PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2003.
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, February 11, 2003, 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 Rev. Johnnie Brown 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, Mr. Ricky Raven, Rev. Johnnie Brown and Ms. Mary Campbell.
Mr. Fred T. Butcher, Director of Academic Affairs, presented the attendance Awards as follows:
1st Place Ridgecrest Elementary School
2nd Place Vidalia Upper Elementary
3rd Place Ferriday Lower Elementary
Ms. Lynda Cantu, Secretary to the Superintendent, read the following proclamation into the minutes:
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS,the children of our parish, state and nation are our most valued resource; and
WHEREAS,the Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance, the International Association for Truancy and Dropout Prevention, and School Social Workers are cognizant of the need for children to attend school regularly to develop educationally, emotionally, and socially; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Concordia Parish and Louisiana join with the teachers, administrators, and city and parish school officials in encouraging our students to attend school regularly.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Members of the Concordia Parish School Board, do hereby join with Governor M. J. “Mike” Foster, in proclaiming the week of February 1–14, 2003, as Attendance Awareness Week in the parish of Concordia, and encourage all schools to plan and develop activities to recognize the thousands of students that attend school regularly.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried to approve the proclamation.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried to approve the minutes of January 14, 2003.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried to approve invoices for the month of January in the amount of $4,708,299.
Mr. Jon Guice, Board Attorney, discussed a complaint relative to the School Board seat in Ward 4B. Mr. Guice commended the Board for having the discussion in open session. He explained that according to his research, the law is clear. Should a member leave a seat vacant, the Board appoints someone to fill the vacant seat for the remainder of the term. The issue of whether the seat should be declared vacant has to be determined. Mr. Guice informed the Board that he had been presented with a lot of information concerning this situation.
It was the legal opinion of Mr. Guice that the Board request a demographer to review the information and bring an opinion to the Board. It was Mr. Guice’s opinion that to do otherwise would be premature and imprudent.
Mr. Riley stated that his concerns were for the people of that district. He stated that he had proof provided by the Police Jury.
Mr. Guice recommended that anyone having information concerning the situation should provide it to the demographer.
Mr. Riley requested that the demographer appear at a special called meeting within the next ten (10) days. Mr. Guice stated that the demographer could be requested to complete the job within ten (10) days and appear at the next regular meeting.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Crofford, and carried. to add the item in question to the agenda.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to request a demographer to review the complaint relative to School Board Seat in Ward 4B and appear at the next regular scheduled meeting to render an opinion.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to approve the draft calendar for the 2003-04 school year. Dr. Peterman stated that the only change in the calender may be the days for early dismissal.
Mr. Rick Brown, Principal, Vidalia High School, appeared before the Board to discuss a volunteer coach for the baseball team.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Crofford for the Superintendent to approve the purchase of contract busses and bring the approved request to the Board. It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and approved that any bus purchased by existing contract driver shall first be approved by the Supervisor of Transportation.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve the transfer of James Cockerham to route vacated by Ronald Whittington.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve the appointment of America Dunbar to the route vacated by James Cockerham.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to grant permission for Raymond Campbell to purchase a route bus.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven to approve for America Dunbar to purchase a 66-72 passenger route bus ten (10) years old or less.
Ms. Campbell requested that a personnel item be added to the agenda. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Rev. Brown to add personnel items to the agenda.
It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve all personnel items as follows:
Resignation
Jeffery Ables, School Nurse, Special Education Center, effective February 4, 2002
Rodney Lloyd, Teacher/Coach, Ferriday High School, effective February 21, 2003
Rev. Brown expressed concerns over retaining coaches.
Mr. White expressed concerns over not having a turn lane in front of the School Board office. Although it has been discussed that the police jury has stated that a lane will be constructed by this summer, nothing has been placed in writing.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to adjourn at 6:18 p.m.
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Lester L. “Pete” Peterman, Superintendent Mike Grantham, President