PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2022

 

 

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, April 14, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Fred Butcher, who, after prayer and the Pledge, declared that the Board was ready for the transaction of business.

 

Board members present were Mr. Warren Enterkin, Mrs. Dorothy Parker, Dr. Raymond Riley, Mr. Derrick Carson, Mr. Nicky Pere, Ms. Angela Hayes, Mrs. Lisette Forman, Mr. Ricky Raven, and Mr. Fred Butcher.

 

All board members were present.

 

Mr. Butcher was joined by Dr. Riley and Mr. Pere in presenting a plaque from the Louisiana School Board Association to Mrs. Penny Daggett in memory of her father, former school board member Mr. J. W. Calhoun.  Mr. Calhoun, who served on the school board for 28 years, passed away in 2021.  The LSBA recognized him for his years of service at the annual convention in Baton Rouge in March.

 

Superintendent Watson recognized and presented awards to the Support Staff of the Year as nominated by each school administrator and department supervisor.  The winners are as follows:

 

Shameka Wilson, paraprofessional, Concordia Education Center

Emily Ewing, paraprofessional, Concordia Parish Academy

Kinetra Collins, paraprofessional, Ferriday Lower Elementary

Brayondra Jefferson, secretary, Ferriday Upper Elementary

Marilyn Birdon, paraprofessional, Ferriday Junior High

Kenneth Lloyd, custodian, Ferriday High School

Stephanie Blount, paraprofessional, Monterey High School

Brittney Evans Cormier, paraprofessional, Vidalia Lower Elementary

Debbie Temple, secretary, Vidalia Upper Elementary

Gerri Ellis, receptionist, Vidalia Junior High School

Mickey Myles, custodian, Vidalia High School

James White, maintenance department, Central Office.

 

Frederick E. Worthy with Merit Health addressed the board regarding athletic training for all the schools in the district.  Because there were several different options for the program, Mr. Butcher referred the matter to the administrative staff to bring back a recommendation.  Mr. Worthy was asked to check with his board about several issues, which he will do and return with that information.

 

Marco Gonzalez with Volkert, Inc., gave an update on the Monterey High School Gym.  The completion date is estimated to be August 1, 2022.

 

 Committee reports were presented.  (see attached)

 

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Carson, and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on March 10, 2022.

 

Mr. Fred Marsalis gave the financial report.  It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mrs. Forman, and unanimously carried to approve invoices in the amount of $5,311,088 for the month of March.

 

Mrs. Rhonda Moore presented the personnel report.  The report was in the board members’ binders. 

 

It was moved by Mr. Carson that due to ongoing litigation in the matter of Smith vs. Concordia Parish School Board, Item B, DOJ Desegregation Case Update, be heard in Executive Session.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried. 

 

Supt. Watson presented the 2022-23 school calendar for approval.  Of the three options offered, Option B received the most votes among staff.  It was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Enterkin, and unanimously carried to approve the calendar presented.

 

Supt. Watson presented the summer school salaries.  Administrators’ pay will stay at $5,600; teachers will be paid $50/hour; support staff, $25/hour; 12-month janitors pay will increase from $1,000 for the summer school to $1,250.  Mr. Butcher questioned adjusting teachers’ pay if the number of students drops after classes begin.  Supt. Watson agreed, saying that issue was discussed with the teachers, and the pay will remain the same as long as the ratio of students to teachers does not fall below 12:1.  It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Ms. Hayes and carried unanimously to approve the summer school salaries as presented unless the ratio of students to teachers falls below 12:1.

 

Mr. Tom O’Neal presented a change order for the CEC bus circle to widen the south side of the circle by four feet and to address some minor drainage issues relative to the new pavement.  The price on that is $13,800.  It was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Enterkin and unanimously carried to approve the change order for the bus circle at CEC.

 

Mr. O’Neal gave an update on the redistricting project.  There will be another meeting with Dr. Bill Blair on Thursday, April 28th, at 10:30 for the board members to look at the new redistricting maps.  If needed, they will continue the meeting on Friday, April 29th, at 10:30.

 

Mr. Carson asked Supt. Watson to survey the employees to see if they are happy with our monthly payroll, or would they like to go to bi-weekly payroll.  Mr. Butcher requested a practice run for a bi-weekly payroll period.  Supt. Watson requested to check with the business office to see if a bi-weekly payroll is feasible before surveying the employees.  Mr. Carson agreed. 

 

Supt. Watson made the following announcements:

 

Remember the meeting on April 28 with Dr. Blair to go over the redistricting map.

 

Also, remember the Personal Financial Disclosure Statements, which you have in your binders, are due by May 15.

 

It was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mrs. Forman and unanimously carried to enter into Executive Session to discuss the Smith vs. Concordia Parish School Board suit.  The time was 7:20 PM.

 

It was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mrs. Forman and unanimously carried to return from Executive Session into regular session at 7:35 PM.

 

It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Enterkin and unanimously carried to adjourn at 7:40 PM.