PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2006

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 Thursday, February 16, 2006, 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. Ricky Raven, Mr. Raymond Riley, Mr. Gary Parnham, Ms. Martha Rabb, Ms. Melanie Watson, Mr. Jimmy Wilkinson and Mr. Ernest Lynn White,  Mr. Jerry Roberts and Ms. Mary Campbell.

The Board recognized the Student of the Year recipients as follows:

School Level

12^th Grade - Atalecia Chevelle Hudnall  Ferriday High School

  Micah Collard                       Vidalia High School

8^th Grade Joshua Welch                          Vidalia Junior High

   Brittany Scott                                       Ridgecrest School

   Kenneth Cade Crum                            Monterey School

5^th Grade Drew Lipsey                              Monterey School

              Alicia Ravon Hooper               Ferriday Upper

Parish Level

12^th Grade -  Atalecia Chevelle Hudnall  Ferriday High School

8^th Grade -    Kenneth Cade Crum            Monterey School

5^th Grade -    Drew Lipsey                        Monterey School

The Board recognized Mr. James McFarland for having been chosen as District 4AA Coach of the Year.

The following teachers were recognized for having received the QSM Math and Science Grants:

Ruth Baker                            Vidalia High School                             $750

Rebecca Crane                      Vidalia High School                             $750

Jeannie Hall                           Vidalia High School                             $750

Carol Ledford                        Vidalia High School                             $689

William Shaidnagle              Vidalia High School                             $728

Dorothy Ulmer                      Vidalia High School                             $750

Taylor and Son Insurance Company presented the Employee of the Month award to Ms. Sandra Scruggs, teacher, Ferriday High School.

Superintendent Laster presented the attendance awards as follows:

Vidalia Upper Elementary School                      97.1%

Ferriday Upper Elementary School                   96.7%

Ferriday Junior High School                              96.2%

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Roberts and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of January 10, 2006, as corrected to show Ms. Mary Campbell absent.

It was moved by Mr. Parnham, seconded by Mr. Wilkinson and carried unanimously to approve the invoices and financial statement for the month of January in the amount of $4,174,209.

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven to approve the second reading of policies DJD - Expense Reimbursement and Policy GBA Contracts and Compensation and to suspend the first reading of Policy ED- Student Transportation Management as the policy was approved for a first reading last month and the correction to the policy was minor.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Parnham and Ms. Rabb to approve the clarification of previously approved bus purchases as follows:

Ms. Rose Tillary effective 8/11/05

Mr. Rock Davis effective 1/3/05

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Rabb, and carried unanimously to approve for the advertisement for bids for large food service equipment.

It was moved by Mr. Parnham, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve a yearly supplement of $1,000 to teachers who have successfully completed the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards process.  This supplement would be provided to National Board certified teachers for the life of their certificates pending available funding (usually 10 years).

Mr. Fred T. Butcher, Director of Academic Affairs, provided an update on testing and summer school.  Mr. Butcher informed the Board that summer school would be rotated from area to area each year.  This year, the classes will be held in the Ferriday area.  This is being implemented as a cost saving measure.  Hopefully this will also reduce the pupil teacher ratio for summer school.

After lengthy discussion regarding the change in salary schedule for the position of Print Shop Manager, it was moved by Mr. Parnham, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried by eight votes with Ms. Watson abstaining to approve the revised salary schedule. 

It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve all personnel items in global.

Resignations

Janice Thompson, teacher, Ferriday Upper, effective February 6, 2006

Daryle Price, bus driver, effective February 3, 2006

Retirement

Beth Baldwin, technology facilitator, effective June 5, 2006

Leave

Lydia Wilson, teacher, Ridgecrest School, extended medical leave effective February 13, 2006

Sherry Barfield, teacher, Vidalia Junior High, conversion of 5 days sick leave days to personal leave days

Appointments

Jimmye Campbell, teacher, Vidalia Upper, effective November 28, 2006 - May 26, 2006

Ivy Quinn, twelve month janitor, Ferriday Lower, effective February 17, 2006

Cynthia Chatman, 2.5 hour sweeper, Ferriday Lower, effective February 17, 2006

Sharon Barron, teacher, Ferriday Upper, effective February 13, 2006 - May 26, 2006

Superintendent Laster announced that the ACT Test Prep for seniors would be offered at the Central office in March.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to adjourn at 6:25 p.m.

___________________________             ____________________________

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