PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT THE REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2005.
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, February 8, 2005, at five-thirty (5:30) o'clock p.m. The meeting was called to order by Ernest Lynn White, President, who after prayer, 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, Mr. Ricky Raven and Mr. Jimmy Wilkinson.
Superintendent Laster requested that the attendance awards be held until the March meeting of the Board due to the Mardi Gras holiday for schools.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of January 11, 2005.
Ms. Kimmie Wike, Federal Programs Bookkeeper, reviewed the financial statement. It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Parnham and carried unanimously to approve invoices in the amount of $3,520,078.
It was moved by Ms. Rabb, seconded by Mr. Riley to advertise for a special meeting of the Board to discuss member's compensation. The motion failed on a roll call vote as follows:
Ms. Mary Campbell NO
Mr. Gary Parnham NO
Ms. Martha Rabb YES
Mr. Ricky Raven NO
Mr. Raymond Riley YES
Mr. Jerry Roberts YES
Ms. Melanie Watson NO
Mr. Jimmy Wilkinson NO
Mr. Ernest Lynn White NO
It was moved by Ms. Rabb, seconded by Mr. Wilkinson and carried unanimously to reject the following bid for the Agricultural Lease, Section 16 T1N, R8E:
Mr. Ben Taunton $3,500 per year
The Board requested that Mr. O'Neal look into payments from USDA Farm Service Agency.
There was general discussion concerning placing the property into the Conservation Reserve Program. Ms. Rabb provided the Board with general information concerning the CRP program. The Board also discussed leasing the land for hunting and the liability involved.
It was moved by Mr. Wilkinson, seconded by Mr. Parnham and carried unanimously to re-advertise the property.
Mr. Carey Cook, President, Ferriday Athletic Association, appeared before the board to discuss the issue of removal of the head football coach at Ferriday High School.
The Board discussed the evaluation process of personnel. Mr. Cook was advised that this issue should go through the Superintendent.
The Board elected to hear Item G out of order.
Mr. Pat Biglane, Concordia Bank and Trust Company, addressed the Board concerning the direct deposit of payroll checks for Concordia Parish School System employees. Mr. Biglane explained the process of direct deposit. Mr. John Mark Williams, Concordia Bank and Trust Co. explained the method those employees who do not have a banking relationship would use to have access to their money through an electronic access account.
Both Mr. Biglane and Mr. Cliff Merritt, Delta Bank, assured the Board that the banks would make provisions for assisting individuals who are not familiar with the electronic process.
Superintendent Laster recommended to the Board that they approve the direct deposit process. It was moved by Ms. Rabb, seconded by Mr. Wilkinson and carried unanimously to accept the superintendent's recommendation.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the second reading of Policy EDDA - Special Use of School Buses.
It was moved by Mr. Parnham, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to approve updated salary schedules for all employees. Schedules are to go into effect beginning with the March 2005 paycheck.
It was moved by Mr. Parnham, seconded by Mr. Wilkinson and carried unanimously to approve state rates for travel reimbursement effective March 1, 2005.
It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve all personnel items as follows in global.
Resignations
Lucille Boxley, janitor, Ferriday Upper Elementary, effective January 14, 2005
Retirement
Margaret Fudickar, teacher, Ferriday Lower Elementary, effective March 22, 2005
Medical Leave
Rebecca Crane, teacher, Vidalia High School, extended leave effective January 24, 2005
Appointments
Margaret Fudickar, teacher, Ferriday Lower Elementary, effective March 23, 2005
Arthur Washington, P.E. teacher, Ferriday Upper Elementary, effective March 1, 2005
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Wilkinson and carried 8-1 with Mr. Raven voting no, to approve adding an item to the agenda.
Mr. H. L. Irvin, Supervisor of Maintenance and Transportation, addressed the Board concerning the requirement by the Department of Public Safety Motor Vehicles for school bus operators to add an (S) endorsement to the certified driving license. Mr. Irvin explained that the drivers has been notified of the requirement and provided with study sessions and a practice test. He informed the Board that the majority of the drivers had taken and passed the test. Mr. Irvin requested that the Board set May 1, 2005 as the cutoff date for drivers to have the endorsement added to the CDL.
It was moved by Mr. Parnham, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to set May 1, 2005 as the cutoff date for all school bus operators to have the (S) endorsement added to the CDL.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Roberts and carried to adjourn at 6:50 p.m.
__________________________ __________________________
Kerry Laster, Ph.D., Superintendent Ernest Lynn White, Board President