PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT THE REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992.

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, July 21, 1992 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. Paul Reed and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, was ready for the transaction of business.

Members present were Honorable J.W. Calhoun; Mrs. Marie Cowan; Mrs. Polly Miley; Mr. Manson Nelson; Mr. Charles Partridge; Mr. Walter Stampley; and Mrs. Georgia Washington.

Members absent:  Rev. Johnnie Brown

Sheriff Randy Maxwell requested the board go into executive session for his report on the investigation of invoices concerning storm damage repairs at FHS.  A roll call vote was taken and the results follow:  YEAS:  Cowan, Nelson, Stampley and Washington.  NAYS: Calhoun, King, Miley and Partridge.  The  vote was 4-4 and the motion failed.  The report was given in open session.  After a joint investigation conducted by the Concordia Parish Sheriff Department and the Concordia Parish District Attorney's office, the sheriff's findings are as follows:  (1)  There was no evidence that criminal laws were violated, (2) no evidence of criminal intent of fraud committed by Concordia Parish School Board personnel or others, concerning the storm damage repairs at Ferriday High School during the period of April thru June, 1992.  (3) The investigation did, however, reveal discrepancies pertaining to Concordia Parish School Board policies.  This is a matter for the Concordia Parish School Board to address as a body and to make their own recommendations to eliminate future discrepancies.  After discussion, it was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Miley to ask Superintendent Lee, along with Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Magee to make a recommendation to address concerns of a civil suit and suggest board procedure. The motion passed 8-1 with Mrs. Washington voting no.

Rev. Brown arrived at 5:40 o'clock p.m.

With corrections, it was moved by Mrs. Miley, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to accept the minutes from June 1, 9, and 16, 1992 meetings.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried unanimously to approve invoices totaling $1,381,977.84.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried unanimously to approve a school bus operators' handbook.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve a job description for bus drivers.

It was moved by Mr. Stampley, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried unanimously to accept bids for computers to be placed at FUE, VUE, and VJH.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried unanimously to approve a request from LaSalle Community Action Association for $200 In-Kind.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried unanimously to approve the revised policy manual.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to open bids for the roof on MHS-Primary Wing.  Bids follow: 

            River City Roofing - $29,000

            Concordia Roofing - $29,600

            Winnsboro Roofing -$35,800

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to accept Superintendent Lee's recommendation to take the bids under advisement.

It was moved by Mr. Stampley, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried unanimously to accept Superintendent Lee's recommendation to take under advisement a request from the Town of Ferriday to lease a gymnasium for a summer recreation program. 

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried unanimously to adopt two resolutions.  One is in reference to the GEE and the other is requesting disaster funds.  (See attached)

After discussion, it was moved by Mr. Partridge and  seconded by Mr. King to deny an indemnity land lease on school board property Section 64 T2N-R8E.  A roll call vote was taken and results follow:  YEAS:  Calhoun, Cowan, King, Nelson and Partridge.  NAYS:  Brown, Miley, Stampley and Washington.  The motion carried 5-4.

It was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried unanimously to review information on Section 64 and send a letter to the State Land Office requesting that the tract of land be advertised and leased to the highest bidder.

It was moved by Mrs. Miley, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried unanimously to approve Starting Points Pre-School Program for Ferriday Kindergarten Center.

After discussion, it was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried unanimously by roll call vote to approve official sales tax election results.  (See attached)

Superintendent Lee commented on the failure of the sales tax proposition and thoughts on future endeavors.  He asked the board for a special meeting to discuss finances.

It was moved by Mr. Stampley, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to appoint Linda Green, Secretary at Ridgecrest Elementary School.

It was moved by Mr. Stampley, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried unanimously to approve DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Plan) applicants as follows:

            Jimmye D. Campbell, FKC

            Lula E. Grayson, FEC

            Lollie Hammett, FLE

            Willa Taunton, VHS

            Ruby Washington, FHS

            Alma Williams, VHS

It was moved by Mr. Stampley, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to adjourn at seven fifteen (7:15) o'clock p.m.

____________________________         _____________________________________

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

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