FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

                                               Concordia Parish School Board Office

                                                              November 10, 1993

                                                                       2:00 p.m.

Present at the meeting were Board members Rev. Johnnie Brown, Mr. J. W. Calhoun, Mrs. Marie Cowan and Mr. Walter Stampley.  Also present were James E. Lee, Superintendent; Mr. H. L. Irvin, Supervisor of Supportive Services, and Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs.  Prayer was offered by Mr. Lee.

Superintendent Lee and Mr. Calhoun reported on a meeting with Clayton town officials on November 9, 1993, regarding the lease on the Clayton School building.  The Town Council voted unanimously to dissolve the lease as requested by the School Board.  Arrangements have been made for the Council on Aging which had been meeting in the Clayton School to meet in other facilities.  Superintendent Lee estimates repairs to the building to cost $40,000-$50,000.  Rent to be received under the new lease will be $2000 per month.

Following a report from Mr. Irvin on roof repair needs, there was a lengthy discussion about setting priorities to make the work fit the availability of money.  It was decided that Mr. Lee will bring recommendations to the Board as money becomes available.  Rev. Brown pointed out that there are many needs other than roofs, and it was agreed that other maintenance needs must be considered.  Mr. Lee reminded Board members to make sure the public understands that collection of the new sales tax money will not begin until February.

Mr. Lee informed the Committee that in meeting with supervisors and principals he had cautioned them to make sure support personnel understand that not everyone will receive a step increase this month. Only those who were due an increase according to the salary schedule will receive one.  Mr. Lee recommended changing the support personnel salary schedule from a 20-year schedule to a 25-year schedule without changing the total amount paid out.  He also recommended that the bulk of the increases come later in the salary schedule.  It was generally agreed that inequities in pay scales need to be corrected and that a salary schedule showing the total amount an employee receives is more helpful than one showing base pay only.

Mr. Lee stated that he is opposed to funding the 8.0 cent per gallon operational reimbursement for bus drivers for two reasons:  (1) it was never intended to be a permanent payment and (2) it is not part of either sales tax proposition.  Each Board member present also stated his or her opposition to funding the reimbursement.  It was agreed not to place the item on the agenda for the November 16, 1993, Board meeting.

There was lengthy discussion regarding School Board vehicles.  It was agreed that there is a need to begin replacing vehicles, especially those which are unsafe, and the pros and cons of leasing vehicles were considered.   It was agreed to wait until January 1994 when new state contract prices are available.  It was also agreed to consider putting grass-cutting out for bid.

Mr. Lee reported that the maintenance crew has been unable to keep up with the requests for maintenance service other than for emergency situations.  He recommended that the School Board operate 2 crews to do a more effective job with maintenance requests.  Mr. Irvin agreed, pointing out that the maintenance department employs three fewer people than in 1990.

It was agreed that the final two items on the agenda would be discussed at the next Finance Committee meeting to be held in two weeks.  The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

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Leinda Peterman, Executive Secretary