PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 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, June 6, 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 Rev. Troy Thomas, 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, Mr. Lynn White, and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr..
Members absent: None
Superintendent Lee recognized the following employees who retired during the past year and presented each with a plaque:
Annie R. Dunmore Teacher 19 years
Warren S. Enterkin Principal 30 years
Nannie C. Fitzgerald Teacher 28 years
Dora Freemen Secretary/Bookkeeper 26 years
Beatrice M. Hunter Teacher 32 years
Roosevelt C. Hymon Teacher 33 years
Olar S. Moore Teacher 33 years
JoAnn H. Mullins Teacher 20 years
Retta Poole Bookkeeper 25 years
Shirley B. Smith Teacher 20 years
Henry K. Sugg Principal 36 years
Mary W. Tillman Teacher's Assistant 23 years
Richard Tillman School Bus Operator 39 years
Wadell A. Turner School Bus Operator 31 years
Marcella R. Washington Teacher 28 years
Dr. Pete Peterman, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, recognized the State Literary Rally Winners from MHS:
Josh Grammon 1st Place Algebra II
Amy Sandidge 1st Place High Voice Solo
Sam Ward 2nd Place Agriculture III
Ms. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, present invoices for May and and answered questions. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve payment of invoices in the amount of $1,668,630.53.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve minutes of May 2 and May 16, 1995, meetings.
Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business, presented a committee report on costs to pay the total amount of active and retired employees' health insurance. He reported that the Board currently pays the amount formerly paid by the state on retired employees' health insurance. He estimated the cost to the Board to pay the total amount for all employees, active and retired, to be $1.3 million annually.
Mr. O'Neal also presented a committee report on providing fleet insurance for buses. He stated that he was informed by insurance companies that since the Board does not own the
buses, it cannot purchase fleet insurance. There was lengthy discussion regarding the possibility of obtaining lower rates on buses. Mr. O'Neal reported that the Board does pay additional costs incurred for adding the Concordia Parish School Board as a co-insured to bus drivers' individual policies.
Mr. H. L. Irvin, Supervisor of Supportive Services, reported estimated costs to air condition six cafeterias and seven kitchens at schools where they are not already air conditioned. Mr. Irvin estimated the costs to be $45,500 to air condition the dining areas and $28,700, including the make-up air system, to air condition the kitchen areas for a total of $74,200. It was moved by Mr. Arnold and seconded by Mr. Partridge to air condition the six cafeterias without air conditioning and seven kitchens without air conditioning before school starts next year. There was lengthy discussion regarding the various needs of the system such as roof repair, and Superintendent Lee suggested that the Board prioritize those items it would like to complete before making a decision on this item. On a roll call vote, the motion passed 5-4 as follows:
YES: Mr. Arnold, Mr. Partridge, Mr. White, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Nelson
NO: Mr. Coleman, Mrs. Cowan, Mrs. Crnkovic, and Mrs. Washington
Mr. Irvin described the various roofing needs at school sites and recommended that FEC and VJH be the next sites to be re-roofed. He estimated the costs to be $84,600 for FEC and $124,700 for VJH. Following lengthy discussion regarding types of roofing, Superintendent Lee requested that President Nelson appoint a committee of Board members to study types of roofing and to provide recommendations on roofing materials and methods of financing the re-roofing projects at the next meeting. It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried 6-3, with Mr. Coleman, Mrs. Crnkovic and Mr. Partridge voting no, to appoint a committee to research roofing materials and appropriate money for roof repair needs. President Nelson appointed Mr. White chairperson of the committee and Mr. Arnold and Mr. Williams to serve on the committee, along with Mr. Irvin.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. White and carried unanimously to advertise three vacant school bus operator positions for 10 days, June 7 through June 16, 1995.
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried 8-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to go into Executive Session at 6:52 p.m.
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to return to Open Session at 7:25 p.m. President Nelson reported that during Executive Session, the Board had received an update on potential litigation and discussed personnel matters.
Superintendent Lee asked the Board to provide assistant principals at FLE and VLE in lieu of guidance counselors, the rationale being that assistant principals can also carry out counseling services, but counselors cannot provide administrative services. He reminded the Board of a request by a lower elementary school principal for administrative help as a result of the large numbers of students at the school. It was moved by Mr. Williams to appoint assistant principals in lieu of counselors at FLE and VLE. The motion was seconded by Mr.
Coleman and carried 7-2 on a roll call vote as follows:
YES: Mr. Coleman, Mrs. Cowan, Mrs. Crnkovic, Mrs. Washington, Mr. White, Mr. Williams, Mr. Nelson
NO: Mr. Arnold, Mr. Partridge
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve revisions to the Professional Personnel Evaluation Manual.
Superintendent Lee recommended that as the most experienced applicant with 13 years administrative experience, Mr. Roy Rushing be named principal of FLE, effective July 21, 1995. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to approve Mr. Rushing's appointment.
Superintendent Lee recommended that Mrs. Neeva Sibley, a 20-year veteran with Concordia Parish School System, be appointed principal at FHS, where she has served as teacher for the past 15 years. It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to approve Mrs. Sibley's appointment.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried to adjourn at 7:40 p.m.
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James E. Lee, Superintendent Manson E. Nelson, Sr., President