PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR  MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2004.

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, May 11, 2004, 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,  Ms. Mary Campbell, Mr. Raymond Riley, Mr. Ricky Raven, Mr.  Jerry Roberts, Mr. Gary Parnham, Ms. Martha Rabb, Ms. Melanie Watson and Mr. Jimmy Wilkinson.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the April 13, 2004, Regular Meeting.

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve invoices for the month of April in the amount of $2,663,639.

It was moved by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to approve an addendum to the agenda as follows:

IV        Special Recognition

A.                 Quiz Bowl Winners

VII       Items for Discussion and Appropriate Action

A.        Superintendent's Recommendation for School Bus Drivers' Operational

 Allowance

VIII      Personnel

Rescissions

Johnnie Clay, Ferriday High School, Teacher, effective 2004-05 school year only

Erma Davis, Ferriday High School, Teacher, effective 2004-05 school year only

Catherine Matthews, Vidalia Lower Elementary, Teacher, effective 2004-05 school year only

Superintendent Laster and President Ernest Lynn White presented the special recognition awards as follows:

Student of the Year

Hunter Davis    Vidalia Junior High School

Pilot Club Art Show Winners

1^st Place           Storm Cangemi             Vidalia Upper Elementary

1^st Place           Brandon Allen               Ferriday Junior High

2^nd Place          Sabastian Tyler             Ferriday Junior High

3^rd Place           Ronald Lawson            Ferriday Junior High

Academic All-State Boys and Girls Basketball Team

William Frederick Marsalis       Vidalia High School

Quiz Bowl Overall Winners

Monterey 8^th Grade Team        Vidalia 6^th Grade Team     Vidalia 7^th Grade Team

Mr. Hyram Bailey, Distinguished Educator, presented a Powerpoint presentation for the Board concerning Ferriday High School.  Mr. Bailey outlined the strengths, weaknesses and recommendations for the school. 

Mr. Riley requested that the Board add an item to the agenda to hear students from Vidalia High School.  It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Wilkinson and carried unanimously to hear the students.  William Frederick Marsalis, spokesperson, requested that the Board consider allowing a student who had not passed the Graduation Exit Exam participate in the graduation activities.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Parnham and carried unanimously to enter into Executive Session at 6:05 p.m.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried to return to regular session at 7:15 p.m.

The Board sought a legal opinion from Jon Guice, Board Attorney concerning a personnel issue.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Wilkinson and carried 7-2, with Ms. Campbell and Mr. Riley voting no,  to perform an evaluation on the current superintendent and consider the renewal of a contract over the next thirty (30) days.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the change of the July Board meeting date from July 13, to July 22, 2004.

It was moved by Mr. Parnham, seconded by Mr. Wilkinson and carried unanimously to approve the distribution of the May Ad Valorem check in the amount of $500 for full time employees and $250 for part-time employees.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Parnham and carried to approve the recommendation of the superintendent for the Reading First positions as follows:

Cindy Smith, District Reading First Coordinator

Nancy Anders, District Data/Statistical Coordinator, Part-time

Ferriday Lower Elementary

Content Leaders - Lisa Cater, Bobbie Hinson

Interventionists - Peggy Crow, Tommye Jones, Mary Rawles, Lynda Williams, Josephine Cottingham

Ferriday Upper Elementary

Content Leader - Rosena Profice

Interventionists - Myra Boyte, Carol Williams, Gloria Young

Monterey High

Content Leader - Linda Spinks

Interventionist - Gay Cross

Mr. James Lee addressed the Board concerning policy BCBI.  The Board was advised that the contract for Ms. Frances Lee executed by former Superintendent Lester Peterman remained in effect.  If Ms. Lee's position was changed, it would have to be a position of equal rank and dignity.  There was discussion of Ms. Lee's position at Ferriday Upper Elementary School.

Ms. Lee also addressed the Board concerning the abolishment of her current position of Instructional Specialist.  Ms. Lee stated that she had been interviewed for the Reading First Coordinator Position.  In the interview she was asked if she was given the choice, would she choose to remain in her current position or the Reading First position.  Ms. Lee stated that given the choice, she would prefer to remain in her current position.  Ms. Lee had concerns that the job was to be abolished.  Ms. Lee was informed that the position of Instructional Specialist had been discussed in the personnel committee and the job would remain as is. 

Mr. Riley requested that it be stated explicit in the minutes that the job would not be abolished.

Mr. James Cockerham requested to appear before the Board.  Mr. Cockerham turned the floor over to Superintendent Laster who read a recommendation to the Board as follows:

Effective May 1, 2004, the local bus driver operational allowance is to be paid on a thirteen percent (13%) factor based on the state operational allowance.

For the fiscal year 2004-05, as part of the budget process, we will review these adjustments based on the request of the Bus Driver's Organization with factors of fifteen (15) and seventeen (17) percent.  Any such adjustments will be made in accordance with existing budget restraints.

There was general discussion on revisiting the issue to give the local drivers seventeen percent.  The Board advised that depending on the availability of funds and concerns over retirement and insurance costs, the issue would be revisited in the new fiscal year.   The Board also wanted it to be clear that this was not a raise for school bus drivers.  This percentage was for operational allowances only.

It was moved by Mr. Wilkinson, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the Superintendent's recommendation.

Superintendent Laster explained to the Board that a change had been made in policy ED Student Transportation Management.  The change would be as follows:

BUS PURCHASES

School buses used to transport students, including activity and backup busses, shall not be more than twenty-five (25) years old.

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Roberts and carried to approve the second reading of the following policies:           

JGCE, Child Abuse

JJ, Employment of Students

GBN, Separation of Professional Staff Members

DFI, Lease of School Lands

GAK, Personnel Records

GBRK, Annual Leave

CN, Administrative Records

ECF, Equipment Maintenance

GBA, Contracts and Compensation  

JGCD, Administration of Medication

JS, Student Fees, Fines and Charges

GBRJ, Substitutes

IDE, Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Activities

JCDB, Student Dress Code    

II, Testing Program

ED, Student Transportation Management

It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the personnel items in global.  They are as follows:

Resignations:

Jennifer Matthews, teacher, Vidalia Lower, effective end of 2003-2004 school year

Cindy Peace, teacher, Vidalia Lower, effective end of 2003-2004 school year

Jimmye Campbell, teacher, Ferriday Upper, effective May 26, 2004

J.C. Myrick, teacher, Vidalia High School, effective end of 2003-2004 school year

Retirement:

Wilma Partridge, teacher, Vidalia Lower, effective end of first semester 2004-2005

Nancy Hudnall, insurance clerk, effective June 30, 2004

Medical:

Ronda Bradford, ISS, Ferriday Upper,  effective March 29, 2004

Godfrey Carson, teacher, Ferriday Upper, maternity leave, 1^st six weeks, August 12 to September 24, 2004

Amy Mason, teacher Vidalia Lower, maternity leave, 1^st six weeks 2004-2005 school year

 Military:

Wilton Nolan, military leave, May 5-6, 2004 and May 12-14, 2004

Appointments:

Brandon Goussett, teacher, Ridgecrest, effective 2004-2005 school year

Lori Beth Marchbanks, teacher, Vidalia Lower, effective 2004-2005 school year

Katherine Knicely, consumer science teacher, Ferriday High, effective 2004-2005 school year

Tara Leachman, teacher, Ferriday Lower, effective 2004-2005 school year

Transfers:

Gay Cross, teacher, from Vidalia Lower to Monterey High

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:35 p.m.

_________________________         ________________________

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