PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JULY 18, 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, July 18, 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 Mr. Lynn White, 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. Eddie L. Coleman, Sr., Mrs. Marie Cowan, Mr. Charles Partridge, and Mr. Lynn White.

Members absent:          Mr. Arthur A. Arnold, Mrs. Shirley Crnkovic, Mrs. Georgia Washington, and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr.

It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried 5-0 to approve invoices in the amount of $1,535,083.40.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried 5-0 to approve minutes of the June 6, June 20, and June 27, 1995, meetings.

Mrs. Washington arrived at 5:34 p.m.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 6-0 to approve the Financial Report for June.

President Nelson stated that Mr. John Pullen had requested to appear before the Board, and asked if Mr. Pullen was in the audience.  As Mr. Pullen was not present, President Nelson called the next item.

Mr. Williams arrived at 5:35 p.m.

President Nelson recognized Ferriday Mayor Glen McGlothin, who spoke in support of the school system.  Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland also spoke in support of the school system.  President Nelson commented briefly on recent public statements and stated that action was already being taken to address those issues.  Superintendent Lee expressed his appreciation to all the supporters in attendance and to those who had called or written to state their support.

Mrs. Crnkovic arrived at 5:37 p.m.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to approve classroom allotments of $100 per teacher for classroom supplies and materials.

It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried unanimously to approve athletic allotments as follows:

                        FHS and VHS              $8000

                        MHS                            $6000

                        FJH and VJH               $2000

It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. White and carried unanimously to approve revisions to the Pupil Progression Plan for 1995-96.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to open bids for bread, milk and exterminating service.

The following bid for milk was received:

                        Borden's, Inc.               Composite bid  .1599                          

                        P. O. Box 1831

                        Monroe, LA  71301

No other bids were received for milk.  It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to approve the bid by Borden's, Inc.

The following bid for bread was received:

Cotton Bros Baking Co.                       Sliced White Enriched Bread, 24 oz.                 .98

P. O. Box 540                                      Sliced Whole Wheat Bread, 16 oz.                   1.00

3400 MacArthur Drive                          Hot Dog Buns, 12 package                              1.09

Alexandria, LA  71301                          Cafe Buns/Hamburger Buns, 25 package         1.55

                                                             French Bread, Fully Cooked, 16 oz.                  .98

                                                             Steak Hoagie Bun, 24 count                             2.32

                                                             Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns, 8 package       1.03

No other bids were received for bread.  It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve the bid by Cotton Brothers Baking Company.

The following bids were received for exterminating services:

            B & B Pest Control, Inc                       $15 per unit per month

            Northeast Pest Control                         $18 per unit per month

            Sikes Pest Control                                $40 per unit per month

            Dr. Bug, Inc.                                        $30 per unit per month

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. White and carried unanimously to approve the bid by B & B Pest Control, Inc.

Superintendent Lee presented the following plan for the installation of air conditioning school cafeterias/kitchens which are not already air conditioned:

            It is recommended that the project be accomplished in two phases with the dining areas being completed in Phase I and the kitchens in Phase II.  It is further recommended that work commence as quickly as funds become available with the intent to complete one school installation per month.  The chart below shows the priority order and tonnage recommended for each school along with a cost estimate:

The specifications for central air conditioning units are as follows:  (1) Lennox units or equal, (2) closet contained, (3) tonnage based on cubic feet.

Superintendent Lee recommended that the Board approve the specifications listed, the action plan and priority listing, and a request for bids.  It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve the plan as recommended.

President Nelson announced that Mr. Pullen had arrived and asked if there was a motion to allow him to be heard.  The request was denied for lack of a motion.

Superintendent Lee announced that Dr. Pete Peterman, Assistant Superintendent, would present an analysis of standardized test scores for 1994-95.  Dr. Peterman distributed and discussed information regarding student scores on California Achievement Tests (CAT), Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP), Graduate Exit Exam (GEE) and American College Test (ACT).  Mr. Coleman commented on gains in grades 3, 4, and

5.  Superintendent Lee commented on improvements in the lower grades where efforts have been concentrated.

Superintendent Lee stated that no bids were received for an agricultural lease on Section 6, T7N R9E, Airport Road.  It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to appoint Mr. White to look into timber programs for which this and other school board lands might qualify.

Mrs. Cowan and Mrs. Washington stated that they have received complaints from persons who have stated that Mr. Arnold, who represents Ward 4A, has moved out of the district from which he was elected.  It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 7-1 on a roll call vote as follows to approve a resolution requesting an Attorney General's opinion regarding the residency requirements for school board members and whether Mr. Arnold complies with those requirements:

            YES:                Mr. Coleman, Mrs. Cowan, Mrs. Crnkovic, Mr. Partridge, Mrs. Washington, Mr. White, Mr. Williams

            NO:                 Mr. Nelson

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve tenure for the following teachers:

            Deborah Bairnsfather                            C104977                     MHS

            Becky Braley                                        C054573                     FLE

            Paul Glynn                                            C137709                     MHS

            Sheila Lipsey                                        C138433                     MHS

            Martha Rabb                                        A005141                     FLE

            Virginia Robertson                                C144221                     FHS

            Rebecca Russell                                   A049597                     MHS

            Irene Young                                         C134944                     VLE

It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve the following transfers:

            Fran Nolan, Gifted/Talented Teacher, FUE to VUE, eff. 8/18/95

            Sheryl Williams, Gifted/Talented Teacher, VUE to FUE, eff. 8/18/95

            Roosevelt Williams, Custodian, RES to VUE, eff. 7/1/95

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve military leave as follows:

            Michael Lyles, Central Office Maintenance, effective 6/5/95-6/16/95 (10 days)

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Williams to approve the following retirement and to advertise for a school bus operator to fill the vacancy:

            Sidney Wiley, School Bus Operator, MHS, effective 6/26/95

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve the following resignations:

            Annie McElwee, SFS Technician, VLE, effective 5/26/95

            Melissa Miller, Teacher's Assistant, FKC, effective 7/6/95

            Jerrod B. Webb, Central Office Maintenance, effective 7/28/95

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. White and carried to adjourn at 6:18 p.m.

____________________________                                        ______________________________

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