph YES

Mrs. Martha Rabb YES

Mr. Ricky Raven YES

Mr. Ernest Lynn White YES

Mr. Mike Grantham ABSENT

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph to postpone the committee appointments, the motion passed 5-3. The roll call vote was as follows:

Rev. Johnnie Brown NO

Mrs. Mary Campbell NO

Mr. Eddie Coleman NO

Mr. Darrell Crofford YES

Mr. Donald Joseph YES

Mrs. Martha Rabb YES

Mr. Ricky Raven YES

Mr. Ernest Lynn White YES

Mr. Mike Grantham ABSENT

Superintendent Peterman presented the Sydney A. Murray Hydroelectric Citizenship Awards for the month of January. They are as follows:

Jessica Johnson Ferriday Junior High School 6th Grade

Devin Guillot Vidalia Junior High School 6th Grade

Matthew Shively Monterey High School 6th Grade

Caroline Burks Ridgecrest Elementary 6th Grade

It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. White and carried unanimously to allow Mr. Coleman to add an update of the top three graduates from Vidalia High School.

Mr. Coleman informed the assembly that all three graduates were doing very well in college.

Superintendent Peterman announced that each year in January, the Board celebrates Family Night at the Board. Each Board Member and the Superintendent introduced family members who were present and photos were made.

Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented the invoices and financial report for the month of December, 1999. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to approve invoices in the amount of $1,762,056.

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mrs. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of December 7, 1999.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mrs. Campbell and carried unanimously to enter into Executive Session at 6:05 p.m.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to return to Regular Session at 7:10 p.m.

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to approve the Board Meeting dates for year 2000 as follows:

January 3, 2000---Regular Meeting

February 1, 2000---Regular Meeting

March 7, 2000---Regular Meeting

April 4, 2000---Regular Meeting

May 2, 2000---Regular Meeting

June 6, 2000----Regular Meeting

July 11, 2000---Regular Meeting

August 1, 2000---Regular Meeting

September 12, 2000---Regular Meeting

September 12, 2000---Public Hearing for FY 2001 Budget

October 3, 2000---Regular Meeting

November 7, 2000---Regular Meeting

December 5, 2000---Regular Meeting

It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. White and carried unanimously to add an item to the agenda concerning committee meetings.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. White and carried to add an item to the agenda concerning Board Member’s salaries.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Crofford to leave the salaries as they are currently set. The motion failed 5-3. The roll call vote was as follows:

Rev. Johnnie Brown NO

Mrs. Mary Campbell NO

Mr. Eddie Coleman NO

Mr. Darrell Crofford YES

Mr. Donald Joseph YES

Mrs. Martha Rabb NO

Mr. Ricky Raven NO

Mr. Ernest Lynn White YES

Mr. Mike Grantham ABSENT

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mrs. Campbell and carried unanimously to declare a special meeting for the discussion of Board Salaries at 5:00 p.m. on February 1, 2000, and authorizing Mr. O’Neal to advertise this meeting as the law requires.

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the second reading of the following policies:

Policy IDCA - Summer Session

Policy GAK - Personnel Records

Policy DJED - Bids and Quotations

Policy DJE - Purchasing

Policy CEC - Recruitment of Superintendent

Policy BH - School Board Ethics

Policy IDBB - Alcohol, Drug and Substance Abuse Education Program

Mr. Julius Huhn, Federal Program Director, introduced fellow District Assistance Team Members, Mr. Richard Alwood, Ms. Beatrice Williams, Ms. Mary Tarver, Ms. Lula Grayson, Ms. Celia Easton, Ms. Frances Lee, and Mr. Kenneth Jenkins.

Ms. Mary Tarver and Mr. Richard Alwood provided the Board with a synopsis of the team’s report and recommendations for the Ferriday Lower Elementary School and Ferriday Upper Elementary School. A written report was provided.

Mr. Kenneth Jenkins, Distinguished Educator, presented to the Board an overview of the Distinguished Educator’s program in Louisiana, including the Distinguished Educator’s role, specific duties and training.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried unanimously to hear item G.1. along with items D. and E.

There was a discussion concerning certified, qualified teachers, union involvement in helping to secure teachers and the promotion of the teaching profession.

Mr. Lloyd Paul, Guidance Counselor, VHS, updated the Board on financial aide available for students. Mr. Paul provided handouts concerning the TOPS program in Louisiana.

There was a discussion on establishing a policy dealing with teachers who leave the system. The matter was referred to the Board Attorney, Mr. Norman Magee.

Mr. H. L. Irvin, Supervisor of Support Services, presented the recommendations of the Building and Grounds Committee concerning the use of parish-owned busses. Mr. Irvin provided the Board with the recommended following schedule for the use of parish owned busses and newly hired drivers.

Parish Owned Busses

First day - no charge - deduct operational allowance; driver furnishes gas

Second day - $25.00 charge - deduct operational allowance; driver furnishes gas

Third day - $55.00 charge - deduct operational allowance; driver furnishes gas

Newly Hired Drivers

1. Drive for sub pay until their bus has been purchased

2. The School Board will lease a bus for their use if necessary

3. Maximum time for newly hired driver to have his bus accepted, certified, and inspected for route use is fifteen (15) days

4. Re-advertise for route if newly hired driver does not obtain the bus within fifteen (15) days

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve the recommendations of the Building and Grounds Committee concerning parish owned busses and newly hired drivers effective immediately.

Mr. Irvin provided the Board with an Attorney General’s opinion concerning school bus driver physicals.

If a school board required yearly physicals as a condition of employment for its school bus drivers, it must pay the cost of those physicals. Op. Atty. Gen. No. 90-171, May 4, 1990

School board is required to pay the cost of medical examination for temporary and substitute bus drivers. Op. Atty. Gen. No. 87-722, Jan. 19, 1988

Mr. Irvin informed the Board that arrangements have been made with a local physician to provide the physicals. Should a driver use another physician, the driver must pay the difference in the cost of the physical.

It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve the payment of physicals for school bus operators and substitute school bus operators.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford and seconded by Mrs. Campbell to allow Louisiana Central Bank to erect a sign at Vidalia High School based on the documentation provided to the Buildings and Grounds Committee by Mr. Cliff Merrett. The motion passed 5-3. The roll call vote was as follows:

Rev. Johnnie Brown YES

Mrs. Mary Campbell YES

Mr. Eddie Coleman YES

Mr. Darrell Crofford YES

Mr. Donald Joseph NO

Mrs. Martha Rabb NO

Mr. Ricky Raven YES

Mr. Ernest Lynn White NO

Mr. Mike Grantham ABSENT

Mr. Irvin distributed a cost analysis for extra support services rendered during the Ferriday water crisis August 23, 1999, through December 17, 1999.

School Food Service (5) schools) plates and eating utensils $4,771.20

Cups @ $50.00 per day 4,000.00

Ice @ $33.00 per day 2,640.00

26 coolers @ $26.50 each 689.00

Truck delivery expense @ $5.00 per day 400.00

27 rolls duct tape @ $3.60 per roll every 3 days 97.20

Maintenance daily pay ($71.68) x 64 days 5,748.80

1 hour daily @ 1.5 x $8.96 = $13.44 x 64 days 1,075.20

1 extra 6 yd. dumpster FLE @ $66.77 x 4 months 243.08

Total $19,664.48

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. White and carried unanimously to approve the job description for Secretary to Superintendent/Personnel Coordinator.

Superintendent Peterman requested to add a personnel item to the agenda. It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to add the item to the agenda.

Superintendent Peterman recommended that Lynda Prince, Office Assistant, FHS, be suspended without pay pending a scheduled conference to be effective immediately. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation.

Mrs. Campbell requested that personnel items for Janie Broadnax and Bernadette Young be added to the appropriate section of the personnel items. It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to add the two personnel items.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to approve the following personnel items.

Resignations

Edwin White, Teacher, FHS, effective January 11, 2000

Branton Lewis, Teacher, FJHS, effective January 11, 2000

Telina Book, Teacher, FKC, effective January 11, 2000

Lucia Welch, Teacher, FLES, effective January 10, 2000

Return From Sabbatical

Darla Johnston, Teacher VUES, effective January 11, 2000

Karen Nelson, Teacher, FUES, effective January 11, 2000

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the following personnel items.

Transfers

Rose Roberts, Teacher, FJHS to VJHS, effective January 11, 2000

Arijo Green, Alternative Center Coordinator, to Adult Education Coordinator, CPCF, effective January 11, 2000

Sue Calkins, Teacher, VUES, to Teacher FJHS, effective January 11, 2000

Becky Brown, Teacher Assistant, FLES, to Teacher Assistant, FJHS, effective January 11, 2000, second semester only

Albert Hughes, Adult Education Teacher, CPCF, to Adult Education Instructor, Shelby Jackson Tech. College, effective January 11, 2000

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. White to approve the transfer of LaDonnie Bowman. The vote was 4-4; therefore, the motion failed. Roll call vote is as follows.

Rev. Johnnie Brown YES

Mrs. Mary Campbell NO

Mr. Eddie Coleman YES

Mr. Darrell Crofford YES

Mr. Don Joseph NO

Mrs. Martha Rabb NO

Mr. Ricky Raven NO

Mr. Lynn White YES

Mr. Mike Grantham ABSENT

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried unanimously to approve the following personnel items.

Sabbatical Leave

Bernadette Young, Teacher, MHS, January 11, 2000, through May 23, 2000

Appointments

Gregory Watkins, Teacher, FJHS, effective January 11, 2000

Derrick White, Teacher, FHS, effective January 11, 2000

Amber Passman, Teacher, FKC, effective January 11, 2000

Dorothy Parker, Interim Principal, FJHS, effective January 11, 2000, through March 31, 2000

Henry Murphy, Adminsitrative Assistant, FJHS, effective January 11, 2000

Jennine Wilson, Instructional Facilitator, FUES/FJHS, effective January 11, 2000

Christine Roberts, Teacher, VUES, effective January 11, 2000

Derinda Smith, Teacher, VJHS, effective January 11, 2000

Rodney Lloyd, Teacher, FHS, effective January 11, 2000

Extended Sick Leave

Hugh Burts, Teacher, VHS, from December 11, 1999 through January 2, 2000

Bettye Sigust, Teacher, FUES, effective January 3, through January 7, 2000

Janie Broadnax, Teacher, FJHS, effective January 10, 2000, through January 21, 2000

Maternity Leave

Tonya Anderson, Teacher, RES, from January 10, through February 21, 2000

Glynda Richard, Teacher, MHS, from January 17, through February 28, 2000

Military Leave

Wilton Nolan, School Psychologist, FEC, effective December 16 & 17, 1999

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. White and carried unanimously to adjourn at 9:45 p.m.

_____________________________ _________

Lester L. Peterman, Superintendent Mike Grantham, President