June 14, 2007

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 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 Tuesday, May 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 Mr. Gary Parnham, Ms. Martha Rabb, Ms. Deanie Roberts, Mr. Ricky Raven, Mr. Fred T. Butcher, Mr. Daryl Price, Ms. Mary Campbell and Ms. Darlene Baker. Mr. Riley arrived after roll call at 6:05 P.M.

Ms. Melva Roberts, Bookkeeper, Title I, was recognized as the Taylor and Sons employee of the month.

The Monterey 8^th grade Quiz Bowl Team was recognized for having won the Concordia Parish Quiz Bowl competition. The students were Tyler Trant, Tanner Trant, Danielle Palmer, Terrance Bowman and Josh Chapman.

Ms. Beverly Winston, Sponsor, and Literary Rally competition winners were recognized. The winning students were as follows:

Chris Cather 2^nd Place Advanced Math I

Chelsea Crum 3^rd Place Management of Resources

Giovanna Little Superior High Voice Solo

Giavanna Little Excellent Interpretive Reading

The following schools were recognized for attendance:

Final 6 weeks

1^st Place Ferriday High School 96.4%

2^nd Place Monterey High School 95.0%

3^rd Place Vidalia Lower Elementary 94.37%

The winners for overall attendance for the 2006-07 school year were as follows:

1^st Place Monterey High School 95.11%

2^nd Place Ferriday Lower 94.98%

3^rd Place Ferriday Upper 94.69%

The Concordia Parish Library was recognized for having received the Louisiana Partners in Education Award. Ms. Amanda Taylor, Librarian, introduced the Library Board Members.

Mr. Butcher presented the report from the Finance Committee. He informed the Board that the Finance Committee reviewed salary adjustments for support personnel, specific adjustments for school bus drivers as well as adjustments for administrators.

Mr. Riley provided the committee report for the Building and Grounds Committee. The Board was informed of the concerns for the building at the new Ferriday Junior High School.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Butcher and carried unanimously to add the following items to the agenda:

VII. amended item

The Board may enter into executive Session Pursuant to R.S. 42:6.1.A.(2) to Discuss Strategy with Respect to Prospective Litigation after Receipt of Formal Demand From Bus Driver, Rose TillEry, et.al.

added Items

the board may enter into executive session pursuant to R.S. 42:6.1.A(2) to discuss strategy with RESPECT TO PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION AFTER RECEIPT OF suit No. 06-07228 VIRGINIA ROBERTSON Vs. Concordia Parish School Board

the board may enter into executive session pursuant to R.S. 42:6.1.A(2) to discuss strategy with RESPECT TO PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION AFTER RECEIPT OF case NO. CV05-1739-m ALICIA BAKER Vs. Dr. Kerry Laster, Et.Al

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of May 8, 2007.

It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the invoices and financial report for the month of May in the amount of $3,512,354.

Mr. Tom O’Neal, Business Director, reviewed the consolidated budget revision for fiscal year 2006-07. It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to approve the Consolidated Budget Revision for FY 2006-07.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the Concordia Parish Technology Plan.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the School Bus Purchase incentives as follows:

Contract Driver Repair Allowance

This allowance will be based on audited route miles at the beginning of each school year. The allowance will be provided to current active contract drivers upon verification for any required bus repairs. This allowance will be up to and not to exceed the level of the allowance for the current school year. The reimbursements will be paid as a supplement to the locally funded operations allowance. Repair allowances will not be cumulative and payments will not be made in advance. Prior approval for purchases must be obtained from the Supervisor of Transportation. A receipt must be provided by the driver to be reimbursed for repairs or purchases.

20 or less miles $700 per year

21 to 30 miles $800 per year

Above 30 miles $1,100 per year

*The driver repair allowance is being proposed for 2 years. (July 2007-June 2009)

To begin July 1, 2007.

It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously for the Transportation Committee to meet three times during each school year in order to better understand the problems of the bus drivers.

It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the school bus purchase incentives as follows:

CONCORDIA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

SCHOOL BUS PURCHASE INCENTIVES

All pre-owned bus purchases that are five (5) model years old or less, drivers will be paid a total of $2,500 purchase assistance allowance. Such allowances will be added to the operations pay and will be paid at a rate of $500 per year for a term of five years, or until bus ownership is terminated.

Drivers purchasing new buses will be paid a total purchase assistance allowance in the amount of $7,000. Such allowances will be added to the operations pay and will be paid at a rate of $1,000 per year for a term of seven years or until bus ownership is terminated.

*This proposal will be on-going.

It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the revised salary schedules for school food service workers, school level custodians/janitors, aides, support personnel, administrative supplements, and activity supplements.

It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Raven/Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the Louisiana School Board Association resolution concerning 16 section land.

Mr. O’Neal reviewed the bid process for the Ferriday Junior High School Foundation. He informed the Board that only one single bid had been received from Wilmar Construction in the amount of $479,000. Mr. Joe Brocato, Architect, explained the soil problem existing underneath the building at Ferriday Junior High School. Mr. O’Neal recommended to the Board that the bid be awarded. It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the bid and move forward with the project.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Butcher and carried unanimously to approve the School Resource Officer position for the upcoming school year and to review the position at the end of each year.

Superintendent Laster recommended to the Board to hire a math curriculum specialist. There was general discussion concerning the need for this position. There was no motion made on the issue.

Mr. Butcher requested that the Board consider having an additional meeting at the end of each six weeks period to discuss academic issues only. Principals, Supervisors and Directors would attend these meetings. No motion was made on the issue.

It was moved by Ms. Rabb, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to hear personnel items out of agenda order. Personnel items are as follows:

Resignations:

Elizabeth Boothe, English teacher, Vidalia High School, effective May 25, 2007

Sonya Mars, guidance counselor, Ferriday High School, effective June 8, 2007

Madeline Mc Neely, English teacher, Vidalia High School, effective May 25, 2007

Regina Mize, teacher, Vidalia Lower, effective May 25, 2007

Cindy Willis, special education teacher, Vidalia High School, effective May 25, 2007

Retirement:

Penelope Bourgeois, teacher, Ridgecrest School, effective May 25, 2007 (correction)

Leave:

Zona Ellard, teacher, Ferriday Upper, extended medical leave, effective April 16, 2007-May 25, 2007

Debbie Wilkinson, educational strategist, Special Populations, medical sabbatical leave effective April 3, 2007-May 25, 2007

Appointments:

Jackie Kimball, teacher Ridgecrest School, effective August 8, 2007

Robert Haskett, social studies teacher, Ferriday High School, effective August 8, 2007

Mary Alice Higgs, English teacher, Vidalia High School, effective August 8, 2007

Bridgette P. Holland, business teacher, Monterey High School, effective August 8, 2007

Ollie King, English teacher, Vidalia High School, effective August 8, 2007

Bobby Parker, teacher, Ridgecrest School, effective August 8, 2007

Eric Richard, teacher, Monterey High School, effective August 8, 2007

Erin Williams Barham, child nutrition program bookkeeper, effective June 1, 2007

Karen Willis, Bookkeeper I, General Fund/ for Federal Programs, effective June 18, 2007

Letitia Giamanco, secretary/bookkeeper, Federal Programs, effective June 18, 2007

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to enter into Executive Session at 7:23 P.M.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to return to open session at 9:40 P.M.

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to reject the offer presented by Ms. Virginia Robertson and proceed with the information given to them in Executive Session.

It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Price and carried unanimously to adjourn at 9:42 P.M.

________________________ ____________________________

Kerry Laster, Ph.D., Superintendent Gary Parnham, Board President