PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025

 

 

The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in Regular Session at the Media Center, 508 John Dale Dr, Ste B, Vidalia, Louisiana, on Thursday, January 9, 2025, 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 Mrs. Dorothy Parker, Mr. Fred Marsalis, Sr., Mr. Derrick Carson, Mrs. Vanessa Houck, Mr. Matt Taunton, Mr. Wayne Wilson, Mrs. Angela Hayes, Mrs. Lisette Forman, and Mr. Fred Butcher.

 

 

President Forman opened the floor for the nomination of officers for calendar year 2025.  It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mrs. Parker, and unanimously carried that the officers and committees remain the same as the previous year.

 

Superintendent Bachus then recognized the district Students of the Year:

 

            Elementary School – 5th grade winner – Aubrey Harrell, Monterey High School,

            Middle School – 8th grade winner – Kathryn Porter, Concordia Parish Academy of MST,

            High School – 12th grade winner – Ragde Torres, Concordia Parish Academy of MST.

 

As winners of the local Student of the Year competition, these students are eligible to participate in the trip to New York City this spring.

 

 

Superintendent Bachus then presented a resolution acknowledging that January is “School Board Member Recognition Month.” 

 

 

Superintendent Bachus then presented certificates to the school board members who earned the designation of “Certified School Board Members,” meaning that those board members voluntarily attained 20 or more training hours in the calendar year 2024.  Those members included Fred Butcher, Dorothy Parker, Fred Marsalis, Sr., Derrick Carson, Angela Hayes, and Wayne Wilson.

 

 

In the absence of Keith Bridgham, Superintendent Bachus gave the ESSER update report, a copy of which was 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.  

 

It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Hayes and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting held on December 9, 2024, the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on December 12, 2024, and the minutes of the Public Hearing held on December 17, 2024.

 

 

Mr. Fred Marsalis, Jr., gave the financial report.  It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Hayes and unanimously carried to approve invoices in the amount of $7,485,237.63 for the month of December 2024.

 

 

In the absence of Rhonda Moore, Superintendent Bachus presented the Personnel report and noted that the report was available in the board members’ folders.  She informed the board that there were no changes in the report since the committee meetings Monday.

 

 

Concordia Parish School Board Regular Meeting

Educational Policy Committee Meeting Personnel Announcements

January 2025

 

Leaves:

Brittany Green, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, returned from FMLA, effective December 17, 2024.

Appointments:

Charles Bo Sproles, Teacher, Ferriday High School, effective January 13, 2025 for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year.

Resignations:

 

Nailah Payne, Paraprofessional, Ferriday High School, effective December 13,  2024.

 

Ja’Corey Carter, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, effective December 20, 2024.

 

Katelynn Boone, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, effective January 10, 2025.

 

Jennifer Rosso, Talented Art Teacher, Special Populations, effective January 15, 2025.

 

 

Section VI, Item B, “Consider Right-Of-Way Proposal for Ferriday High School Underground Utilities (the front of the school), was tabled as there was no update.

 

 

Mr. Carson introduced Item C, “Discuss Maintenance of the Football Fields.”  After discussion, a meeting will be set with the engineers, designers, school district maintenance workers, and several board members to set a maintenance plan in place for the fields. 

 

 

Superintendent Bachus updated the board members regarding a gas leak at Ferriday Jr. High School.  Although the gas line has been patched temporarily, a total line re placement is necessary.  We have requested and received two quotes for this installation.  The first quote is from Thorpe Sheet Metal in the amount of $37,500.  The second quote is from Womack & Sons Construction in the amount of $56,865.  Superintendent Bachus indicated that the quote from Womack & Sons did not include the cost for a certified plumber to make the necessary facility tap.  It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to engage the services of Thorpe Sheet Metal for this repair at the quoted price of $37,500.

 

 

Superintendent’s Announcements:

 

The Superintendent invited board members to attend the 2nd Annual Staff Awards Celebration on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 9:00 AM at the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center.

 

 

There was no Executive Session.

 

 

There being no further business, it was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to adjourn at 6:24 PM.