PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 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, August 16, 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 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. Charles Partridge, and Mr. Walter Stampley.
Members absent: Mr. Manson Nelson and Mrs. Georgia Washington
Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs, presented the financial report and answered questions.
The first item scheduled for discussion was a curriculum update by Dr. Peterman. Because Dr. Peterman was in a meeting with parents, discussion was delayed until he arrived.
The second item was the opening of bids for VHS roof package. Superintendent Lee informed the Board that this item was placed on the agenda in error and that it would appear of the September 6, 1994, meeting agenda.
Mrs. Washington arrived at 5:40 p.m.
After the Board viewed a sample desk and discussed the specifications required, it was moved by Mr. Partridge to advertise for bids for student desks. The motion was seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously.
Superintendent Lee informed the Board that the resolutions in support of a National Science Foundation grant scheduled to be considered were being revised and would be delayed until the next Board meeting.
Superintendent Lee submitted a job description for teacher aides. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. King and carried to approve the job description as recommended by the Superintendent.
It was moved by Mrs. Miley, seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously to approve the renewal of the contract with Forethought Consulting, Inc. for its policy updating service at a cost of $1590.
Superintendent Lee informed the Board that the school system is required to establish a Discipline Policy Review Committee. The Superintendent recommended that the Alternative Program Committee be given the additional responsibilities of the Discipline Policy Review Committee. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to approve the Superintendent's recommendation.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. King and carried to approve retirement for Annie R. Dunmore, Teacher, VJH, effective August 12, 1994.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Partridge and Mr. King and carried to accept the following resignations, effective immediately:
Lora Ann Brown, SFS Technician, FUE
Eliza Cage, SFS Technician, RES
Sylvia B. Delaney, Counselor, MHS
Elisa C. Martin, Teacher, MHS
Diniah C. Smith, Sweeper, RES
Erma Smith, School Bus Operator
Sue Smith, Receptionist, Central Office
Murleen Whittington, School Bus Operator
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried to approve military leave for Wil Nolan, Psychologist, FEC, effective 6/9-6/10; 8/5; 8/8-8/12/94.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried to approve the following appointments effective 8/17/94:
Ronda Bradford, Teacher, FLE, eff. 8/17/94-1/12/95
Carolyn Button, School Bus Operator
Carmen Chatman, 2.5 hr. Sweeper, FLE
Vivian Graham, Teacher, FUE
Joyce Ivory, Teacher, VJH
Elizabeth Lewis, SFS Technician, RES
Helen Lyles, SFS Technician, VHS
Molly Maples, Acting SFS Manager, RES
Stacy Mason, Teacher, MHS
Pamela McMichael, SFS Technician, VHS
Linda Netherland, School Bus Operator
Cheryl Pounds, SFS Technician, FUE
Bennie Quinn, School Bus Operator
Janice V. Roberts, SFS Technician, FJH
Idella Sheppard, 2.5 hr. Sweeper, VLE
Colleen Twilbeck, Teacher, MHS
Evelyn Washington, 2.5 hr. Sweeper, FJH
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. King and carried to approve the following transfers and/or increased hours:
Mary Ann Adams, SFS Technician, FUE, 4.0 hrs. to 7.0 hrs
Louise W. Cooley, Teacher, VLE to VJH
Geneva Hall, Sweeper, FJH, 2.5 hrs to 5.0 hrs
Ceola Johnson, SFS Technician, VLE to FKC
Sheila Lanius, Teacher, FUE to VLE
Willie Mae Spurs, Janitor, FHS, to SFS Technician, FHS
Dr. Pete Peterman, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, provided a curriculum update. He highlighted the accomplishments of the school system over the past few months, including the following: 1) new reading textbooks for all students, grades k - 5; 2) $40,000 approved for new desks, in addition to an emergency purchase of 50 desks so that every student has a desk for the beginning of school; 3) a provision through the new sales tax for instructional allotments which reduce to a limit of $5 the fees parents are required to pay; 4) $500 per grade per school provided for science and social studies classes; 5) a $25 per student allotment through vocational funds provided for FHS, MHS, and VHS; 6) expansion of the Alternative Center to include the high school grades and a pilot program for academically at-risk students; 7) a tech/prep pilot to expand vocational and technical offerings; and 8) development of a Saturday suspension center to keep suspended students from missing so much class time.
Superintendent Lee presented the Board with copies of the recently completed Employees' Handbook and the Concordia Parish Schools brochure which has been updated. He also announced plans for a parishwide meeting of school employees, a parent conference currently under development and planned for October 15, and an upcoming Teen Summit. He expressed his appreciation to the Board for allowing him the freedom to participate in the sentencing hearing of Shawn McMahon in Houston on Monday, August 15, 1994.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:18 p.m.
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James E. Lee, Superintendent J. W. Calhoun, President