PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JULY 2, 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, July 2, 2002, at five-thirty  (5:30) o’clock p.m.  The meeting was called to order by Mr. Mike Grantham, 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. Lynn White, Mr. Ricky Raven, Mr. Don Joseph, Ms. Martha Rabb, Mr. Raymond Riley, Ms. Mary Campbell and Mr. Mike Grantham.

Member absent was Rev. Johnnie Brown.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried to approve the minutes of June 4, 2002.

Rev. Brown arrived at 5:35 p.m.

Ms. Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented the May financial report to the Board.  It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried to approve invoices in the amount of $2,471,083.

Superintendent Peterman requested that the Board add the following items to the agenda:

1.         The Board may enter into executive session to discuss that matter styled “Charles Eric Hawley v. Cedric Tennessee and Concordia Parish School Board,” bearing docket No. 34,346 of the records of Division “A,” Seventh Judicial District Court, Parish of Concordia.

2.         Request permission to advertise for exterminating services.

3.         Request permission to administer the Tensas Parish Adult Education Program for a period of one year.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. White and approved to add the items to the regular agenda.

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to allow Mr. James Cockerham, Union Representative, to address the Board prior to the Executive Session.

Mr. Cockerham requested that the Board make a decision to resolve the question as to what is legally due to the bus drivers.  Mr. Cockerham stated that he had met with the legislative auditor in Baton Rouge who informed him that nothing precludes the payment of the funds back to 1986.  He also stated that he was assured that there would be no repercussions if the funds were paid back to 1986.  Mr. Cockerham was asked  if the legislative auditor had placed anything to this effect in writing.  Mr. Cockerham responded that nothing had been put in writing.

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to enter into Executive Session at 6:40 p.m.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to return to regular session at 7:20 p.m.

Mr. Grantham called upon Mr. Jon Guice, legal council, who requested that the Board grant him authority to settle the Hawley vs Tennessee case pursuant to the authority discussed in Executive Session. It was moved by Ms. Rabb, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to grant Mr. Guice the authority to settle the case.

Mr. Guice explained that he had reviewed the facts in the bus driver compensation issue in some detail.  He explained that as a public body the Board had to guard the taxpayers money and only pay the debts which they are legally obligated to pay.  He informed the group that in Executive Session the suggestion was made that the Board ask the court for a declaratory judgement on the matter. He explained that the parties in dispute come before the judge and ask for guidance from the court in resolving the dispute.  Mr. Guice expressed that he felt that a legitimate dispute existed.  A declaratory judgement would allow the court to assist the Board in paying what is legally owed.  He asked for a motion to this effect.  It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and Ms. Rabb to allow legal counsel to seek a declaratory judgement from the court in the bus driver compensation issue.

Superintendent Peterman explained to the Board that communication from the State Department of Education indicated that the supplemental MFP money would be refunded to the local district in three (3) payments.  He requested that the Board approve a plan to pay to employees 1/3 of the original $1,000 proposed upon receipt of the funds.  The money would be paid in the amount of $333.33 to all presently employed full time employees hired prior to October 1, 2001, and $166.67 to all presently employed part time employees hired prior to October 1, 2001.

This proposal is to include a similar amount each year the money is received from the state.

Superintendent Peterman also recommended that the Board approve to advertise for bids for parking lot overlay for Ferriday Upper Elementary, Ferriday Junior High School, Monterey High School, Vidalia Lower Elementary and Vidalia High School.  It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried to approve the Superintendent's request.

Superintendent Peterman assured the Board that the funds would be distributed to the employees as soon as possible upon receipt of the funds from the State Department of Education.

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to approve the following summer school supplemental salary schedule.

                                                      Remediation Summer School

Principal                       $2,000 FJH, FUE, VJH (6 weeks)       $6,000

Assistant Principal         $500 FJH, FUE, VJH (2 weeks)          $1,500

Custodian                     3 @ $75/week x 6 weeks                     $1,350

Janitor                          3 @ $60/week x 6 weeks                     $1,080

                                                             REA Summer School

Principal                       $1,000 FLE (4 weeks)                      $4,000

Assistant Principal         $400 FLE (2 weeks)                            $800

Custodian                     1 @ $60/week x 4 weeks                     $240

Janitor                          1 @ $50/week x 4 weeks                     $200

Secretary                      1 @$75/week x 2 weeks                      $150

Superintendent Peterman informed the Board that Mr. Butcher had agreed to remain at Ferriday High School for one additional year as acting principal.  It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Ms. Rabb and Mr. Riley to approve Mr. Butcher as acting principal of Ferriday High for the 2002-03 school term.

Superintendent Peterman recommended Ms. Delores Thomas as Guidance Counselor for Ferriday Junior High School.  It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation.

Superintendent Peterman recommended Mr. Randall Temple as Sales Tax Collector.  It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried 7 to 2, with Ms. Campbell and Mr. Riley voting no, to approve the Superintendent's recommendation.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve the following recommendations for the School Administrators Development Academy.            

Superintendent Peterman recommended that the position of Administrative Assistant at Vidalia Upper Elementary School be filled on a temporary, one year basis.  He recommended Ms. Phyllis Cage to fill this position.  It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation. 

Mr. White requested that the committee look into the possibility of appointees to these positions being certified.  Ms. Rabb informed Mr. White that she served on the committee and would make note of this request.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve an hourly increase from $15.00 per hour to $18.00 per hour to ESS Consulting Services.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve the second reading of the Cheerleader Policy addendum.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried to approve to advertise for bids for parking lot overlay for Ferriday Upper Elementary, Ferriday Junior High, Monterey High School, Vidalia Lower and Vidalia High School pending receipt of the supplemental MFP funds from the state.

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve the first reading of the following policies:

Coaches Job Description

IDDG - Alternative Schools Educational Program

IDG - Adult Education

GAMFC - Health Examinations

GAMG - Dangerous Weapons

FAMD - Working Conditions

EB - Building and Grounds Management

FAMA - Employee Tobacco Use

GBRA - Employee Conduct

DJED - Bids and Quotations

IKDC - Prayer in Schools

JBA - Compulsory Attendance ages

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve to advertise for bids for School Food Service exterminating services

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve permission for Concordia Parish to administer the Adult Education Program for Tensas Parish for one year.  The administration of this program is not to affect the Concordia Parish Budget.

Superintendent Peterman requested that Mr. Irvin meet with the bus drivers to determine the succession for the vacant routes and make one recommendation to the Board. 

It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve all personnel items as follows.

            Retirements

            Carl Ray Thompson, Sr., School Bus Operator, effective May 28, 2002

            Barbara Rutland, Guidance Counselor, Ferriday Junior High School, effective June 14, 2002

            Resignations

            Phyllis Spillers, Teacher, Vidalia Upper Elementary, effective June 19, 2002

Celia Easton, Speech Language Coordinator/Pathologist, FEC, effective June 11, 2002

            Albert Hughes, Teacher, Adult Education, effective June 28, 2002

            Appointments

            Jennifer Adams, Teacher, Vidalia High School, effective August 16, 2002

            Virginia Moffett, Teacher, Ridgecrest School, effective August 16, 2002

            Joel Guyer, School Psychologist, FEC, effective August 5, 2002

            Transfers

            Mary Blankenship, Teacher, Family Independence, to Teacher, Regular Adult Education Program, Ferriday High School effective July 1, 2002

            LaRuth Davis, Teacher, VHS, to Teacher, VJHS, effective August 16, 2002

            Willis Lee, School Bus Operator, to fill vacant route in Clayton Area

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to grant Mr. Irvin authority to contact the bus drivers concerning the vacant route and make one recommendation to the Board.

Superintendent Peterman read a prepared statement to the Board.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Ms. Rabb and Mr. Riley to adjourn at 8:05 p.m.

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