PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 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, June 4, 2002, at five-thirty (5:30) o’clock p.m. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Raymond Riley, Vice-President, who after prayer by Dr. Peterman and the Pledge, declared that the Board was ready for the transaction of business.
A roll call revealed the following members present: Mr. Darrell Crofford, Mr. Don Joseph, Ms. Martha Rabb, Mr. Raymond Riley, Ms. Mary Campbell and Rev. Johnnie Brown.
Member absent was Mr. Mike Grantham.
Mr. Howard Jackson, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance presented the Attendance Awards as follows:
1st Place Vidalia Lower Elementary 94.5%
2nd Place Ferriday High School 94.1%
3rd Place Vidalia Junior High School 93.2%
The following students were recognized for achievement at the State Literary Rally. All students were from Monterey High School.
Ryan Perkins Superior Boy’s High Voice Solo
Superior Mixed Quartet
1st Place Algebra II
Adam Philley Superior Boys Low Voice Solo
Superior Mixed Quartet
Jessica Wiley Superior Girls High Voice Solo
Superior Mixed Quartet
Danielle Cannon Superior Mixed Quartet
Lindsey Strebeck 3rd Advanced Mathematics II
Mary Byrne 5th Introduction to Business
Jake Welch 5th Physics
Tom Tiffee 4th Agriculture III
Morgan White 3rd Keyboarding/Typewriting
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve the Minutes of May 7, 2002, with the following correction reflecting a no vote by Rev. Brown.
Ms Mary Tarver reviewed the application for Special Education. There was discussion and questions concerning positions and salaries. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried four to three with Mr. Riley, Rev. Brown and Ms. Campbell voting no, to approve the Special Education Application.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve invoices in the amount of $2,588,993 for the month of May.
Superintendent Peterman announced that he had hoped to have information concerning the bus drivers, but the Board had not yet received this information from Dan Kyle’s office. He stated that in this light, there would be no need for an Executive Session. There was general discussion concerning the repayment of funds to the school bus drivers.
Mr. Julius Huhn, Director of Federal Programs, reviewed the Consolidated Federal Programs Application with the Board. There were general questions concerning the application which Mr. Huhn addressed. Mr. Huhn reviewed changes in the law effecting teaching staff and para-professionals. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried 7 to 1 with Rev. Brown abstaining to approve the Consolidated Federal Programs Application.
Ms. Mary Tarver, Supervisor of Special Education, explained the Special Education Program Assessment to the Board. This assessment would be performed by an outside consultant. It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to approve the Assessment of the Special Education Program.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve the relocation of the Special Education offices to the old Sales Tax building located on John Dale Drive.
Mr. Butcher reviewed the school uniform policy. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve the school uniform policy.
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to set the date for a Special Meeting for the purpose of opening bids for the roof on Ferriday Lower Elementary School and Monterey School as well as approving the FY 2001-2002 Consolidated Budget Revision. The date would be set for Tuesday, June 25, 2002, at 5:30 p.m.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve a summer energy saving program. This would involve closing the schools during the time the principals are not present in order to help eliminate air conditioning costs. Teachers would have access to the building during these times with the principal's permission.
Ms. Leinda Peterman reviewed the School Renovation and Technology Grant proposal with Board members. The priority areas identified included roofing and upgrade of computers at Vidalia Junior High School. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. White and carried to approve the School Renovation and Technology Grant.
Superintendent Peterman reviewed the process used for the selection of a candidate for principal at Vidalia Upper Elementary School. Superintendent Peterman recommended Mr. Paul Nelson for the position. It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. White to accept the Superintendent's recommendation. The roll call vote was as follows:
Rev. Johnnie Brown Yes
Ms. Mary Campbell No
Mr. Darrell Crofford No
Mr. Donald Joseph No
Ms. Martha Rabb No
Mr. Ricky Raven No
Mr. Raymond Riley, Sr. No
Mr. Ernest Lynn White Yes
Mr. Mike Grantham Absent
Motion failed 6-2.
Superintendent Peterman then recommended Ms. Darla Johnston for the position of Principal, Vidalia Upper Elementary School. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve the Superintendent's recommendation.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve a special education teacher assistant position at the Alternative School.
Mr. Butcher, Director of Academics, reviewed the job description for coaches. There were questions concerning the requirement for coaches to become certified to drive a bus. It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to table the issue until the July meeting.
Mr. Butcher reviewed the Cheerleader/Danceline Rules and Regulations for the Board members. He explained that the policy concerning grades was already in place and this would establish uniformity parish wide. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve the first reading of the Cheerleader/Danceline Rules and Regulations.
At the request of Rev. Brown, Mr. H. L. Irvin, Supervisor of Support Services, reviewed Summer Maintenance Request Lists from schools. Board members were advised how summer maintenance priorities are established and work completed.
At the request of Rev. Brown, there was a discussion concerning playground equipment for Ferriday Upper Elementary School.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve a request to appear by Ms. Cindy Dillon. Ms. Dillon explained that she was representing eight parish students who were in need of promotional summer school. Ms. Dillon requested that the Board accept the summer school provided in Natchez, Mississippi. Mr. Butcher informed the Board that it was not a matter for the Board to decide. He explained that Adams County must apply to the State of Louisiana for approval. The State Department of Education would provide the Concordia Parish School System with a statement of approval. Ms. Dillon was assured that staff members would assist in the application process.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Crofford that the following addendum be added to the personnel section of the agenda.
Appointments
Cindy Peace, Teacher, Vidalia Upper Elementary, effective August 16, 2002
Michelle Ray, Teacher, Vidalia Upper Elementary, effective August 16, 2002
Eva Hall, Teacher, Ferriday Junior High School, effective August 16, 2002
Diane Baroni, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary, effective August 16, 2002
Transfers
Donna Woodruff, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary, to Teacher, Monterey School, effective August 16, 2002
Addilene Cannon, Teacher, Ridgecrest School, to Teacher Vidalia Lower Elementary, effective August 16, 2002
It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Raven to approve all personnel items including the addendum as follows.
Conversion of Sick Leave to Personal Leave
Sarah Brashier, Teacher, Vidalia Lower, effective August 19, 2002, through October 6, 2002
Arijo Green, Teacher, Adult Education, effective September 2, 2002, through January 7, 2003
Retirements
Arijo Green, Teacher, Adult Education, effective January 8, 2003
Resignations
Brenda Carter, Teacher Assistant, Ferriday Lower Elementary, effective April 15, 2002
Gaye Taunton, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, effective May 28, 2002
Cathy Smith, Teacher, Ferriday Lower Elementary, effective May 30, 2002
Denice Foggo, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High, effective, May 29, 2002
Appointments
Debra Powell, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary, effective August 16, 2002
Superintendent Peterman congratulated Mr. Dyer, Principal, Vidalia Upper Elementary School, on his retirement.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. White and carried to adjourn at 7:40 p.m.
Lester L. “Pete” Peterman, Superintendent Mike Grantham, President