PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2007
The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met for a Board Training, Public Hearing and Regular Session at the Concordia Parish School Board office in Vidalia, Louisiana, on Thursday, September 13, 2007, at four (4:00) 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. Darlene Baker, Mr. Fred T. Butcher, Ms. Mary Campbell, Mr. Daryle Price, Ms. Martha Rabb, Mr. Ricky Raven, Mr. Raymond Riley, Sr., Ms. Deanie Roberts, and Mr. Gary Parnham, Sr.
Mr. Bob Hammonds of Hammonds and Sills Law Firm provided a training session for Board Members. Following the training session, the Board went into recess until 6:00 P.M.
The Board reconvened at 6:00 P.M. for a public discussion of the Consolidated Budget for Fiscal Year 2007-08. Mr. Tom O’Neal, Director of Business Affairs reviewed the budget. There were no questions from Board members or audience members concerning the budget.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to close the public hearing.
Mr. Parnham announced at the beginning of the meeting that due to the number of requests to speak, discussion would be limited to three minutes.
Each committee chairperson provided a report to the Board.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of Special Meeting, June 28, 2007, Special Meeting August 2, 2007 and Regular Meeting, August 9, 2007.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to approve invoices in the amount of $1,329,723.
It was moved by Ms. Rabb, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to enter into Executive Session at 6:35 P.M. to hear an employee grievance.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously to return to regular session at 7:25 P.M.
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to allow the Board Attorney to seek a resolution to the grievance and for the Board to take no action at this time.
Dr. Kerry Laster, Ph.D., Superintendent, read the following message:
“I wish to thank the Concordia Parish School Board, the employees of the school system and the communities of the parish for allowing me the opportunity to work here as superintendent.
It takes all of us working together and focusing on what is most important — the education of our children. Our children face both exciting times ahead as well as challenges — a quality education is what will make a difference for them. No matter what the future holds for me personally, a piece of my heart will always be in this parish particularly since I was born and educated in the schools here.
I have one wish and that wish is that all board members along with administrators, teachers, support personnel, parents and the entire community put aside differences and strive to make our schools the best they can be.
My final thought.. When the best and the brightest come together, the possibilities are endless.”
Ms. Dorothy Ulmer, Ms. Cheryl Colvin, Ms. Sheila Lanius and Ms. Carolyn Huffman spoke on behalf of Dr. Kerry Laster.
Mr. Gary Parnham, Board President addressed the public on several issues including student transportation, the superintendent’s evaluation process, and test scores.
It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried 6 to 3 not to renew the contract of Dr. Kerry Laster. Roll call vote was as follows:
Ms. Darlene Baker NO
Mr. Fred T. Butcher YES
Ms. Mary Campbell YES
Mr. Daryle Price YES
Ms. Martha Rabb YES
Mr. Ricky Raven NO
Mr. Raymond Riley YES
Ms. Deanie Roberts NO
Mr. Gary Parnham YES
The board was asked to reconsider the action concerning the hiring of employees who work in excess of ten months in order to hire an individual for the school food service bookkeeping position which was recently vacated.
Mr. Butcher suggested that someone from the business department could assist or a temp could be placed in the position. He suggested that the Board adhere to the previous action.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Butcher and carried unanimously to approve the Auditor’s Compliance Statement.
It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to approve the Fiscal Agent Agreement. The Board received a sole bid from Concordia Bank and Trust Company.
The Board heard a request for a re-designation of lease holder for the Airport Road property. It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Butcher and carried unanimously for the lease to be relinquished and the property to be re-advertised for bid.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried unanimously to approve the collections agreement with the Vidalia Riverfront Authority.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried to approve the first reading of the following policies:
Policy JDE - Expulsion
Policy JDD – Suspension
Policy DCI – Budgetary Items Transfer Authority
Policy DE – Debt Limitation
Policy DFBA – Student Membership for Minimum Foundation Program Funding
Policy IHAD – Parent Conferences
Policy JG – Student Welfare
Policy BBBE – Board Member Compensation and Expenses
Policy EE – Child Nutrition Program Management
Policy JBA – Compulsory School Attendance Ages
Policy EBD – Energy Conservation Management
Dr. Laster recommended Glendora Alexander-Muhammad for the position of Administrative Assistant at Ferriday Upper Elementary School. It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried 8 to 1 with Ms. Campbell voting no, to accept the superintendent’s recommendation.
It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the addendum to the personnel as follows:
Sylvia Johns Ritchie, talented teacher, Monterey High School, one day per week, effective September 14, 2007 for the 2007-08 school year
Izella Lucas, Title I paraprofessional, Ferriday High School, effective September 17, 2007, for the remainder of the 2007-08 school year only
John Walker, paraprofessional, Ferriday Jr. High School, effective September 12, 2007, for the remainder of the 2007-08 school year
Lakenya Barthelemy, paraprofessional, Ferriday Jr. High School, effective September 17, 2007, for the remainder of the 2007-08 school year
Demarcus Bates, 2.5 hr. sweeper, Vidalia Upper, effective September 14, 2007
It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve all personnel items in global.
Resignations:
Erin Barham, bookkeeper, child nutrition program, Central Administrative Office, effective August 16, 2007
Kimberly Evans, paraprofessional, Vidalia Lower, effective September 17, 2007
Feleena McCaughey, teacher, Ferriday Upper, effective August 27, 2007
Terrye Roy, teacher, Ferriday Jr. High, effective August 27, 2007
Leave:
Annette Campbell, bus driver, medical leave, effective August 10, 2007-September 13, 2007
Peggie Hickombottom, teacher, Ferriday Upper, extended medical leave, effective August 20, 2007, through October 1, 2007
Mary Rachal, school food service manager, Ferriday Upper, medical leave, effective September 4, 2007
Appointments:
Lee Edna Bacon, math teacher, five-sevenths of the day, Ferriday High School, effective August 20, 2007, for the remainder of the 2007-08 school year only
Lillie Birdon, teacher, Ferriday Jr. High, effective September 4, 2007, for the remainder of the 2007-08 school year only
Mariah Cooper, teacher, part-time, Ridgecrest School, effective September 4, 2007, for the remainder of the 2007-08 school year only
Wynetta Dangerfield, teacher, Ferriday Education Center, effective August 8, 2007, for the 2007-08 school year only
TaShanda McKeal, teacher, Ferriday Jr. High, effective September 4, 2007, for the remainder of the 2007-08 school year only
Vanessa Sabir, speech pathologist, Ferriday Lower, effective September 10, 2007
Valenthia Smith, guidance counselor, Concordia Education Center, effective August 8, 2007
Ann Burley, itinerant inclusion paraprofessional, effective August 10, 2007
Dewanda Chapman, 7.0 hour Food Service Technician, Ferriday Jr. High, effective September 4, 2007
It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the Consolidated Budget for Fiscal Year 2007-08.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Baker and carried unanimously to adjourn at 8:00 P.M.
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Kerry Laster, Ph. D., Superintendent Gary Parnham, President