PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2023

 

 

The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in Special Called Session on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 6:00 PM at the Vidalia City Hall Meeting Room.  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. Wayne Wilson, Mrs. Dorothy Parker, Mr. Fred Marsalis, Mr. Derrick Carson, Ms. Angela Hayes, Mrs. Lisette Forman, Mr. Matt Taunton, Mrs. Vanessa Houck, and Mr. Fred Butcher.

 

Marco Gonzalez was not present.  Mr. Butcher noted that Gonzalez would be at the February meeting on the 9th so we will get an update on the ESSER projects then and possibly on the football fields at Ferriday High School and Vidalia High School.

 

After discussion, the board members decided not to schedule the state’s civil law trainings, known as the “Good Government Program,” since the topics to be covered will be on the agenda at the LSBA Annual Convention in March.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Forman, seconded by Mr. Marsalis, and unanimously carried to go into executive session concerning legal matters to discuss strategy in litigation entitled Smith, et. al. v. Concordia Parish School Board, et. al, Civil Action No. 65-1157 on the docket of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at 6:13 PM. 

 

At 6:55 PM it was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Ms. Hayes, and unanimously carried to return to regular session.

 

Jon Blanchard, the school board attorney, stated that the recommendation of counsel was that the board will approve counsel moving forward as was directed in executive session as well as retaining expert services as they need. It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Marsalis, and unanimously carried to approve the recommendation.  Mr. Butcher asked for a roll call vote.

 

            Mr. Wayne Wilson – yea

            Mrs. Dorothy Parker – yea

            Mr. Fred Marsalis, Sr. – yea

            Mr. Derrick Carson – yea

            Mr. Matt Taunton – yea

            Ms. Angela Hayes – yea

            Mrs. Lisette Forman – yea

            Mrs. Vanessa Houck – yea

            Mr. Fred Butcher – yea

 

The vote was 9 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions.

 

It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Taunton, and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:01 PM.