PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 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, March 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.
Superintendent Peterman announced to the Board that the attendance awards would be presented at the regular April meeting.
Superintendent Peterman read the following proclamation into the minutes:
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnnie G. “Red” Robertson, Jr., served this country as an active member of the United States Navy; and,
WHEREAS,Mr. Robertson served the youth of Concordia Parish as Teacher/Coach, Principal, Supervisor of Federal Programs and Director of Concordia Parish Vo-Tech; and,
WHEREAS,Mr. Robertson provided valuable services to his community by serving as Summer Recreational Director and Director of the Board for Riverland Medical Center, assisting in the organization of Dixie Youth Baseball League, actively participating in both the Ferriday First Baptist Church and the Kiwanis Club; and,
WHEREAS,Mr. Robertson brought pride to the community by achieving four state football championships and having fifty-four games without a loss; and,
WHEREAS,Mr. Robertson has received both state and national recognition by his induction into the Northwestern State Hall of Fame, Louisiana High School Hall of Fame, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame as well as being awarded the Amateur Football Award from the National Football and College Hall of Fame; now,
THEREFORE,the Concordia Parish School Board does proclaim their gratitude and sincere appreciation to Mr. Johnnie G. “Red” Robertson, Jr., for his untiring service and commitment to the schools and communities of Concordia Parish, and furthermore, that the original of this Proclamation be presented to Mr. Johnnie G. “Red” Robertson, Jr.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve the proclamation. Several people present spoke of Mr. Robertson’s impact on their lives and careers.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve the minutes of February 11, 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 $2,853,987.
Superintendent Peterman requested that the Board add two (2) personnel items to the agenda. It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to approve the superintendent’s request.
Mr. Russell Wagoner, Secretary, Concordia Parish Police Jury, presented a proposal for moving polling places into schools as follows:
Vidalia Fire Station to Vidalia Junior High School
Concordia Community Center to Ridgecrest Elementary School
Kindergarten Center to Ferriday Junior High School
Ferriday Police Station to Ferriday High School
Mr. Wagoner explained to the Board the problems currently being experienced with the current polling places which prompted this request. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven to take the request under advisement for further discussion. After further discussion, Mr. Crofford amended his motion to give the Building and Grounds Committee the authority to review the request and make a decision. The amended motion was seconded by Mr. Raven and carried.
A meeting was arranged for the Building and Grounds Committee members, Mr. Russell Wagoner, Mr. Clyde R. Webber and school principals on Tuesday, March 18, 2003, at 10:00 a.m.
Mr. Oliver Shultz, Parish Demographer, reported to the Board that it was his opinion that the structure located at 508 Biglane Drive is located in District 3 not in District 4. He explained that the maps were incorrect and that the address is in District 3 by legal description. He further explained that precinct 4-3 is in District 3 and that they carry the old connotation which is not correct. He stated that this was historical. He further stated that the precinct maps were incorrect on the location of some roads. He stated that it was not his position to give an opinion on residency. He was giving an opinion on a structure only.
Attorneys spoke concerning the question of residency. Board members were advised to consider all criteria prior to declaring a seat vacant. The Board was advised that the appropriate place to make the determination of residency was the district court. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph to allow the District Attorney and the district court to determine where Mr. Grantham lives.
Rev. Brown stated that he did not want to abdicate his responsibility as a Board member if the law stated that the Board should declare the seat vacant, this is the way it should go. Mr. Philip Letard, Attorney, stated that this was a question of domicile not residence. He further stated that if the Board could determine Mr. Grantham’s domicile, they had the authority to do so.
A roll call vote was called on the motion. The vote was as follows:
Rev. Johnnie Brown NO
Ms. Mary Campbell NO
Mr. Darrell Crofford YES
Mr. Donald Joseph YES
Ms. Martha Rabb YES
Mr. Ricky Raven YES
Mr. Raymond Riley, Sr. NO
Mr. Lynn White YES
Mr. Mike Grantham ABSTAIN
Mr. Oliver Schultz reviewed the reapportionment map and the changes involved. He explained that there was a major change involving District 3 and the biggest change was in District 4.
Mr. Grantham called for a recess in order for members to review the map. It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to return to session.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried to allow Board members to take the map provided for review and return at a special meeting on March 18, 2003, 5:30 p.m. to discuss the issue.
It was moved by Ms. Rabb, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried to approve the 2003-2004 school calendar.
Superintendent Peterman informed the Board that inquires had been made by teachers interested in retiring, deferring their retirement for one year and continuing to work. He requested that the Board allow him to appoint a committee to review the policy for retired teachers and return an opinion to the Board. The committee was to be composed of the following personnel:
Ms. Martha Rabb Board Member
Mr. Donald Joseph Board Member
Ms. Mary Campbell Board Member
Ms. Gloria Dangerfield Assistant Business Director
Ms Lynda Cantu Sec. to Superintendent/Personnel Coordinator
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve the Superintendent’s request.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to approve the lease extension and deferral of payment on surface lease, section 16, T7N, R8E.
Superintendent Peterman explained to the Board the new requirements for Paraprofessionals under the No Child Left Behind legislation. Mr. Grantham read the following recommendations for paraprofessional qualifications into the record.
1. Effective January 8, 2002, the No Child Left Behind legislation requires that all currently employed para-professionals including teacher assistants, child specific aides, vocational aides, clerical aides and parent center managers must meet the qualifications established under the No Child Left Behind act and as adopted by Louisiana State Department of Education by the year 2006.
2. Effective January 8, 2002, all new hired para-professionals must meet the qualifications established under the No Child Left Behind act and as adopted by Louisiana State Department of Education.
3. The Concordia Parish School Board may, through federal and other programs, provide assistance to para-professionals in meeting the certification requirements. Eligibility to receive assistance will be determined by guidelines established by the Superintendent. In order to be eligible, individuals must have been employed prior to January 8, 2002.
4. Para-professionals are responsible for developing and implementing a certification plan.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven to adopt the requirements for paraprofessionals.
Mr. Grantham read the following resolution into the minutes:
To provide for a turning lane into the Concordia Parish School Board Central Administrative Offices for the safety of employees and visitors.
WHEREAS, the Concordia Parish School Board Central Administrative Office Building houses approximately 35 employees, and
WHEREAS, the Concordia Parish School Board Central Administrative Office Building must be readily accessible to the 600 employees of the Concordia Parish School System; and
WHEREAS, Board meetings, teacher meetings and other public meetings are held at the Central Office location requiring large numbers of people to attempt to gain access to the facility at the same time, and,
WHEREAS, parish owned school busses are housed at the Central Administrative Office Building and an accident involving one of these busses has already occurred, and
WHEREAS, the lack of a turning lane presents a potentially dangerous situation for students, parents, employees and community members, now then,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Concordia Parish School Board urges and requests the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the Louisiana Legislature to review the possibility of providing an adequate turning lane to ensure safe access to and from the Concordia Parish School Board Central Administrative Office Building located at 4358 Highway 84 West, Vidalia, LA.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Rev. Brown and Ms. Rabb and carried to adopt the resolution.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve the change of job description from Bookkeeper, Instructional/America 2000 to Bookkeeper/Coordinator of Grants/Special Projects and this position be placed on the Bookkeeper II salary schedule.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to add the addendum for Family and Medical Leave to the personnel section of the agenda.
It was recommended by Ms. Campbell that the board approve all personnel items in global. It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve Ms. Campbell’s recommendation.
Personnel Items
Addendum
Family and Medical Leave
Wilbur Washington, School bus Operator, effective Febvruary 4, 2003
Linda Netherland, School Bus Operator, effective February 12, 2002
For a period not to exceed twelve (12) weeks. Approval dependent upon presentation of physician’s statement.
Conversion of Sick Leave to Personal Leave
Carol Holmes, Teacher, VJHS, effective August 15, 2003, through August 28, 2003
Military Leave
Wilton Nolan, School Psychologist, effective March 7, 2003
Medical Leave
Demicu Bates, Paraprofessional, RES, effective January 29, through February 28, 2003
Resignations
Karen Parnham, Librarian, VLES, effective June 1, 2003
Mary Trottier, Teacher, VHS, effective May 31, 2003
Retirements
Dorothy Sutton, Teacher, VJHS, effective May 29, 2003
Carol Holmes, Teacher, VJHS, effective August 29, 2003
Freda Jenkins, Sec./Bookkeeper, Sp. Ed., effective April 1, 2003
Sheron Green, Paraprofessional, MHS, effective May 29, 2003
Gary Parnham, Principal, VLES, effective June 30, 2003
Josephine Cottingham, Teacher, FLES, effective May 29, 2003
Louise Cooley, Teacher, VJHS, effective May 29, 2003
Betty Taylor, SFS Manager, FLES, effective May 29, 2003
Leola Harris, Teacher, RES, effective May 29, 2003
Linda Spinks, Assistant Principal, FLES, effective June 11, 2003
Rose Walter, Teacher, FLES, effective June 1, 2003
Marie Potts, Assistant Principal, FHS, effective July 1, 2003
Alma Johnson, Teacher, VHS, effective May 29, 2003
Superintendent Peterman requested that the Board allow him to advertise for the principal’s position vacated by Mr. Gary Parnham. It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to allow Superintendent Peterman to advertise for the position and bring a recommendation to the Board when he is ready.
There was discussion on the progress of the Band Room at Vidalia Junior High School.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to adjourn at 7:15 p.m.
__________________________________ ____________________________
Lester L. “Pete” Peterman, Superintendent Mike Grantham, President