Minutes

                                                         Finance Committee Meeting

                                                                December 1, 1993

                                                           2:00 p.m.   Media Center

Concordia Parish School Board Finance Committee met on December 1, 1993, in the Media Center.  Board members present were Mrs. Marie Cowan and Mr. Manson Nelson.  Also present were Mr. H. L. Irvin and Superintendent James Lee. The meeting was called to order by Superintendent Lee, who offered prayer.

Superintendent Lee reviewed the minutes of the previous meeting and reported on actions taken to date on selected items.  He informed the committee that Mr. Norman Magee is preparing a lease termination agreement with the Town of Clayton.  Mr. Irvin reported on an assessment of repair needs at Clayton School building and discussed options available in carrying out necessary repairs.  No action has been taken on these repairs to date.

Mr. Irvin reported on other roof repair needs across the parish.  He commented on specific repairs with a degree of longevity at several schools and referred to a purchase order for approximately $11,000 to cover these items.  He stated that the most critical need for roof repair is at FUE.  Superintendent Lee said that he would recommend to the Board that the balance of the project fund money be dedicated to repairs at FUE with the shortfall being taken out of the 20% sales tax fund.

Superintendent Lee reported that the 8.0 cent operational reimbursement for school bus operators has been placed on the School Board agenda for December 7, 1993.  He reiterated his opposition to this proposal because of the cost, and he reported to the committee that figures show that we will receive $36,000 dollars less in transportation funds from the state this year.  Taking this cut into consideration, it would cost the general fund more than $60,000 to fund the 8.0 cent reimbursement.

Mr. Stampley arrived at 2:20.

Superintendent Lee reminded the committee that revenue from the new sales tax will not be available until January and that only one-half or approximately $600,000 will be collected this fiscal year.  He reported that we will sustain an MFP loss of approximately $240,000, a special education loss of $113,000 and a transportation loss of $36,000 because of a decline in student count.  In response to a question from Ms. Cowan, Superintendent Lee reported that Concordia bus drivers currently rank in the top 10 in the state in pay while teachers rank 49 out of 66.

Rev. Johnnie Brown arrived at 2:40.

There was a review of previously discussed options of contracting out grass cutting.  Mr. Irvin will prepare an estimate of current costs to the system for grass cutting in order to provide a basis for comparison.  Mr. Stampley pointed out items which need to be included in the specifications and it was agreed that specifications need to be carefully worded.

Superintendent Lee reported that maintenance vehicle purchases would be held up until the state contract prices become available.

The need for additional maintenance workers was discussed.  It was agreed that an additional maintenance crew is needed, but that no action would be taken until the new fiscal year.  Mr. Irvin pointed out that maintenance is short 3 positions and that he would like to replace Frank Warner, who recently retired.  Mr. Norris White is working temporarily in that position.  There was general discussion about whether or not to advertise for this position.

In reference to skilled workers, it was discussed whether it would be feasible to contract out air conditioning work.  Mr. Irvin pointed out that cafeteria freezers are also part of the responsibility of the air conditioning specialist and that the current salary schedule for air conditioning technicians and other skilled laborers is below the local average.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

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Leinda Peterman, Executive Secretary