PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD DECEMBER 10, 1991.

The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in regular session at the Concordia Parish School Board Office in Vidalia, Louisiana, on Tuesday, December 10, 1991, at five-thirty (5:30) o'clock p.m.  The meeting was called to order by the Honorable J. W. Calhoun, President, who declared that the Board, after prayer led by Mr. Manson Nelson and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, was ready for the transaction of business.

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

Members absent:  Mrs. Georgia Washington

According to Mr. Dennis Cowart, Business Manager, the board has three (3) choices in providing excess Workmen's Compensation Insurance for employees:

1.         Purchase a surety bond at a cost of $2500 per year

2.         Pledge a $100,00 certificate of deposit

3.         Provide a letter of credit from Concordia Bank and Trust, which the bank will provide if the Board pledges one of its $100,000 certificates of deposit

Superintendent Chelette recommended that the Board approve the designation of one of its certificates of deposit with Concordia Bank for the amount the bank needs to issue the Board a letter of credit.  After discussion, it was moved by Mr. Brown and seconded by Mr. Partridge that this item be placed on the December 17, 1991, agenda.  A roll call vote was taken:

YEAS: Mr. Brown, Mr. Calhoun, Mr. King, Mr. Partridge

NAYS: Mrs. Cowan, Mrs. Miley, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Stampley

The motion failed 4-4.

It was moved by Mrs. Miley and seconded by Mrs. Cowan that the Superintendent's recommendation, which was endorsed by Mr. Cowart and Mr. O'Neal, be accepted.  A roll call vote was taken:

YEAS: Mr. Calhoun, Mrs. Cowan, Mrs. Miley, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Stampley

NAYS: Mr. Brown, Mr. King, Mr. Partridge

The motion carried 5-3.

Mrs. Washington arrived at 5:55 p.m.

The Financial Report was presented by Mr. Cowart.  Superintendent Chelette informed the Board that he had checked with an official at the Hydro Plant and was informed that no money had been set aside for athletics as was mentioned in a previous meeting.

Mr. King requested that the question concerning retirees receiving sales tax money from the Hydro Plant receive an opinion from the Attorney General.  Mr. King asked that the item be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.  Mr. Chelette informed Mr. King that this item was already on the agenda for the following week.

A discussion of textbooks ensued with Mr. James Lee, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction.  Mr. Lee informed the Board and Mr. Chelette concurred that all requested books had been ordered.  However, some were placed on backorder and, consequently, have not been delivered.  Once books are placed on backorder, the parish has no control over how long it will take for the books to be delivered.

The financial report on the sales tax fund was presented by Mr. O'Neal.           

After discussion, it was moved by Mr. Partridge and seconded by Mr. Nelson to approve the legal agreement for a state surface lease #2019 on the property on Airport Road for Fire Protection District #2.  The motion carried.

It was moved by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. King and carried to take the items on the addendum. 

It was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mrs. Miley that Mr. Ronnie McMillin be appointed hearing officer for the Henrietta Williams tenure hearing.

Mrs. Cowan discussed the problem with leaking roofs within the system.  She suggested that the Board borrow money against the $1 million insurance set aside and go ahead and correct the major roof problems now.  Mr. H. L. Irvin informed the Board that there are four schools with major problems that needed immediate attention--VHS, VJH, FJH, and FUE.  He reported the amount of money spent at these locations within the last year: 

FUE                 $ 7,000

FJH                  $11,000

VJH                 $26,640

VHS                $21,326

The Board instructed Mr. Irvin to do a needs assessment on all schools within the system to see how much it will cost to repair all roofs that need repairing.  It was moved by Mr. King, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried to conduct a needs assessment of roofs.

Mr. Cowart presented to the Board an audit exiting questionnaire which needed Board approval.  After discussion, it was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried that the approval of the questionnaire be placed on the December 17, 1991, agenda.

Mr. Calhoun requested an Executive Session involving only Board members.  It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried to go into Executive Session at 6:50 p.m.

It was moved by Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried to return to Open Session at 7:45 p.m.

Mr. Calhoun announced to the audience that the Board had discussed the appointment of a superintendent during the Executive Session.  He then asked for nominations.  Mr. Brown moved that Mr. James E. Lee be appointed superintendent of Concordia Parish School System.  A roll call vote was taken:

YEAS: Mr. Brown, Mr. Calhoun, Mr. Cowan, Mrs. Miley, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Stampley

NAYS: Mr. King and Mr. Partridge

The motion carried 7-2.

Mrs. Washington moved that Mr. Lee's term of office as superintendent begin on January 1, 1992.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried.

Mr. Calhoun stated the terms of the contract as follows:

Mr. Lee's annual base salary will begin at $52,000 with a $200 per month car allowance.  The contract will include a 3-1/2 year term and an agreement that Mr. Lee would set some educational goals.  In the event these goals are met within the course of his first year, he will receive a 4% increase on the $52,000 base salary.

Mr. Lee thanked the Board for the appointment and pledged to work with each Board meember to accomplish the goals to be set for the system.  He recognized and thanked family, friends, and employees for their presence.  Mr. Lee challenged Board members to make decisions based on what is best for the students, and he challenged all employees to perform their jobs with the children in mind.

Mr. Calhoun challenged all Board members to work together as a team and to work with Mr. Lee.  He pledged his support to Mr. Lee as an individual Board member and expressed confidence in him as superintendent.

It was moved by Mr. Stampley, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.

______________________________                  _______________________________

James E. Lee, Secretary                                         J. W. Calhoun, President