PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR  MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2003.

The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in a regular session at the Concordia Parish School Board office in Vidalia, Louisiana, on Tuesday, December 9, 2003, at five-thirty  (5:30) o'clock p.m.  The meeting was called to order by Ernest Lynn White, President, who after prayer and the Pledge, declared that the Board was ready for the transaction of business.

Members present were Mr. Ernest Lynn White, Rev. Johnnie Brown, Ms. Mary Campbell, Mr. Don Joseph, Ms. Martha Rabb, Mr. Raymond Riley, Mr. Ricky Raven, Mr Darrell Crofford and Mr. Jimmy Wilkinson.

Mr. Lynn White, Board President and Dr. Kerry Laster, Superintendent, presented the Citizenship Awards as follows:

Ferriday Upper Elementary                   3^rd Grade          Kiana Henderson

4^th Grade          Shekeidra Sanders

5^th Grade          Bobbie Williams

Vidalia Upper Elementary                     3^rd Grade          Nathan Smith

4^th Grade          Lindsey Wheeler

5^th Grade          Emily Smith

Ridgecrest Elementary                           3^rd Grade          Crystal Bethea

4^th Grade          Thao Nguyen

5^th Grade          Shanice Poole

Monterey High                                     3^rd Grade          Jessica Russell

4^th Grade          Avery Greene

5^th Grade          Alexandra Thomas

Dr. Kerry Laster, Superintendent, presented the school attendance awards.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried unanimously to enter into Executive Session at 5:43 p.m.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to return from Executive Session at 6:24 p.m.

Mr. White announced that while in Executive Session, the Board heard a parent complaint and no action was required.

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

Ms. Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs,  presented the financial report to the Board.  It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Ms. Campbell and Mr. Wilkinson to approve invoices for the month of November in the amount of $2,308,211.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the job description for School Based Instructional Technology Facilitator for Ferriday Junior High School.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried unanimously to approve the job description for Personnel Coordinator.

It was moved by Ms. Rabb, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the distribution of the December Advalorem Supplement.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the inter-governmental agreement for the collection of insurance premium taxes for the town of Urania.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded and carried unanimously to approve a change order on roofing awards for Vidalia Junior High School and Vidalia Lower Elementary School to include fire stops.

It was moved by Ms. Rabb, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to approve the salary schedules for maintenance personnel.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to approve the addition of the addendum to the agenda.

Dr. Laster reviewed the School Accountability Report with Board members.  She relayed concerns for schools placed in School Improvement.  Dr. Laster presented a plan developed after meetings with Directors, Supervisors and Principals which proposed an extended day program for students.  The program would run from January 13 through March 11, 2004.  The schools involved would include Ferriday Lower, Ferriday Upper, Ferriday Junior High, and Ferriday High School.  The program would allow for extended day tutoring three days per week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  The hours would be from 3:15 p.m. until 4:45 p.m. for a total of nine (9) weeks allowing for twenty-seven tutoring sessions.

Funding for the program would come from federal funds. Teachers would be paid at a rate of $20 per hour.  Arrangements for transportation and snacks were discussed as well.

The extended day would focus on reading, math, English, language arts, science, and social studies.  There would be limited homework and no six week test for this period only.

There was lengthy discussion concerning parental involvement at the schools.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Crofford and Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to approve the extended school day plan for school improvement.

Ms. Campbell recommended that all personnel items be approved in global.  It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to accept Ms. Campbell's recommendation.

Personnel Items

Retirement

Leinda Peterman, America 2000 Director, Media Center, effective December 1, 2003

Maternity Leave

Carol Williams, Teacher, Ferriday Upper Elementary, effective December 15, through February 5, 2004

Extended Leave

Debra Raley, Teacher, Ferriday Lower, effective October 29, 2003, through January 5, 2004

Resignation

Genevieve Martinez, French Teacher, Vidalia Upper, effective December 12, 2003

Appointment

Virginia Wiley, SFS Technician, Monterey High School, effective December 1, 2003

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Wilkinson and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:05 p.m.

___________________________________              ____________________________________

Kerry Laster, Ph. D., Superintendent                            Lynn White, President