PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 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, September 10, 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, Rev. Johnnie Brown, Mr. Ricky Raven, Mr. Don Joseph, Ms. Martha Rabb, Mr. Raymond Riley, Ms. Mary Campbell, Mr. Lynn White and Mr. Mike Grantham.

Superintendent Peterman presented the awards for the Teacher of the Year program as follows:

School Level Winners                                       Parish Level Winners

Laura Elliot - Ridgecrest School                        Bobbie Hinson - Elementary Grades

Bobbie Hinson - Ferriday Lower Elem.             Stacy Allen - Junior High Grades

            Angel White - Ferriday Junior High

            Stacy Allen - Vidalia Junior High

Superintendent Peterman announced that the parish winners would receive a check for $100 and a day of leave.

Mr. Hymon presented certificates and pins to staff members who completed Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training.

It was moved by Ms. Rabb, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of August 6, 2002.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to approve invoices in the amount of $1,508,043 for the month of August.

Superintendent Peterman informed the Board that further study needed to be completed prior to initiating an attendance incentive pay plan.  He requested that the Board grant the authority to appoint a committee to complete this study.  It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to grant the superintendent authority to appoint a committee to study the attendance incentive pay plan.

It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Rev. Brown and approved unanimously to approve the revised School Administrator Development Program Guidelines.

Superintendent Peterman apprised the Board on the status of the Vidalia Junior High School Band Room project.  The Superintendent requested that the Board grant him the authority to seek quotes on steel and erect the building.  It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve the Superintendent’s request.

Superintendent Peterman informed the Board that there are three buildings currently located in the area of the Band Room.  Two of the buildings belong to the Title I program and one of the buildings is a wooden structure.  It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried to advertise for bids on two portable buildings to be sold “as is - where is” with the responsibility upon the bidder to move the building. 

Superintendent Peterman informed the Board that the wooden structure building would require special movers.  The cost of moving the building would exceed the value of the building.  There was lengthy discussion and debate concerning the disposal of the building presently located on the campus. 

It was moved by Mr. Joseph to advertise for removal of the building.  If no bids are received, the building will be demolished.  The motion died for lack of a second.

It was moved by Ms. Campbell and seconded by Rev. Brown for the Building and Grounds committee, along with the President, to look at the building and make a decision concerning the disposal of the building and bring this back to the Board at the next regular meeting.  The roll call vote was as follows: 

Mr. Donald Joseph                   No       Rev. Johnnie Brown                  Yes     

Mr. Darrell Crofford                 No       Ms. Mary Campbell                 Yes

Ms. Martha Rabb                     No       Mr. Ricky Raven                      Yes

Mr. Lynn White                        No       Mr. Raymond Riley                  Abstain

Mr. Mike Grantham                  No

The motion failed 5 to 3 with Mr. Raven, Mrs. Campbell and Rev. Brown voting in favor of the motion and Mr. Riley abstaining.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford and seconded by Mr. Joseph to demolish and dispose of the building.  Further discussion followed concerning the destruction of the building.  Mr. Crofford amended his motion as follows:

The School Board will take bids on the building with all bids being considered.  Should no bids be received, the building will be demolished. The motion passed 6-3 with Ms. Campbell, Rev. Brown and Mr. Riley voting no.

Superintendent Peterman reviewed the Green Thumb Program with the Board.  This program allows persons 55 years old and older to be employed.  The program would cost the Board approximately $200 per person employed.  The employee would be paid through the Green Thumb Program and would serve in capacities such as teacher assistants, janitors and school food service workers.  It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. White and carried unanimously to approve the Green Thumb program.

Mr. O’Neal addressed the Board concerning positions in the Sales Tax Department.  Mr. O’Neal requested that the Board approve the hiring of one bookkeeper and one collector.  Mr. O’Neal explained that an auditor would be trained from existing staff members.  It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried to advertise for a bookkeeper and a collector for the Sales Tax Department.

Mr. Julius Huhn, Federal Program Director, reviewed the Special Education Transition Program positions with Board Members.  Mr. Huhn explained the certification of those persons who will be employed by the program.  Mr. Huhn explained that VTI certification did not require a college degree.  VTI certification requires experience in the trades area.  There was lengthy discussion and debate concerning the positions, who would fill these positions, and salaries for the positions.  It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. White and carried 6-3 with Ms. Campbell, Rev. Brown and Mr. Riley voting no, to approve the Special Education Transition Program positions, job descriptions and salary schedule.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve the appointment of a special education teacher to coordinate IEP’s and supervise the students.  The position will be for nine months for one year only. 

Mr. Richard Alwood, Supervisor, informed the Board of the Insurance Committee’s request to change insurance carriers for disability coverage from Beneficial Insurance to UnumProvidnet Insurance.  It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried to approve the insurance committee’s request to change insurance carriers.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to approve to advertise for bids for a used bus for Special Education. 

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Joseph to approve the first reading of the addition to Policy IDCH - Home Study Programs as follows:

            All home school students must be approved by the Louisiana State Department of Education.

            The School Board may supply textbooks to home school students who have been approved by the State Department of Education.  A deposit in the amount of the full cost of each textbook plus a non-refundable $25 rental fee must be paid at the tie of receipt of the textbooks.  No refunds will be made for lost or damaged textbooks.

            Textbooks should be issued from the school of the student’s assigned attendance zone for no longer than the length of the current school term.  Principals may require periodic inspection of the textbooks.  Workbooks and supplementary materials are not provided by the Board.  These materials should be secured from the state textbook depository or directly from the publisher.

            The School Board is not responsible for administering any test, evaluation or other assessment which is not part of the state testing program.   Home school Students may participate in the mandated state testing program.  A $35 testing fee will be charged for each test.  Test administration will take place during the regular test schedule at the school site of the student’s attendance zone.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to approve the second reading of Policy GAME - Employee Substance Abuse with the noted changes on page 3 of 14 of the policy.

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to call a special meeting on Thursday, September 26, 2002, at 5:30 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing the 2003 FY consolidated budget and the levy of 2002 property tax.

Superintendent Peterman updated the Board on the status of the Educational Excellence Fund.  He requested that the Board grant him the authority to look at withdrawing the money.  The Board was informed that a plan would have to be written for the use of the funds.  It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to approve the Superintendent’s request.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to add an addendum to the personnel section of the agenda.

It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve all personnel items in global.

Resignations

Dorothy Mulvihill, Teacher Assistant, VLES, effective August 16, 2002

Edward Bruster, Teacher, FAC, effective June 2, 2002

Gladys Price, School Nurse, FEC, effective June 2, 2002

Mary Vining, Teacher Assistant, RES, effective September 6, 2002

Retirements

Dorothy Richardson, SFS Technician, VUES, effective August 30, 2002

Medical Leaves

Eula Minor, Teacher, VUES, effective first semester 2002-03 school year

Ella Knight, Teacher, FLES, effective August 26 through October 1, 2002

Wilbur Washington, School Bus Operator, effective first semester 2002-03 school year

Transfers

Tina Glasper, SFS Technician, from FJHS to FUES, effective August 19, 2002

Jennie Perkins, SFS Technician, from VUES to VHS, effective August 19, 2002

Vernell Taylor, Teacher, from FLES to FAC, effective August 16, 2002

Idella Banks, Sweeper, from 2.5 hour/9 mo. VUES to 2.5 hr. 9 mo. VUES/5 hr. 12 mo. CAO

Appointments

Gertrude Carter, Teacher, FLES, effective August 16, 2002

Sondra Brown, Teacher Assistant, VLES, effective August 19, 2002

Quatina Proby, Teacher, FAC, effective August 16, 2002

Amelia Bolin, Teacher Assistant, VLES, effective August 19, 2002

Wendy Maples, SFS Technician, FJHS, effective August 19, 2002

Maxime Le’Vesque, Teacher, RES/MHS, effective August 16, 2002

Triand McCoy, Assistant Coach, VHS, effective, July 26, 2002

Nicole Fuller, Teacher, VUES, effective August 16, 2002

Robert Ellis, Janitor, VJHS, effective September 11, 2002

Joyce Minor, SFS Technician, FUES effective August 19, 2002

Tangela Johnson, Teacher Assistant, RES, effective September 9, 2002           

Ms. Madeline Gibbs addressed the Board to announce her candidicy for Judge in Division A.  Ms. Gibbs assured to Board that she would willingly work with the Concordia Parish School Board if elected to the position.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried to adjourn at 7:05 p.m.

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