PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 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, February 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Fred Butcher, board vice-president. After prayer and the Pledge, Vice-President Butcher declared that the Board was ready for the transaction of business.
Board members present were Mrs. Dorothy Parker, Mr. Fred Marsalis, Mr. Derrick Carson, Mr. Wayne Wilson, Mrs. Angela Hayes, and Mr. Fred Butcher. Mrs. Vanessa Houck arrived at 6:50 PM. Absent were Mr. Matt Taunton and Mrs. Lisette Forman.
Superintendent Bachus then presented certificates to the school board members who earned the required six hours of training for the calendar year 2024. All board members earned the required training hours: Fred Butcher, Dorothy Parker, Fred Marsalis, Derrick Carson, Angela Hayes, Vanessa Houck, Matt Taunton, Lisette Forman, and Wayne Wilson.
Superintendent Bachus recognized the recipients of the Sidney A. Murry Jr., Citizenship Awards for grades 3-5.
Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5
CPA Paisley Welch Crystal Comas Lundyn Vaughn
Ferriday Upper El. Kailee Harden Malakai Polk Darriona Williams
Monterey High Jace Bass Ada Taylor Adalynn Atkins
Vidalia Upper El. Amelia Snow Conner Coldiron Harlee Donald
Superintendent Bachus also recognized Malakai Polk from Ferriday Upper Elementary for having a perfect score on his third-grade LEAP test.
Superintendent Bachus then went over her accomplishments from the last school year for her upcoming evaluation.
An update on the 4-day work week was presented by Superintendent Bachus. She read aloud a letter to the board members, a copy of which was in their folders. In the letter she reminded board members that she was not a supporter of the 4-day work week last year when it was brought up, but she did her best to be a team player and make it a successful effort. She presented the raw data from the surveys recently taken and noted that even though the surveys showed that the 4-day work week was still approved by the majority of survey-takers, she did not believe this format was in the best interests of the majority of students. Superintendent Bachus recommended that the school district go back to a 5-day week. She asked that her recommendation be added to the agenda tonight for discussion and appropriate action. There was no motion to add the 5-day week to the agenda.
It was moved by Mr. Marsalis and seconded by Mrs. Parker to add two items to the agenda. These items will be labeled as Items G1 And G2:
G1 – “Discuss Vidalia Upper Elementary Gymnasium Roof,” and G2 – “Discuss work needed on the parking lots at Vidalia Lower and Vidalia Junior High.” A roll call vote was taken to add these items to the agenda:
Mrs. Dorothy Parker – yea
Mr. Fred Marsalis – yea
Mr. Derrick Carson – yea
Mrs. Angela Hayes – yea
Mr. Wayne Wilson – yea
Mr. Fred Butcher – yea
The motion passed unanimously with 6 yeas, 0 nays, 3 absent, and no abstentions.
The committee reports were presented. Mrs. Parker presented the Educational Policy report, Mr. Butcher presented the Financial report, and Mr. Carson presented the Building & Grounds report.
It was moved by Mr. Marsalis, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the Regular meeting on January 9, 2025.
Mrs. Patricia Sessions, Interim Executive Business Manager, gave the financial report. It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Hayes and unanimously carried to approve invoices in the amount of $6,484,507 for the month of January 2025.
Mrs. Rhonda Moore, Human Resources Director, 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 meeting Monday.
Concordia Parish School Board Regular Meeting
Educational Policy Committee Meeting
Regular Meeting - Personnel Announcements
February 13, 2025
Leaves:
James White, Electrician/AC Refrigeration Maintenance, Central Administration, FMLA, effective January 14, 2025 through March 15, 2025.
Skylar Adams, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, returned from maternity leave, effective February 4, 2025.
Appointments:
Shirley Riggs, Teacher, Vidalia High School, effective January 30, 2025 for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year.
Leigh Ann Watson, School Counselor, Ferriday Junior High School, effective January 28, 2025.
Bridget Brown, Teacher, Monterey High School, effective February 4, 2025 for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year.
Cynthia Lyles, School Secretary, Vidalia High School, effective February 11, 2025.
Resignations:
Darlene Pickett, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, effective January 31, 2025
Leticia Giamanco, Secretary/Bookkeeper, Special Populations, effective January 10, 2025.
Samantha Harveston, Teacher, CPA of Math, Science and Technology, effective February 6, 2025.
William Marsalis, Jr., Exec. Business Manager, Central Administration, effective February 18, 2025.
Hailey Williams, Teacher, Ferriday Lower Elementary School, effective February 7, 2025.
Transfers:
Regina McCoy, Teacher, Monterey High School, to Teacher, Ferriday High School, effective February 4, 2025.
Zuri Brown, Teacher, Ferriday High School, to Gifted Teacher (AP ELA - FHS), Special Populations, effective January 28, 2025.
Patricia Sessions, Payroll Bookkeeper, Central Administration, to Interim Executive Business Manager, Central Administration effective January 30, 2025.
Retirements:
Sontra Davenport, Secretary/Bookkeeper, Central Administration, effective January 30, 2025.
It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to table Section VI, Item B, “Discuss Maintenance of the Football Fields” until the regular March meeting.
Following discussion on disposing of non-working vehicles, in which it was noted that the board had already approved of disposing of these vehicles in a previous meeting, it was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Marsalis and unanimously carried to authorize the business department along with Superintendent Bachus to decide on what bids are acceptable.
As representatives from Entergy were not present, it was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to table Section VI, Item B, “Consider Right-Of-Way Proposal for Ferriday High School Underground Utilities (the front of the school).
Mr. Butcher asked for an update on the gas leak repairs at Ferriday Junior High School. Mr. Glenn Henderson reported that the new lines are in place and they are waiting for Monday when the students are out of the building to transfer the lines over.
It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mr. Marsalis and unanimously carried to approve the first reading of the following policies: JCABA – Searches of Student’s Person, and JCDAE – Electronic Devices.
Following discussion on the roof on the gymnasium at Vidalia Upper Elementary, it was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Marsalis and unanimously carried to declare an emergency and look at all roofs throughout the district. The Superintendent will develop a priority list and will be given the authority to fix the roofs.
There was discussion on the parking lots at Vidalia Lower Elementary gym and Vidalia Junior High. The back parking lot at Vidalia Junior High has water standing on it right now, but when it’s dry, we have a guy on staff that will take care of that. At Vidalia Lower Elementary we’re going to ask the police jury to help us with that.
Superintendent’s Announcements:
· The LSBA Annual Convention will be held Tuesday, February 25 – Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles, La.
· The CPA Enrollment Lottery will be held Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 9:00 AM at the Media Center, 508 John Dale Drive, Vidalia.
It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Marsalis and unanimously carried to enter into executive session to discuss the following:
Strategy session and/or action, as necessary, regarding litigation entitled Smith, et. al. v. Concordia Parish School Board, et. al., Civil Action No. 65-11577 on the docket of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.
The time was 6:50 PM. Mrs. Houck arrived in time to be included in the vote to enter into executive session.
At 7:28 PM on a motion by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Hayes and unanimously carried, the board returned to regular session.
There being no further business, it was moved by Mr. Marsalis, seconded by Mrs. Hayes and unanimously carried to adjourn at 7:30 PM.