PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 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, April 8, 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. Lynn White arrived at 5:45 p.m.

Ms. Neeva Sibley, Principal, Monterey School, presented The Achievement Awards to Monterey School students.

Mr. Butcher, Director of Academic Affairs, presented the Attendance Awards in Mr. Howard Jackson’s absence.  They were as follows:

            1st        Ridgecrest Elementary  95.7%

            2nd      Vidalia Upper               95.6%

            3rd       Ferriday Upper             94.7%

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven to approve the minutes of March 11, 2003 and March 18, 2003.

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Rev. Brown to amend the minutes to read that when asked of his residency, Mr. Grantham refused to answer.  The motion to amend failed 6 to 3 with Ms. Campbell, Rev. Brown and Mr. Riley voting in favor of the motion.

The original motion to approve the minutes of March 11, 2003 and March 18, 2003, carried 6 to 3 with Ms. Campbell, Rev. Brown and Mr. Riley voting against the motion.

Ms. Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented invoices in the amount of 2,269,796 for the month of March.  It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve invoices in the amount of $2,269,796.

Superintendent requested that the Board hear Item VI, A, out of order and add two personnel items to the Personnel section of the agenda.  It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to hear the item out of order and add two personnel items to the agenda.

Mr. Glen Daniels, Concordia Extension Service, introduced the new 4-H agent for the parish, Ms. Shevawn James.  Mr. Daniels informed the Board that the program was so successful in Concordia Parish that the parish was fortunate enough to have two agents.  He also informed the Board that there may be some federal dollars for mosquito abatement.

Superintendent Peterman requested that the Board add item concerning summer school drivers education to the agenda.  It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to add the item.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried to enter into Executive Session. 

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to return to Regular Session.

It was announced that the administrative change at Vidalia Lower Elementary was discussed in Executive Session.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried to have the Building and Grounds Committee to review the Lease Proclamation from the Ferriday Town Council concerning the exchange of Ferriday Kindergarten Center and Ferriday Education Center.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried. to move Item C - Parish Reapportionment Plan to the end of the discussion portion of the agenda.

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

            IDDH - Limited English Proficiency Program

            IFD - Parental Involvement in Education

            IFDA - Parental Rights/Students Rights of Privacy

            JBC - School Admission

            JBCBB - Homeless Students

            JHC - Student Organizations

            JQL - Language Minority Students

            JR - Student Records

            LDDB - Relations with Armed Forces/Military Agencies

Mr. O’Neal reviewed the lease on Section 16, T1N, R8E.  It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Crofford and Ms. Rabb to extend the lease to December 31, 2003.

Rev. Brown asked that the Curriculum Committee look into the feasibility of offering Agriculture classes. 

Rev. Brown reported that the item concerning the Alternative Center Population Increase had been taken care of by the Superintendent.

Dr. Peterman reviewed the process used in the selection of the principal for Vidalia Lower Elementary.  Dr. Peterman then recommended Dr. Paul Nelson to fill the vacant position.  It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried 6 to 3 with Rev. Brown, Ms. Campbell and Mr. Riley voting against the recommendation. 

Dr. Peterman reviewed the process used in the selection of the secretary for Special Populations. He then recommended Ms. Brenda Roberts to fill the vacant position.  It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried 6 to 2 with Ms. Campbell and Rev. Brown voting against the recommendation and Mr. Riley not casting a vote.

Mr. Butcher reviewed the increasing cost of gasoline and maintenance of the Drivers Education cars.  He requested the Board’s permission to increase the fee from $150 to $200 for drivers education.  It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph to increase the fee for drivers education to $200.

Mr. Oliver Schultz reviewed the Reapportionment Plan and the changes involved.  Mr. Schultz informed the Board that a response this month would be best.  He also informed the Board that the contacts would be the minority members of the Board.  Rev. Brown stated that he felt the Board should allow the Police Jury to make the decision for the parish.  The question was asked if the Police Jury plan was correct.  Mr. Schultz informed the Board that the State was currently reviewing the plan. 

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Ms. Campbell and Mr. Riley and carried to accept the Police Jury Plan contingent upon corrections from the state.

Ms. Campbell announced that the Personnel Committee had met and recommended that the following personnel items be approved in global.  It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve all personnel items.

PERSONNEL

Extended Sick Leave

            Patricia Washington, Teacher, FHS, effective first semester 2003-04

Maternity Leave

            Vonnie White, Teacher, RES, effective March 31 - May 30, 2003

Resignations

            Willie Mae Spurs, SFS Technician, FHS, effective March 18, 2003

            Robin Morgan, Teacher, Ferriday Upper, effective May 30, 2003

            Raymond Campbell, Contract School Bus Operator, effective April 7, 2003

            Ricky Anderson, Janitor, FUES, effective March 31, 2003

Retirements

            Fred Marsalis, Principal, VJHS, effective June 30, 2003

            Patricia Carnette, Teacher, FHS, effective May 30, 2003

Appointments

            Joyce Ivory, Teacher, FHS, effective February 25, 2003

            Sargent Thompson, ROTC, 12 month instructor, effective May 5, 2003

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and Ms. Rabb to adjourn.