PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 13, 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, May 13, 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 Superintendent Peterman 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 recognized the winners of the annual Quiz Bowl event.  They are as follows:

            Ridgecrest 6th Grade                Monterey 8th Grade                 Vidalia 7th Grade

            Victoria Kemp                          Bryce Mitchell                          Josh Long

            Gregory Johnson                       Jared Price                               Kristin Brownell

            Kelsea Pounds                         Melissa Simpson                       Britni Nations

            James Brasher                          Heather Guillot                          Brian Beard

            Bryce Lain                                BreAnna Dickson

Superintendent Peterman presented the attendance awards as follows:

            1st place           Ridgecrest Elementary             96.1%

            2nd place         Monterey High                         95.7%

            3rd place          Ferriday Lower                        95.5%

                                    Vidalia Upper                           95.5%

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of April 8, 2003.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried to approve invoices for the month of April in the amount of $2,213,687.

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Joseph to enter into Executive session at 5:40 p.m.

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Joseph to return to regular session at 6:00 p.m.

Mr. Paul Nelson appeared before the Board to request a continuation of the Summer Energy Initiative for a six week period during the summer.  Proposed dates were June 14 through July 29.  It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Joseph and Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the continuation of the program.

Superintendent Peterman presented the proposed Supplement for Coaches and Other Activity Sponsors.  It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Crofford to approve the proposal.  Rev. Brown questioned if this was in line with past practices.  Rev. Brown asked if the matter could be tabled until the Board had ample time to look over the proposal.  The motion was withdrawn.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried to approve the first reading of Policy GBD - Employment of Personnel

Mr. O’Neal briefed the Board on the status of the lease exchange of Ferriday Kindergarten Center and Ferriday Education Center.  It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried to approve the lease exchange.

Mr. O’Neal advised the Board that he was in the process of preparing the budget revision.  He requested that the Board approve the May Advalorem Check, but not the amount of the check. Mr. O’Neal assured the Board that if, in any way possible, the check would be in the amount of $500 for full time employees and $250 for part time employees.  It was moved by Rev. Brown,seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve the distribution of the May Ad Valorem Check.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to approve the advertisement for administrative positions in the parish.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve the Building and Grounds Priority projects.  See addendum.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve the Child Nutrition Purchasing Co-operative Resolution.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve the second 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

Superintendent Peterman recommended Ms. Cristy Welch to fill the vacant position of Secretary at Vidalia High School.  It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Joseph to accept the superintendent’s recommendation.  The motion passed 5-4 with Ms. Rabb, Ms. Campbell, Rev. Brown and Mr. Riley voting no.

Rev. Brown requested meetings for parents in the summer.  There was general discussion concerning parental involvement.

There was general discussion concerning the official minutes of the Board.  Mr. Riley had requested that this be added to the agenda.  Mr. Riley felt his rights were denied in that he should not have to make a motion in order to have an item included in the minutes.

Mr. Grantham stated that he was in error and his concern was based on the distinction between board policy and Title 17.   Mr. Dennis Blount, attorney for the Board, advised that the Board should always approve the official minutes.   He also informed the Board that minutes were generally composed of general discussion and action upon such discussion.  Mr. Blount advised the Board that he did not recommend the back and forth revisions of previous meetings.

Mr. Riley also asked that Policy BCGB - Voting Methods at Board Meetings be discussed.  Mr. Riley stated that he was denied the right of a roll call vote at the previous meeting.  It was agreed upon that any member could request a roll call vote.  It was requested that all members cast their votes in a manner which could be heard by all present.  It was also requested that any roll call vote be requested in the original motion.

Rev. Johnnie Brown requested that the Board hear a parent spokesperson concerning allowing students who did not pass the GEE to march in the graduation exercises.  It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to hear the issue.

Ms. LaDonnie Bowman spoke in favor of allowing the students who failed the GEE to march in graduation excercises.  Extensive discussion concerning test failure, remediation attempts, and parent contact followed Ms. Bowman’s request.  Mr. Fred T. Butcher requested that the Board adhere to the current policy.  Mr. Grantham requested that the request to adhere to the current policy be placed in the form of a motion.

It was moved by Rev. Brown to allow the students to participate in graduation ceremony until the matter could be addressed by the Board.  The motion failed for lack of a second.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to take personnel out of order.

It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Ms. Rabb to add the addendum to the personnel items.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve all personnel items in global.

Transfers

Annette Smith, Teacher, Ferriday Lower to Teacher, Monterey, effective August 15, 2003

Sally Lanehart, Teacher, Ferriday Lower, to Teacher, Monterey, effective August 15, 2003

Christine Washington, Teacher, Ferriday Junior to Teacher, Vidalia Junior, effective August 15, 2003

Military Leave

            Wilton Nolan, School Psychologist, May 1-2, 2003

Retirement

            Ann Campbell, Teacher, Monterey High School, effective May 28, 2003

            Wilbur Washington, School Bus Operator, effective May 28, 2003

Resignations

Odell Vining, Behavioral Interventionist, Special Populations, effective June 11, 2003

Jacqueline Bradley, Teacher, Monterey, effective May 28, 2003

Rhonda Brown, Teacher Assistant, Ferriday Lower Elementary, effective, May 9, 2003

Talmadge Roberts, Teacher, Vidalia High School, effective May 28, 2003

Appointments

            Felice Fortenberry, Teacher, Ferriday Lower, effective August 15, 2003

            Brad Lipsey, Teacher, Monterey, effective August 15, 2003

            Willie Mae Jones, Teacher,Ferriday Upper, effective August 15, 2003 

Superintendent Peterman read the following into the minutes:

            Tuesday, June 3, 2003

            To:       Mr. Mike Grantham, President

                        Rev. Raymond Riley, Vice President

                        Rev. Johnnie Brown

                        Ms. Mary Campbell

                        Mr. Darrell Crofford

                        Mr. Donald Joseph

                        Ms. Martha Rabb

                        Mr. Ricky Raven

                        Mr. Ernest Lynn White

            From:   Pete Peterman, Superintendent

Re: Request for Retirement - June 30, 2003

Please accept this as my request to be released from the final year of my contract as Superintendent of Schools and accept this as notice of my intent to retire. I want the Board to know that this decision was made after much prayer and consultation.

Over the past four years, the support this Board has given me has been tremendous. I have received encouragement from each board member on a daily basis. The support has been an inspiration and a source of strength to me, especially when considering the awesome responsibility that accompanies the position of Superintendent. I can assure you that my responsibilities were never taken lightly, and that I am genuinely appreciative for all the positive guidance and direction I have received.

At this time however; I feel that it is in the best interest of both the Concordia Parish School System, and my own health considerations, to retire effective June 30, 2003.

I want to pledge my support to the Board and our educational family in assisting with a smooth transition as the Board seeks new leadership. The Board has a strong history of working together to achieve the goals and objectives of the system. We are on sound footing in all areas and have many new projects which are ongoing. I attribute this to each member’s concern for the welfare of our students, our employees, and our facilities.

I ask God’s richest blessings upon you, our students, and our employees as we continue to provide quality education in our community. I thank you for your consideration of my request.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried to accept Dr. Peterman’s request to approve his retirement effective June 30, 2003.

Times for graduation exercises at all area high schools were announced.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to adjourn at 7:34 p.m.

__________________________________                _____________________________

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