PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 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, August 12, 2003, at five-thirty (5:30) o’clock p.m. The meeting was called to order by the Honorable Lynn White, 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. Darrell Crofford, Mr. Don Joseph, Ms. Martha Rabb, Mr. Raymond Riley, Mr. Lynn White, Mr. Ricky Raven, Rev. Johnnie Brown, and Mr. Jimmy Wilkinson.
Member absent was Ms. Mary Campbell.
Mr. Gary Parnham, Jr. introduced the Vidalia High School Girls Softball Team Champions. Mr. Gary Parnham, Sr. commented on the teams accomplishments. The girls were congratulated by Mr. Fred T. Butcher, Interim Superintendent and the Board.
Mr. Winn Lawrence, Regional Manager, presented Ms Lisa Cater with a check for $500. Ms. Cater was the recipient of the Bell South Mini-Grant for her proposal 3D - Deciphering and Devouring the Digits.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to approve the minutes of July 2, July 8, and July 10, 2003.
Ms. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented the financial report. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried to approve invoices in the amount of $2,686,785
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to enter into Executive Session at 5:40 p.m.
Ms. Mary Campbell arrived at 5:42 p.m.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried to return to Regular Session at 6:35 p.m.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried to consider the appointment of a superintendent and use the same method of voting as was used the previous month.
Ballots were cast, passed to Ms. Cantu and read aloud as follows:
Raymond Riley Fred T. Butcher
Martha Rabb Kerry Laster
Mary Campbell Fred T. Butcher
Johnnie Brown Fred T. Butcher
Lynnn White Julius Huhn
Ricky Raven Kerry Laster
Darrell Crofford Julius Huhn
Donald Joseph Kerry Laster
Jimmy Wilkinson Julius Huhn
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Joseph to readvertise for the position of Superintendent of Schools for Concordia Parish.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Ms. Campbell to set the date of September 23, 2003, at 5:30 p.m. for a public hearing and special meeting for budget purposes.
Bids for Janitorial materials and supplies were opened and read as follows:
Big M Supply no total figure
Lehmann Cash and Carry no total figure
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried to take the bids for janitorial materials and supplies under advisement and grant authority to award the bid to the lowest bidder.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried to take Items H and K out of order.
Mr. O’Neal made the recommendation on behalf of Taylor and Sons for the offering of Life Insurance. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried to approve this insurance.
Rev. Brown questioned the possibility of offering fleet insurance to the bus drivers. It was discussed that due to the fact that the Concordia Parish School Board did not own the busses, fleet insurance could not be offered.
Mr. O’Neal, Director of Business Affairs, reviewed the roofing plan with the Board. He explained that the next two buildings scheduled for roofing work would be Vidalia Junior High School and Vidalia Lower Elementary School. Mr. O’Neal requested that the Board grant permission to let these bids. It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Joseph and Mr. Raven to grant Mr. O’Neal’s request.
Bids for Pest Control Services were as follows:
Bug Blasters $170.00 per unit
Redd Pest Control $200.00 per unit
Dr. Bug $240.00 per unit
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried to award the bid to the low bidder, Bug Blasters.
There was only one bid for the Propane Gas Services at Monterey High School. Herring Gas placed a bid of .89 cents per gallon. It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried to award the bid to Herring Gas Company.
Bids for Duplicating Paper were opened as follows;
Smith Printing $23,674.50
Computer and Supply $24,349.87
Banking Forms.com $24,806.39
Savin Papers $22,980.00
Sams no composite
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Crofford to take the paper bids under advisement and grant Mr. O’Neal the authority to award the bid to the lowest bidder.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to award the bid for financial institution to joint bidders of Concordia Bank and Trust Co. and Delta Bank.
The Board discussed the possibility of hiring someone to police out-of-state students attending school in the Concordia Parish area. It was agreed for Mr. Jackson, Mr. Butcher and the Personnel Committee to look at a job description for this individual. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried to hire someone to assist Mr. Howard Jackson, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, in investigating out-of-zone students.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and Mr. Joseph to advertise for a full time janitorial person for Ferriday Kindergarten Center.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried to add the addendum to the personnel section of the agenda and to approve all personnel items in global.
There were questions concerning the hiring of Mr. Justin Conner as school bus operator. Mr. H. L. Irvin, Supervisor to Transportation and Maintenance, explained to the Board that he had followed School Board policy and Mr. Conner was next in line to be hired. Mr. Irvin explained that all new drivers were on a three year probationary period and that he would be keeping close supervision on Mr. Conner.
Another question concerned the hiring of the Job Training Assistant at Ferriday Education Center. It was explained that this was part of the expansion of the Special Education Job Training Program.
The motion passed 6 - 3 with Mr. Crofford, Mr. Riley and Mr. Joseph voting no. Mr. Crofford qualified his vote by stating that considering the informatin on file for Mr. Conner, he had a problem with his appointment. Rev. Brown stated that he was not aware of any problems and that Mr. Conner was a good driver.
Resignations
Justina Wheeler, Teacher, Ferriday Education Center, effective August 6, 2003
Ann Sandidge, Teacher, Monterey High School, effective July 31, 2003
Faith McGough, Teacher, Vidalia Lower, effective May 28, 2003
Debra Powell, Teacher, Vidalia Lower, effective May 28, 2003
Nina Stephens, School Bus Operator, effective August 5, 2003
Cindy Roberts, Paraprofessional, Vidalia Lower Elementary, effective May 29, 2003
Tangelia Johnson, Paraprofessional, Ridgecrest School, effective August 12, 2003
Becky Jones, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Lower Elementary, effective August 12, 2003
Retirements
Lynda Lynn, Teacher, Ferriday High School, effective May 29, 2003
Josephine Cottingham, Teacher, Ferriday Lower Elementary, effective May 29, 2003
Kenneth Hathaway, Teacher, Vidalia High School, effective May 29, 2003
Catherine Matthews, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective May 29, 2003
Johnnie Clay, Teacher, Ferriday High School, effective May 29, 2003
Glinda Thomas, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Lower Elementary, effective May 28, 2003
Appointments
Justina Wheeler, Para Professional, Monterey School, effective August 18, 2003
Renice Jackson, Teacher, Ferriday High School/Vidalia High School, effective August 15, 2003
Johnnie Clay, Teacher, Ferriday High School, effective August 15, 2003, 2003-04 school year only
Deloris Scott, Teacher, Ferriday High School, effective August 15, 2003
Roberta Cummings, ROTC Officer, Ferriday High School, effective August 15, 2003
Lloyd Henderson, Janitor, Ferriday High School, effective August 13, 2003
Josephine Cottingham, Teacher, Ferriday Lower Elementary School, effective August 15, 2003, 2003-04 school year only
Deborah Byrnes, Cafeteria Manager, Ferriday Lower Elementary, effective August 13, 2003
Wayvette Moore, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Lower Elementary, effective August 18, 2003
Godfrey Carson, Teacher, Ferriday Upper Elementary, effective August 15, 2003
Shirley Percy, Teacher, Ferriday Upper Elementary, effective August 15, 2003
Estella Foster, School Food Service Technician, Ferriday Upper Elementary, effective August 13, 2003
Felicia Bowman, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Upper Elementary, effective August 18, 2003
Amber Passman, Teacher, Monterey School, effective August 15, 2003
Kenneth Hathaway, Teacher, Vidalia High School, effective August 15, 2003, effective 2003-04 school year only
William Shaidnagle, Teacher, Vidalia High School, effective August 15, 2003
Sarah Ruth Baker, Teacher, Vidalia High School, effective August 15, 2003
Susan Arbuckle, Teacher, Vidalia High School, effective August 15, 2003
Olga Purvis, Teacher, Vidalia High School, effective August 15, 2003
Iyna Barnes, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, effective August 15, 2003
Doris Henry, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, effective August 15, 2003
Kim Evans, Paraprofessional, Vidalia Lower Elementary, effective August 18, 2003
Melissa Doughty, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary, effective August 15, 2003
Amy Mason, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary, effective August 15, 2003
Catherine Matthews, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective August 15, 2003, 2003-04 school year only
Karen Badau, School Psychologist, Special Populations, effective August 15, 2003
Suzanne Odell, Job Training Assistant, Ferriday Education Center, effective August 18, 2003
Justin Conner, School Bus Operator, to fill vacant route of Wilbur Washington, effective August 18, 2003
Carla Washington, Manager, School Food Service, Ferriday Junior High School, effective August 13, 2003
Tina Glasper, Manager, School Food Service, Ferriday Upper Elementary, effective August 13, 2003
Rawlston Brown, Assistant Basketball Coach, Non-faculty, LSHAA Certified, Vidalia Junior High School, effective August 18, 2003
Dianne Costantini, Teacher, Vidalia High School, to be employed 4/7 of a day for oneyear only, effective August 15, 2003
Jennifer Bertelsen, School Food Service Technician, VUES, effective August 13, 2003
Debbie Craig, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Lower Elementary, effective August 18, 2003
Mary Williams, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Lower Elementary, effective August 18, 2003
Stephen Collins, Teacher, Ferriday Education Center, effective August 15, 2003
Linda McMurtry, Teacher, Ferriday Education Center, effective August 15, 2003
Jennifer Matthews, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary, effective August 15, 2003
Shemeka White, Teacher, Ferriday Junior High School, effective August 15, 2003
Tracie Skipper, Paraprofessional, Ridgecrest School, effective August 18, 2003
Mary Rebecca Reeves, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High, effective, August 18, 2003
Melvara Bell Wilson, Teacher, Ferriday High School, effective August 15, 2003
Transfers
Newana Daniels, Teacher, Project Independence to Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, effective August 15, 2003
Amy Wallace, Paraprofessional, Vidalia High School to Paraprofessional, Vidalia Upper Elementary, effective August 18, 2003
Phyllis Cage, from Administrative Assistant Vidalia Upper Elementary, to Assistant Principal, Vidalia Upper Elementary, effective August 4, 2003
Irene Collins, School Food Service Technician, from Ferriday Upper to Ferriday Junior High, effective August 18, 2003
Military Leave
Wilton Nolan, School Psychologist, Special Populations, effective August 13, 2003 through August 29, September 26, and November 3, 2003
Family and Medical Leave
Lisa Griggs, Custodian, Ridgecrest School, effective August 11, 2003 through October 30, 2003
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Rev Brown and carried to enter into Executive Session at 7:30 p.,m. to discuss the work performance of the interim superintendent.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to return to Regular Session at 8:00 p.m.
Announcements included the date for the new teacher workshop and the date for “Back to School Fest” for parents.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to adjourn at 8:05 p.m.
__________________________________ ____________________________
Mr. Fred T. Butcher, Interim Superintendent Mr. Lynn White, President