PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1995.

The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in special session at the Concordia Parish School Board Office, in Vidalia, Louisiana, on Tuesday, June 27, 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, Mr. Charles Partridge, Mrs. Georgia Washington, Mr. Lynn White, and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr.

Members absent:          Mrs. Shirley Crnkovic

Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs, presented the Consolidated Budget as Amended for Fiscal Year 1994-95. 

Mrs. Crnkovic arrived at 5:35 p.m.

Mr. O'Neal discussed revisions in the various funds and explained the effect of the one-time salary supplement from the state.  He pointed out that the final figures had still not been released by the state although the local system is required to include the funds in the 1994-95 budget. In discussing the sales tax funds, Mr. O'Neal pointed out that sales tax collections have exceeded projections.  Superintendent Lee reminded the Board that the sales tax 80% and 40% funds can be used for salaries and benefits only and that he intended to ask the Board to approve a 13th check to distribute excess funds.

Superintendent Lee reported that the state recently notified local school systems of the decision to require reimbursement of the funds it had originally provided for retirees' insurance.  For Concordia Parish, the total to be returned is $225,516. The loss of these funds will result in a shortfall in the operating fund of $206,843, causing the system to be out of compliance with Bulletin 504. Since all other fund balances are restricted, Superintendent Lee requested that the Board approve the transfer of funds from the insurance reserve fund to cover the cost of retirees' insurance payments to be reimbursed to the state, leaving an insurance reserve balance of $299,438 and an operating fund balance of $107,000.  

Following lengthy discussion, it was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 8-1, to revise the budget to free up the reserve fund to bring the budget into balance for the 1994-95 fiscal year.  Mr. Partridge voted no, citing his opposition to using the insurance reserve funds.

It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried 8-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to approve the Consolidated Budget as Amended for 1994-95.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to adjourn at 6:24 p.m.

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James E. Lee, Superintendent                                                             Manson E. Nelson, Sr., President