PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2025

The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in Special Session at the Media Center, 508 John Dale Dr., Ste B, Superintendent Bachus’ office, in Vidalia, Louisiana, on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.  The meeting was called to order by Mrs. Lisette Forman, president.  After prayer and the Pledge, President Forman 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, and Mr. Matt Taunton.   Mr. Wayne Wilson arrived at 5:08 PM during the discussion of the potential district-wide athletic director.

The first item for discussion and appropriate action was to consider the superintendent’s recommendation for the termination of an employee.  President Forman asked if there were any comments from the public.  There were none. 

Mr. Jon Guice with Hammond & Sills, the board’s attorneys, stated that this matter was discussed at the last meeting with the board asking for time to look over all the documents that were submitted.  The only thing that is required now is for the board to accept the superintendent’s recommendation of termination, reject the recommendation, or if so desired the board has the authority to impose a lesser penalty.  This is purely the prerogative of the board under your policy, but it does require a motion, a second and a vote by the board.  

It was moved by Mr. Taunton and seconded by Mr. Butcher to accept Superintendent Bachus’ recommendation for the termination of maintenance supervisor, Glenn Henderson.  A roll call vote was requested:

            Mrs. Dorothy Parker - yea

Mr. Fred Marsalis – yea

            Mrs. Vanessa Houck – yea

            Mr. Derrick Carson – abstain

            Mrs. Angela Hayes – abstain

            Mr. Matt Taunton – yea

            Mr. Fred Butcher – yea

            Mrs. Lisette Forman – yea

The Motion passed with 6 yeas, 0 nays, 1 absent, and 2 abstentions.

Mr. Wilson was not present to introduce the matter of hiring an Athletic Director for the entire school district so President Forman asked Superintendent Bachus if she had any information about it.  Superintendent Bachus told President Forman that she had a counter-recommendation.  She stated that the board knew her concerns on spending, so she was not in favor of a secondary director having it as an additional responsibility.  She recommended giving this responsibility to a principal or assistant principal who has already demonstrated the full ability to be a principal or assistant principal and add it to them.  Mr. Wilson joined the meeting during this discussion. Mrs. Parker stated she was not in favor of taking a school athletic director from one school and making that person also be the district athletic director.  Mr. Carson pointed out that the principals are responsible overall for making sure all of the records of the students are correct and everything is turned in.  Following more discussion, it was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Parker and carried to reject this matter of hiring a district-wide athletic director at this time.  Mr. Wilson and Mrs. Houck voted nay.

It was moved by Mr. Taunton, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to go 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 5:24 PM.

It was moved by Mr. Marsalis, seconded by Mrs. Parker, and unanimously carried to return to regular session.  The time was 5:48 PM.

There being no further business, it was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Parker, and unanimously carried, that the meeting be adjourned at 5:50 pm.