PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, JULY 10, 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, July 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Board President Lisette Forman. After prayer and the Pledge, President Forman declared that the Board was ready for the transaction of business. She noted that comment cards were available on the table with the agendas. She explained that if anyone wanted to make a comment regarding an action item on the agenda, they should fill out a comment card and bring to the table where the board members were seated and they would be acknowledged when the item they were interested in came up.
Board members present were Mr. Fred Butcher, Mr. Fred Marsalis, Mr. Derrick Carson, Mrs. Angela Hayes, Mr. Matt Taunton, and Mrs. Lisette Forman. Mr. Wayne Wilson, Mrs. Vanessa Houck and Mrs. Dorothy Parker were absent.
There was a presentation by Ms. D’Shay Oaks, president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, and Ms. Ethel Rosenthall, president of the Concordia Association of Educators. In presenting a prepared binding agreement, Ms. Oaks informed the board that the CAE would like to have the agreement approved for the school board to continue the practice of holding out organizational dues through a payroll deduction program. Superintendent Bachus and several board members had concerns about the wording in the agreement with the superintendent recommending that this matter be discussed in the committees. It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Marsalis and unanimously carried to table this item until the August meeting.
The committee reports were presented. Mr. Marsalis gave the Educational Policy Committee report, Mr. Butcher gave the Financial Committee report, and Mr. Carson gave the Building & Grounds Committee report.
It was moved by Mr. Marsalis and seconded by Mr. Butcher to approve the minutes of the June 12, 2025, meeting and the special meeting on June 26, 2025.
It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Marsalis and unanimously carried to approve the invoices in the amount of $5,524,135 for the month of June 2025 as presented by Mrs. Patricia Sessions.
The Personnel Report was presented by Mrs. Rhonda Moore. Copies of the report were available in the board members’ folders.
Concordia Parish School Board Regular Meeting
Educational Policy Committee Meeting Personnel Announcements
July 10, 2025
Appointments:
Stacy Murphy, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High, effective July 28, 2025.
Patricia White, Librarian/Teacher, Vidalia Junior High, effective July 28, 2025.
Jennifer Acker, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High, effective July 28, 2025.
Sharika Fleming, Associate Teacher, Vidalia Junior High, effective July 28, 2025.
Rebecca Burget, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Allyson Gable, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Robresha Davis, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Allison Taylor, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Walidah Smith, Teacher, Ferriday Lower Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Carolyn Turner, Teacher, Ferriday Lower Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Sarah Delaughter, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Chelsie Johnson, Teacher, Vidalia Upper Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Logan Cheek, Teacher, Vidalia High School, effective July 28, 2025.
Kelly Kimball, Paraprofessional, Vidalia High School, effective July 28, 2025.
Shawanda Anderson, Certified Nursing Assistant, Vidalia High School, effective July 28, 2025.
Katie Moore, Teacher, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Kelshanekia Quinn, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Shakayla Miller, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Raven Proby, Teacher, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Hilary Saunders, Talented Arts Teacher, Special Populations, effective July 28, 2025.
Donna Jones, Occupational Therapist, Special Populations, effective July 28, 2025.
Carolyn Dixon, Teacher, Ferriday High School, effective July 28, 2025.
Leslie Harrell, Teacher, Ferriday High School, effective July 28, 2025.
Shayne Simms, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Montrell Allen, Teacher, Ferriday Lower Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Megan Smith, Paraprofessional, Vidalia Upper Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Bethany Collette, Teacher, Vidalia Upper Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Hazel Mallette, Teacher, Monterey High School, effective July 28, 2025.
Jelvontae Goffner, 12 Month Janitor, Monterey High School, effective July 14, 2025.
Bailee Maier, Secretary/Bookkeeper, Central Office Business Department, effective June 9, 2025.
Resignations:
Glenn Henderson, Maintenance and Transportation Supervisor, Central Administration, effective June 30, 2025.
LaTanya Dunbar, Assistant Principal, Ferriday Junior High School, effective July 14, 2025.
Alexius Coley, Teacher, Ferriday High School, effective August 1, 2025.
Jacqueline Smith-Murray, Teacher, Ferriday Junior High School, effective June 27, 2025.
Natalie Dunn, Teacher, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective August 1, 2025.
Retirements:
Elizabeth Walker, Principal, Vidalia Upper Elementary School, effective August 1, 2025.
Ronda Bradford, Teacher, FHS Freshman Academy, effective August 5, 2025.
Leaves:
Penny D’Shay Oaks, Teacher,Vidalia Junior High School, Professional Leave, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
Transfers:
Brayondra Jefferson, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, to Associate Teacher, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Shelrecker Hargrave, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Junior High School, to Teacher, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.
Charles Gill, Jr., Paraprofessional, Ferriday High School, to Teacher, Ferriday High School, effective July 28, 2025.
President Forman opened discussion on the Southern Designs building lease, which ends on September 5, 2025. It was indicated that the lease would automatically renew if no action from was taken by the school board relative to its termination. Superintendent Bachus informed the board that the building owner has informed her that should an extension occur, the lease payment would be increased from the current $4,000 per month to $5,000 per month. The increased cost is intended to cover the additional space being used by the system that wasn’t covered by the original lease agreement. It was moved by Mr. Carson and seconded by Mrs. Hayes to allow the superintendent to direct our attorney to add an addendum to the current lease agreement increasing the monthly payment by the additional $1,000. The motion passed with Mr. Butcher voting nay.
Mr. Carson reported on establishing a permanent central office stating that Mr. O’Neal has some information for us but he is not here tonight. The committee has looked at a building. We have several acres of land in Vidalia so we are in the process of putting together a feasibility study to look at renovating buildings, purchasing land, even looking at what we have with Southern Designs and the Weeks building that we are currently not using. Considerations are being given to building on the current lands owned by the board or the purchase and renovation of one of the several buildings in and around both Ferriday and Vidalia.
All of those are options, and Mr. O’Neal is putting together some information with the architects. The architects are preparing documents for land purchases in Ferriday, land that we own in Vidalia, and renovating several buildings in Ferriday and Vidalia, and outside of Vidalia where we currently are. He stated that the school board would have an update later so we can look at the cost of building versus renovating a space.
Mr. Butcher attended the latest meeting and gave an update on the Ferriday High School Renovation Project:
· He said the school was built back in the ‘50s, and asbestos was used in the construction, and it will have to be removed. In the library there were three ceilings, and the top two ceilings will have to come out down to the original. We will have to get the asbestos people to come in and inspect everywhere and get it all removed.
· There will be a change order because the two offices in the library were not in the renovation plan, and they will have to be added.
· Also, in the area of the principal’s office, where the secretary’s office is, the plan calls for a teachers work room. The plan is to do away with the bathroom in the principal’s office, but Mr. Butcher pointed out there is only one adult bathroom on the first floor at the other end of the building so this bathroom is needed with some modifications to access especially since there will be a workroom there. That will probably be in a change order as well.
· The data room is where the old guidance counselor room was. He recommended a change there of putting in a cabinet for all the wiring.
· Mr. O’Neal said there should be someone coming in, in the not too distant future to look at the lighting and the curtains on the stage. We’re trying to get three different companies to come in and look and see which one gives the most economical price.
· The electrical work out front should be finished by next Friday, that includes the demolition of the poles going onto the new system.
· The roofing project is just about finished. Mr. Butcher also suggested to the contractor that we may need to look at installing some gutters for heavy rain instances to keep the rain from splashing back on the buildings and causing mildew.
· He noted that the only thing he was not happy about was that if all the change orders were approved this will add 62 days to the work time, which is almost half the time for the complete project. So they’re going to take a look at that and will meet again next Wednesday at 11:00.
Mr. Carson introduced the next item, “Consider First Reading to Amend the Board Policy GBN ‘Dismissal of Employees.’” After speaking with the board’s attorney, he indicated that the board had several options available for consideration. After discussion the following is being offered for consideration:
All employees of the school system whose dismissal is not governed by the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 17:441-446, or by the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 17:491-494, shall be subject to dismissal by the Superintendent after providing the employee with the written reason(s) therefor and ten (10) days to respond. The employee’s response shall be included in his/her personnel file. The Superintendent’s decision shall be final, and such employees shall not be entitled to a hearing before a disciplinary hearing officer or the School Board.
Mr. Butcher recommended adding to the amendment that the employee turn in their keys and computer access, etc., when the 10 days begin that the employee is to answer any charges. It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Carson and unanimously carried to amend Board Policy GBN “Dismissal of Employees” as above stated with Mr. Butcher’s recommendation.
Mr. Carson began the discussion on “Creating a Code of Conduct Policy and the Implementation Thereof for Those Students Participating in Extracurricular Activities.” After discussion among the board members, it was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Butcher, and unanimously carried to refer this matter to Superintendent Bachus to bring a recommendation back to the board for next month’s meeting.
The board considered the second reading of the Cell Phone Usage Policy. The board members decided to include buses as part of the school district property where cell phone usage is prohibited. It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Marsalis and unanimously carried to adopt the second reading of the Cell Phone Usage Policy including prohibiting the use of cell phones on buses.
The next item, “Item H. Accept Employee Resignation,” referred to the termination of employment for Glenn Henderson, which occurred during the special meeting on June 26, 2025. Mr. Taunton, who made the motion to accept the superintendent’s recommendation of termination, moved to rescind that motion, seconded by Mr. Butcher and it carried to be rescinded with Mr. Carson abstaining.
Mr. Butcher then moved to accept the resignation of Glenn Henderson, seconded by Mr. Marsalis, and the motion carried with Mr. Carson abstaining.
It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Carson and unanimously carried to accept the 12-Month Calendar for 2025-26.
Superintendent Bachus said to disregard the next item, the LSU AgCenter agreement, that it was taken care of last month.
It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Marsalis and unanimously carried to approve the Louisiana Compliance Statement.
Superintendent’s Announcements:
· Superintendent Bachus invited Jamie Taunton to announce her news of being the principal at Vidalia Upper Elementary for the upcoming school year following the retirement of Elizabeth Walker. Mrs. Taunton said how excited she was to join the VUE team.
There was no executive session.
There being no further business, it was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Hayes and unanimously carried to adjourn. The time was 6:48 PM.