PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2009           

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 12, 2009, 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. Raymond Riley, Sr., Mr. Gary Parnham, Sr., Mr. Fred T. Butcher, Ms. Darlene Baker, Mr. Daryle Price and Mr. Ricky Raven.

Members absent were Ms. Martha Rabb and Ms. Deanie Roberts.

Mr. Ralph Kimball, Taylor and Sons Insurance, presented the Employee of the Month award to Ms. Sue Bolin, Teacher Assistant, Vidalia Lower Elementary.

The Elementary Student of the Year, Tiffany Weeks, 5th grade, Monterey School was recognized by the Board.

Committee reports were presented by the chairperson of each committee.

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Price and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of January 15, 2009.

It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried to approve invoices in the amount of $4,728,118 for the month of January 2009.

Mr. Ernest Sasser, Auditor, Payne, Moore and Herrington, presented the audit review to the Board.  Mr. Sasser assured the Board that the Concordia Parish School system was in a very healthy position for a school system in Louisiana.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Price and carried unanimously to adopt the 2009-2010 school calendar.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Baker and carried unanimously to approve the proposed summer school schedule.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve the first reading of Policy GBRK - Annual Leave.

It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the following personnel items in global:

         Resignation

         Ruth Williams, first grade teacher, Vidalia Lower, effective January 21, 2009

         Retirements

         Carolyn Ratcliff, bus driver, Monterey area, effective January 28, 2009

         Julia Avery, teacher, Monterey High School, effective March 20, 2009 (correction of date)

         Hazel Minor, paraprofessional, Vidalia Upper, effective May 23, 2009

         Ruby Barnett, school food service technician, Ferriday Upper, effective February 20, 2009

         Leaves

         Patricia Irvin, teacher, Ridgecrest School, medical leave without pay, effective February 2, 2009

         Janice Rogers, teacher, Ferriday Lower, extended medical leave, upon exhaustion of accumulated sick leave for up to six weeks

         Susan Anderson, teacher, Ferriday Jr. High, extended medical leave, effective January 22, 2009

         Vounzell Murphy, teacher, Ferriday Jr. High, family medical leave, effective February 16, 2009-April 30, 2009

         Appointments

         Heidi Carson, teacher, Vidalia Lower, effective January 26, 2009 for the remainder of the 2008-09 school year only

         James McGee, Central Office, interim-child nutrition supervisor, effective February, 2009

         Sabra Wade, bookkeeper, Sales Tax, effective Monday, February 16, 2009

Superintendent Blankenstein announced the dates and times for D.A.R.E. graduations.  She also complimented staff members for the success of the recent federal monitoring.

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Butcher and carried unanimously to adjourn at 6:35 P.M.

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Gary Parnham, Board President

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Loretta Blankenstein, Superintendent