PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 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, August 14, 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, Mrs. Dorothy Parker, Mrs. Lisette Forman and Mr. Wayne Wilson.  Mrs. Vanessa Houck and Mr. Matt Taunton were absent.

Ms. Ana-Alicia Gouge, the LSU AgCenter Assistant Extension Agent, spoke about the school district’s 4-H program.

·         Had about 400 students in 4-H last year and would like to see a steady growth to that number this year. 

·         “Clover Buds” program for third graders, which rotates between two schools each year. This program helps get the students ready for 4-H, which starts in the fourth grade.  This year Clover Buds will be available at Monterey High School and Concordia Parish Academy. 

·         Two students in our parish are state Livestock Ambassadors, Woodrow Cavin and Woodrow Wade, who advocate for livestock showing, and public speaking as well as doing animal science and are getting into agri-business. 

·         Two regional reps are from our parish, Woodrow Cavin and Payton Tarver.  They represent the northeast region of the state to help bring projects into our community from that state level. 

·         4-H Camp in Ferriday this year had 24 campers and 11 at 4-H University. 

·         Very successful collaboration with the Farm to School Program, and we were able to receive funding for the special interest club. 

We want to thank you for supporting the 4-H Program and watch for our fund-raising efforts, the strawberries, pecans, and sweet potatoes and possible future family Bingo nights and other family events.

The committee reports were presented.  Mrs. Parker gave the Educational Policy Committee report, Mrs. Forman gave the Financial Committee report, and Mr. Carson gave the Building & Grounds Committee report.

It was moved by Mr. Butcher and seconded by Mr. Marsalis to approve the minutes of the July 10, 2025.

It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to approve the invoices in the amount of $5,824,613 for the month of July 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

August 14, 2025

School Level Administration Appointments:

Jamie Taunton, Assistant Principal, Monterey High School, to Principal, Vidalia Upper Elementary School, effective July 14, 2025.

Ravilia Hayes-Walker, Teacher/Admin Trainee, Ferriday Junior High School, to Assistant Principal, Vidalia High School, effective July 14, 2025.

Denise Credit, Literacy Coach/Admin Trainee, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, to Assistant Principal, Ferriday Lower Elementary School, effective July 21, 2025.

Larondrial Barnes, Assistant Principal, Ferriday Junior High School, effective July 21, 2025.

Appointments:

Miranda Seyfarth, Sales Tax Bookkeeper, Sales Tax Division, effective August 18, 2025.

Tiffany Burley, Business Department Bookkeeper, Central Administration, effective August 18, 2025.

Katangelia Tenner, Secretary/Bookkeeper, Central Administration, effective August 4, 2025.

Sharika Fleming, Associate Teacher, Vidalia Junior High, effective July 28, 2025.

Marvin Warner, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High, effective July 28, 2025.

Eldrick Young, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High, effective August 7, 2025.

Sonni Davis, Teacher, Monterey High School, effective July 28, 2025.

Whitley Chatman, Teacher, Monterey High School, effective July 28, 2025.

Onessia Sandifer, Teacher, Concordia Parish Academy of MST, effective July 28, 2025.

Shabilla Adams, Teacher, Concordia Parish Academy of MST, effective July 28, 2025.

Donna Young, Paraprofessional, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective July 30, 2025.

Fate Boxley, Paraprofessional, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective July 30, 2025.

Lacee Holland, EL Paraprofessional, Schools with EL students, effective July 30, 2025.

Ryan Young, EL Paraprofessional, Schools with EL students, effective July 30, 2025.

Erica Fells, Teacher, Ferriday Lower Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.

Mikayla Brown, Teacher, Ferriday High School, effective July 28, 2025.

Paige Motter, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.

Ciara Ferguson, Teacher, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.

Alana Watkins, Teacher, Ferriday Junior High School, effective July 28, 2025.

Miguel Peet, International AssociateTeacher, Ferriday High School, effective July 28, 2025.

Janeth Herrera, Teacher, Concordia Education Center/CPA of MST, effective July 28, 2025.

Tiffany Lillie, Associate Teacher, Concordia Education Center, effective July 28, 2025.

Edvontae Davis, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Junior High School, effective July 30, 2025.

Nelda Mason, Paraprofessional, Concordia Education Center, effective July 30, 2025.

Arion Thomas, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Lower Elementary School, effective July 30, 2025.

Rebekah Turner, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective July 30, 2025.

Keesa McGruder, Teacher, CPA of MST / Concordia Education Center, effective July 28, 2025.

Charlene Turner, Paraprofessional, Concordia Education Center, effective July 30, 2025.

Taylor Madison, Paraprofessional, Freshman Academy, effective August 14, 2025.

Earmander Harbor, SFS Technician, Ferriday Junior High School, effective July 30, 2025.

Dewanda Chatman, SFS Technician, Ferriday Lower Elementary School, effective July 30, 2025.

Narainee Khan, SFS Technician, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective July 30, 2025.

Linda Alsworth, SFS Technician, Vidalia High School, effective July 30, 2025.

Caitlyn King, Assistive Technology Facilitator, Special Populations, effective July 21, 2025.

Shekayla Miller, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Junior High School, effective July 30, 2025.

Darlene Pickett, Teacher, Vidalia High School, effective July 28, 2025.

Janequia Swanson, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Lower Elementary School, effective July 30, 2025.

Eldrick Young, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, effective August 11, 2025.

Resignations:

Chloe Delhoste, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Lower Elementary School, effective June 30, 2025.

Anita Krahn, Teacher, Concordia Parish Academy of MST, effective July 28, 2025.

Amanda Browning, Teacher, Vidalia Upper Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.

Shamoni Jenkins, Teacher, Vidalia Upper Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.

Makayla Knox, Teacher, Vidalia Upper Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.

Skylar Adams, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.

Ashley Lewis, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.

Amanda Dill, Teacher, Vidalia Upper Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.

Janice Reed, School Counselor, Concordia Education Center, effective July 21, 2025.

Zakeedra McKeel, Teacher, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.

Zuri Brown, Teacher, Ferriday High School, effective July 28, 2025.

April Harris, SFS Manager, Vidalia High School, effective July 28, 2025.

Barbara Brown, SFS Technician, Ferriday High School, effective July 28, 2025.

Jennie Maples, SFS Manager, Central Administration, effective July 28, 2025.

Carolyn Davis, Paraprofessional, Vidalia High School, effective July 28, 2025.

Brandy Andrews, School Secretary, Vidalia Upper Elementary School, effective August 11, 2025.

Arnell Jefferson, School Food Service Technician, Monterey High School, effective July 30, 2025.

Tyrieny Kelly, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective July 9, 2025.

Derrionte Jefferson, 12 Month Janitor, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective July 30, 2025.

Carolyn Price, Paraprofessional, Ferriday Lower Elementary School, effective July 30, 2025.

Retirements:

Gayla Crum, Teacher, Monterey High School, effective May 28, 2025.

Ronda Bradford, Teacher, FHS Freshman Academy, effective August 5, 2025. (Rescinded)

Stacy Allen, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, effective July 15, 2025.

Leaves:

Morgan Blank, Teacher, Monterey High School, maternity, effective July 28, 2025 through September 22, 2025.

Transfers:

Bobbie Woods, Teacher, Ferriday High School, to Career and Technical Education Coordinator, Central Administration, effective July 28, 2025.

Kwanza Cubie, Teacher, Vidalia High School,  to Teacher, Concordia Parish Academy of MST, effective July 28, 2025.

Derrick Davis, Teacher, Ferriday High School,  to Teacher, Concordia Parish Academy of MST, effective July 28, 2025.

Keith Russ, Teacher, Concordia Parish Academy of MST, to Teacher, Vidalia High School, effective July 28, 2025.

Caissidy Riley, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, to Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, effective July 28, 2025.

Quantrelle Green, Teacher, Concordia Parish Academy of MST, to Teacher, Concordia Education Center, effective July 28, 2025.

Regina Harris, Teacher, Ferriday High School, to Teacher, Concordia Education Center, effective July 28, 2025.

Rachel Armfield, Teacher, Concordia Parish Academy of MST, to Teacher, Monterey High School, effective July 28, 2025.

Eliza Boleware, Literacy Coach, Ferriday Junior High School, to Teacher, Concordia Education Center, effective July 28, 2025.

Anna McCormick, Associate Teacher, Vidalia High School, to Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, effective July 28, 2025.

Anna Lawrence, Paraprofessional, Vidalia High School, to Teacher, Concordia Parish Academy of MST, effective July 28, 2025.

Ronda Bradford,Teacher, Freshman Academy, to Teacher, Concordia Education Center, effective July 28, 2025.

Gabrielle Day, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, to Teacher, Freshman Academy, effective

July 28, 2025.

Misty Thomas, Paraprofessional, Concordia Education Center, to Paraprofessional, Vidalia Junior High School, effective July 30, 2025.

Felicia Irving, Teacher, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, to Teacher, Ferriday High School, effective July 30, 2025.

Venitra Davis, Paraprofessional, Ferriday High School, to Teacher, Vidalia Upper Elementary School, effective July 30, 2025.

Eboni Campbell, Paraprofessional, Vidalia Upper Elementary School,  to Associate Teacher, Vidalia Upper Elementary School, effective July 28, 2025.

Caroline Golden, Paraprofessional, Vidalia High School, to Paraprofessional, Vidalia Upper Elementary School, effective July 30, 2025.

Mr. Tom O’Neal addressed the request for a payroll deduction agreement on behalf of the Concordia Federation of Educators.  He indicated that this issue had been tabled from the previous meeting, but the group is already on a payroll deduction program.  He indicated that we can commit to continuing the deductions, but there is no real need in signing an agreement.  It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to accept Mr. O’Neal’s recommendation. 

Mr. O’Neal presented the bids received this afternoon for Janitorial Supplies and Copy Paper.  After the bids for copy paper were presented, it was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to accept Mr. O’Neal’s recommendation to take the bids under advisement.

After the bids for janitorial supplies were presented, it was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to accept Mr. O’Neal’s recommendation to take the bids under advisement.

Mr. O’Neal presented the next item and asked the board to consider approving a resolution providing authority to collect unclaimed property from the Louisiana Treasury Department.  He indicated that while our school board has no such claims, the tax department, as representative of other parish authorities, does from time to time have such.  Because our department is listed as the collector, the claims are posted most often as a payment due the school system on behalf of either a police jury or municipality.  It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Wilson and carried to approve the resolution.  Mr. Carson voting nay, indicated that he thought any such resolution should be reviewed by our attorney.

It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to approve the amendment to Board Policy GBN “Dismissal of Employees” by including the below referenced paragraph:

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.  An employee shall turn in their keys and computer access, etc., when the 10 days begin that the employee is to answer any charges.

Superintendent Bachus gave an update on the Code of Conduct Policy.  Last month the school district had assistance for two days from Coach Jerry Baldwin in a coaching clinic on this matter.  The school district discovered that we have a current Code of Conduct Policy in place that we have not been following; for example, the 2.0 GPA requirement.  It has been in place for over 20 years.  The coaches all agree this is a good thing and will push the students to keep their grades up.  An amendment to the code was recommended in that the policy will be in use after the first nine weeks of class so that decisions regarding grades will be based on this year’s data, not last year’s last nine weeks.  Letters have gone out to students and parents explaining this policy.  The school district will adhere to the policy in place.  It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to approve enforcing the current policy with the recommended amendment.

It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to approve the LSU AgCenter Cooperative Agreement for a term of five years. 

Superintendent Bachus introduced the first reading of a Correction to Revised Policy IFA, Instructional Materials, which clarifies the revised information under Parental Access to Instructional Materials.

Superintendent Bachus noted that the Pupil Progression Plan is updated and approved every year, one year ahead, and that has been done.  She asked the board members to consider approval of an Addendum to the Pupil Progression Plan, which is the Star Academy Program at Ferriday Junior High School. 

·         The board has already approved Star Academy, but because this involves 7^th and 8^th grades and student promotion, it has to be in the Pupil Progression Plan.

·          The Star Academy model operates as a school within a school using an all-inclusive, hands-on, project-based curriculum aligned with the Louisiana state standards in English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and career and technical education.  Instruction is designed to be engaging, rigorous and relevant with an emphasis on real-world application, collaboration and problem-solving. 

·         Students who successfully complete the program will earn both 7^th and 8^th grade Carnegie unit credits in the same school year.  It is a 10-month program which ends at the end of June. 

·         Participants are required to take the 8^th grade LEAP at the end of the program, not the 7^th grade LEAP, and when they are done will transition to the 9^th grade following the academic year on track for on-time graduation. 

·         Eligibility criteria is being at least one grade behind, strong attendance history, recommendations from administration, and signed student/parent agreement.  Kindergarten is not considered a grade, and was optional when they started school.

·         The entire program has been reviewed with the students and parents and an agreement was signed.  There was a meeting during the summer with parents and students in which the entire agreement was read aloud.

It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Marsalis and unanimously carried to add the Star Academy at FJHS to the Pupil Progression Plan.

Superintendent Bachus introduced Item J, Discuss CMC Proposals.  In an effort to be more proactive as a district as it relates to our needs and ongoing issues, she wants the board to considering out-sourcing our new AC units to be more proactive instead of reactive in fixing things.    

·         She asked for approval to let the company do a walk-through to get a number to present to the board and give them a cost analysis of what we’ve currently been paying.

·         Superintendent Bachus noted that the company has already done a walk-through of all the Ferriday schools because of the $70,000 grant we got through Entergy.  

It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Wilson and unanimously carried to agree to allow CMC to do a walk-through in the rest of the schools.

The next item, “Consider Approval of Donation to LaSalle Community Action Association,” was introduced by Superintendent Bachus. 

·         Since it is a federally funded program, she has confirmed that it’s okay to make a donation to LCAA.  

·         She stated that we have some decommissioned lap tops, and we do rotate them out every three years, and 4-5 tables at some of our schools that are left over that we are not using from the Star Academies.  The lap tops can still be used to access the Internet and things like that. 

·       These items are what was left after all our schools checked to see if they wanted any of them. We’d like to donate these remaining items to LaSalle Community Action Association.  

It was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mrs. Parker and carried with Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hayes abstaining. 

Superintendent Bachus addressed the next item, “Consider Athletic Support.”  She stated that we want to bring back school pride with sports.  Superintendent Bachus explained that the schools need a little help, and she is asking to allow an additional administrator to be awarded the same athletic subsidies that all the other administrators receive.  It was moved by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Mr. Marsalis to approve the superintendent’s request.  A roll call vote was requested. 

            Mrs. Dorothy Parker      Yea

            Mr. Fred Marsalis          Yea

            Mr. Derrick Carson        Nay

            Mrs. Angela Hayes        Yea

            Mr. Wayne Wilson         Yea

            Mr. Fred Butcher           Nay

            Mrs. Lisette Forman       Yea

The motion carried with five yeas, two nays, no abstentions, and two absent.

Superintendent’s Announcements:

·         We have a program called “20 Days of Attendance,” for the month of August.  On August 29^th we will give out prizes for staff and students who attended every day in August.

·         Superintendent Bachus is hosting a “Coffee and Chat” event to get together to chat with her on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Oliver and Co. in Ferriday beginning at 10:00 AM.  The first 15 employees of the school district to RSVP will be able to attend.

·         “Meet the Trojans” is this Saturday.

There was no executive session.

There being no further business, it was moved by Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Wilson, and unanimously carried to adjourn.  The time was 7:02 PM.