PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 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, August 15, 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. Nelson, 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, and Mr. Lynn White.
Members absent: Mrs. Shirley Crnkovic and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 6-1, with Mr. Arnold voting no, to accept the Financial Report for July.
It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 6-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel items at 5:32 p.m.
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Arnold and carried to return to Open Session at 6:09 p.m. Mr. Williams arrived during the Executive Session.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried to open bids for fiscal agent. The only bid received was a joint bid by Concordia Bank and Louisiana Central Bank. It was moved by Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to take the bid under advisement.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried to open bids for propane gas for MHS. The only bid received was from Ferrellgas for 65 cents per gallon. It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to reject the bid and rebid the item.
Superintendent Lee recommended that the Board set a fund balance of $100,000 in the 80% sales tax fund, an increase over the former fund balance of $75,000. It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 7-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to approve the Superintendent's recommendation.
Superintendent Lee recommended that the Board approve a 13th check to distribute accumulated sales tax revenues in the amount of $400 for certified personnel, $200 for full time support personnel and $100 for part-time support personnel. Superintendent Lee stated that, under this proposal, no would receive more than a classroom teacher. It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried 7-1, with Mr. Arnold voting no, to approve the Superintendent's recommendation.
Dr. Pete Peterman, Assistant Superintendent, presented a proposed meal price change as recommended by Ms. Evelyn Fairbanks, School Food Service Supervisor. An increase of 10 cents per student for paid student meals and 10 cents for adult meals was requested. Following discussion, it was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Partridge to keep the cost at the same level as 1994-95 prices until the program experiences a deficit. On a roll call vote, the results were as follows:
YES: Mr. Arnold, Mr. Partridge, Mr. White, Mr. Williams
NO: Mr. Coleman, Mrs. Cowan, Mrs. Washington, Mr. Nelson
Superintendent Lee stated that as a result of the 4-4 tie, the meal prices for 1995-96 will remain at the same level as 1994-95.
Mr. Partridge requested the Board consider creating a drive for buses at VUE. Superintendent Lee suggested creating a semi-circular drive in front of the gym, which would have the added advantage of providing a place for students to wait during inclement weather. Following discussion, it was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to start the project of creating a bus loading area in front of VUE by the beginning of the school year.
Mr. Julius Huhn, Director of Federal Programs, presented a review of the purpose of the Concordia Parish Leadership Academy and asked that the Board appoint a representative to the Academy. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to appoint Mr. Coleman as Board representative.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to delete the next item from the agenda.
It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to increase the fee paid to ESS Consulting, Inc. for computer program maintenance from $12 per hour to $15 per hour.
It was moved by Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mr. Arnold and carried unanimously to approve all personnel items as listed, with the deletion of Lisa Roberts and the addition of Judy Massey to the appointments list:
Resignations:
Mary Ann Harris, Teacher, VLE, effective 8/4/95
Melissa Miller, Teacher Assistant, FKC, effective 5/26/95
Tiffany Sanford, Teacher Assistant, VLE, effective 5/26/95
Transfers:
Vanessa Barksdale, SFS Technician, RES, to FJH, effective 8/18/95
Karen Nelson, Sp. Ed. Teacher, FLE, to MHS, effective 8/18/95
Change of status:
Rick Brown, Teacher/Coach, FHS, to Teacher, FHS, effective 8/18/95
Molly Maples, Acting SFS Manager, RES, to SFS Manager RES, eff. 8/18/95
Military Leave:
Eddie Carter, Janitor, FHS, effective 7/31/95-8/14/95
Wil Nolan, Psychologist, FEC, effective 9/9/95
Extended Sick Leave:
Barbara Palmer, Teacher, VLE, effective 8/23/95-10/23/95
Appointments:
Terry Crochet, Maintenance Crew, Central Office, effective 7/31/95
Jane Dodd, Teacher, FLE, effective 8/18/95
Loretta Donaldson, SFS Technician, VLE, effective 8/18/95
Tiffany Ford, Sp. Ed. Teacher's Assistant, MHS, effective 8/18/95
Barbara Lyles, Teacher's Assistant, FKC, effective 8/18/95
Tiffany Marsalis, Teacher, VLE, effective 8/18/95
Eddie Poole, School Bus Operator, MHS, effective 8/18/95
Lisa Roberts, Teacher, FUE, effective 8/18/95
Carla Washington, SFS technician, FJH, effective 8/18/95
Angela Watkins, Teacher's Assistant, FKC, effective 8/18/95
Princess White, Sp. Ed. Teacher, FLE, effective 8/18/95
Pauline Williams, SFS Technician, RES, effective 8/18/95
Ellen Yates, Teacher, VLE, effective 8/18/95
Dr. Peterman announced that ACT scores for the 1994-95 school year reflected an increase over the preceding two years. The composite score for the 109 students who took the test this year is 18.1. For students who completed college preparation courses, the composite score is 20.4.
On a motion by Mr. Arnold and second by Mr. Williams, it was carried unanimously to adjourn at 6:55 p.m.
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James E. Lee, Superintendent Manson E. Nelson, Sr., President