PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994.

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, March 15, 1994, at five-thirty (5:30) o'clock p.m.  The meeting was called to order by the Honorable Walter Stampley, Vice-President, who declared that the Board, after prayer by Superintendent James E. Lee and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, was ready for the transaction of business.

Members present were the Honorable Walter Stampley, Rev. Johnnie Brown, Mrs. Marie Cowan, Mr. Jerry King, Mrs. Polly Miley, Mr. Manson Nelson.

Members absent were the Honorable J. W. Calhoun, Mr. Charles Partridge, and Mrs. Georgia Washington.

Superintendent Lee requested that two items be added to the agenda:  bids for the Ferriday Upper Elementary roof and the Clayton School lease.  It was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried to add these two items.

H. L. Irvin, Supervisor of Supportive Services, reported on bids received at the last Board meeting for the roof on FUE.  The bid from United Roofing, which did not display the vendor license on the envelope, was rejected in accordance with state statute. Superintendent Lee recommended that the bid be awarded to Brown Industries, who had the low bid as follows:

Base Bid                      $133,000

Alternate I                       47,600

Total Bid                      $180,600

It was moved by Mrs. Miley, seconded by Mr. King and carried to award the bid to Brown Industries.

Superintendent Lee introduced Board Attorney, Norman Magee, to explain Clayton School lease features which had been changed since the proposal was approved at the last meeting.  Mr. Magee read the changes and recommended that the Board approve the revisions. Superintendent Lee reported that LaSalle Community Action had agreed to the changes.  It was moved by Mr. King, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried to approve the changes as read.   It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. King and carried to approve the following resolution:

                                                                  RESOLUTION

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Concordia Parish School Board is hereby authorized to lease to LaSalle Community Action Association, Inc., the Clayton Elementary School building and the property upon which it is situated for a term of 30 years for the consideration of $2000 per month for the first five years, $2,500 per month for the next five years, and $3000 per month for the final 20 years under such terms and conditions that are most advantageous to the Concordia Parish School Board as may be determined by J. W. Calhoun, President, in his sole discretion;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that J. W. Calhoun, President, is hereby authorized and empowered to enter into said act of lease in all of its parts and clauses, and to sign and execute any and all documents and papers as may be necessary to accomplish these purposes.

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President Calhoun arrived at 5:38 p.m. and took the Chair.

Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs presented the financial report for February and answered questions.  He reported on the revision of the budget to reflect the loss of state MFP funds. 

Georgia Washington arrived at 5:50 p.m.

Superintendent Lee reported on a meeting with Governor Edwin Edwards about the loss of funds by parishes in northeast Louisiana.  Gov. Edwards agreed to make arrangements to have superintendents from this area appointed to committees like the MFP Study Committee which makes recommendations to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.  Mr. King suggested that the Board approve a resolution about the MFP losses.

It was moved to go into Executive Session at 6:05 p.m. by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried 7-1, with Mr. King voting no,

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried to return to Open Session at 7:30 p.m.

Superintendent Lee reported that the Board had discussed three personnel matters while in Executive Session, with two of those items requiring action by the Board.  The first was a request by Delnora Cook to return to work with medical restrictions.  It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried to place Mr. Cook on extended sick leave, effective March 2, 1994, through May 27, 1994.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. King and carried to return Willie Mae Spurs to work with back pay, with the Superintendent being allotted appropriate time to carry out the Board directive.

Mr. Nelson reported that the Board has finished its part of the Superintendent's evaluation.  At this point, Superintendent Lee will be given an opportunity to respond to the evaluation, and then the Board will finalize the procedure.

It was moved by Mrs. Miley, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried to approve a request by Mayor Glen McGlothin of Ferriday to use the FHS gym for a public meeting on the four-laning of Highway 15/84.  The meeting will be held on April 18, 1994, at 6:00 p.m.

Superintendent Lee recommended that the Board approve counselors at all elementary schools in accordance with the superintendent's goals which the Board has already approved.  It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried unanimously to approve elementary school counselors.

Superintendent Lee recommended that the Board approved teacher's aides for every kindergarten and pre-kindergarten class in the parish.  It was moved by Mrs. Miley, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried unanimously to approve the Superintendent's recommendation.

It was moved by Mrs. Washington and seconded by Mrs. Miley to establish uniforms as official attire for Concordia Parish students.  The motion was approved 5-3, with Mr. Calhoun, Mr. King and Mr. Stampley voting no.

It was moved by Rev. Brown and seconded by Mrs. Miley to establish an employee committee to discuss employee uniforms.  The motion carried 6-2, with Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Stampley voting no.

Mr. Irvin presented information on contracting out grass cutting for the system.  Superintendent Lee recommended not changing the current policy and procedure.  It was agreed to continue the current procedure.

Superintendent Lee asked the Board for direction on their intent for adding an additional maintenance crew.  Mr. King suggested a needs assessment be developed by Mr. Irvin and Superintendent Lee for presentation to the Board with their recommendations.

Superintendent Lee requested that Item IV. G., athletic allotments for 1994-95 be postponed.

It was moved by Mr. King, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried to inspect buildings in the system for termites.

It was moved by Mr. King, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried to approve the painting of the gym at VUE, with the sheriff providing the labor and the Board providing the paint.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m.

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James E. Lee, Superintendent                                                   J. W. Calhoun