PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 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, April 4, 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 Bro. Robert Cade, 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, Mrs. Georgia Washington, Mr. Lynn White, and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr.
Superintendent Lee announced that Mr. King had expressed his intention to resign, effective at 5:30 p.m. on April 4, 1995. He read the letter of resignation Mr. King had written to Secretary of State Fox McKeithen, and stated that Mr. McKeithen had replied, indicating that the Concordia Parish School Board had a period of ten days in which to appoint a representative from Ward 4 Place B.
It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 7-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to accept Mr. King's resignation.
President Nelson announced that Judge Dan McKay who is running for Court of Appeals had asked to be heard. It was moved by Mr. Partridge and seconded by Mr. Coleman not to hear Judge McKay. The motion failed 2-6, with Mr. Partridge and Mr. Coleman voting yes. Judge McKay gave a brief statement about his candidacy.
It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried 7-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to go into Executive Session at 5:40 p.m. to discuss personnel and the superintendent's evaluation.
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Arnold and carried to return to Open Session at 6:05 p.m.
President Nelson reported to the audience that the Board discussed personnel and the superintendent's evaluation, which will be completed and released at a later date.
President Nelson recognized Mr. King, who commented on his resignation. He cited the stress and pressures on Board members, who are always on call to the public. He asked that the public support the Board and Mr. Lee as they continue to work to manage the finances in the most effective way. He thanked the public for their support during his ten years as school board member representing Ward 4-B.
Mrs. Cowan nominated Shirley Crnkovic to be appointed by the Board to fill the Ward 4-B seat until an election could be held in October 1995. The nomination was seconded by Mr. Coleman. On a unanimous vote, Mrs. Crnkovic was appointed to the Concordia Parish School Board, representing Ward 4 Place B, until an election is held in October 1995. Mrs. Crnkovic was sworn in by Judge George Murray, and she was seated in Mr. King's place.
Superintendent Lee commended Mr. King for timing his resignation so that his constituents would not be without representation during the appointment process.
Dr. Pete Peterman, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, recognized state contest winners in the Louisiana Career Guidance Poster/Poetry Contest. Stephanie Barlow of VHS was awarded a certificate for winning first place in the state in poetry, senior division, grades 9-12. Jessica Webster of MHS was awarded a certificate for winning second place in the state in the poster contest, primary division, grades K-2.
Superintendent Lee recognized and awarded certificates to the Concordia Parish Students of the Year, who are as follows:
Jacqueline Cooper 5th Grade FUE
Onya Comradd 8th Grade FJH
Novelette Burton 12th Grade FHS
Superintendent Lee commented that the local Student of the Year contest is administered by Dr. Mary Eidt, Supervisor of Elementary Education, who also served this year as a regional chairperson for the state.
It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Arnold and carried to approve the minutes of the March 7 and March 21, 1995, meetings.
Mrs. Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented invoices and answered questions. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve invoices in the amount of $1,958,791.76.
Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs, presented the financial report and answered questions.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Mr. W. Thomas Allen passed away on Tuesday, March 21, 1995, at the age of 79 years after devoting eighteen years to the education of the children of Concordia Parish; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Allen faithfully served the Concordia Parish School System from 1969 until 1986 as a member of Concordia Parish School Board; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allen during his service to education hoped to inspire the children of Concordia Parish to value education and to strive to fulfill their potential; and
WHEREAS, the Concordia Parish School Board wishes to recognize the significant contributions Mr. Allen made to the education of children in Concordia Parish; now,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Concordia Parish School Board hereby declare their sorrow at the professional and personal loss of Mr. W. Thomas Allen and extend their condolences to his family and many friends; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be forwarded to his children: Mr. W. Thomas Allen ,Jr., Ms. Katie L. Glass; Ms. Castanna Washington; Ms. Nancy Howard; Ms. Mary S. Harper; Ms. Daisy L. Williams, Ms. Gladys C. Jolly and Mr. Jimmy Allen.
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Superintendent Lee informed the audience that if the Board wishes to distribute any excess funds through a thirteenth check, the legislature would have to repeal RS 17:422.5 and R.S. 17: 421.3 (E) which identify such distribution salary and which prohibit the reduction of salaries. Superintendent Lee read the following resolution which has been approved by a number of school boards across the state:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, during the 1992 and 1993 Legislative Sessions, R. S. 17:422.5 and R. S. 17:421.3 (E) were enacted respectively; and,
WHEREAS, these acts prohibit the reduction of the salaries of educational support personnel and teachers below the amount of such salary paid during the previous school year; and
WHEREAS, These acts also prohibit the reduction of salaries at any time during an academic year; and,
WHEREAS, all employees of Concordia Parish Schools are paid above the state salary schedule from sales tax and collections; and,
WHEREAS, the Concordia Parish School Board would like to have the option of disbursing excess funds, when available, to their employees and also have the option of discontinuing those funds when not available; now,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Concordia Parish School Board asks their Legislative Delegation to seek relief for the school systems by introducing legislation to repeal the statutes R. S. 17:421.3 (E) and R. S. 422.5 during the 1995 Legislative Session; 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 and to each school system in Louisiana asking their support in this endeavor.
It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Partridge not to accept the resolution as read. Mr. Arnold and Mr. Partridge objected to the section referring to "reduction of salaries." Superintendent Lee stated that he wanted to make it clear that his purpose in presenting the resolution was to make it possible for the Board to distribute additional funds, not to reduce salaries in any manner. Following discussion, Mr. Arnold requested to change his motion to approve the resolution with "reduction of salaries" removed. The request to revise the motion was seconded by Mr. Partridge. Following additional discussion, Mr. Arnold requested to withdraw his motion and it was agreed that the Superintendent would return at the next meeting with revised wording for this resolution.
Superintendent Lee announced that there would be a Legislative Supper in the Media Center on April 11, 1995, at 5:00 p.m. to discuss educational issues with the Concordia legislative delegation. It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve the Legislative Position Paper as follows:
LEGISLATIVE POSITION PAPER
1. Concordia Parish School Board supports full funding of the MFP as provided by the constitution of the State of Louisiana in order to provide sufficient revenues to adequately address the needs of all students.
2. CPSB urges the Legislature to provide additional funding to:
A. Provide for full funding of programs for 4-year-olds; and
B. Increase textbook allocations to the average cost per textbook per student.
3. CPSB recommends continued support of retirees' hospitalization premiums and cost of living raises.
4. CPSB urges that the Legislature recognize the dire need to improve salaries for certified and support personnel. As a border parish, Concordia Parish is competing for teachers with neighboring Mississippi counties which offer from $3000 to $8000 more annually to beginning teachers than CPSB is able to offer.
5. CPSB urges the Legislature to suspend House Bill 150 (re: suspended or expelled students) until such time as the Legislature appropriates sufficient funds to implement this mandate.
6. CPSB feels that it is in the best interest of children that the Legislature/BESE refrain from enacting any legislation which places additional costs on local school systems. When such mandates are passed, the Legislature/BESE should also provide initial and continuing funding.
7. CPSB urges the Legislature to provide supplemental funding to meet the mandates of Bulletin 741 for the hiring of nurses, counselors, librarians, and enrichment teachers, such as elementary physical education, art and music teachers.
Mr. Julius Huhn, Director of Chapter 1, discussed the bids for computer equipment and software which were opened at the February 7, 1995, meeting and which were taken under advisement at that time. He stated that the intervening time had been spent investigating whether the bids received met specifications. He stated that the lowest bid by Interstate Companies of Louisiana failed to meet the specifications in several respects. He recommended that the bid be awarded to the next lowest bidder, Jostens Learning Corporation, whose proposal did meet all specifications. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Arnold and carried unanimously to award the bid to Jostens Learning Corporation, which was the second lowest bidder and which met the specifications, in the amount of $112,662.00.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Arnold and carried unanimously to approve a proclamation announcing April as Child Search Month in Concordia Parish.
Superintendent Lee presented the plan for Summer School and discussed the dates, fees, and requirements for elementary and high school summer courses. He announced that there would be two sessions of Driver's Education to allow the maximum number of students to participate. He stated that under the proposed Summer School plan, students must be 15 by the time the driving portion of the session begins. It was moved by Mr. Partridge and seconded by Mr. Arnold to allow a child to enroll as long as he/she would be 15 by the time he/she is scheduled to operate the vehicle. Discussion centered around problems which might be encountered in trying to schedule individual students. The motion failed on a vote of 3-6, with Mr. Arnold, Mr. Partridge, and Mr. Williams voting yes. Superintendent Lee recommended that the Board accept the Summer School proposal as presented. It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried 8-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to approve the proposal as presented.
Superintendent Lee presented plans for the Summer Food Program to be held at FUE and VJH. Mr. Partridge questioned the possibility of rotating the program among the schools in Vidalia to avoid overusing VJH. It was pointed out that 90% of the students who participate in the Summer Food Program live in the area around VJH. It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried 8-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to approve the Summer Food Program as presented.
Mr. O'Neal informed the Board that Mr. Don Marshall is requesting a change in the lease for Section 16 T7N R8E (Frogmore) because about 50 acres of the land near a slough are not cultivatable. In addition he is requesting that he be allowed to pay this year's lease in December because of financial difficulties connected with last year's crop. He is asking that the 50 acres be excluded from the lease and that the remaining acreage be refigured at $45 per acre based on 540 acres rather than 590. Mr. O'Neal stated that he would not recommend reducing the amount per acre because the total would be less than the second highest bid received last year when Mr. Marshall was awarded the bid. It was moved by Mr. Partridge and seconded by Mrs. Washington to accept the late payment on December 15, but not to reduce the acreage or the cost of the lease.
A roll call vote was held as follows:
YES: Mr. Partridge, Mrs. Washington, and Mr. Williams
NO: Mr. Arnold, Mr. Coleman, Mrs. Cowan, Mrs. Crnkovic, Mr. Nelson and Mr. White.
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Arnold and carried 7-2, with Mr. Partridge and Mrs. Washington voting no, to accept the late payment at legal interest for this year and to exclude the 50 acres of uncultivatable land at $45 per acre.
President Nelson reported that the superintendent's evaluation is in the last stages of preparation and that it looks good. He informed the Board that he would need to meet with Mr. Lee regarding his evaluation prior to April 15 to comply with the Professional Personnel Evaluation Program guidelines.
It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried unanimously to approve retirement for Mr. Warren Enterkin, Principal, VUE, effective 10/25/95.
It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve retirement for Ms. Beatrice Hunter, Teacher, FUE, effective 5/26/95.
It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve the following leaves:
Maternity Leave
Shannan McCalip, Teacher, VLE, effective 5/1/95-5/26/95
Pamela Weeks Morace, Teacher, VLE, effective 4/10/95-5/26/95
Military Leave
Joyce Ivory, Teacher, VJH, effective 3/10/95
Wil Nolan, Psychologist, FEC, effective 3/31/95
Superintendent Lee announced that the vocational computer bid for FHS awarded to Kerrigan Computer Company, which was determined to have the low bid.
On a motion by Mr. Partridge and second by Mr. White the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
James E. Lee, Superintendent Manson E. Nelson, Sr., President