PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT THE REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2004.
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, October 12, 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 Ms. Mary Campbell, Mr. Raymond Riley, Mr. Jerry Roberts, Mr. Gary Parnham, Ms. Martha Rabb, Ms. Melanie Watson, Mr. Ernest Lynn White and Mr. Jimmy Wilkinson.
Member absent was Mr. Ricky Raven.
Mr. Wynn Lawrence, BellSouth representative, presented Ms. Gloria Price with a check for $400 for her grant application for "Mathematics for Elementary Four Step Process."
The Board recognized Vidalia High School for being chosen as one of the fourteen schools in Louisiana for closing the gap between sub-groups by the United States Department of Education. Representing Vidalia High School were Ms. Jana Lincecum, Assistant Principal, Ms. Dorothy Ulmer, Teacher, Mr. Ken Johnson, Senior Student, and Ms. Amber Harrigill, senior student.
The Board recognized the following students for having received the Sydney Hydroelectric Citizenship award:
Monterey High School Ferriday High School Vidalia High School
9th Grade Jonathan Lipsey Andrea Skipper Rachael Wagoner
10th Grade Heather Guillot Dra Carl Walker Maudrella Jones
11th Grade Daisy Evans Atalecia Hudnall Kristen Cupit
12th Grade Travis Barlow Erica Jefferson Ken Johnson
Mr. Joe Bairnsfather, 4-H Representative, shared 4-H member's work in the form of pennants designed by students to be sent to the troops. Mr. Bairnsfather expressed appreciation to the Board for their continued support of the program.
It was moved by Mr. Riley seconded by Mr. Parnham to approve the minutes of September 21, 2004 with the following revision:
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve the retire/return request of Mr. Howard Jackson and allow Mr. Jackson to complete his current three year contract.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Roberts and carried unanimously to approve invoices in the amount of $2,849,740.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Roberts and carried unanimously to enter into Executive Session at 5:50 p.m.
It was moved by Mr. Wilkinson, seconded by Mr. Roberts and carried unanimously to return to open session at 6:25 p.m.
It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Ms. Watson to approve the addendum as follows:
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION
Remove
C. Approve Pupil Progression Plan
G. Reading First Presentation
Add
I. Approve Audit Engagement Compliance Statement
J. Request from Avoyelles Parish for Timber Sales
It was moved by Mr. Parnham, seconded by Mr. Wilkinson and carried unanimously to approve the retire/return request of Mr. Julius Huhn and rehire Mr. Huhn through the remainder of his current contract through June, 2007.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Roberts and carried unanimously to approve the second reading of Policy GAG (see now GAL) - Employee Conflict of Interest.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Wilkinson and carried unanimously to approve the first reading of the following policies:
Policy CN: Administrative Records
Policy DJED: Bids and Quotations
Policy GBRHA: Sabbatical Leave
Policy GBRIB: Sick Leave
Policy GBRL: Holidays
Policy IFCB: Field Trips and Excursions
Superintendent Laster read the following policy recommendation:
Administrative Return to Employment Post Retirement
While an employee whose retirement is accepted by the Concordia Parish School Board shall not be guaranteed any position/reemployment with the school board, it shall be the policy of the board to vest in the superintendent or his/her designee the power to recommend candidates for rehire after traditionally retiring from the school system. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall make recommendations to the board as are in the best interest of the school district.
Upon retirement, employees lose all tenure and seniority rights in the school system. Retirees returning to work will accrue seniority and rights as other employees with similar duties and responsibilities. All other benefits, such as sick leave and vacation leave, will accrue as any other new hire within the classification. No sick leave or vacation leave carries forward from retirement to rehire.
Moreover, any retired administrator/supervisor who is reemployed shall be hired on a temporary basis for one contract, the term for which shall not exceed two years. Accordingly, the Concordia Parish School Board encourages retirees from administrative and supervisory positions to apply for teaching positions, as recent state and federal legislation has imposed stringent restrictions upon the qualifications required for classroom teachers.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Roberts and carried unanimously to suspend Policy BD - Policy Development requiring two readings in order that the recommendation could be implemented as policy immediately.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously to accept the superintendent's recommendation for Administrative Return to Employment Post Retirement.
It was moved by Ms. Rabb, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve the following proclamation:
WHEREAS, the Concordia Parish School system provides free transportation for students each school day; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of this parish recognize the efforts and dedication of the school bus drivers who help make this school system operational on a daily basis; and
WHEREAS, all school officials strive for efficient and safe transportation of all students; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Concordia Parish School Board recognize the commendable efforts displayed by all involved in the school transportation program.
NOW THEREFORE, the Concordia Parish School Board recognizes the week of October 17-23, 2004, as National School Bus Safety Week
It was moved by Mr. Wilkinson, seconded by Mr. Parnham and carried unanimously to approve the Audit Engagement Compliance Statement.
It was moved by Ms. Rabb, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve the request from Avoyelles Parish for timber sales.
It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Parnham and carried unanimously to approve the personnel items in global.
Resignations
Becky McKeel Brown, teacher's assistant, Ferriday Jr. High , effective September 24, 2004
Gregory E. Brown, teacher's assistant, Vidalia High School, effective October 7, 2004
Extended Medical Leave
Kristin Brown, teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary, effective September 8, 2004
Appointment
Diane Wood, Kindergarten teacher, Ferriday Lower Elementary, effective October 11, 2004, for the remainder of the 2004-05 school year
It was moved by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to adjourn.
_________________________ ________________________
Kerry Laster, Ph.D., Superintendent Ernest Lynn White, Board President