PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 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, October 4, 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. Shep Bethley, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, was ready for the transaction of business.

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

Members absent:          Rev. Johnnie Brown and Mrs. Georgia Washington

Dr. Pete Peterman, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, presented the Concordia Parish Teachers of the Year for 1994-95:

Elementary:                   DeeDee Roark             MHS

Middle School:             Pamela Hilton               VJHS

High School:                 John Bostic                   MHS

It was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried unanimously to award these teachers an additional $100 in classroom supplies in recognition of their accomplishments.

Rev. Brown arrived at 5:35 p.m.

Mr. Julius Huhn, Director of Chapter 1, explained the process for awarding Chapter 1 Innovative Grants and recognized three teachers who received the award for the 1994-95 school year:

Edith Chauvin, VLE                  Individual Teacher Award                     $ 2,000

Kaaren Clifton, RES                 School Award                          $10,000

Pam Ganey, MHS                    Individual Teacher Award                     $ 2,000

Mrs. Washington arrived at 5:40 p.m.

Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented invoices and answered questions.  It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried to approve invoices in the amount of  $2,072,118.31.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried to approved minutes of the Public Hearing and Regular Meeting on September 6, 1994, and of the Special Meeting on September 20, 1994.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried to ratify the following resolution:

                                                                  RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Concordia Parish Police Jury has requested funding in the amount of $95,000 from the Governor's Office of Rural Development to repair a bridge in Ridgecrest, Louisiana, the bridge having been closed on April 12, 1994, at the request of the Parish Engineer because of its dangerously deteriorated condition; and

WHEREAS, at the present time, the only access to Ridgecrest Elementary School is via Crestview Drive, which is extremely narrow and winding, posing hazardous conditions for children riding school buses, as well as those walking to school in this residential area; and

WHEREAS, in cases of emergency, the limited means of access to the school would create dangerous delay in vehicles reaching or leaving the school site; and

WHEREAS, the Concordia Parish School Board is charged with the welfare and safety of more than 180 students, teachers, and staff members at the Ridgecrest Elementary School; now

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Concordia Parish School Board pledges its full support and commitment to the repair of the bridge on Vidalia Drive as would be provided through the request submitted by the Concordia Parish Police Jury to the Governor's Office of Rural Development; and

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Governor's Office of Rural Development, the Concordia Legislative Delegation, the mayor of Ridgecrest, and the Concordia Parish Police Jury.

                                                                          •••

Following lengthy discussion, it was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to advertise for bids for three school busses.  Mr. H. L. Irvin, Supervisor of Supportive Services, presented information he had gathered from various dealers regarding specifications.

Mr. Clarence Hymon, Coordinator of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program presented a report on the Teen Summit held on September 23, 1994, stating that it was a very positive experience for all involved and that plans would be made for a follow up meeting.  Board members who had been able to attend also commented on the meeting.

Mrs. Beatrice Williams, Chapter 1 Parent Involvement Coordinator, outlined plans for the Parent Fest to be held on October 15.  She reported that the meeting is being sponsored jointly by Chapter 1, Special Education Services, Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program and the School Board.  More than 600 parents were pre-registered.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried unanimously to approve the following proclamation:

                                                               PROCLAMATION

                                                             RED RIBBON WEEK

WHEREAS,  cities across our nation have been plagued by the numerous problems associated with drug and alcohol abuse; and

WHEREAS, there is hope in winning the War on Drugs, and that hope lies in the hard work and determination of our communities to create a drug free environment; and

WHEREAS, local leaders, in government and the community, know that the support of the people in the neighborhoods is the most effective weapon they can have in their efforts to reduce the demand for illegal drugs and drive away the suppliers of those drugs; and

WHEREAS, success will not occur overnight, our patience and continued commitment to drug education and prevention is imperative; and

WHEREAS, the National Red Ribbon Celebration has been established by the National Family Partnership to help create awareness of the drug problems facing every community, to develop parent and community teams to combat illegal drugs, and to promote drug free lifestyles for America's youth; and

WHEREAS, October 22-30, 1994, has been designated as National Red Ribbon Week, with President Clinton, as honorary chair of the celebration, calling on all Americans to show their support for a drug free nation by wearing a red ribbon during this week; now,

THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Concordia Parish School Board does hereby designate October 22-30, 1994, as National Red Ribbon Week in the schools in the Concordia Parish School System and encourages all parents, students, teachers, administrators and staff members to wear and display red ribbons throughout that week to join the rest of the nation in promoting the Red Ribbon Celebration and a drug free America.

                                                                         •••

It was moved by Mr. Stampley, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried unanimously to approve the personnel recommendations en globo:

Appointments:

Elizabeth Nowlin, Sp. Ed. Teacher, FLE, effective 9/14/94

Carolyn Read, Social Worker, FEC, effective 10/10/94

Sabbatical:

Sherrie McMahon, Counselor, FHS, change from academic sabbatical

to medical sabbatical, effective 9/15/94

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried unanimously to adjourn at 6:20 p.m.

__________________________________                        ________________________________

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