PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2024

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, August 8, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.  The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Fred Butcher.  After prayer and the Pledge, Vice-President Butcher declared that the Board was ready for the transaction of business.

Board members present were Mr. Fred Butcher, Mrs. Dorothy Parker, Mr. Fred Marsalis, Sr., Mrs. Vanessa Houck, Mr. Derrick Carson, Mrs. Angela Hayes, Mr. Wayne Wilson, and Mr. Matt Taunton.  Mrs. Lisette Forman, president, was absent. 

Superintendent Bachus recognized the summer graduates:  QuTavia Johnson, Ferriday High School, and Bralen Washington, Vidalia High School.  Wearing their caps and gowns, Ms. Johnson and Mr. Washington walked into the meeting room while the traditional music “Pomp and Circumstance” was played.  Superintendent Bachus, assisted by the students’ principals, handed out their diplomas.  She then gave words of encouragement to the graduates.  Mr. Butcher also gave words of encouragement to the graduates before they exited to the traditional music.   A small reception was held for the graduates and their families in the adjacent kitchen while the board meeting continued.

Keith Bridgham with Volkert, Inc., gave an update on the ESSER Renovation Projects.  Bridgham referred to an outline in their folders and showed photos on the overhead screen.  Mr. Butcher questioned why the contractor’s crew was not working last Friday or today, noting that they were already behind schedule.  Bridgham noted that the crews were sent to another location by the contractor.  Mr. Carson requested that school staff and central office staff or maintenance staff be involved in the final inspection at the schools so if there are any complaints from the school staff, they can be addressed. 

Superintendent Bachus noted that since one of the sponsors of the cheerleaders is on leave, the recognition of the cheerleaders would be postponed until the September meeting.

The committee reports were given.  The Finance Committee members combined with Building & Grounds and had no report.  Mrs. Parker gave the Educational Policy report, and Mr. Carson gave the Building & Grounds report.

It was moved by Mr. Marsalis, Sr., seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 11, 2024, and the minutes of the special meeting of July 20, 2024.

It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Parker, and unanimously carried to approve to approve invoices in the amount of $5,031,428 for the month of July 2024 presented by Mr. Fred Marsalis, Jr

The Personnel Report was presented by Rhonda Moore, HR Director, who noted that changes to the report since the committee meeting on Monday were highlighted on the report.

After discussion, it was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mr. Marsalis and unanimously carried to accept the superintendent’s recommendation of procuring a travel card to be used in making travel arrangements.

Superintendent Bachus noted that the school district is incorporating a Farm to School program this year as well as active salad bars and Mrs. Bethea has said she will need to add another position in the food service department, a floating food service manager, which will be a new and permanent position.  There is already a job description for food service manager which this position will follow, this is just a floating manager between all the schools.  There are 10 food service managers in the school district, and this would add one more, making the count 11 in the district.  There was more discussion including time sheets and travel.  Michelle Bethea, Food Service Director, explained to the board members that Food Services has several vehicles, one of which this manager could use, or if there is mileage for a personal vehicle that Food Service Department will pay it.  She noted that this person will not be over the other food service managers, they all will be equal.  The job description for this position needs to be amended to cover travel between schools.  This person will report directly to Mrs. Bethea.  There is already a salary scale for this position.  It was moved by Mr. Carson and seconded by Mrs. Parker to give the superintendent temporary authority to seek and employ an additional food service manager to be employed temporarily under the current salary scale and job description and to come back to the board within 30 days with a complete job description and with complete detail for practical reasons.

A roll call vote was requested:

           Mr. Butcher – no

           Mrs. Parker – yes

           Mr. Marsalis, Sr. – yes

           Mrs. Houck – yes

           Mr. Carson – yes

           Mrs. Hayes – yes

           Mr. Wilson – yes

           Mr. Taunton – yes

The motion passed with seven yeas, one nay and one absent.

Mr. Carson requested to table Item D “Consider Hiring a New Attorney to Handle Current Central Office Building Suit.”  He explained that he didn’t feel it was necessary to hire a new attorney, that Hammonds & Sills were taking care of the matter.

It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Hayes and carried to select a committee to create a policy for the proposed pay gap between principals and supervisors and supervisors and directors.  Mr. Carson recused himself from voting on this matter.  Committee members named included Mrs. Parker, Mrs. Houck, Rhonda Moore, Mrs. Forman, Mrs. Lillian Franklin, Tom O’Neal, and Superintendent Bachus with the superintendent requesting no voting privilege.

It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to award the one-time MFP Stipend from the State for certified teachers and support personnel.  This stipend will be issued with the September 15, 2024, payroll.  Certified teachers will receive $2,000, and support personnel will receive $1,000.

Mr. Tom O’Neal asked board members to consider ratifying the agreement with Don Barron Contractors, Inc., which states the remaining balance owed to be $53,500.  This agreement is on the hold-back amount on the Monterey Gymnasium.  It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Hayes and unanimously carried to accept the negotiated price.

Mr. O’Neal stated that bids had been received for janitorial supplies and copy paper.  He then opened the bids and read each one. 

It was moved by Mr. Marsalis, Sr., seconded by Mrs. Parker, and unanimously carried for Mr. O’Neal and Superintendent Bachus to take the janitorial supplies and paper goods bids under advisement with the authority to award the bids if they meet the specs.

It was moved by Mr. Taunton, seconded by Mrs. Houck, and unanimously carried for Mr. O’Neal and Superintendent Bachus to take the copy paper bids under advisement with the authority to award the bids if they meet the specs.

Mr. O’Neal reported that we’re ready to advertise a Request for Bids for the Monterey High School Drainage Project.  Brant Young with Bryant Hammett & Associates said they would have the specs ready next week and will be able to run them in the paper.  It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Taunton and unanimously carried to advertise for bids for the Monterey High School Drainage Project.

It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Hayes and unanimously carried to approve the first reading of the following policies:  EB-24, GAMA-24, IDCH-24, IDE-24, IDFA-24, JBE-24, JCDAA-24, JCDAE-24, JD-24, JDD-24, JDE-24, JGCE-24.

It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Hayes and unanimously carried to table the consideration of the records retention schedule.

There was no executive session.

Announcements:

·         Superintendent Bachus asked the principals who were present to tell about any upcoming activities at their schools.

There being no further business, it was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Marsalis and unanimously carried to adjourn at 7:20 PM.