PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, MARCH 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, March 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., Ms. Martha Rabb, Ms. Deanie Roberts, Ms. Darlene Baker, and Mr. Daryle Price.

Members absent were Mr. Ricky Raven and Mr. Fred T. Butcher.

The High School Student of the Year, Josh Usie, 8th grade, Monterey School was recognized by the Board.

Mr. Timothy Herndon, teacher, Vidalia High School was recognized by the Board for having received the Vidalia Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year Award and the Wal Mart Teacher of the Year Award.

Committee reports were presented by the chairperson of each committee.

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of  February 12, 2009, Regular Meeting; February 24, 2009, Board Training Session and Executive Session; and February 26, 2009, Academic Meeting.

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve invoices in the amount of $3,774,519 for the month of February 2009.

Mr. Glen Daniels addressed the Board to provide information on the Louisiana Leadership LEAP program sponsored by the LSU Ag. Center.  Concordia Parish is to be one of four participating parishes.  Classes will be held each Tuesday, from 5:30 - 8:30 P.M. at the Arcade Theatre in Ferriday.

Ms. Michelle Bethea provided the Board with an update on Ferriday High School.

It was moved by Mr. Price, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried to approve the Amendment to Investment Agreement with the state treasury resolution as follows:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Concordia Parish School Board as follows:

Section I - Pursuant to the School Board’s Education Excellence Fund Plan as filed with and approved by the Department of Education, the Senate Committee on Education, and the House of Representatives Committee on Education, State of Louisiana, as evidenced by a copy of the Plan, the School Board has chosen to withdraw the sum of $139,633.22 from its investment account in the Treasury for the purposes more fully set forth in its approved Plan.

Section II - To document and accomplish this withdrawal of funds from the School Board’s investment account in the Treasury, the original Investment Agreement is hereby amended to show a decrease in the amount of  Tobacco Money invested in the Treasury by the amount of withdrawal, to-wit: $139,633.22.

Section III - This Amendment shall be effective upon approval of the parties hereto and the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Louisiana, as required by law and the original Investment Agreement, and the finds shall be withdrawn and transmitted by the Treasury to the School Board upon receipt by the Treasury of this Amendment duly evidencing such approvals.

Section IV - Except as thus hereinabove amended and modified, the original Investment Agreement and its provisions shall remain in full force and effect between the parties.

Section V - This resolution and affects of its purpose shall take place immediately.

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Ms. Roberts and carried unanimously to award Vidalia Junior High School $5,000 to replace funds not received from the state for academic achievement of the school.

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Price and carried unanimously to approve the second reading of Policy GBRK - Annual Leave.

It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Riley and carried to approve the revised 2009-2010 school calendar.

It was moved by Ms. Campbell seconded by Ms. Rabb…….

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

            Resignations

            Krystal Kelly, paraprofessional, Ferriday Lower, effective February 16, 2009

            Retirements

            Delnora Cook, Central Office maintenance, effective April 20, 2009

            Leaves

            Tina Fitt, counselor, Vidalia Lower and Vidalia Upper, extended medical leave, effective   March 13 through March 27, 2009

            Aaron McKeel , custodian, Ferriday Lower, extended medical leave, effective upon exhaustion of accumulated sick leave, until release by physician

            Appointments

            Ivy Quinn, 8 hour/12 month janitor, Ferriday Lower, effective March 16, 2009 (12 month   probationary period)

Mr. Riley asked that the Board recognize the Vidalia High School Basketball Team at the April Board meeting.

It was moved by Mr. Riley, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously to adjourn at 6:25 P.M.   

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Loretta Blankenstein, Superintendent                             Gary Parnham, President