PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 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, March 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 Mr. Nelson, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, was ready for the transaction of business.
Members present were Mr. Eddie L. Coleman, Sr., Mrs. Marie Cowan, Mr. Jerry C. King, Mr. Manson E. Nelson, Sr., Mr. Charles Partridge, Mrs. Georgia Washington, Mr. Lynn White, and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr.
Members absent: Mr. Arthur A. Arnold
It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried to approve the minutes of February 7 and February 21, 1995, with corrections as noted.
Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented the invoices and answered questions. On a motion by Mr. Partridge and second by Mr. Williams, it was carried to approve invoices in the amount of $1,466,831.95.
Superintendent Lee pointed out the addition of one sentence in Policy BD as discussed at the February 7, 1995, meeting. The sentence, which was inserted at the end of the first paragraph under the heading "Policy Adoption", reads, "A change in policy may also be adopted at the same meeting by a vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting." It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve the second reading of Policies BD, JD, JDD, GBR.
It was moved by Mr. King, seconded by Mr. White and carried unanimously to add opening of bids for agricultural lease on Section 6, T7N R9E (Airport Road) to the agenda. On a motion by Mr. Coleman and second by Mr. King, it was carried to open the bids. Only one bid was received. It was submitted by T. Fore of Sibley, Mississippi, in the amount of $8 per acre for the non-cultivatable land. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. White and carried unanimously not to accept the bid and to re-advertise for bids for a lease on this property.
It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. King and carried to open bids for vocational education computers for the technology lab at FHS to be funded through Carl Perkins Vocational Fund. The following bids were opened:
Capital PC Warehouse, Inc. $19,507.00
Computer Data Systems $26,070.00
Computer Services USA, Inc. $26,328.00
Computers Unlimited $23,400.00
Gateway 2000 $19,134.00
Kerrigan Computer Service A. $20,620.54
B. $22,618.85
C. $23,026.73
NiPav Computers $31,000.00
It was moved by Mr. King, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried 7-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to take the bids under advisement and to award the bid to the lowest bidder who meets the specifications.
Superintendent Lee requested that the Board declare an emergency in order to install a sprinkler system at Clayton School. He pointed out that the Board had only recently been notified that this would be required and that there is a need for LaSalle Community Action to move into the building as soon as possible. It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to declare an emergency for the sprinkler system at Clayton School.
Superintendent Lee informed the Board that the following quotes had been received:
Sunbelt Fire Protection Company $24,842.00
Fire Protection, Inc. $35,800.00
Andersen Fire Protection, Inc. $48,527.00
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to award the project to Sunbelt Fire Protection Company.
On a motion by Mr. Partridge and second by Mr. Coleman, the following persons were approved as members of the Special Education Advisory Council:
Marie Cowan Concordia Parish School Board member
LuRuth L. Davis Teacher, VHS
Janice Fletcher Regular education teacher, FLE
Ray King Director, Shelby M. Jackson Memorial Vocational School
Rhonda Lewis Parent
Fred Marsalis Principal, VJH
Shannan McCalip Teacher, VLE
Patricia Metcalf Parent
Brenda Moore University person
Elbert White Handicapped Citizen
Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs, presented information about a lease program for a van for special education. Following discussion about licensing requirements for the driver of the van, it was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve the lease of the van, but to clarify the guidelines for licensing of the driver and to follow the state regulations.
Mr. Harry Creighton, president of the Confederation of Teachers and School Employees, appeared before the Board and requested the approval of a resolution calling for the state to provide funding for a 5% pay increase for all school personnel. This increase was approved earlier but so far has been unfunded. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the education of Louisiana's children and young adults, from kindergarten through college, is our state's best hope for economic progress and a brighter future; and
WHEREAS, the education professionals who guide the development of our students are the key element in developing and maintaining high standards of educational excellence; and
WHEREAS, the salaries of Louisiana's elementary and secondary school teachers rank 48th in the nation; our college and university professors rank 12th out of 15 in the Southern United States; and paraprofessionals and school-related personnel are so woefully underpaid that thousands qualify for food stamps; and
WHEREAS, the Concordia Parish School Board also recognizes the need for raising the salaries of professional educators in this school district and around the state; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Concordia Parish School Board endorse the efforts of organizations to obtain pay raises for teachers, college professors and school-related personnel; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Concordia Parish School Board forward a copy of this document to Governor Edwin Edwards and the members of the legislative delegation.
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Mr. Creighton also requested that the Board consider a $600 increase in the supplement for certified personnel and a $300 increase in the supplement for support personnel. He asked that the Board set a specific timeframe for the implementation of such an increase. Superintendent Lee commented that following Mr. Creighton's appearance before the Board in May 1994, he had met with Mr. Creighton and representatives of other employee groups to discuss finances with them. At that meeting, he had informed the group that he would recommend a thirteenth check for the second Friday in January of the following year based on June 30th balances. However, there is currently a law which would consider such a distribution a raise in salary and which prohibits the local from cutting salary. He said that the Board is not currently in a position to approve a raise which would impact finances year after year. Superintendent Lee said that a thirteenth check for the distribution of any excess sales tax funds would be a safe financial decision. Therefore, he suggested that employee groups contact legislators to request the repeal of the law.
Dr. Pete Peterman presented the proposed school calendar for 1995-96. Following discussion, it was moved by Mr. Williams and seconded by Mrs. Washington to approve the calendar for 1995-96 as presented. The roll call vote was as follows:
YES: Mr. Coleman, Mrs. Cowan, Mr. Nelson, Mrs. Washington, Mr. Williams
NO: Mr. King, Mr. Partridge, Mr. White
The calendar for 1995-96 was approved as follows:
S C H O O L C A L E N D A R
1 9 9 5 - 1 9 9 6
GRADING PERIODS
FIRST SEMESTER.......................Friday, August 18, 1995 - Thursday, January 11, 1996
1st 6 Weeks.......................Friday, August 18, 1995 - Wednesday, September 29, 1995
2nd 6 Weeks......................Monday, October 2, 1995 - Friday, November 10, 1995
3rd 6 Weeks.......................Monday, November 13, 1995 - Thursday, January 11, 1996
SECOND SEMESTER..........................Friday, January 12, 1996 - Monday, May 27, 1996
4th 6 Weeks............................Friday, January 12, 1996 - Tuesday, February 27, 1996
5th 6 Weeks............................Wednesday, February 28, 1996 - Monday, April 15, 1996
6th 6 Weeks.............................Tuesday, April 16, 1996 - Monday, May 27, 1996
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Labor Day ..............................................................................September 4, 1995
Employees' Conventions...................................................November 20, 21, 22, 1995
Thanksgiving Holidays..........................................................November 23, 24, 1995
Christmas Holidays ...............................December 21, 1995 - January 2, 1996, inclusive
Martin Luther King's Day..............................................................January 15, 1996
Mardi Gras .........................................................................February 19, 20, 1996
Spring Holidays.......................................................................March 14, 15, 1996
Easter........................................................................................April 5, 8, 1996
TESTING DATES
LEAP........................................................................................April 9-12 1996
California Achievement Test..........................................................April 22-26, 1996
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
One-half day per semester - Dates to be announced
Students Dismissed - 1:00 p.m......................................................August 21, 22, 1995
Teachers' Workdays ..................................................August 18, 1995 & May 24, 1996
Parent Conference Days ..........................................October 6, 1995 & January 19, 1996
Preschool Round-up............................................................................May 3, 1996
Senior Exams...............................................................................May 8 - 10, 1996
Graduation....................................................................................May 16, 17, 1996
Cafeterias Close .............................................................................May 23, 1996
Final Exams - Dismiss 11:00 a.m.................................................May 21, 22, 23, 1996
Report cards issued at 8:00 a.m..............................................................May 27, 1996
SCHOOL MONTHS
1st Month...............Friday, August 18, 1995 - Friday, September 15, 1995, inclusive
2nd Month...............Monday, September 18, 1995 - Friday, October 13, 1995, inclusive
3rd Month................Monday, October 16, 1995 - Friday, November 10, 1995, inclusive
4th Month.............Monday, November 13, 1995 - Friday, December 15, 1995, inclusive
5th Month...................Monday, December 18, 1995 - Friday, January 26, 1996, inclusive
6th Month.................... Monday, January 29, 1996 - Tuesday, February 27, 1996, inclusive
7th Month...................Wednesday, February 28, 1996 - Thursday, March 28, 1996, inclusive
8th Month........................Friday, March 29, 1996 - Monday, April 29, 1996, inclusive
9th Month..........................Tuesday, April 30 1996 - Monday, May 27, 1996, inclusive
Mr. Raymond Riley appeared before the Board to request the use of the Vidalia Junior High School gym for the Dewayne Albert Summer Basketball League from June 2 until July 31, 1995. Following discussion about the possibility of using alternate sites for the program, it was moved by Mr. Williams and seconded by Mr. White to approve the request for the use of the VJH gym and to research Board policy regarding the use of facilities and to follow it in this and in all other activities. The motion was approved 6-2 on a roll call vote as follows:
YES: Mrs. Cowan, Mr. King, Mr. Nelson, Mrs. Washington, Mr. White, and Mr. Williams
NO: Mr. Coleman, Mr. Partridge
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried 7-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to go into Executive Session at 7:00 p.m.
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to return to Open Session at 7:49 p.m.
President Nelson informed the audience that the Board had discussed student disciplinary problems and one of the Board members.
It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve retirement for the following:
Mary W. Tillman, Teacher Aide, FHS, effective 5/26/95
Marcella Washington, Teacher, FHS, effective 5/26/95
Nannie Fitzgerald, Teacher, VUE, effective 5/26/95
Olar Moore, Teacher, FLE, effective 2/24/95
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously to approve extended sick leave for Sherrie J. McMahon, Guidance Counselor, FHS, effective 2/20/95 - 5/31/95.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve the following appointments:
Monica Carter, Teacher, FLE, effective 3/1/95
Delores Henderson, SFS Technician, FHS, effective 3/1/95
Mr. King read the following announcement:
I would like to take this opportunity to announce that effective April 4, upon the advice of my doctors, I will resign my position on the Concordia Parish School Board. I wish the Superintendent and the Board the very best and would like to thank the public for the opportunity to have served the children of our parish for over ten years.
It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried to adjourn at 7:55 p.m.
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James E. Lee, Superintendent Manson E. Nelson, Sr., President