PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022
The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in a Public Hearing Session at the Concordia Parish School Board office in Vidalia, Louisiana, on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 6:00 o’clock 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.
Mr. Tom O’Neal, Business Director, gave the Board Members and members of the General Public a brief overview of the proposed ad valorem tax millages for calendar year 2022. He explained that the public meeting was primarily being conducted in an effort to allow for public input into the levy and its process. He explained that the proposed millages were in fact the same as the prior year and without additional burden to the citizenry.
The proposed millages are as follows:
Maintenance and Operations of the System 24.49 mills
Additional Construction & Operations Support 12.73 mills
Constitutional Levy 2.78 mills.
Mr. O’Neal addressed several questions from the board relative to federal contributions versus the proposed local levies. With no questions being presented by the general public, he read the proposed Resolution covering the actual levy of such taxes.
It was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and unanimously carried to close the public hearing at 6:15 PM.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 19, 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, May 19, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. This meeting was held on May 19th instead of May 12th because of a scheduling conflict with the Ferriday High School graduation ceremony on May 12. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Fred Butcher following the close of the public hearing for comments on ad valorem tax millages for 2022. Mr. Butcher, after prayer and the Pledge, declared that the Board was ready for the transaction of business.
Board members present were 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.
Mr. Warren Enterkin was absent.
Ms. Ursula Ashley, representing the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, asked if she may be able to address the Board. Upon such address, she asked the Board for their support of an increased state teacher and support personnel pay raise. This raise would be fully funded by the state Minimum Foundation Program (MFP). After discussion, it was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mr. Pere and unanimously carried to add this item to the agenda for appropriate action as Item A2. Mr. Butcher asked for a roll call vote.
Roll Call Vote:
Mrs. Dorothy Parker – Yea
Dr. Raymond Riley – Yea
Mr. Derrick Carson – Yea
Mr. Nicky Pere - Yea
Ms. Angela Hayes – Yea
Mrs. Lisette Forman – Yea
Mr. Ricky Raven – Yea
Mr. Fred Butcher – Yea
Motion passed with 8 Yeas, 0 Nays and one board member absent.
Marco Gonzalez with Volkert, Inc., gave an update on the Monterey High School Gym. The completion date is estimated to be sometime in August due to a delay in getting materials that have been ordered. Also, an $8,000 change order was discussed to address drainage issues in the general area of a sidewalk and parking lot to be installed in the front corner of the new facility. It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Forman and carried unanimously to add this item to the agenda for discussion and appropriate action at Item A3. A roll call vote was taken:
Roll Call Vote:
Mrs. Dorothy Parker – Yea
Dr. Raymond Riley – Yea
Mr. Derrick Carson – Yea
Mr. Nicky Pere - Yea
Ms. Angela Hayes – Yea
Mrs. Lisette Forman – Yea
Mr. Ricky Raven – Yea
Mr. Fred Butcher – Yea
Motion passed with 8 Yeas, 0 Nays and one board member absent.
Committee reports were presented. (see attached)
After the buildings and grounds committee report, discussion followed and it was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mrs. Forman and unanimously carried to repair the press boxes and the work to begin as soon as possible since it’s so difficult to get materials and get people to do work.
It was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven, and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on April 14, 2022.
Mr. Fred Marsalis gave the financial report. It was moved by Mrs. Forman, seconded by Mr. Raven and unanimously carried to approve invoices in the amount of $3,800,557 for the month of April 2022.
After discussion of Item A1, Adoption of Tax Millages for 2022, it was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Dr. Riley and unanimously carried to adopt the tax millage renewals for 2022 as presented at the public hearing. A roll call vote was taken:
Roll Call Vote:
Mrs. Dorothy Parker – Yea
Dr. Raymond Riley – Yea
Mr. Derrick Carson – Yea
Mr. Nicky Pere - Yea
Ms. Angela Hayes – Yea
Mrs. Lisette Forman – Yea
Mr. Ricky Raven – Yea
Mr. Fred Butcher – Yea
Motion passed with 8 Yeas, 0 Nays and one board member absent.
After discussion of Item A2, Pay Raises for Teachers and School Support Staff, it was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and unanimously carried to support the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and pass a resolution which supports the passage of a statewide pay raise for teachers and school support staff of $2,500 for certified personnel and $1,250 for classified employees.
After discussion of Item A3, Change Order for Monterey High School Gymnasium, it was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Forman and unanimously carried to approve the $8,000 change order to level the sidewalk between the new gym and the parking lot.
Mr. O’Neal reviewed the updated redistricting plan which Dr. William Blair had presented at earlier meetings. Dr. Blair also confirmed the plan and asked if there were any questions. There were none. It was moved by Mr. Pere, seconded by Mr. Carson and unanimously carried to approve the redistricting plan. A roll call vote was called for.
Roll Call Vote:
Mrs. Dorothy Parker – Yea
Dr. Raymond Riley – Yea
Mr. Derrick Carson – Yea
Mr. Nicky Pere - Yea
Ms. Angela Hayes – Yea
Mrs. Lisette Forman – Yea
Mr. Ricky Raven – Yea
Mr. Fred Butcher – Yea
Motion passed with 8 Yeas, 0 Nays and one board member absent.
Mr. O’Neal reminded the board members that last month Mr. Carson stated he was not pleased with several areas of the pavement in Ferriday, one at Ferriday Junior High and one at Ferriday Lower Elementary. Although not part of the original project, Mr. O’Neal informed the board that the contractor is at CEC, and we can get him to take care of these two areas before he leaves, which will be less expensive than bringing him back at a later date. The cost will be $63,000 for both sites. It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Forman and unanimously carried to approve this work.
Mrs. Rhonda Moore presented the personnel report. The report was available in the board members’ binders.
Concordia Parish School Board
Personnel Announcements
Regular School Board Meeting
May 19, 2022
Leaves:
Kirby Kelly, Teacher, Ferriday High School, extended medical leave upon exhaustion of accumulated sick leave, effective May 1, 2022 through May 20, 2022.
Jessica Franklin, Secretary/Bookkeeper, Sales Tax Division, maternity leave, effective April 28, 2022 through June 30, 2022.
Resignations:
Janishia Butler, Teacher, Ferriday High School, effective May 2, 2022.
Rose Veasey, Teacher, Ferriday Junior High School, effective May 20, 2022.
Torrence Finley. Paraprofessional, CPAMST, effective May 11, 2022.
Glynda Green, Bookkeeper, Sales Tax Division, effective May 27, 2022.
Jaylan Green, Paraprofessional, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective May 20, 2022.
Karen Brown, Paraprofessional, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective August 3, 2022.
Appointments:
Shannon Doughty, Principal, Ferriday High School, effective June 1, 2022.
James Jones, Behavioral Interventionist, Ferriday High School, effective August 1, 2022.
Lori Scruggs, Teacher, Ferriday Lower Elementary School, effective August 1, 2022.
Jessica Carter, Director of Secondary Education, effective July 1, 2022.
Lisa Lewis, Assistant Principal, Vidalia Upper Elementary School, effective July 18, 2022.
Shannon Probst, Assistant Principal, Vidalia Junior High School, effective July 18, 2022.
It was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and unanimously carried to approve the Concordia Sentinel as the Board’s official journal.
It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to table discussion of the Memorandum of Understanding for School Resource Officer until the June meeting or if there is a special called meeting before the June meeting.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mrs. Forman and unanimously carried to approve supplemental pay for summer school for support staff in the amount of $500 additional pay from ESSER funds.
Mr. Butcher recommended going to Item I next since Item G would be handled in executive session.
It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mr. Raven and unanimously carried to table the matter of considering amending the employee payroll from a monthly disbursement to a bi-monthly disbursement. There will be a practice run conducted in August and another survey collected from employees on their preference regarding changing payroll disbursement at that time.
It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mr. Raven and unanimously carried to enter into Executive Session to discuss the Smith et. at. vs. Concordia Parish School Board, et. al., suit. The time was 7:45 PM.
It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Forman and unanimously carried to return from Executive Session into regular session at 8:31 PM.
It was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Raven and unanimously carried for the school board to direct the school board’s counsel to oppose Delta Charter School’s pending Motion to Dismiss Delta Charter School from the pending desegregation litigation.
It was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mrs. Forman and carried unanimously to direct the School Board’s counsel not to seek to recover attorney’s fees from Delta Charter School related to the School Board’s successful Motion for Further Relief and subsequent monitoring of Delta Charter School’s compliance with its Court ordered obligations in the desegregation litigation.
Supt. Watson made the following announcements:
We currently have 1,272 students enrolled in our summer program. This summer we will be offering an Emergency Medical Responder class for our juniors and seniors as well as welding and carpentry. Students who have completed NCCER Core will be working with various maintenance crews across the district and be compensated for their time.
We have over 100 staff members who will go to the Teacher Leader Summit this summer.
On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we have Concordia Parish Leadership University where we will be collaborating on such things as Master Schedules, District Discipline Policy Workshop, Leadership Team Collaboration Training, and Fireside Conversation and Book Study Overview on Customer Service.
It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Raven and unanimously carried to adjourn at 8:35 PM.