PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON  THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2008            

 

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, May 8, 2008, 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. Daryle Price, Ms. Martha Rabb, Mr. Raymond Riley, Sr., Mr. Gary Parnham, Sr., Ms. Darlene Baker, Ms. Deanie Roberts, Mr. Fred T. Butcher, Mr. Ricky Raven and Ms. Mary Campbell.

 

Committee reports were presented by the chairperson of each committee.

 

Mr. Ralph Kimball, Taylor and Sons Insurance Representative, presented the Taylor and Sons Employee of the Month award to Ms. Sarah Davis, school secretary, Ridgecrest School.

 

Certificates were presented to the Louisiana State Literary Rally Winners as follows:

 

Logan Dale                   Consumer Homemaking 1         3rd Place           Monterey High

Shelby Millican              Free Enterprise                         3rd Place           Monterey High

Jesse Louviere               Geometry                                 1st Place           Monterey High

Kaslynn Hughes              Latin II                                    2nd Place          Monterey High

Giovanna Little               Girls High Voice Solo               Superior           Monterey High

Jeremiah Alford              Chemistry                                 2nd Place         Vidalia High School

 

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of April 10, 2008.

 

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve invoices for the month of April in the amount of $3,669,823.

 

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation in that matter styled “Easterling v. Concordia Parish School Board”, Suit # 03-0985-A on the Records of the United States District Court of Western District at 6:30 P.M.  The motion was amended to include hearing the following items in Executive Session:

 

F.         Request to Appear - Kathy Banks Singleton

G.        Request to Appear - Minnie Turner

 

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to return to regular session at 8:10 P.M.

 

No action was taken on items heard in Executive Session.

 

Mr. Butcher did not return to the meeting following the Executive Session.

 

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Price and carried unanimously to add the following addendum to the Agenda:

 

H.        Request to revise Job Description for the position of Supervisor of Maintenance and Transportation

 

Mr. Tom O’Neal acknowledged the Safety Committee for their participation in developing the Safety Handbook.  It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Baker and carried unanimously to adopt the Concordia Parish Safety Handbook.

 

Superintendent Blankenstein recommended to the Board that the School Resource Officer position be approved for the 2008-09 school year.  It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried to approve the School Resource Officer position for the 2008-09 school year.

 

Mr. Butcher returned to the meeting.

 

Mr. Tom O’Neal reviewed the 2007-08 Consolidated Budget Revision with the Board members.  It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Butcher and carried unanimously to approve the 2007-08 Consolidated Budget Revision.

 

Mr. Butcher left the meeting.

 

Superintendent Blankenstein made the following recommendations:

 

1.         The multiplier of the current sliding scale be raised to 1.75 for gas, and 2 for diesel.  The difference is to offset the increased variation between the cost of gas and diesel.

2.         This increase would be for the months of April and May only.

3.         Depending on the price of gas and diesel in July and August, and the future of House Bill 386 which proposes to increase the state allotment, we would look at the scale again at the beginning of the new year to determine if there is a need for reinstatement or changes.

4.         If the price of gas declines steadily, and/or the state allotment is raised, we would return to the current sliding scale.

 

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Ms. Baker and carried 6 to 2, with Ms. Rabb and Mr. Price voting no, to approve the superintendent’s recommendation.

 

Superintendent Blankenstein recommended to the Board that the Job Description for the Supervisor of Maintenance and Transportation be changed to require a high school diploma  instead of a bachelor’s degree.  The recommendation did not receive a motion.

 

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

 

Resignations:

Kristen Brown, teacher, Vidalia Lower, rescind resignation

Glendora Alexander-Muhammad, Administrative Assistant, Ferriday Upper, effective June 9, 2008

Vickie Collard, Special Education teacher, Vidalia High School, effective May 23, 2008

Pam Morace, teacher, Ferriday Lower, effective May 23, 2008

Carl Ray Thompson, bus driver, Monterey, effective April 22, 2008

Ivy Quinn, janitor, Ferriday Lower, effective April 29, 2008

 

Appointments:

David Troutman, math teacher, Vidalia High School, effective August 8, 2008

Shannon Probst, teacher, Vidalia Upper, effective August 8, 2008

Amy Fletcher, secretary/bookkeeper, Child Nutrition Program, effective May 27, 2008

 

Transfer:

Jennine Wilson, part-time teacher Ferriday High School and Ferriday Jr. High School, to full-time Ferriday Jr. High, effective August 8, 2008

 

Announcements included Teacher Appreciation Week, School Nurse Week, Textbooks ordered, and the date LEAP and iLeap results were expected.

 

It was moved by Ms. Rabb, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to adjourn at 8:30 P.M.