PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023

The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in Special Called Session on Thursday, April 20, 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.

Mr. Tom O’Neal reported that the special committee on student bus transportation had met on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.  There was also discussion at the board members’ retreat relative to the committee’s findings and concerns.  In speaking of the committee’s recommendation, O’Neal stated he didn’t feel he was in a position to speak for the committee, and he preferred that the recommendation come from the superintendent or the committee chair.  Superintendent Bachus stated there were five categories considered: 

(1)  Cost/Price,

(2)  Referrals,

(3)  Current Service to Others,

(4)  Equipment Being Offered, and

(5)  Date for Contract Implementation.

Superintendent Bachus explained that each category could score as high as 20 points. 

Jones Student Transportation received 59 points total,  

Ecco Ride of Louisiana received 96 points total, and

Durham School Services received 89 points total.

The recommendation of the committee is to go with the highest points total, which was Ecco Ride of Louisiana.  It was moved by Mrs. Forman and seconded by Mr. Taunton to accept the recommendation of the committee.  Mr. Butcher called for a roll call vote:

Mr. Wayne Wilson - Nay

Mrs. Dorothy Parker – Yea

Mr. Fred Marsalis, Sr. - Yea

Mr. Derrick Carson – Yea

Mr. Matt Taunton – Yea

Mrs. Angela Hayes – Yea

Mrs. Lisette Forman – Yea

Mrs. Vanessa Houck – Yea

Mr. Fred Butcher – Yea.

 The motion passed with 8 yeas, 1 nay, and 0 abstentions.

It was moved by Mrs. Forman, seconded by Mr. Marsalis, and unanimously carried to approve the 2023-2024 school calendar.

It was moved by Mrs. Forman, seconded by Mr. Marsalis, and carried unanimously to adjourn at 6:13 PM.