PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, October 13, 2022
The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in Regular Session at the Vidalia City Hall Meeting Room in Vidalia, Louisiana, on Thursday, October 13, 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.
Board members present were Mr. Warren Enterkin, Mrs. Dorothy Parker, Dr. Raymond Riley, Mr. Derrick Carson, Mr. Matt Taunton, Ms. Angela Hayes, Mrs. Lisette Forman, Mr. Ricky Raven, and Mr. Fred Butcher. All were present.
The Board recognized the following students receiving the Sidney A. Murray Citizenship Awards in Grades 9-12:
Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
CPA Caitlyn Hootsell Taliyah Floyd Meredith Black Ja’Myri Jones
Ferriday High Naziah Greaten Jordan Smith Skylar Washington Anashia Hawkins
Monterey High Trent Harris Darren Green Chloe Smith Hannah Hitt
Vidalia High Hope Jordan Daniela Corrigan Sarah Freeman Brenden McMillan
Marco Gonzalez gave an update on the Monterey High School Gym. He was unable to give a completion date as they are still waiting on lockers for the dressing rooms, faucets in the concession stand and the store front glass.
Committee reports were presented. (see attached)
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mrs. Parker, and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on September 8, 2022, and the Special Meeting held on September 22, 2022.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mrs. Forman and unanimously carried to approve invoices in the amount of $2,957,294 for the month of September 2022.
It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Forman and unanimously carried to add an item to the agenda as a discussion item, to look into the salaries of 12-month employees and those employees that are performing dual responsibilities.
A roll call vote was taken:
Mr. Warren Enterkin Yes
Mrs. Dorothy Parker Yes
Dr. Raymond Riley Yes
Mr. Derrick Carson Yes
Mr. Matt Taunton Yes
Ms. Angela Hayes Yes
Mrs. Lisette Forman Yes
Mr. Ricky Raven Yes
Mr. Fred Butcher Yes
The vote was 9 yes, 0 no.
It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Forman and unanimously carried to add another item to the agenda as a discussion item, to have Superintendent Bachus or her designee to contact our attorneys, Hammonds & Sills, to have communication with the contractor and Marco Gonzalez on the Monterey High School Gym and take all appropriate action dealing with liquidated damages for the untimely completion of the gym.
A roll call vote was taken:
Mr. Warren Enterkin Yes
Mrs. Dorothy Parker Yes
Dr. Raymond Riley Yes
Mr. Derrick Carson Yes
Mr. Matt Taunton Yes
Ms. Angela Hayes Yes
Mrs. Lisette Forman Yes
Mr. Ricky Raven Yes
Mr. Fred Butcher Yes
The vote was 9 yes, 0 no.
It was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Carson and unanimously carried to add another item to the agenda as a discussion item, the VHS basketball programs’ purchase of uniforms.
A roll call vote was taken:
Mr. Warren Enterkin Yes
Mrs. Dorothy Parker Yes
Dr. Raymond Riley Yes
Mr. Derrick Carson Yes
Mr. Matt Taunton Yes
Ms. Angela Hayes Yes
Mrs. Lisette Forman Yes
Mr. Ricky Raven Yes
Mr. Fred Butcher Yes
The vote was 9 yes, 0 no.
Mrs. Rhonda Moore was not present so Superintendent Bachus presented the personnel report. The report was available in the board members’ binders.
Concordia Parish School Board
Personnel Committee Meeting
Personnel Announcements
October 10, 2022
Leaves:
Kimelar Skipper, Paraprofessional, Ferriday High School, family medical leave, effective October 3, 2022 through December 16, 2022.
Ferman Washington, SFS Maintenance Tech, Central Administration, family medical leave, effective September 19, 2022 through November 11, 2022.
Resignations:
Kristina Brumfield, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, effective October 7, 2022.
Hannah Boleware, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective September 23, 2022.
Appointments:
Kenneth Lloyd, 12 Month Janitor, Ferriday High School, effective September 1, 2022.
Jennifer Sharp, School Nurse (RN), Special Populations (MHS), effective September 6, 2022.
Yolanda Williams, School Nurse (LPN), Special Populations (VJHS), effective September 12, 2022.
Julane Jackson, School Nurse (LPN), Special Populations (FHS), effective September 13, 2022.
Ronnie Turner, Sr., Teacher, FHS Freshman Academy, effective September 30, 2022 for the remainder of the 2022-23 school year only.
Felicia Bridgewater-Irving, Teacher, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective September 30, 2022 for the remainder of the 2022-23 school year only.
Connita Sones, Secretary/Bookkeeper, Sales Tax Division, effective September 30, 2022.
Jennifer Banks, Secretary/Bookkeeper, Special Populations, effective September 19, 2022.
Phyllis Johnson, SFS Technician, CPAMST, effective September 26, 2022.
Matthew Taunton, School Board Member District 5B, effective September 8, 2022.
Irma Pryor, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Junior High School, effective September 30, 2022.
Janice Dillon, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective September 26, 2022.
Transfers:
Stacy Pugh, School Secretary, Vidalia Junior High School, to Secretary/Bookkeeper, Sales Tax Division, effective September 21, 2022.
Melissa Doughty, Assistant Principal, Monterey High School, to Interim Principal, Monterey High School, effective August 24, 2022.
Ashton Rymer, Teacher/Administrative Intern, FHS Freshman Academy, to Teacher, Ferriday Junior High School, effective October 5, 2022.
Tyrieny Kelly, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Junior High School, to Paraprofessional, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective October 3, 2022.
Danny Brown, 12 Month Janitor, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, to 12 Month Custodian, Concordia Education Center, effective August 3, 2022.
Mr. Gonzalez gave the board an update on the ESSER projects earlier in the meeting as a part of the Monterey High School Gymnasium presentation.
Mr. Butcher noted that for the next item, the agenda should read “The Naming of MHS Gym,” instead of MHS Gym Dedication. It was moved by Mr. Taunton, seconded by Mr. Raven and unanimously carried to name the MHS Gym “The Jack Bairnsfather Gymnasium.”
Mr. Tom O’Neal presented the Louisiana Compliance Statement for approval. It was moved by Mr. Enterkin, seconded by Mrs. Forman and unanimously carried to approve the Louisiana Compliance Statement.
Mr. O’Neal gave an update on the central office building. He has spoken with the owner of the building and several contractors as well as showing them around the building. He indicated that he met with the building owner, Mr. Johnny Weeks, who had engaged the services of a private building inspector to view the facility for possible maintenance shortfalls. O’Neal indicated that he had informed Mr. Weeks that the system would also engage the services of an engineer to investigate the possible sources of moisture intrusion.
When asked about the next step, O’Neal said that once received, the findings of the inspection would be reviewed with the Board and then they would proceed accordingly. He indicated that he had hopes that it would have been received prior to meeting, but that it had not. He reminded the Board that quotes on the remediation process were previously received and that we are ready to go with that process.
Mr. O’Neal informed the Board that the engineer that looked at the moisture issues at the Central Office had also looked at the roofs at FLE and MSH with Mr. Henderson. In giving us suggestions on those repairs, he indicated that many of the issues that existed at the Central Office were also present at the Monterey School.
It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to approve the Accountability Resolution presented by Superintendent Bachus.
Mrs. Ashley Prunty was not present so Superintendent Bachus presented information on the LAA 1 (Students with Disabilities) Camera Policy and Related Procedures. It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Forman and unanimously carried to approve said policy and procedures.
After discussion regarding our athletic directors and their lack of compensation, it was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Carson and carried to approve a stipend for the athletic directors while requiring them to show accountability and that they are meeting certain standards. The amount of the stipend will be recommended by Superintendent Bachus, Mr. O’Neal and the committee named earlier to research the pay for athletic directors in similar sized school districts, which includes Mr. Carson, Dr. Riley, and Mr. Pere (Mr. Taunton is taking his place).
A roll call vote was taken:
Mr. Warren Enterkin Yes
Mrs. Dorothy Parker Yes
Dr. Raymond Riley Yes
Mr. Derrick Carson Yes
Mr. Matt Taunton Yes
Ms. Angela Hayes Yes
Mrs. Lisette Forman Yes
Mr. Ricky Raven Yes
Mr. Fred Butcher No
The vote was 8 yes, 1 no. Mr. Butcher asked for the record to show he voted no because he thought there should be a job description available before the stipend was approved. The motion passed.
Mr. Carson would like the board to look into putting a turf field and a track at FHS and VHS. Mr. Carson asked Marco Gonzalez to tell the board about a similar project he’s working on now. Mr. Gonzalez noted that he had worked on a project with a little turf work and a track and field in south Louisiana that cost about $1.3 million a little over a year ago so the cost has gone up. He recently worked on a project again in south Louisiana with two baseball fields and two softball fields, the infield area, not outfield, and some drainage work for $1.6 million. A project in Bastrop recently which included a track and football field cost $2.1 million.
It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Dr. Riley, and carried with Mr. Enterkin voting “No,” to authorize a committee made up of Superintendent Bachus, Mr. O’Neal, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Henderson, and the coaches and principals of the schools to engage the appropriate professionals as far as architects and engineers to develop specs and to come back to this board at our next board meeting to look at the specs and the possibility of the cost range for a turf field and track for FHS and VHS.
Mr. Enterkin asked to speak on this issue. Mr. Butcher granted Mr. Enterkin the opportunity to speak even though the motion passed. Mr. Enterkin noted that we are meeting in the City Hall meeting room because our central office building is incapacitated, and we’re paying rent there. We’re looking at spending millions of dollars on improving football fields and adding track and field areas. I think we’ve got our priorities a little bit out of kilter here. I think we ought to be looking at a central office and a place to meet of our own, rather than even thinking about spending millions of dollars on football fields in Ferriday and Vidalia. Monterey deserves the same money so we would need to put a new baseball field there with turf on it. So we’re talking about big dollars here, just off the cuff, that’s about $1.5 million times three. We need to think about our priorities, rather than think about refurbishing football fields at this time.
Mr. Butcher stated that the motion that passed was just to get figures together to see what we would be looking at for these projects. We have to start somewhere and see if this is something that can be done now or maybe in stages if at all.
It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Raven and unanimously carried to authorize Superintendent Bachus to conduct an ADA Compliance Survey of all the schools and come back to the board at our December meeting with a report on the compliance of all our structures and facilities.
It was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mrs. Parker, and unanimously carried to increase the tutoring pay rate from $25 to $30 per hour in order to accept the awarding of a $35,000 grant for the tutoring program.
Superintendent Bachus stated that this past May there was a table about Concordia Parish that showed in several places we were not in compliance with our vaccination records. Ms. Kaye Andrews, our senior school nurse, has been working very hard and has reduced the number of those who are unvaccinated by more than 70%.
Mr. Carson stated that the matter of the pay of 12-month employees has been discussed by committee, but never brought back to the board, and he thought it was time for the board to authorize Superintendent Bachus to conduct a study concerning pay scales and pay equity for all 12-month employees, and also sometimes with personnel we have to have some individuals perform double duties, and we need to come up with a system for individuals performing double duties on how those individuals are to be compensated. It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Forman and unanimously carried to conduct said study concerning pay scales for all 12-month employees and compensating employees performing double duties.
Mr. Butcher stated the next item would authorize Superintendent Bachus and her staff to get together with Mr. Gonzalez and our attorney in reference to the date of completion being missed on the MHS gym and see what action we could possibly take.
It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Forman, and unanimously carried that Superintendent Bachus get together with Hammonds & Sills and take any appropriate actions concerning liquidated damages and the possibility of liquidated damages concerning contractual obligations on behalf of the contractors we’re dealing with the Monterey gym, and we give her the authority along with Hammonds & Sills to take any appropriate action.
There was a discussion about the purchase of baseball uniforms for VHS, but it was decided that no action was needed.
Announcements by Superintendent Bachus:
· We have the Super Family Literacy Night coming up on November 1st at the Vidalia Upper Elementary School Gym at 6:00 PM. You all are invited to attend.
· A copy of your FYI is in your binder, and Mrs. Kaye Andrews, our senior school nurse, is featured there. I know I say her name a lot, but when someone is so great as she is, you just have to let them know. She has truly been a blessing to us.
· Our after-school tutoring program has 402 students enrolled, and we’re excited about that for our K-5 students.
It was moved by Dr. Riley, seconded by Mrs. Parker, and unanimously carried to go into executive session at 8:00 PM to discuss a personnel matter.
It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Forman, and unanimously carried to return to regular session at 8:20 PM.
It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Forman, and unanimously carried to approve a six weeks’ mentorship at Ferriday Junior High. Ms. Bethea will conduct the mentorship and will be compensated $1,200 for the six-week period.
There being no further business, it was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Forman and unanimously carried to adjourn at 8:22 PM.