PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993.

The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in special session at the Concordia Parish School Board Office, in Vidalia, Louisiana, on Tuesday, November 16, 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 by Mrs. Marie Cowan and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, was ready for the transaction of business.

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

Members absent:  None

Superintendent Lee recognized Ann Sandidge, elementary teacher at Monterey High School and Concordia Parish Elementary Teacher of the Year.  Ms. Sandidge, who was chosen Regional Elementary Teacher of the Year and a state finalist, was presented a check for $150 and one additional personal leave day by Mr. Calhoun.

Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs, presented the Financial Report. 

Superintendent Lee made a announcement that during the time that the school system was in deficit spending, Mr. O'Neal had chosen to receive only a portion of his supervisor's supplement. Since the system is no longer in deficit spending, Mr. O'Neal will begin to draw his full supplement according to the salary schedule for non-instructional supervisors approved by the School Board in August 1989.

Mr. Partridge was recognized on a point of information.  Mr. Partridge asked why the item he had requested was not placed on the agenda for this meeting.  Mr. Calhoun informed the Board that it was the decision of the Finance Committee during a meeting on November 10, 1993, not to place the item on the agenda.  Mr. Partridge objected to the committee making this decision and stated that as a Board member he had the right to have any item placed on the agenda.  Mr. Calhoun read from the policy manual (File BCBD), "The agenda shall be developed as a result of discussion between the Superintendent and President of the School Board."  Mr. Partridge asked if the item would be heard, and when Mr. Calhoun stated that it would not, Mr. Partridge left the meeting at 5:48 p.m.  Mr. King asked how a minority of the Board could make decisions for the Board.  He stated that the Finance Committee should not determine what will and will not be heard.  Mr. King left the meeting at 5:50 p.m.

It was moved by Mrs. Miley, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried to take item VI out of order.

Superintendent Lee informed the Board of a change that had been made in the draft of the lease for Section 16 T7N R8E.  On a motion by Mr. Stampley and second by Rev. Brown, it was carried to accept the document for the lease of this land.

Following discussion related to the number of meetings needed each month, it was moved by Mrs. Miley, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried to set the following dates for meetings during 1994:

January 4, 1994                        Regular Meeting

January 18, 1994                      Special/Committee Meeting

February 1, 1994                     Regular Meeting

February 15, 1994                   Special/Committee Meeting

March 1, 1994                         Regular Meeting

March 15, 1994                       Special/Committee Meeting

April 5, 1994                            Regular Meeting

April 19, 1994                          Special/Committee Meeting

May 3, 1994                            Regular Meeting

May 17, 1994                          Special/Committee Meeting

June 7, 1994                            Regular Meeting

June 21, 1994                          Special/Committee Meeting

July 19, 1994                           Regular Meeting

August 2, 1994                         Regular Meeting

August 16, 1994                       Special/Committee Meeting

September 6, 1994                   Regular Meeting

September 20, 1994                 Special/Committee Meeting

October 4, 1994                      Regular Meeting

October 18, 1994                    Special/Committee Meeting

November 1, 1994                   Regular Meeting

November 15, 1994                 Special/Committee Meeting

December 6, 1994                   Regular Meeting

Superintendent Lee presented a proposed Act 504 Grievance Procedure and Policy, which are required by federal mandate and informed the Board that the attorney has a copy and will advise should any changes be necessary.  It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried to consider this the first reading and to consider approving both the procedure and the policy at the next meeting. 

Mr. H. L. Irvin, Supervisor of Supportive Services, presented a needs assessment for roof repair/replacement parishwide and explained that he set the priorities with the help of a roofing expert and the maintenance foreman.  Superintendent Lee stated that the replacement costs for all the roofs in the parish will be approximately $3 million.  It was agreed to patch as necessary and to re-roof buildings as money becomes available.

Mr. O'Neal presented contracts with the City of Newellton for Concordia Parish School Board Sales Tax Department to collect sales taxes and issue related licenses.  It was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried to approve the contracts.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter at 6:15 p.m.

The Board returned to Open Session at 6:55 p.m. on a motion by Mrs. Washington and second by Rev. Brown.

Superintendent Lee informed the audience that during the Executive Session the Board had discussed a personnel matter which would require Board action.  On a motion by Mrs. Washington and second by Mr. Nelson, it was carried to suspend Ms. Willie Mae Spurs, 5.0 sweeper at Ferriday Upper Elementary, without pay, effective Friday, November 12, 1993, and to submit all evidence to the Concordia Parish Sheriff's Department for investigation and appropriate action in the matter.  Superintendent Lee referred all questions to Mr. Norman Magee, Board attorney.

In personnel matters, it was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried to grant extended sick leave for the following:

Delnora Cook, Custodian, RES, eff. 10/14/93-1/19/94

Terri G. Howington, Teacher, FLE, eff. 10/18/93-1/12/94

Sherrie McMahon, Counselor, FHS, eff. 11/29/93-1/12/94

It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried to approve sabbatical leave for the following:

Sherrie McMahon, Counselor, FHS, 2nd semester 1993-94 and 1st semester

     1994-95

It was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried to make the following appointments:

Eliza Cage, 4.0 hr. SFS Technician, RES, eff. 11/17/93

Molly Maples, 4.0 hr. SFS Technician, RES, eff. 11/17/93

Diniah Smith, 2.5 hr Sweeper, RES, eff. 11/17/93

It was moved by Mrs. Miley, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried to adjourn at 7:02 p.m.

____________________________________            ___________________________________

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