PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1995.
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 7, 1995, at five-thirty (5:30) o'clock p.m. The meeting was called to order by the Honorable Manson E. Nelson, Sr., who declared that the Board, after prayer by Dr. Richard Lisk, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, was ready for the transaction of business.
Members present were Mr. Arthur A. Arnold, Mr. Eddie L. Coleman, Sr., Mrs. Marie Cowan, Mr. Jerry C. King, Mr. Manson E. Nelson, Sr., Mr. Charles Partridge, and Mrs. Georgia Washington.
Members absent: Mr. Lynn White and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr.
Superintendent Lee recognized Mrs. Marie Cowan and presented her with a certificate in honor of her appointment on January 25, 1995, to the State Board of Directors of the Louisiana School Boards Association. She is one of two state representatives for Region 4.
Mr. White arrived at 5:35 p.m.
Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented invoices and answered questions. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve invoices in the amount of $1,887,463.26.
Mr. Williams arrived at 5:40 p.m.
Mr. Arnold questioned whether the Board actually had a salary since the motion which was made to set salary at $550 failed at the January 24 meeting. Following discussion, it was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Partridge, and carried to approve minutes for the January 3, 17, and 24, 1995, meetings.
President Nelson called for a motion for the Board to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel and the superintendent's contract. It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 6-3, with Mr. Arnold, Mr. King, and Mr. Partridge voting no, to go into Executive Session at 5:45 p.m.
It was moved by Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried to return to Open Session at 9:00 p.m. President Nelson stated that the Board had discussed several personnel matters and the superintendent's contract while in Executive Session.
President Nelson stated that item VI.A. Superintendent's Contract would be tabled until the next meeting. Following discussion about whether the President could deviate from the agenda, Mr. Nelson requested that the Parliamentarian, Mr. Richard Alwood, rule on whether or not the president can postpone this item. Mr. Alwood reported that to lay an item on the table required a second and a majority vote. It was moved by Mr. Partridge and seconded by Mr. Coleman to discuss the superintendent's contract. Debate continued regarding the president's right to lay an item on the table. Mr. White called for action on the motion. The motion to discuss the superintendent's contract was carried.
Mr. Coleman made a motion to rehire Mr. James Lee as superintendent for 4 years under the stipulations of the pending contract. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Washington. Mr.
Arnold stated that he did not feel this was the time to vote on the contract and that it needed to be read to the public. Mr. Partridge stated that the contract would be read aloud to the public. On a roll call vote, the motion passed 6-3, with the vote as follows:
YES: Mr. Coleman, Mrs. Cowan, Mr. Partridge, Mrs. Washington, Mr. White, Mr. Williams
NO: Mr. Arnold, Mr. King, Mr. Nelson
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams, and carried to have the contract read aloud by Mr. Norman Magee, attorney to the Board.
After the reading of the contract, Superintendent Lee requested that the Board officially accept the contract. It was moved by Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mr. Coleman, and carried 6-3, with Mr. Arnold, Mr. King, and Mr. Nelson voting no, to approve the contract as read.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. King and carried to ratify the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bertha Lea White, life-long resident of Monterey, Louisiana, and the mother of three sons, including fellow Concordia Parish School Board Member Lynn White, passed away on January 12, 1995, at Riverland Medical Center, at the age of 63 years; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. White was an active community member who will be sorely missed by her family and many friends; now,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Concordia Parish School Board, collectively and individually, wish to extend their deepest sympathies to Mr. Lynn White and his family in their loss of his mother; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. White as an expression of sympathy.
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Mr. White expressed appreciation to the Board on behalf of his family.
It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to approve the second reading of the following policies: GBI, IDBB, JBE, JCAB, JCDAE, JDE, KM.
President Nelson appointed Mr. Williams as the legislative contact person for the current year.
It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve the use of Vidalia High School as a food distribution site.
Mr. Williams suggested that a reception be held in the Media Center in recognition of Concordia retired teachers on Retired Teachers Day, February 23, 1995. It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. White and carried unanimously to hold a reception in the Media Center on February 23 and to furnish refreshments and to approve the following proclamation:
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Louisiana's retired teachers have devoted their careers to the education and training of literally thousands upon thousands of Louisiana youth; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana's retired teachers have rendered valuable services in diverse leadership roles to their communities and institutions throughout their careers and continue to render such services as retirees; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana's retired teachers represent the profession which is given the basic responsibility for launching the careers of State and National leaders and for laying the foundation for the welfare of all members of our society; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana retired teachers have toiled ceaselessly to improve the quality of life in the State and Nation, too often in less than adequate circumstances and for less than adequate pay; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana's retired teachers represent a tremendous pool of experience and training which remains dedicated to the betterment of society everywhere; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana's retired teachers represent a loyal, patriotic and concerned citizenry which provides a dedicated and dependable support to the leaders in our communities, State and Nation; now
THEREFORE, CONCORDIA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD does hereby proclaim Thursday, February 23, 1995, as RETIRED TEACHER'S DAY in Concordia Parish School System.
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Dr. Pete Peterman, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, requested that the Board approve a resolution seeking the support of the Governor's Office of Rural Development. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Arnold and Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Concordia Parish School System and the Catahoula Parish School System have successfully joined together in several projects to provide enriching educational opportunities for children and enhances professional development programs for teachers, and
WHEREAS, the two rural systems are located in culturally and geographically isolated areas with high rates of unemployment and low median family incomes, and
WHEREAS, the cooperating systems desire to further enrich educational experiences and staff development opportunities by accessing the Internet information highway, and
WHEREAS, the two systems have devised a cooperative technology plan to train teachers and acquire the technology systems to provide Internet access to three schools in each parish, and
WHEREAS, the two systems' plan has been reviewed by and received partial funding by the U. S. Office and the Louisiana Goals 2000 program; now,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Concordia Parish School Board requests that the Honorable Edwin W. Edwards, Governor of the State of Louisiana, through the Governor's Office for Rural Development, provide funding to assist and enhance the further development of the project.
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Mr. Partridge suggested that the Board consider purchasing a multi-hour recorder which would alleviate problems incurred when Board discussion must stop to allow a tape to be changed. Superintendent Lee provided information on a Lanier six-hour recorder. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to purchase the recorder.
Superintendent Lee reported that following a thorough study of the bids for three activity buses opened at the January 3 meeting, it was determined that the low bid was submitted by Timmons International, Inc. of Alexandria, Louisiana. Mr. Arnold suggested using contract drivers; however, Superintendent Lee stated that it had been determined that only a few drivers were willing to participate in these activities and that sometimes additional buses were needed for field trips. Mr. Irvin presented information on the 100,000 mile warranty. Following discussion, it was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to purchase the three buses from the low bidder. In response to Mr. King's question about financing the purchase, Superintendent Lee stated that he had asked Mr. O'Neal to set aside $25,000 per month to provide sufficient funds to pay for the buses when they were ready for delivery.
Superintendent Lee requested a first reading on policies BD, JD, JDD, and GBR. These policy changes are required to bring Board policy into compliance with state law. He called attention to policy BD and suggested that the Board may want to consider inserting a sentence allowing the Board to adopt a policy under emergency circumstances by two-thirds vote. It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Arnold and carried to approve the first reading of these policies.
Superintendent Lee requested that the opening of bids for FUE be added to the agenda. Although it had been advertised that bids would be opened at this meeting, the item had inadvertently been left off the agenda. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously to add the item to the agenda.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously to advertise for bids for computers at Ferriday High School.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously to open bids for computers at FUE. The following bids were received:
Jostens Learning Corporation $112,662.00
California
Interstate Companies of Louisiana $ 58,815.95
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Computer Curriculum Corporation $133,837.67
Marietta, Georgia
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs Washington and carried unanimously to take the bids under advisement. President Nelson appointed Mr. Arnold and Mrs. Cowan to a committee to review the bids.
Dr. Peterman requested the Board to approve science and social studies allotments to provide hand-on learning materials. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously to approve science and social studies allotments in the amount of $500 per grade per school.
Mr. O'Neal requested permission to lease a car for the Sales Tax Department. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to approve the lease.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to terminate Mr. Dale Vestal's lease on 71 acres on Airport Road at his request and to re-advertise the land for agricultural lease.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Arnold and carried unanimously to approve the following retirements:
Lucy Brown, SFS Technician, FHS, effective 9/21/94
Annie Matthews, 8 hr. Janitor, RES, effective 10/3/94
It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried unanimously to approve the following transfer:
Billie Atkins, FHS to FLE, effective 1/13/95
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously to approve the following personnel returning from sabbatical:
Janice Fletcher, effective 1/13/95
Sherry McMahon, effective 1/13/95
Henry Sugg, effective 1/13/95
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Arnold, Mr. King and Mr. Partridge to approve the following:
Appointments:
Eliza Cage, 8 hr. Janitor, RES, effective 1/3/95
Karen Collins, Teacher Aide, VHS, effective 1/3/95
Juanice Holstead, Teacher, 4/7 day, RES, effective 1/17/95
Cassandra Paden, Teacher Aide, VLE, effective 1/3/95
Oscar K. Reed, Teacher, 1/2 day, FHS, 1/3/95
Sandra Smothers, 2.5 hr. Sweeper, RES, effective 1/3/95
Maternity Leave:
Molly Maples, SFS Manager, RES, effective 2/1/95 - 3/15/95
It was moved by Mrs. Washington and Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to adjourn at 10:35 p.m.
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James E. Lee, Superintendent Manson E. Nelson, Sr., President