PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, February 1, 1994.

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, February 1, 1994, 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 Rev. Troy Thomas, 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

It was moved by Mr. Stampley, seconded by Rev. Brown and approved to take item V, Executive Session, out of order.

It was moved by Mr. Stampley, seconded by Mr. Nelson, and carried 7-2 to go into Executive Session at 5:33 p.m. to hear a report from Sheriff Randy Maxwell concerning his investigation involving an employee.  Mr. Partridge and Mr. King voted no.

It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mrs. Washington and Mrs. Miley to return to Open Session at 6:04 p.m.

It was moved by Mr. Stampley, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried to receive Sheriff Maxwell's report as information only.

President Calhoun reported to the audience that during Executive Session, the Board had received the sheriff's report and discussed the Superintendent's evaluation.

President Calhoun recognized Judge Buddy Lauve, who is a candidate for Court of Appeals.  Judge Lauve was given an opportunity to introduce himself and make a few remarks.  Mr. Partridge objected to the recognition since it was not an agenda item.

Superintendent Lee recognized Mrs. Roosevelt Hymon, who is the recipient of a $750.00 LaSIP teacher award.  He asked Dr. Mary Eidt, Supervisor of Elementary Education, to make remarks about the EDCORE conference she and three teachers recently attended.  Dr. Eidt recognized Pam Hilton and Patricia Profice, who were recipients of $1000 John Hinman Fellowships, and informed the Board of their activities at the EDCORE conference.  Concordia Parish was awarded the "Most Compelling" exhibit award and an award for outstanding participation in the EDCORE program.  The exhibits, which were prepared by Mrs. Hilton, Mrs Profice, and Mrs. Barbara Crenshaw, winner of the $9000 school grant,  were on display during the meeting.

Superintendent Lee announced that Concordia Parish School System has been awarded a $153,000 LaSIP grant designed to strengthen the teaching of mathematics.  Dr. Pete Peterman, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, and Katharine Calhoun, VUE teacher, who wrote the proposal, explained the program to be implemented through the grant.  The program is a collaborative effort with Catahoula Parish Schools, Northeast Louisiana University and LaSIP.

Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented invoices and answered questions.  Superintendent Lee stated that steps are being taken to re-establish the $1 million insurance fund and to pay off the loan as quickly as possible.  Following questions about the Lunch Fund, he assured the Board that the Lunch Fund was being watched closely and would not be allowed to suffer a loss.  It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried to approve invoices in the amount of $1,498,827.65.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Stampley and carried to approve the minutes of the January 4, 1994, and January 18, 1994, meetings.

It was agreed to accept as a first reading a wording change in the proposed policy GBA to allow teachers to be paid for advanced degrees during the year they are received.  It was also agreed to accept as a first reading a change in policy IKD to allow graduation exercises to be held on Thursday night, as well as Friday night.

Superintendent Lee recommended the Board accept the procedure and policy on the use of video cameras on parish school buses as a first reading.  Mr. Stampley made a motion to change the wording under Procedure II from "transportation supervisor" to "superintendent or his designee."  The motion died for lack of a second.  It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried 8-1, with Mr. Stampley voting no, to accept the policy for the first reading.

It was moved by Mr. Stampley, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried to pay expenses for Board members to attend the Louisiana School Boards Association convention in New Orleans, March 3-5, 1994.

It was moved by Mr. King, seconded by Mrs. Miley and Mr. Nelson and carried to pay expenses for Board members to attend the National School Boards Association convention in New Orleans, April 9-12, 1994.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried to remove the restriction requiring a $75,000 balance in the Sales Tax 80% Fund.

It was moved by Mr. King, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried to establish a Sales Tax 60% Fund to receive revenues from the new 1.0 cent sales tax approved by voters on October 16, 1993.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Stampley and carried to dismiss school at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 11, 1994, because of a Mardi Gras parade scheduled for that afternoon.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried to cancel a committee meeting previously scheduled for February 15, 1994.

Dr. Peterman presented information on the annual Honors Banquet and requested funding for an off-school site.  This year the event will include freshmen with a 4.0 average for the first time.  It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried 8-1, with Mr. King voting no, to approve funding of the Honors Banquet at an off-school site.

It was moved by Mr. King, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried to approve military leave for Wilton Nolan, psychologist, effective January 25, 1994.

It was moved by Mr. King, seconded by Mr. Partridge and Mrs. Cowan and carried to approve maternity leave for Deborah Bairnsfather, teacher, MHS, effective 2/28/94 - 3/25/94.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried to approve extended sick leave for Terri Howington, teacher, FLE, effective 1/13/94 - 5/27/94.

Mr. Stampley requested that the Board develop a definition of and a policy for extended sick leave at the next meeting.

Superintendent Lee expressed his appreciation to the Board for the indefinite leave granted him to attend the trial in Houston beginning on January 24, 1994.  He introduced his father Rev. Robert Lee, Jr., who also expressed appreciation on behalf of the entire family.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.

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