PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1995.

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, January 24, 1995, at five-thirty (5:30) o'clock p.m.  The meeting was called to order by the Honorable Manson E. Nelson, Sr., President, who declared that the Board, after prayer by Mr. Lynn White, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, was ready for the transaction of business.

Members present were the Honorable Manson E. Nelson, Sr., Mr. Arthur A. Arnold, Mr. Eddie L. Coleman, Sr.,  Mrs. Marie Cowan, Mr. Jerry King, Mr. Charles Partridge, Mrs. Georgia Washington, Mr. Lynn White, and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr.

Members absent:          None

President Nelson welcomed those in attendance and announced that anyone wanting to speak must sign a list being circulated in the audience.  He stated that each person who was to speak should be a voter in Concordia Parish, and he announced that speakers would be called on in the order in which they signed.  He reviewed the history of pay for Concordia Parish School Board members, stating that the last time Board members' salaries were increased was in 1975.  He informed the audience that in 1992 the state average was $550 per month while Concordia Parish School Board members receive $350 per month.

Using the list previously circulated, President Nelson recognized the following members of the audience, each of whom expressed opposition to an increase in Board members' salaries:

Janet Vaught, Annette Smith, Marie Potts, Charlotte White, Carole Webber, Margaret Fudickar, Amy Blunschi, Ginger McNeely, Leigh Webber, Patricia Matthews, and John Pullen.

President Nelson then opened the floor for comments by Board members.  Citing the number of telephone calls received and the length of time since the last increase, Mr. Coleman, Mrs.

Washington and Mr. Arnold spoke in favor of the increase.  Mr. King stated that he agreed that the position demanded a great deal of time and effort; however, he would not vote for an increase.  Following lengthy discussion, President Nelson called for a motion.  It was moved by Mr. Coleman and seconded by Mr. Arnold to increase Board members salaries to the state average of $550.  The motion, which needed a 2/3 majority or 6 votes to pass, failed 5-4 on a roll call vote as follows:

YES:    Mr. Arnold, Mr. Coleman, Mrs. Washington, and Mr. Williams

NO:     Mrs. Cowan, Mr. King, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Partridge, and Mr. White

It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried to adjourn at 6:00 p.m.

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James E. Lee, Superintendent                                                             Manson E. Nelson, Sr., President