PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 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, November 13, 2001, at five-thirty (5:30) o'clock p.m. The meeting was called to order by the Honorable Mike Grantham, President, who after prayer by Mr. Raymond Riley and the Pledge, declared 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, Mr. Raymond Riley, Mr. Lynn White, Rev. Johnnie Brown, and Ms. Mary Campbell.
Member absent was Mr. Ricky Raven.
Superintendent Peterman presented the Hydroelectric Citizenship Awards as follows:
Ferriday High School 9th Grade Lakeith Lewis
10th Grade Rosnick Myles
Vidalia High School 9th Grade Amber Diana Harrigill
10th Grade William Frederick Marsalis
Monterey High School 9th Grade Morgan White
10th Grade Ryan Perkins
Mr. Howard Jackson, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, presented the School Attendance Awards as follows:
First Place Ridgecrest School
Second Place Ferriday Upper Elementary
Third Place Vidalia Upper Elementary
Ms. Patty Bellis, Supervisor of Educational Support Programs, recognized Ms. Denice Foggo, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, for having received the Bell South Award.
Superintendent Peterman read the following proclamation into the minutes:
Proclamation
Whereas, Coach Dalton "Dee" Faircloth has led the Vidalia Vikings to over two-hundred victories in thirty-three years, going to the playoffs twenty-two of thirty-three times, and winning district ten times; and
Whereas, Coach Faircloth has coached forty athletes who were awarded college scholarships and two who signed professional football contracts; and
Whereas, Coach Faircloth's team was not scored on the entire 1973 season going thirty-seven consecutive quarters without being scored on; and
Whereas, Coach Faircloth has always been a role model for his athletes and classroom students both in school and out, on the field and off;
Now therefore, the Concordia Parish School Board does hereby proclaim Coach Dalton "Dee" Faircloth a shining example of professionalism and dedication to his students, his school and his community.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to approve the proclamation.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to enter into executive session.
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to return to regular session.
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of October 2, 2001, Regular Session.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to approve invoices for the month of October in the amount of $2,939,973.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to move item K - Ferriday Track Restoration to the top of the agenda.
Mr. Butcher reviewed the progress being made on the Ferriday Track. The Board was informed of track conditions and restorations required to make the track usable.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve the completion of the Ferriday Track restoration.
Lynda Cantu, Secretary to Superintendent/Personnel Coordinator, read the following Proclamation into the minutes:
Proclamation
Whereas, public schools are the backbone of our democracy, providing young people with the tools they need to maintain our nation's precious values of freedom, civility, and equality; and
Whereas, by equipping your Americans with both practical skills and broader intellectual abilities, schools give them hope for and access to, a productive future; and
Whereas, education employees - be they teachers or custodians, bus drivers or librarians - work tirelessly to serve our children and communities with care and professionalism; and
Whereas, schools are community linchpins, bringing together adults and children, educators and volunteers, business leaders and elected officials in a common enterprise;
Now therefore, the Concordia Parish School Board does hereby proclaim November 11-17 as the 80th annual observation of American Education Week.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to approve the proclamation for American Education Week.
Superintendent Peterman requested that items O - Commendation to Schools for Outstanding Test Scores and item C - School Performance Scores be combined. Superintendent Peterman informed the Board that all schools had met their target growth, no schools were in corrective action and all qualified for rewards. Ms. Mary Campbell read the following commendation into the minutes:
Commendation
Whereas, the State of Louisiana initiated an education accountability program entitled Reaching for Results, and
Whereas, the accountability program required all schools and students to attain prescribed educational standards, and
Whereas, the elementary and junior high schools of Concordia Parish have completed Cycle 1 of the accountability program, and
Whereas, each school reached or exceeded the growth target established by the Reaching for Results Program, and
Whereas, all schools were recognized for academic growth and are eligible for rewards from the state,
Now Therefore,
Be it Resolved that the Concordia Parish School Board commends the teachers, administrators, staffs, students, and parents for their efforts in attaining the goals of Cycle 1 of the Reaching for Results Accountability Program.
Now be it further
resolved that the Concordia Parish School Board pledges its support and expresses its confidence for continued academic growth and achievement of accountability goals established and targeted during Cycle 2.
Each Board Member was handed a transcript of the grievance hearing for Ms. Sue Ann Easterling along with the committee's recommendation for dispensation of the grievance. Superintendent Peterman read the recommendation into the minutes as follows:
On October 22, 2001, the Concordia Parish Grievance Committee met to review the grievance of Ms. Sue Ann Easterling. After consideration and discussion of the documentation at each step of the process, the committee unanimously found that the grievant failed to provide evidence that supported the points of her grievance and recommends that the grievance be denied.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried 7 to 1 with Rev. Brown voting no, to accept the recommendation of the grievance committee.
Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs, reviewed the Bond issue with the Board Members. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION BY THE Concordia Parish School Board (THE BORROWER) IN THE LOUISIANA LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (THE AUTHORITY) QUALIFIED ZONE ACADEMY BOND PROGRAM (THE PROGRAM); ESTABLISHING ONE OR MORE QUALIFIED ZONE ACADEMIES; ADOPTING ONE OR MORE COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION PLANS; AND AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING A LOAN FROM THE AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO THE PROGRAM AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority (the Authority) has established its Qualified Zone Academy Bond Program (the Program) to allow qualified public schools within the State of Louisiana (the State) to borrow monies for various projects authorized under the QZAB Regulations (as defined herein); and
WHEREAS, the Authority has established the Program to reduce the costs, burdens and complexities generally associated with Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) financing and to allow qualified public schools to access QZAB financing by borrowing from a loan pool rather by issuing individual bonds; and
WHEREAS, the Borrower has determined that (i) it has a need to finance the projects identified in Exhibit A attached hereto (the Projects); (ii) the costs of the Projects constitute qualified expenditures pursuant to the QZAB Regulations; and (iii) it desires to establish one or more Qualified Zone Academies as set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto (each an Academy and collectively the Academies) and it desires to adopt a Comprehensive Education Plan for each Academy as set forth in Exhibit C attached hereto (the Plan) in order to obtain QZAB financing for the Projects and to participate in the Program; and
WHEREAS, in connection with the Program, each of the Academies has received or will receive an allocation of the States zone academy bond limitation from the Department of Education of the State and the Borrower will borrow monies from the Program for use in each Academy pursuant to a Loan Agreement with the Authority (the Loan Agreement) and the Promissory Note delivered by the Borrower in connection therewith (the Note) for a period not to exceed fifteen (15) years at no (0%) interest; and
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby resolved by the Concordia Parish School Board, that:
SECTION 1. Each of the Projects shown in Exhibit A attached hereto and the expenditures in connection therewith are hereby approved with such changes, additions, or deletions as may be approved by the Borrowers Authorized Representative, and the Borrower hereby declares its intent to undertake the Projects.
SECTION 2. Each of the Academies shown in Exhibit B attached hereto is hereby designated as a Qualified Zone Academy pursuant to Section 1397E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the sections of the Regulations of the United States Department of the Treasury applicable thereto (the QZAB Regulations).
SECTION 3. The Plan for each Academy is hereby approved in substantially the form or substantially the terms as shown on Exhibit C attached hereto, with such changes, additions, or deletions as may be approved by the Borrowers Authorized Representative, and the Board hereby commits to use its best efforts to implement each Plan.
SECTION 4. The Borrower hereby declares its intent to borrow $ 650,000 (the Loan) from the Authority for the purpose of completing the Project pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Loan Agreement, the Note, the Standby Security Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, and the Tax Regulatory Agreement (each as defined herein, and collectively referred to herein as the Borrowers Financing Documents). The Loan shall be repaid from Lawfully Available Funds (as defined in the Loan Agreement), and shall be for a term not exceeding fifteen (15) years at 0% interest.
SECTION 5. The State of Louisiana Qualified Zone Academy Bonds Program Application (the Application) is hereby approved in substantially the form and on substantially the terms shown in Exhibit D, with such changes, additions, or deletions as may be approved by the Borrowers Authorized Representative.
SECTION 6. The Loan Agreement is hereby approved in substantially the form and on substantially the terms shown in Exhibit E attached hereto, with such changes, additions, or deletions as may be approved by the Borrowers Authorized Representative.
SECTION 7. The Note is hereby approved in substantially the form and on substantially the terms shown in Exhibit F attached hereto, with such changes, additions or deletions as may be approved by the Borrowers Authorized Representative.
SECTION 8. The Standby Security Agreement (the Standby Security Agreement) is hereby approved in substantially the form and on substantially the terms shown on Exhibit G attached hereto, with such changes, additions or deletions as may be approved by the Borrowers Authorized Representative.
SECTION 9. The Contribution Agreement (the Contribution Agreement) is hereby approved in substantially the form and on substantially the terms shown on Exhibit H attached hereto, with such changes, additions or deletions as may be approved by the Borrowers Authorized Representative.
SECTION 10. The Tax Regulatory Agreement (the Tax Regulatory Agreement) is hereby approved in substantially the form and on substantially the terms shown in Exhibit I attached hereto, with such changes, additions or deletions as may be approved by the Borrowers Authorized Representative.
SECTION 11. The Board hereby designates Thomas H. O'Neal as the Borrowers Authorized Representative for purposes of this Resolution. The Borrowers Authorized Representative is hereby authorized and directed, for and on behalf of and in the name of the Borrower, to do any and all things necessary to effectuate and to implement this Resolution, including without limitation (i) to execute and deliver the Borrowers Financing Documents; (ii) to arrange for publication of this Resolution as may be required by law; (iii) to accept any qualified contributions from any qualified contributor, (iv) to execute and deliver any and all other agreements, documents or certificates necessary to implement the transactions contemplated herein; and (v) to approve any changes, additions or deletions in any of the Borrowers Financing Documents and other agreements, documents, or certificate referred to or contemplated by this Resolution.
SECTION 12. If any provision, item or application of this Resolution or the applications thereof are held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications; and, to this end, the provisions of this Resolution are hereby declared severable.
SECTION 13. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
SECTION 14. All Resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
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It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried unanimously to take items F, G, H, and I as one.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to approve the second reading of Policy JCDB - Dress Code, EBDA - Energy Conservation Management, GBM - Transfer and JBCB - Admission of Non-resident Students.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve to advertise for bids for purchase of convection steamer and gas convection oven(s) for School Food Service.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to readvertise for the school nurse position.
Superintendent Peterman recommended that Donnie Ray Lewis be appointed to the position of Janitor, Ferriday Junior High School. It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to approve the recommendation.
Rev. Brown recommended to the Board that a Salary Schedule Review Committee be formed to look at salary schedules for all departments. It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously to form a committee to review salary schedules.
It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried unanimously to add an item to the personnel section of the agenda.
It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the following personnel items in global.
Resignations
W. D. Harris, Teacher, Vidalia High School, effective October 26, 2001
Debra Ellis, School Nurse, effective October 1, 2001
Retirement
Patsy Smith, Auditor, Sales Tax, effective August 29, 2001
Leave (Request to convert sick leave to professional leave)
Paul Nelson, Assistant Principal, Vidalia Junior High School, effective January 15 - February 26, 2001
Transfer
Velma Fortune, Sweeper, Ferriday Education Center, from 2.5 hour to 5 hour, effective November 14, 2001
Dianne Shannon, 6 hour Janitor, Vidalia High School, to 6 hour Janitor/2 hour Office Assistant, Vidalia High School, effective November 14, 2001
Appointment
Stephanie Washington, Child Specific Aide, Ferriday Upper Elementary, effective November 1, 2001
Sherika Taylor, Teacher Assistant, Ferriday Lower Elementary, effective November 14, 2001.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Crofford to add an item concerning changing two policies. The motion was withdrawn.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:05 p.m.
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Lester L. "Pete" Peterman, Superintendent Mike Grantham, President