PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2021
Due to the absence of the Board President, it was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried that Dr. Riley chair the meeting.
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, and via Zoom Teleconference on Thursday, March 11, 2021, at 6:00 o’clock p.m. The meeting was called to order by Dr. Raymond Riley, who, after prayer and the Pledge, declared that the Board was ready for the transaction of business.
Members present were Mr. Warren Enterkin, Mrs. Dorothy Parker-via Zoom Teleconference, Dr. Raymond Riley, Mr. Derrick Carson, Ms. Angela Hayes, and Mr. Ricky Raven.
Members absent were President Fred Butcher, Mr. John Bostic, and Mrs. Lisette Forman.
Committee Reports were presented. (see attached)
President Butcher entered the session during the presentation of Committee Reports at 6:08 p.m.
After the presentation of Committee Reports, President Butcher assumed the Chairmanship position.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Hayes and carried to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on February 11, 2021, after Item VI. A. is corrected to state “ ‘any’ refund will come back to the Concordia Parish School Board.”
It was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve invoices in the amount of $3,790,463 for the month of February.
Board Members and the Superintendent were provided with a copy of the FY 2019-2020 Audit Report. Mr. O’Neal informed the Board that the system’s review reflected an overall Unmodified Opinion.
After a short discussion concerning Durham School Services and the current student transportation agreement, Mr. O’Neal informed the Board that the transportation contract was based on a minimum number of routes and/or buses placed in services. He indicated that the costing of monthly invoices, appear to be based on approved routes with assigned equipment, and not necessarily on equipment usage. The Board was informed that the administration has plans on meeting with the company to discuss referenced invoice disparities and clarification on future billings. President Butcher indicated that he thought it might be a good idea to include a representative of our legal team on any such discussions. Mr. O’Neal also informed the Board that Durham School Services is responsible for maintaining the bus parking area.
In giving an update on the progress of a new parking lot for the Concordia Parish Academy, Mr. O’Neal informed the Board that the services of a Civil Engineer had been engaged to insure a proper drainage design for the project.
Mr. Shirley stated that several universal Time Trust System options will be researched and will be brought before the Board at the April 8, 2021, board meeting.
It was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Carson and carried to allow our Business Director, Supervisor of Maintenance and Transportation, and the Superintendent to talk with Acadian Total Security to look into buying a GPS Tracking System for approximately twenty-four, school-owned vehicles. Mr. Raven voted no.
Mrs. Parker gave a brief presentation that was discussed at their Committee Meeting for the Strategic Plan for Expenditures of the ESSER II Funds. The sheet identified fifteen items on how the money can be spent on things related to the COVID-19 virus. Mrs. Parker stated that the most pressing of these items is to fill the gap of students who are falling behind due to in and out of virtual and face-to-face classes. Sanitation planning and summer school was also discussed. President Butcher stated that we need to come up with a strategic plan to build a gap for loss of learning, education structure (reading), social/emotional, and constructive components (as it relates to COVID).
During discussion of facility usage, it was indicated that facility usage by individuals or groups should never occur without a properly documented Facility Usage Application/Lease Agreement, having been preapproved by the administration. School Board File KG is applicable to the Use of School Facilities.
President Butcher indicated that due to the current COVID issues, basketball seasons for Ferriday and Vidalia schools had been cancelled. In noting that the basketball coaches were all paid their respective coaching supplements, the Superintendent was asked to insure that credit for those payments be applied to the summer conditioning program as the coaches’ compensation.
There was no Executive Session.
Mrs. Rhonda Moore presented the following Personnel Announcements:
Concordia Parish School Board
Personnel Committee Meeting Announcements
March 8, 2021
Leaves:
Najee Herrington, Teacher, CPAMST, maternity leave/extended medical leave, effective February 17, 2021 through May 12, 2021.
Michelle Bethea, Director of Child Nutrition, Central Administration Office, Family Medical Leave, effective January 4, 2021 through March 12, 2021.
Rhonda Moore, Personnel Director, Central Administration Office, Family Medical Leave, effective February 23, 2021 through April 6 , 2021.
Retirements:
Darlene Pickett, Teacher, Ferriday Junior High School, effective January 22, 2021.
The following Announcements were made by Mr. Shirley:
1. Update on COVID cases in the Parish – our numbers are as good as they have been since the
pandemic began on March 13, 2020.
2. Spring Break for everyone will be March 22 – 26.
3. The state has pushed testing back to the end of April. April 30th; which is a Friday.
All Concordia Parish students will attend school Monday through Friday on April 26-30, 2021.
4. Daylight Savings time begins Sunday, March 14, 2021. (Clocks moved forward)
5. Our April committee meetings will be on a Tuesday due to the Easter holidays
It was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Enterkin and carried to adjourn at 7:47 p.m.
Concordia Parish School Board Committee Reports
Educational/Personnel Policy Committee
March 8, 2021
I. ACTION ON ITEMS INVOLVING SPENDING OF MONEY
1.0 Ferriday Police Department wants to send SRO to a conference - $400.00
II. ITEMS DISCUSSED
2.0 Personnel-leaves and retirements
2.1 COVID Data
2.2 Agenda items
Concordia Parish School Board Committee Reports
Finance Committee
March 8, 2021
I. ACTION ON ITEMS INVOLVING SPENDING OF MONEY
1.0 Ferriday Police Department wants to send SRO to a conference - $400.00
1.1 Tracking system for vehicles
II. ITEMS DISCUSSED
2.0 Reviewed financial statements for the month of February 2021
2.1 Personnel-leaves and retirements
2.2 COVID data
2.3 Agenda items
2.4 ESSER II budget
2.5 Durham billing
Concordia Parish School Board Committee Reports
Buildings and Grounds Committee
March 8, 2021
I. ACTION ON ITEMS INVOLVING SPENDING OF MONEY
1.0 Ferriday Police Department wants to send SRO to a conference - $400.00
1.1 Tracking system for vehicles
1.2 Special needs bus for MHS
1.3 Roof at FHS cafeteria
1.4 Roof at VHS boys basketball area
1.5 CPA parking lot
1.6 CPSB roof
1.7 Update on FHS roof under stadium
II. ITEMS DISCUSSED
2.0 Personnel-leaves and retirements
2.1 COVID Data
2.2 Durham billing
2.3 Durham parking lot
2.4 Agenda items