PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 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, December 12, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Lisette Forman, board president. After prayer and the Pledge, President Forman declared that the Board was ready for the transaction of business.

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

Mrs. Vanessa Houck was absent.

Superintendent Bachus gave an update on the school district’s performance according to the scores certified by the State Department of Education.  She noted that for the past two years Concordia Parish School District has been in the top 10 districts for growth, however, this year we made the top 25 districts for growth.  The lower elementary students’ reading level went from 41% to 67% and there have also been increases in math, science, and social studies. 

Superintendent Bachus then recognized the Vidalia High School All American Dancers and presented them and their sponsor, Kwanza Cubie, with a plaque.  Mr. Marsalis requested that a letter of recognition for the dance team be forwarded to the school and put in the archives.

Superintendent Bachus next recognized the Monterey High School Cheerleaders for their awards received during summer camp at Louisiana Tech in Ruston during the past summer. She presented them and their sponsor, Paula Tarver, with a plaque.

Superintendent Bachus then recognized the Anti-Bullying Poster Contest winner, Connor Perez, and presented him with a new bicycle.

Superintendent Bachus then recognized the Christmas Card Art Contest Winners and presented them with three Christmas cards each of their artwork.

Mr. Keith Bridgham presented the ESSER report and noted that the reports were available in the board members’ folders. 

The committee reports were presented. Mrs. Parker presented the Educational Policy report, Mrs. Forman presented the Financial report, and Mr. Carson presented the Building & Grounds report.  Mr. Carson asked Superintendent Bachus to contact the contractors about working on our projects without going to another of their projects before finishing ours. He said the committee also questioned the condition of the football fields at Ferriday High School and Vidalia High School in that the grass on the fields were brown and the center of the fields were down to dirt by the end of the season. He asked that this matter be placed on the agenda for the January meeting.

It was moved by Mr. Marsalis, Sr., seconded by Mrs. Hayes and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on November 14, 2024.

In the absence of Mr. Fred Marsalis, Jr., Superintendent Bachus gave the financial report.  It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Taunton and unanimously carried to approve invoices in the amount of $6,125,607 for the month of November 2024.

Mrs. Rhonda Moore presented the Personnel report and noted that the report was available in the board members’ folders.

Concordia Parish School Board

Personnel Announcements Regular Board Meeting

December 12, 2024

Leaves:

Teranie Williams, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, returned from maternity leave, effective  December 3, 2024.

Skylar Adams, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, maternity leave, effective December 3, 2024 through February 4, 2025.

Brittany Green, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, FMLA, effective December 3, 2024 through December 13, 2024.

Shelrecker Hargrave, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Junior High School, returned from General Leave of Absence, effective December 3, 2024.

Damus Smith, Teacher, Vidalia High School, FMLA, effective November 8, 2024 through January 7, 2025.

Appointments:

Heather Crouch, Paraprofessional, Monterey High School, effective November 12, 2024.

Resignations:

Danny Tisdale, Custodian, Monterey High School, effective January 16,  2025.

Retirements:

Raymond Campbell, School Bus Operator, effective January 1, 2025.

Ima Thomas, Teacher, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective January 30, 2025.

Paula Fuqua, Testing Coordinator, Central Administration, effective January 6, 2025.

Debra Temple, School Secretary, Vidalia Upper Elementary School, effective January 30, 2025.

Damus Smith, Teacher, Vidalia High School, effective January 29, 2025.

Diane Vaughn, SFS Technician, Ferriday Lower Elementary School, effective January 10, 2025.

Cynthia Johnson, Assistant Principal, Vidalia High School, effective, effective January 17, 2025.

Superintendent Bachus noted that Section VI, Item B could be removed from the agenda.

Mr. Hardy Andrews with Foley & Judell, the board’s bonding attorneys, reported that the board’s application to the bonding commission was approved this morning.  It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to approve the resolution for the tax bonds.

Superintendent Bachus announced that the board received three bids on the Airport Property for grazing leases. The first bid opened was from Aaron Forbes and Michael Stewart for $34 per acre on the 75.11 acres, which totals $2,553.74. The second bid, when opened, was found to be a duplicate of the Forbes and Stewart bid.  Apparently, one bid was mailed and one was hand-delivered. The third bid was from the Concordia Parish Fire Department for $2,10.50. It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to take the bids under advisement and give to the business department to be sure they meet all the specs and award it.

Brant Young with Bryant Hammett & Associates was present to answer questions regarding the underground utilities and the right of way at Ferriday High School. After discussion, it was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Carson and unanimously carried to table this item until the January 2025 meeting.

Superintendent Bachus requested that the board consider approval of the differentiated compensation plan for Instructional Leadership Teams. It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to approve the differentiated compensation plan.

After discussion regarding school buses and electric buses, it was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Butcher and unanimously carried to rescind the previous action approving the purchase of electric buses during the January 11, 2024, regular meeting.

It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Butcher and unanimously carried to approve the schedule of meeting dates for 2025 with two of the meetings being held in other locations in the parish.  The April 10, 2025, meeting will be held in the Monterey community, and the August 14, 2025, meeting will be held in the Ferriday community. Locations are to be determined and will be announced. The other meetings for the year will be held in the meeting room of the School Board Media Center located at 508 B John Dale Drive, Ste B, Vidalia.

Superintendent Bachus presented a grant to fund the Star Academy to support at-risk and non-traditional students. It was moved by Mr. Marsalis, Sr., seconded by Mr. Taunton and unanimously carried to approve the grant.

There was no executive session.

Announcements:

Superintendent Bachus wished everyone “Happy Holidays!”

There being no further business, it was moved by Mr. Marsalis, Sr., seconded by Mr. Butcher and unanimously carried to adjourn at 7:15 PM.