PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 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, October 5, 1993, 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 Brother Jim Twilbeck 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,

Mr. Manson Nelson, Mr. Charles Partridge, Mr. Walter Stampley, and Mrs. Georgia Washington.

Members absent were Rev. Johnnie Brown and Mrs. Polly Miley.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried to approve the minutes of the September 7 and September 21, 1993, meetings.

Following a report on invoices by Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, it was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried to approve invoices in the amount of $1,374,961.44.

Superintendent Lee introduced the Concordia Parish Teachers of the Year, who were awarded a check for $100.00 each and one additional personal leave day. Each teacher was given time to make a statement to the Board.

            Concordia Parish Teachers of the Year:

                        Ann Sandidge, MHS, Elementary Teacher of the Year

                        Brenda Jarvis, FJH, Middle/Junior High Teacher of the Year

                        Sarah Sandiford, MHS, High School Teacher of the Year.

Superintendent Lee recognized Mr. H. L. Irvin, Supervisor of Supportive Services, who recommended that the Board dispose of two school buses which are no longer in service in the parish.  He requested to auction the buses on October 16, 1993, in an auction scheduled by the Concordia Parish Police Jury.  Following discussion about the condition of the buses, it was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried to auction bus 47 and bus 10 for no less than a minimum price set by an appraisal from a local dealer.

Following the second reading of the recommended sexual harassment policy, it was moved by Mr. King, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried to approve the following policy:

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

            The School Board recognizes that harassment on the basis of sex is a violation of state and federal law.  The Board, therefore, will not tolerate any sexual harassment on the part of any employee towards another employee or a student within the workplace.  Conduct in violation of this prohibition shall result in severe disciplinary measures, up to and including dismissal.

            Harassment on the basis of sex is defined as any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

1.         Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment,

2.         Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis

            for employment decisions affecting the individual, or

3.         Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonable interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.

            Incidents of sexual harassment may include verbal harassment such as derogatory comments, jokes, or slurs, or remarks or questions of a sexual nature; physical harassment such as unnecessary or offensive touching; and visual harassment such as derogatory or offensive posters, cards, cartoons, graffiti, drawings, looks, or gestures.  Harassment does not only depend upon the perpetrator's intention, but also upon how the person who is the target perceives the behavior or is affected by it.

            If an individual has concerns or a complaint about the nature of any conduct or physical contact by another employee or student of the school district, the individual should immediately report such concern to the Superintendent or his designee.  Administrators or supervisors who become aware of any allegation of possible harassment shall report such allegations to the Superintendent or designee.  All reports received shall be properly and adequately investigated.  All investigations shall be done in a discreet yet thorough basis. Appropriate disciplinary action shall be taken when violations of this policy have been determined.

            The Board shall prohibit retaliation against an employee for a complaint made or for participating in an investigation of alleged harassment.

Ref:      PL 88-352 (42 U.S.C.2000e et seq.); 29 CFR §1604.11; La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:41 et seq., 17:81.

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Superintendent Lee reported to the Board and the audience that employees had contributed $3,672.50 to promote the sales tax to be voted on October 16, 1993, and he assured them that no public funds were being expended.

In personnel matters, it was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried to accept the resignation of Cathy Smith, secretary/receptionist.  Superintendent Lee pointed out that this would be a reduction in force for the Central Office and that there is now one fewer employee at the Central Office than ten years earlier.

It was moved by Ms. Washington, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried to grant maternity leave from October 8, 1993 through January 3, 1994, to Joan McFarland, teacher/coach at FHS.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried to adjourn at 6:00 p.m.

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