PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, MARCH 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, March 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. Wayne Wilson, Mrs. Angela Hayes, and Mr. Fred Butcher.  Mr. Derrick Carson arrived at 6:10 PM, before the ESSER Update.  Ms. Vanessa Houck arrived at 6:22 PM, before the approval of the minutes. Absent were Mr. Matt Taunton and Mrs. Lisette Forman.

In Superintendent Bachus’ absence, Mrs. Parker recognized the recipients of the Sidney A. Murry Jr., Citizenship Awards for grades PreK – 2nd.

Mr. Butcher noted in the absence of Keith Bridgham with Volkert, Inc., that the ESSER update report could be found in the board members’ folders.  He then presented the report to the public stating that the work was nearly complete.

The committee reports were presented.  Mrs. Parker presented the Educational Policy report.  Mr. Butcher asked that the Educational Policy Committee review the out-of-state travel policy for any modifications that might be needed and come back to the board for approval.  Mr. Butcher presented the Financial report, and Mr. Carson presented the Building & Grounds report.  

It was moved by Mrs. Hayes, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the Regular meeting on February 13, 2025.

Mrs. Patricia Sessions, Interim Executive Business Manager, gave the financial report.  It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mr. Marsalis and unanimously carried to approve invoices in the amount of $3,977,588 for the month of February 2025.

Mrs. Sessions presented the Personnel report in the absence of Mrs. Rhonda Moore, HR Director, 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 Tuesday.

 Concordia Parish School Board

Educational Policy Committee Meeting

Committee Meeting - Personnel Announcements

March 13, 2025

Leaves:

Michelle Bethea, Child Nutrition Director, Central Administration, FMLA, effective March 3, 2025 through April 22, 2025.

Tyrone Briggs, Custodian, Ferriday Junior High School, FMLA, effective March 11, 2025 through March 21, 2025.

Mr. Carson reported on the maintenance of the two football fields in Ferriday and Vidalia.  He explained that Mr. Henderson has been working with the gentlemen who are developing the comprehensive maintenance plan for the fields, and when the plan is complete, he will provide it to the board.

There was discussion on the second policy reading for two policies:  JCABA – Searches of Student’s Person, and JCDAE – Electronic Devices. 

It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Parker and carried unanimously to approve the second reading of JCABA – Searches of Student’s Person.  The motion included training by the superintendent and/or her designee with all administrators and personnel being made aware of the appropriate procedure to search a student’s person. 

It was moved by Mr. Carson and seconded by Mr. Marsalis that the board does not accept the policy presented, JCDAE – Electronic Devices, but comply with our previous policy along with the State compliance and guidance concerning this. 

A roll call vote was requested:

            Mrs. Dorothy Parker – yea

            Mr. Fred Marsalis – yea

            Mrs. Vanessa Houck – yea

            Mr. Derrick Carson – yea

            Mrs. Angela Hayes – yea

            Mr. Wayne Wilson – yea

            Mr. Fred Butcher – yea

The motion passed unanimously with 7 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent, and no abstentions.

It was then moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to refer this policy on electronic devices that was not approved, to our policy committee, that our committee develop our separate policy with the help of our attorneys and our superintendent to be compliant with the wishes of this board along with the guidelines of the State of Louisiana.   

There was discussion on the District Out-Of-State Travel Policy.  Mr. Butcher asked Mrs. Parker to have her Educational Policy Committee look at this policy and come back to the board with their suggestions to update it.

Announcements:

·         Board members, please see the calendars from CPA and VLE in your folders for March activities.

·         The Ferriday High School project went out for bid on February 26, and those bids will be opened April 1^st and brought to the board at the regular meeting in April.

·         Mrs. Parker and some other board members want to get together and have a fund raiser for Ferriday High School – to do a brick sale for the graduating classes of the school to make a walkway in front of the school and use the funds to put new furniture in the classrooms.

·         Board members are invited to attend a working dinner for the school district with the superintendent and community leaders to learn about student job placements, learn what skills are needed in employees, and help shape a program for career success.  The dinner will be Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 5:00 PM at the Rolling River Bistro, 406 Main Street, Natchez, Ms. 

·         Mr. Marsalis congratulated the Ferriday High School basketball team for making it to the Final Four and only losing by a couple of points.  He asked for a resolution from the board congratulating the team on their accomplishment. 

There was no executive session.

It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mr. Carson and unanimously carried to adjourn at 6:40 PM.