PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 2, 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, May 2, 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 Mrs. Marie Cowan, 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, Mrs. Shirley Crnkovic, Mr. Charles Partridge, Mrs. Georgia Washington, and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr.
Members absent: Mr. Lynn White
On behalf of the Board, Superintendent Lee recognized Mr. Jerry King, a former member of the Concordia Parish School Board, and presented him a plaque in honor of his 10 years of service as a Board member. Mr. King thanked the Board and made comments.
Dr. Pete Peterman, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, recognized Mr. Herbert Bassett, director of bands at VHS and VJHS, for the excellent ratings earned by the two bands during the 1994-95 school year. Mr. Bassett recognized the presence of 12th grade student Richard Morgan, VHS trombonist who has been chosen for the John Philip Sousa Honor Band, a national organization.
Dr. Peterman recognized Mrs. Fran Nolan, teacher of gifted/talented students, who presented awards to students for their participation in the Superintendent's Art Contest:
Tony Ponce, FLE
Christopher Hunter, FUE
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried to approve minutes of April 4, 1995, as corrected.
Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented invoices and answered questions. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to approve invoices for April in the amount of $1,333,068.88.
It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 7-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to go into Executive Session at 5:45 to discuss personnel.
It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried to return to Open Session at 6:39 p.m.
Superintendent Lee commented on the development of a proposed reorganizational structure to focus on academic affairs and instructional benefits for children. He pointed out that in 1992 the Business Affairs Department was reorganized with the purpose of improving the financial picture. Events have proved this to have been the right step. Superintendent Lee stressed that the proposed restructuring plan is not aimed at creating jobs for people but to provide services for children. He provided the Board with information regarding the Minimum Foundation Program allocations for the past three years and pointed out that because of the new formula, the amount provided Concordia Parish has increased each year. In addition, he pointed out that we have experienced an increase in enrollment leading to an increase in MFP and that sales tax collections from the old one cent sales tax have increased each year since 1992. Superintendent Lee informed the Board that in comparison with the 26 other systems with fewer than 5000 students, Concordia Parish has fewer administrators per student or teacher than 20 other parishes. The restructuring plan will cost $14 per student in comparison to $66 per student served for elementary counselors, $531 per student served for kindergarten teacher aides, and $3007 per student served for the Alternative School Program, and $34 per student served for the three new activity buses. Following discussion about the need for a grant writer and an assistant superintendent and the benefits students would see, it was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried 5-3 to approve the restructuring plan presented by the Superintendent effective July 1, 1995, with the salaries to be acted on at the next meeting. The roll call vote was as follows:
YES: Mr. Coleman, Mrs. Crnkovic, Mrs. Washington, Mr. Williams, Mr. Nelson
NO: Mr. Arnold, Mrs. Cowan, Mr. Partridge
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve the following resolution:
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 prevent local boards from disbursing excess funds on a one-time basis if they are available by identifying such funds as part of employees' annual salaries;
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 during the 1995 Legislative Session to allow one-time disbursement of excess funds at the discretion of local school boards without these funds being identified as salary; 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.
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It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to approve the following resolution in recognition of the death of the father of the Board president:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Mr. Matthew T. Nelson, long-time resident of Ferriday, Louisiana, and the father of six children, including fellow Concordia Parish School Board Member Manson E. Nelson, Sr., passed away on April 22, 1995, at Riverland Medical Center, at the age of 81 years; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Nelson was an active community member, a retired electrician, and a veteran of World War II, who will be greatly missed by his 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 President Manson E. Nelson, Sr., and his family in their loss of his father; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. Nelson as an expression of sympathy.
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It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Arnold and carried unanimously to recess for five minutes at 7:30 p.m.
It was moved by Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to return to Open Session at 7:40 p.m.
It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to approve the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Mr. Eli Matthews passed away on Wednesday, April 26, 1995, at the age of 80 years after devoting 30 years to the service of the children of Concordia Parish; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Matthews faithfully served the Concordia Parish School System from 1954 until 1985 as school bus operator; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Matthews 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. Matthews made to the children and their families 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. Eli Matthews 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.
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Superintendent Lee announced that the Concordia Association of Educators and the Concordia Federation of Teachers and School Employees had requested to be heard. It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. Coleman, and carried 7-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to added the representatives to the agenda.
Mrs Dorothy Parker, president of CAE, and Mr. Harry Creighton, president of CFT, reported that employees were requesting that school be dismissed on May 10, 1995, to allow employees to participate in a rally in Baton Rouge in support of a bill authorizing the payment of a 5% supplement promised to public employees. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan, and carried unanimously to dismiss school on May 10.
Mr. Lowery Herrington, Supervisor of Mathematics for Chapter 1, presented the Title 1 project application for 1995-96 and answered questions. It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve the application.
Ms. Doretha Woodfork, Supervisor of Special Education, presented the Special Education Project application for 1995-96 and answered questions. It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve the application.
Ms. Woodfork presented the Alternative Curriculum for Special Education students who are not pursuing a diploma. It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried 7-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to approve the Alternative Curriculum.
Mr. Arnold stated that twelve month employees are working more days than the state requires and that he would like to make a motion to rescind the motion to establish the 4-day, 10-hour workday schedule and in its place make a motion to approve a 4-day, regular hour workday schedule. The motion failed for lack of a second.
It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried unanimously to establish a committee to study the cost of paying total insurance costs for all active and retired employees.
It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried unanimously to study the costs of air conditioning the school cafeterias and kitchens and to report back in June.
It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried 6-2, with Mrs. Cowan and Mrs. Washington voting no, to have the committee also study the cost of providing fleet insurance for school buses.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve personnel items en globo as follows:
Retirements:
JoAnn H. Mullins, Teacher, VUE, effective 5/26/95
Shirley B. Smith, Teacher, VUE, effective 5/26/95
Richard Tillman, School Bus Operator, effective 5/26/95
Resignations
Angela L. Barnes, Teacher, FJH, effective 5/26/95
Madeline Mitchell, 2.5 hour Sweeper, VUE, effective 3/28/95
Julia P. Snyder, Bus Attendant, effective 4/19/95
Brandi Webb, Teacher Assistant, FLE, 4/28/95
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Arnold and carried unanimously to adjourn at 8:20 p.m.
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James E. Lee, Superintendent Manson E. Nelson, Sr., President