PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A TENURE HEARING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1991

The Parish School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in a special meeting at the School Board Office in Vidalia, Louisiana, on Wednesday, October 30, 1991, at five-thirty (5:30) o'clock p.m.

Members present were Honorable J. W. Calhoun, President; Mr. Johnnie Brown;  Mrs. Marie Cowan; Mr. Jerry King; Mr. Manson Nelson; Mrs. Polly Miley;  Mr. Walter Stampley; Mrs. Georgia Washington.

Charles Partridge was absent.                 

The Parish School Board of the Parish of Concordia was duly convened by Honorable J. W. Calhoun, President, who declared that the Board was ready for the transaction of business.

The meeting was opened with prayer led by Johnnie Brown.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited.

J. W. Calhoun stated that the purpose of the meeting was to conduct a tenure hearing for Ms. Henrietta Williams.  Calhoun turned the meeting over to Mr. Norman Magee, school board attorney.

Norman Magee presented several items to the court reporter in attendance.  The court reporter was there at the request of Ms. Williams' attorney.  Mr. Cespiva, attorney for Ms. Williams, stated his objections to the charges on two accounts:  1) not all witness were named in the original letter 2) the statute mandates that all previous charges brought against the party be noted.

Magee asked Mr. Cespiva if they desired a public or closed hearing.  Cespiva stated that they desired an open hearing.

Cespiva made a motion  that he would like a continuance of the case because two of the students who had heard the material read in class were not in attendance and that one of their key witnesses from Gambling State University was not able to be in attendance.  Mr. Cespiva alleged that it was possible that at least one of the student witnesses had been intimidated.  Upon questioning from Mr. Magee, Mr. Cespiva assured that all subpoenas had been issued as requested.

Norman Magee asked for a short recess to discuss with Cespiva the allegation that two of the Williams witnesses had been harassed.

It was moved by Walter Stampley, seconded by Manson Nelson and carried for a short recess. 

It was moved by Walter Stampley, seconded by Johnnie Brown and carried for the board to go into session at five minutes after seven (7:05) o'clock p.m.

A roll call vote was taken on the request of Attorney Cespiva to have  a continuance of the tenure hearing on a date to be determined between Cespiva and Magee.  The results were as follows:  YEAS:  Johnnie Brown, J. W. Calhoun, Marie Cowan, Jerry King, Polly Miley, Manson Nelson, and Georgia Washington.  NAY:  Walter Stampley.  ABSENT:  Charles Partridge.

Cespiva stated that he felt that all witnesses should be made to be in attendance at the next meeting.  Norman Magee asked how Cespiva felt this could be accomplished short of having the people arrested and placed in jail. 

It was discussed between the attorneys that if the witnesses for Ms. Williams did not appear at the next hearing the case would not be re-scheduled.  The case is to be heard within the next twenty (20) days.

It was moved by Walter Stampley, seconded by Jerry King and carried for the meeting to be adjourned.  The meeting was adjourned at six fifteen (6:15) o'clock p.m.

__________________________                       ______________________________________________

Gene Chelette, Superintendent                              J. W. Calhoun, President

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