PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR  MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, JULY 8, 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 Thursday, July 8, 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. Riley, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of June 8, 2004.

It was moved by Mr. Parnham, seconded by Mr. Roberts and carried unanimously to approve invoices in the amount of $3,162,318 for the month of June.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve the addition of an addendum to the agenda as follows:

EXECUTIVE SESSION

A.                 The Board may enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues pursuant to LA R.S.42:6.1

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION

A         Items resulting from Executive Session

B.                 Open and accept bids for Janitorial Supplies

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Wilkinson and carried for the Board to hear a request from concerned parents.

Ms. Suzanne Vegas addressed the Board concerning the students who had not passed the Graduation Exit Exam being allowed to walk in graduation exercises.  Ms. Vegas informed the Board that House Bill 740 authored by Representative Wydell which addressed this problem was currently awaiting the Governor's signature.  Mr. Riley informed Ms. Vegas that this would be looked into during the review of the Pupil Progression Plan.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve Items A through D as follows:

A.        Permission to Advertise for Bids for School Food Service Exterminating Service

B.                 Approval of Special Education IDEA Application

C.                 Approval of American Red Cross Shelter Agreement

D.                 First Reading Policy EDC - School Bus Safety and Policy GAMI - Electronic Telecommunications Devices

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Roberts and carried unanimously to enter into Executive Session at 5:50 p.m.

It was moved by Mr. Parnham, seconded by Mr. Roberts and carried unanimously to return from Executive Session at 6:25 p.m.

Superintendent Laster recommended to the Board that the retirement of Mr. Fred T. Butcher, Director of Academic Affairs, be accepted by the Board effective July 1, 2004.  Superintendent Laster also recommended that the position be advertised for two weeks with Mr. Butcher being appointed as interim Director of Academic Affairs during this period.  It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried to accept the Superintendent's recommendation.

Bids for janitorial supplies were as follows:

Big M. Supply Company          $34,099.90

Xpedex                                    Incomplete

Mr. Irvin requested that the Board take the bids under advisement.  It was discussed to consider awarding the bid to Big M Supply company after review.  It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Roberts and carried 8-1 with Mr. Wilkinson voting no, to accept Mr. Irvin's recommendation.

It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve all personnel items in global as follows.

Resignations

Pamela Morace, Ferriday Upper, teacher, effective May 27, 2004

Anthony Cloman, Ferriday High School, assistant band director, effective May 27, 2004

Lloyd Henderson, Ferriday High School, janitor, effective June 24, 2004

Bill Harrell, Ferriday Education Center, Job Training Coordinator, effective June 29, 2004

Retirement

Lillie M. Thompson, Ferriday Lower, food service technician, effective August 24, 2004

Appointments

Margaret Barnes, Ferriday Lower, first grade teacher, effective August 11, 2004

Latausha Mayes, Ferriday Lower, first grade teacher, effective August 11, 2004

Angelyn Talley, Ferriday Lower, first grade teacher, effective August 11, 2004

Myra Washington, Ferriday High School, Family and Consumer Science Teacher, effective August 11, 2004

Betty Cenales, Ferriday Upper, teacher, effective August 11, 2004

Mary Fleming, Ferriday Upper, special education teacher, effective August 11, 2004

Cynthia Smith, Vidalia High, guidance counselor, effective July 28, 2004

Jeffery Phillips, Vidalia High, English teacher, effective August 11, 2004

Chris Chatman, Ridgecrest School, twelve month custodian, effective July 1, 2004

Darrell Birdon, Ferriday Education Center, options program barber instructor, effective July 28, 2004

Stacey T. McGraw, Ferriday Education Center, options program cosmetology/beauty instructor, effective July 28, 2004

Laryssa Warner, Ferriday Education Center, options program beauty instructor, effective July 28, 2004

Raymond Nicholson, Job Training Coordinator/Teacher, effective July 28, 2004

Transfers

Becky Stephenson, special education teacher, Ferriday Junior High, to special education/physical education teacher, Ferriday Alternative Center, effective August 11, 2004

Carl Dangerfield, band director, Ferriday High School to band director, Ferriday Junior High and Vidalia Junior High School effective July 14, 2004

It was announced that the committee meeting schedule had been placed at the members places. 

It was also announced that the final settlement check for $333.33 would be distributed to employees with the regular payroll checks.

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Wilkinson and carried unanimously to adjourn at 6:35 p.m.

_________________________         ________________________

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