PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT THE REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JULY 20, 1993.
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 20, 1993, at five-thirty (5:30) o'clock. 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, Mrs. Marie Cowan, Mr. Jerry King, Mrs. Polly Miley, Mr. Manson Nelson, Mr. Walter Stampley and Mrs. Georgia Washington.
Member absent: Mr. Charles Partridge
It was moved by Mr. Stampley, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried unanimously to approve minutes from the June 1 and June 15, 1993, Board meetings.
Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented invoices and responded to questions. It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously to approve invoices totaling $1,477,276.25.
Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs, presented a financial report and answered questions. Superintendent Lee and Mr. H. L. Irvin, Supervisor of Maintenance and Transportation, answered questions about the status of the roofing program and other repairs which may need to be made.
Dr. Mary Eidt, Elementary Supervisor, presented winners of the 1993 EDCORE grant awards, who presented a brief description of their projects. They are as follows:
Barbara Crenshaw, VJH, $7,490 School Grant, for a project entitled
"Campus News Channel"
Pamela Hilton, VJH, $1000 John Hinman Fellowship in mathematics
Patricia Profice, VJH, $1000 John Hinman Fellowship in Social Studies
Superintendent Lee briefly summarized three meetings held by the Finance Committee on June 23, June 30, and July 14, 1993 and informed the Board of six (6) cost-cutting recommendations totalling $307,418.00 which were unanimously approved by the Committee. Those recommendations are: 1) to achieve a reduction in force by attrition; 2) to place a cap on retirees' health premium benefits at the 1992-93 level; 3) to adjust transfers made to the School Food Service Program from the MFP; 4) to revise the telephone system parishwide and to eliminate computer workstations at the schools; 5) to standardize the size of school janitorial staffs parishwide; and 6) to discontinue funding the additional eight (8) cents per gallon operational allowance for school bus drivers. Superintendent Lee explained several items and answered questions from the Board.
Mrs. Miley and Mr. Stampley, as retired school personnel, expressed reservations about voting on an issue affecting retirees, and it was agreed to vote on the second recommendation separately. It was moved by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried unanimously to approve all recommendations with the exception of item 2 regarding the cap on retirees' health benefits.
It was moved by Mr. Brown and seconded by Mrs. Cowan to approve the recommendation to place a cap on retirees' health premium benefits at the 1992-93 funding level. The motion carried 5-1 with Mr. Stampley and Mrs. Miley abstaining and Mr. Nelson voting no.
It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried unanimously to move into executive session at 6:20 o'clock p.m. to discuss personnel and pending litigation.
It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. Brown and carried unanimously to return to open session at 7:45 o'clock p.m.
Superintendent Lee reported to the audience that during Executive Session the Board discussed personnel matters which do not require Board action. He stated that the Board also discussed 3 items of pending litigation on which he is recommending Board action. In the first item, Superintendent Lee recommended that the Concordia Parish School Board authorize the Board attorney to respond to Catahoula Bank that the School Board acknowledges receipt of the lease payment which it has applied to the 1992 lease payment; that the Board reaffirms its expectation that the terms of the agricultural lease with Mr. Lloyd Seguin be adhered to as written; that the crop rental for 1993 be paid on or before December 1, 1993; and that Concordia Parish School Board expects that its legal lessor's lien on the 1993 crop be maintained. It was moved by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously to approve the superintendent's recommendation.
In the second item, it was moved by Mr. King, seconded by Mr. Brown and carried unanimously to authorize the Concordia Parish School Board attorney Norman Magee to write a letter to Mr. Samuel Brown denying the request contained in his letter to the Board.
In the third item, it was moved by Mr. King, seconded by Mr. Brown and carried unanimously that Concordia Parish School Board attorney Norman Magee be directed to represent the Board in all matters regarding a lawsuit filed by two individuals, namely former employee Rosa Elaine and current employee Frances Netherland, regarding the reduction of their salary supplements and that the Concordia Parish School Board attorney Norman Magee shall be the official spokesperson in all matters contained in this case.
Superintendent Lee requested that the Board add the opening of bids for the roofing of the Ferriday Junior High School gymnasium to the agenda. It was moved by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously to add this item.
It was moved by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried unanimously to advertise for applications for the position of school secretary at Vidalia High School.
It was moved by Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mr. Brown and carried unanimously to advertise for applications for the position of secretary/bookkeeper for the Sales Tax Department.
It was moved by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously to open bids for roofing Ferriday Junior High School gym. Bids were as follows:
Winnsboro Roofing $41,700
Brown Industries $39,180
While Mr. Irvin checked both bids for required enclosures and adherence to specifications, Superintendent Lee requested that the Board move to the next item.
It was moved by Mr.Brown, seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously to advertise for bids on pest control for junior high and high school home economics departments.
Superintendent Lee reported to the Board that the summer basketball program requested by Mayor Hyram Copeland met all the requirements and safeguards the Board had required of a similar program approved for Ferriday Junior High School. He stated that it would be of benefit to young men and women in the Vidalia area and that he recommended approval. It was moved by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried unanimously to approve a summer basketball program at Vidalia Junior High School.
Superintendent Lee provided the Board an update on his meeting with the Vidalia Parents'-Citizens' representatives. He presented the Board a list of members of the committee which will hold its organizational meeting on Wednesday, July 21, 1993. Members of the committee are: Mr. Jack Bairnsfather, Mrs. Kathy Banks, Mrs. Georgianna Berry, Mr. Fred Butcher, Mr. Eddie Coleman, Mr. Howard Duck, Mr. Lee, Mrs. Margaret Mays, Dr. Pete Peterman and Mr. Henry Sugg. Mr. Nelson is serving as the Board representative on the committee.
Following discussion, Superintendent Lee recommended that the Board approve a resolution authorizing the State Mineral Board to lease the Board's 6.29% interest in land in Section 16, Township 2 North, Range 7 East. The motion was made by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously.
Mr. Irvin informed the Board that three openings have become available for school bus operators. Superintendent Lee requested that the Board allow those positions to be filled from a list of certified substitutes ranked by seniority. It was moved by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried unanimously to award the three bus operators' positions based on the applicant's seniority as a substitute.
Because Mr. Irvin was not prepared to provide the names of the three best qualified applicants at this time, it was decided to delay naming the three bus drivers until a later date. As soon as the three substitute bus operators with the greatest seniority are identified, Superintendent Lee will notify the Board.
Mr. Irvin reported to the Board the need to revise bus routes. Superintendent Lee asked that this discussion be directed to two routes on Lake St. John carrying fewer than 25 students. Following discussion, it was moved by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously to revise the two bus routes serving the Lake St. John area.
Superintendent Lee recommended that the Board approve the merger of the Business Department and the Data Processing Department to improve the efficiency of the overall system. The motion was made by Mrs. Miley, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to approve the merger, effective immediately.
Dr. Peterman updated the Board on the progress toward reaching educational goals set for the system in the superintendent's contract goals.
Superintendent Lee distributed copies of his annual Report Card to the media and members of the audience. Board members had received their copies earlier. Superintendent Lee summarized the highlights of the document for the Board. He particularly stressed what an important accomplishment it had been for the system to overcome deficit spending.
In personnel matters, Superintendent Lee informed the Board that the system is losing three teachers to other systems because our salaries are not competitive. It was moved by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously to approve the following personnel changes:
Resignations, effective July 20, 1993:
Joe Wallace, Industrial Arts Teacher, FHS
Pamela P. Campbell, Teacher, FUE
Dr. Charlotte M. Ferrell, Teacher, RES
Appointments:
Phyllis Cage, Teacher, VLE, effective August 18, 1993
Margaret Woods, Teacher Aide, FKC, effective August 18, 1993
Dorothy Parker, Project Independence Instructor, effective August 2, 1993
Superintendent Lee introduced Mr. Donald Turnage and expressed appreciation for his support of public education and for his chairing a public meeting held by Concordia Parish School Board on July 15, 1993.
Upon recommendation of Mr. Irvin, it was moved by Mr. King, seconded by Mr. Brown and carried unanimously to accept the bid of $39,180 by Brown Industries of Farmerville, Louisiana, for the roofing of the Ferriday Junior High School gymnasium.
It was moved by Mrs. Miley, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to adjourn at 8:30 o'clock p.m.
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James E. Lee, Secretary J. W. Calhoun, President