PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2002.

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 9, 2002, 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. 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, and Rev. Johnnie Brown

Members absent were Ms. Mary Campbell (jury duty) and Mr. Ricky Raven (offshore).

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to move Item G Request to Appear - Glen Daniels to the top of the agenda. 

Mr. Butcher, Director of Academic Affairs, and Superintendent Peterman presented the Citizenship Awards as follows:

Ferriday Lower Elementary      

1^st Grade          Stephoneikka Green     2^nd Grade         Richard Jefferson       

Vidalia Lower Elementary

1^st Grade          Dantrell Lashawn Saul  2^nd Grade         Laurin Elizabeth Cavin   

Monterey High School

1^st Grade          Shana LaPrairie           2^nd Grade         Reed Burley   

Ridgecrest School

1^st Grade          Jason Robinson           2^nd Grade         Gregory Robinson

Mr. Howard Jackson, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, presented the school attendance awards as follows:

1^st Place           Ridgecrest School         96.7%

2^nd Place          Vidalia Junior               95.7%

3^rd Place           Ferriday Upper           95.5%

4^th Place           Monterey High           95.5%

Mr. Glen Daniels from the Concordia Parish Cooperative Extension Service introduced Dr. John Barnette.  Dr. Barnette reviewed the LSU Ag. Center Research and Extension Programs with the Board.  He assured the Board of the commitment from LES Ag Center to Concordia Parish.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to enter into Executive Session at 5:45 p.m.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to return from Executive Session at 5:50 p.m.

Ms. Mary Campbell arrived at 5:50 p.m.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried to approve the minutes of March 12, 2002.

Ms. Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented the financial report for the month of March 2002.  It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to approve invoices in the amount of $2,521,740.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. White and carried unanimously to move Item F - Review Draft Expulsion Policy.

Mr. Howard Jackson reviewed the draft of Policy JDE - Expulsion for the Board members.  There were questions concerning the SAT team conditions.  It was requested that the statement concerning the SAT team be removed.                      

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried 7 - 1 with Mr. Riley voting no, to approve the policy as amended.

Superintendent Peterman requested that an item concerning a suspension be added to the personnel section of the agenda.  It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to approve the item.

Mr. Joe Brocato, Archetect, explained to the Board that the bid documents were delayed in his office.  He explained that the documents were being prepared and that the Board should be able to set the bid date at the next meeting.  Superintendent Peterman expressed disappointment in the length of the time frame.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to grant permission to advertise for bids after review of the plans and specs by the Building and Grounds Committee.

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to open bids for three portable buildings.

The bids for the portable buildings were as follows:

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to award the building to the highest bidder.  Should the high bidder reject the building the bid would then go to the next highest bidder.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph to approve the second reading of the 2002-03 school calendar.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to approve the Summer Food Service Program.

Superintendent Peterman presented a PowerPoint presentation to the Board concerning the Expenditure Plan for the release of Level II MFP Funds as follows:

Expenditure Plan For Release of Level II MFP Funds

Under 2001-02 MFP Formula

14 Parishes cut a total of approximately $11 million

Concordia Parish School System lost $1.58 million

Priorities

Established by School Board Committees

1.         Employee supplement increase

2.         Parking lot overlays

3.         Accelerated roofing projects

4.         School improvement allotments      

5.         Renovations at FJH Annex and VUE

6.         Stage Curtains

Priorities

Employee Supplement Increase

Current Supplement Schedule

December        $400

January            $400/200

May                 $500

March              Goal

June                 $1,000

Total cost of supplements for employees hired before October 1 - $600,000

Parking Lot Overlays - 2 year plan

Each year: $300,000

Summer 2002

FUE/FJH - Parking lots and bus lane

VLE - Entire lot

VHS - Entire lot

MHS - Lot in front of new building

RES -   Entire lot and drive

Projected for 2002-03

VJH - Entire lot

FHS - Entire lot

MHS - Remainder of front lot

FLE - Existing lot

Accelerated Roofing Schedule

VLE main building

VJH dressing rooms

VHS dressing rooms

Scheduled for 2002-03

FHS Annex and Band Hall

FJH Annex

VHS Gym

VJH Gym

FHS First Floor

Total Cost - $400,000

School Improvement Allotments

School plans for special projects at $25 per pupil - Total Cost $100,000

Renovations at FJH Annex and VUE

FJH: Renovation of storage building into two (2) classrooms

VUE: Interior and exterior building renovations

Total cost - $75,000

Stage Curtains

FHS, FJHS, MHS, VJH, VHS, VUE

Total Cost - $75,000

Total Cost for 2001-02: $1,550,000

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Crofford to grant the Superintendent authority to modify the plan as needed depending on if and how the money is distributed.

It was moved by Rev. Brown seconded by Mr. Riley and carried 6 to 2 with Mr. Joseph and Mr. Crofford voting no, to table the recommendation for Sales Tax Collector Position until next month and fill the position temporarily until a decision can be reached.

Ms. Josephine Webster appeared before the Board to request the use of the Vidalia Junior High School for a tutorial program.  Ms. Webster was questioned as to whether the principal agreed with the proposal.  She responded that she could not say that he did.  There was general discussion concerning the opening and closing of the school, time and access problems and access to buildings and classrooms.  There were concerns over the organization circumventing the Principal and the Superintendent in this matter.  Mr. Butcher requested permission to meet with everyone concerned within the next ten days.  The issue was tabled.

Rev. Brown requested a review of the policy for hiring personnel from within the system.  He stated that he was under the impression that this had already been done.  Rev. Brown stated that people from within the system should be allowed to move up within the organization. Rev. Brown made the motion that the personnel committee be allowed to make recommendations relative to the issue of hiring personnel. There was discussion concerning the hiring of personnel.

Superintendent Peterman requested a five (5) minute recess.

The motion made by Rev. Brown was tabled.

It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried unanimously to approve all agenda personnel items.  They are as follows:

Retirements

Earnestine Watts, Teacher, FJHS, effective May 29, 2002

Jerry Cook, Teacher, FJHS, effective May 29, 2002

Kathleen Dalrymple, Teacher, MHS, effective May 26, 2002

Patricia Delaune, Teacher, VHS, effective June 1, 2002

Brenda Wallace, Librarian, VLES, effective May 31, 2002

Linda Knight, Teacher, RES, effective May 28, 2002

Katherine Calhoun, Teacher, VUES, effective May 29, 2002

Resignations

Stephanie Burnette, Teacher Assistant, FLES, effective March 8, 2002

Mary Granger, Teacher, FUES, effective May 29, 2002

Appointments

Rachel Breithaupt, Speech Therapist, Ferriday Education Center, effective August 16, 2002

Nicole Fuller, Teacher, VUES, effective for remainder of 2001-2002 school year

Tara Harper, Teacher, MHS, effective August 16, 2002

Edward R. Green, Teacher, VHS, effective August 16, 2002

Kathy Guyer, Teacher, VUES, Effective August 16, 2002

Superintendent Peterman recommended that Bettie Green, SFS Technician, Ferriday High School be suspended without pay for the period of April 10, through April 16, 2002.  It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to approve the Superintendent=s recommendation.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:15 p.m.

Lester L. “Pete” Peterman, Superintendent                    Mike Grantham, President