PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 2, 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 Tuesday, May 2, 2000, at five-thirty (5:30) o’clock p.m. The meeting was called to order by the Honorable Mike Grantham, President, who declared after prayer by Superintendent Peterman and the Pledge, that the Board was ready for the transaction of business.
Members present were the Honorable Mike Grantham, Mr. Don Joseph, Mrs. Mary Campbell, Mr. Warren Brown, Rev. Johnnie Brown and Mrs. Martha Rabb.
Members absent were Mr. Ricky Raven, Mr. Darrell Crofford and Mr. Lynn White.
Superintendent Peterman presented the Hydroelectric Citizenship Awards for April 2000. They were as follows:
Ferriday Kindergarten Center Pre-K Kyla Cage
Kindergarten Lauriel Bowman
Vidalia Lower Pre-School Quintina Hawkins
Pre-K Isabella Johnson
Kindergarten Holly Hutchins
Monterey School Pre-K Dustin Romans
Kindergarten Brooklyn Graves
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mrs. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of Tuesday, April 4, 2000.
Ms. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented the financial report for the month of April. It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Warren Brown and carried unanimously to approve invoices in the amount of $1,697,409.
Mr. Lynn White arrived at 6:40 p.m.
Mr. Grantham announced that an Executive Session was not required.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Warren Brown and carried unanimously to adopt the new school calendar and ratify the closure of school on May 3, 2000.
Mr. David Rainey, Southwestern Educational Development Laboratory/Southeast Comprehensive Assistance Center, presented a brief overview of services provided by the Southeast Comprehensive Assistance Center. Dr. Larry McNeil, Consultant, Educational Management International, presented a brief presentation concerning the development of a Strategic Plan.
Mr. Kenneth Jenkins, Distinguished Educator, presented a lengthy report to the Board concerning recommendations for school improvement for Ferriday Lower Elementary School and Ferriday Upper Elementary School. These recommendations, substantiated earlier in the school year by the recommendations of the local District Assistance Teams, included the following.
• Ensure Quality Staffing of the Ferriday Lower and Upper Elementary Schools by
Providing for a full-time Assistant Principal for both schools
Providing for a guidance counselor for each school, and by
Providing certified teachers for all classes
• Revise the assessment Strategies used at each school by
Providing the pre-assessments in math as well as in reading,
Reducing the time spent testing by using more informal assessment, and
Providing district-wide periodic skills-based assessments for low achievers
• Revisit the district Pupil Progression Policy and
Use the criteria of a student’s ability to read and compute for placement decisions
• Provide for writing across the curriculum by
Developing an across the curriculum writing component to the language arts curriculum
• Strengthen professional staff development accountability by
Providing for cohesiveness within the faculties through the development of the teaming concept with both faculties
Providing for socio-economic awareness training for principals and teachers
Raising the level of accountability for training received by teachers and administrators by establishing strong follow-up activities after all professional development workshops
• Provide assistance for at risk students by
Establishing transition classes for low achievers
Establishing aggressive tutorial programs for students at-risk of failure
• Provide for a music and arts program at both schools to
Promote cultural enrichment through music by
Providing for an itinerant music/art teacher
Superintendent Peterman informed the Board that there were no changes recommended in the current uniform policy.
Mr. Tom O’Neal presented an update on the Ferriday High School Gymnasium. It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to authorize Mr. Irvin to provide the electrical work and Mr. O’Neal to prepare the bid specifications.
Superintendent Peterman informed the Board that the REA Grant had been approved by the State Department of Education. This grant is for the implementation of a summer school program for Kindergarten through third grade. Superintendent Peterman explained that there were two positions associated with the grant. These positions were part-time project coordinators for Ferriday Lower and Ferriday Upper Elementary. It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the project and job descriptions for the REA grant.
Superintendent Peterman explained to the Board that the Tech-Prep Cooperative program was being moved to Ferriday. The part-time School-to-Work Vocational Coordinator would be taking over the responsibilities of the Carl Perkins Program. It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried to approve the position of part-time School-to-Work Vocational Coordinator.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Brown and carried unanimously to give Principals, Mr. Huhn and Mr. Butcher authority to interview and appoint applicants for Summer School positions.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the first reading of policy IDE - Extra Curricular Eligibility.
Superintendent Peterman requested that an item be added to the Agenda. It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. White and carried unanimously to add a Proclamation for Teacher Appreciation Day to the Agenda.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Brown and carried to approve the following Proclamation.
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the future of our communities, our state, and our nation rests in the hands of our teachers who are called upon to meet challenges daily in helping all students, regardless of ability level, to reach their full potential; and
WHEREAS, teachers play a crucial role in the development of our children, and the success of the educational process is dependent upon the classroom and the relationship which exists between the teacher and the student; and
WHEREAS, the economic and social well-being of our communities depends on the skills and knowledge teachers provide their students day in and day out, in spite of low pay and the ever-growing number of responsibilities they are asked to assume; and
WHEREAS, Concordia Parish School Board recognizes the vital contributions by teachers in Concordia Parish, who exhibit a high degree of expertise, knowledge, dedication and love for our children in our classrooms every day of the school year; now
THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the week of May 7 through May 13, 2000, will be celebrated as Teacher Appreciation Week in the Concordia Parish School System, and the Concordia Parish School Board requests that parents and citizens join in expressing their appreciation for the contributions of our teachers.
Mrs. Campbell recommended that the personnel items be taken and approved in global. It was moved by Mrs. Rabb, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously that the personnel items be approved.
Rev. Brown requested, for the record, that steps be taken to be sure none of the resignations were tended under duress.
Superintendent Peterman informed the Board that the position of Secretary at the Ferriday Junior High School would be advertised the following month. He also requested that the position be filled prior to June 6, 2000.
It was moved by Mr. Brown, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:20 p.m.
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Lester L. Peterman, Superintendent Mike Grantham, President