PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2007
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 8, 2007, at six (6:00) o'clock P.M. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Gary Parnham, who after prayer and the Pledge, declared that the Board was ready for the transaction of business.
Members present were Ms. Mary Campbell, Mr. Gary Parnham, Ms. Martha Rabb, Ms. Deanie Roberts, Mr. Ricky Raven, Mr. Fred T. Butcher, Mr. Daryl Price, Ms. Darlene Baker and Mr. Raymond Riley.
Superintendent Laster recognized Lorenzo Henry for having received the Horatio Alger Scholarship.
Mr. Rozier, Taylor and Sons Representative, presented the Employee of the Month Award to Amanda Wilson, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School.
Superintendent Laster presented the attendance awards as follows:
First Place - Vidalia Upper Elementary School 96.3%
Second Place - Ferriday Upper Elementary School 95.5%
Third Place - Ferriday Lower Elementary School 95.4%
There were no issues or major concerns stemming from the individual committee reports.
It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of January 11, 2007.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve invoices in the amount of $3,397,070.
It was moved by Ms. Rabb to raise the salary of the Board members to the state average. The motion died for lack of a second.
Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business and Financial Affairs, reviewed the audit report with the Board. Mr. O'Neal reported the audit as being very positive with a 2.3 million dollar increase from last year.. He informed the Board that the findings relative to an accounting error have been addressed. The Board was also informed that the issue concerning route audits for contract buses are becoming a critical issue.
It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried 8-0 with Ms. Rabb not voting to approve the second reading of Policy GBD - Employment of Personnel and Policy GAMA - Employee Tobacco Use which includes the change to extend the ban of all tobacco use to all school board property.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the first reading of the following policies:
CEC - Recruitment of Superintendent
DJED - Bids and Quotations
GAK - Personnel Records
GBKA - Suspension
GBK - Employee Discipline
GBC - Recruitment
GAMC - Employee Investigations
It was moved by Mr. Raven seconded by Mr. Butcher and carried unanimously to accept the Superintendent's recommendation of Mr. James Davis as interim principal of Ferriday Junior High School.
It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to establish a Transportation Review Committee. Suggestions were made concerning the makeup of the committee. It was left with the superintendent to set the dates for the committee meetings.
It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Riley that an item to modify the position of parliamentarian be added to the end of the agenda. The motion passed five to four on a roll call vote as follows:
Ms. Darlene Baker NO
Mr. Fred T. Butcher YES
Ms. Mary Campbell YES
Mr. Daryle Price NO
Ms. Martha Rabb NO
Mr. Ricky Raven NO
Mr. Raymond Riley YES
Ms. Deanie Roberts YES
Mr. Gary Parnham YES
The modification of Roberts Rules of Order concerning the position of parliamentarian was discussed by the board. Mr. Butcher resigned his position of parliamentarian in order not to jeopardize his position on the board.
It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to accept the following personnel items in global.
Resignations:
Pamela Smith-Harris, paraprofessional, Ferriday Lower, effective January 16, 2007
Retirements:
Joseph K. Webber, bus driver, Ferriday area, effective March 13, 2007
Extended Medical:
Laura Aucoin, teacher, Ferriday Upper, effective February 12, 2007-March 1, 2007, upon expiration of accumulated sick leave
Mary Potts, food service technician, return to work, effective January 15, 2007
Medical Sabbatical:
Virginia Robertson, teacher, Ferriday High School, effective January 3, 2007- May 28, 2007
Appointments:
Ramona Ladner, Paraprofessional, Concordia Education Center, effective December 18, 2007 for the remainder of the 2006-07 school year
Joe Thomas, 2.5 hour sweeper, Ferriday Upper, for the remainder of the school year only
Ashley Brown, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Lower, effective February 9, 2007
Superintendent Laster made announcements concerning the D.A.R.E. graduations to be held at the school and an inservice session being planned for Board Members.
Mr. Riley noted that the date of the March meeting needed to be changed due to the annual Louisiana School Board's Association meeting. It was left to the superintendent to poll the Board for the meeting date.
Mr. Parnham announced that he would be sending the Superintendent's evaluation in March.
It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Raven to adjourn at 7:15 P.M.