PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2001.
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, April 10, 2001, 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 Mr. Raymond Riley and the Pledge, that the Board was ready for the transaction of business.
Members present were Mr. Mike Grantham, Mr. Darrell Crofford, Mr. Don Joseph, Ms. Martha Rabb, Rev. Johnnie Brown, Mr. Raymond Riley, Mr. Ricky Raven and Ms. Mary Campbell.
Member absent was Mr. Lynn White.
Superintendent Peterman presented the Sidney Murray Hydroelectric Citizenship Awards as follows:
Ferriday Lower Elementary 1st Grade Melaina Jackson
2nd Grade DeAira Smith
Vidalia Lower Elementary 1st Grade Taylor Burkett
2nd Grade Katelyn Cooley
Monterey High School 1st Grade Brett Wright
2nd Grade Taylor Morace
Ridgecrest School 1st Grade Michael Nelson
2nd Grade Lauren Hedrick
Mr. Howard Jackson, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, presented the attendance awards to the schools with the highest attendance in February and March. The winners were as follows:
February March
1st Place Ridgecrest School 1st Place Ridgecrest School
Ferriday Upper Elementary Vidalia Upper Elementary
2nd Place Vidalia Upper Elementary 2nd Place Monterey High School
3rd Place Monterey High School 3rd Place Ferriday Upper Elem.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of Tuesday, March 6, 2001.
Ms. Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented the financial report for the month of March. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried to approve invoices in the amount of 2,112,071.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to execute the lease of Ferriday Kindergarten Center.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to do a feasibility study on the street extension at Ferriday Lower Elementary School.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve the Application for the Summer Food Service Program for Children.
Superintendent Peterman explained to the Board that a movement was underway for state appointed tax collectors. He explained that local control would be lost. Superintendent Peterman read the Resolution as follows:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Louisiana grants local political subdivisions the right to levy and collect local Sales and Use Taxes; and
WHEREAS, Sales and Use Tax revenues for the public education system in the Parish of Concordia represented 73% of all local tax revenues collected for the previous fiscal period; and
WHEREAS, local oversight and administration for the collection of such taxes are the best means to protect our most important revenue source; and
WHEREAS, the public education system for the Parish of Concordia does not believe that it is their best interest to be dependent on state agencies to manage this critical function; and
WHEREAS, there is a current bill being offered proposing to have the State of Louisiana and its Department of Revenue collect local Sales and Use Taxes.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and members of the Concordia Parish School Board urge and request every member of the Parish Legislative delegation to vigorously support the local administration and collection of its Sales and Use Taxes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution will be sent to the Concordia Parish Legislative delegation so that they will be made aware of our position on this very important matter.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the resolution.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the first reading of Policy IDBB - Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug and Substance Abuse Education Program.
It was moved by Mr Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the request to take applications for the local Administrator Development Program.
Superintendent Peterman read a letter from Mr. Herb Bassett, Band Director, VHS/VJHS, requesting the Board to release him from the sabbatical leave obligations.
Ms. Campbell made the following recommendation from the personnel committee:
The Concordia Parish School Board would approve to release Mr. Bassett under the following conditions:
Mr. Bassett complete the leave.
Mr. Bassett provide documentation that he has been hired by another system in Louisiana.
Mr. Bassett notify the Superintendent no later than June 1, 2001 of his intentions.
Mr. Bassett repay all local funds received during the sabbatical leave.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to accept the Personnel Committee's recommendation.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to accept the recommendation of Energy to appoint Mr. Paul Nelson to the position of Energy Educator.
It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried to approve Ms. Rabb's request to move the Executive Session between Items H and I on the agenda.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to enter into Executive Session at 6:15 p.m.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to return to Regular Session at 7:35 p.m.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried to consider appointments of Business Department/Sales Tax Positions. The motion failed 5 to 3. The roll call vote was as follows:
Rev. Johnnie Brown NO
Ms. Mary Campbell NO
Mr. Darrell Crofford YES
Mr. Don Joseph YES
Ms. Martha Rabb NO
Mr. Ricky Raven NO
Mr. Raymond Riley, Sr. NO
Mr. Ernest Lynn White ABSENT
Mr. Mike Grantham YES
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to accept the Personnel Committee's recommendation to approve the Personnel items in global as follows.
PERSONNEL
Retirements
Alice Morgan, SFS Technician, VJHS, effective May 30, 2001
Hugh Burts, Teacher, VHS, effective March 31, 2001
Resignation
Burt Matheny, Band Director, VHS/VJHS, effective March 20, 2001
Edna White, SFS Technician, VLES, effective March 26, 2001
Extended Leave
Patricia Irvin, Teacher, RES, effective March 20, 2001 through May 4, 2001
Appointments
Eliza Cage, 5 hour/10 month Janitor, RES, effective March 5, 2001
James Smitherman, Band Director, VHS/VJHS, effective March 26, 2001
Change of Appointment Date
Joe Thomas, 8hr./9mo. Janitor, FHS, from February 1, 2001 to March 1, 2001
It was announced that there would be a special meeting of the Board on April 17, 2001.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.
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Dr. Lester L. Peterman, Superintendent Mr. Mike Grantham, Board President