PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1996.
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, April 2, 1996, at five-thirty (5:30) o'clock p.m. The meeting was called to order by the Honorable Ernest Lynn White, President, who declared that the Board, after prayer by Rev. Steve Gardner, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, was ready for the transaction of business.
Members present were the Honorable Ernest Lynn White, Mr. Eddie L. Coleman, Sr., Mrs. Marie Cowan, Mrs. Polly Miley, Mr. Manson E. Nelson, Sr., Mr. Charles Partridge, and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr.
Members absent were Mr. Mike Grantham and Mrs. Georgia Washington.
Dr. Pete Peterman, Assistant Superintendent, presented certificates to school and parish winners of the Student of the Year competition. Students recognized were
School Winners
Jokora Martin Grade 5 FUE
Shannon Philley Grade 8 MHS
Parish Winners
Sara Abernathy Grade 5 MHS
Travis Williams Grade 8 FJHS
Amy Sandidge Grade 12 MHS
It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mrs. Miley and Mr. Partridge and carried unanimously to approve minutes of the March 5, 1996, meeting.
Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented invoices and reviewed expenditures in the major funds. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried unanimously to approved invoices in the amount of $1,689,674.00.
Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs, presented the Financial Report for March and answered questions.
Mr. Partridge presented minutes of the Building and Grounds Committee meeting on
March 5, 1996, in Mrs. Washington's absence.
Mrs. Cowan presented minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting on April 1, 1996.
Mr. Coleman presented minutes of the Personnel Committee Meeting on April 1, 1996.
Mr. H. L. Irvin, Supervisor of Supportive Services, provided an update on Phase I of the air conditioning of school cafeterias. He stated that Phase I would be completed by the end of April, with costs for the total project being approximately $1000 less than originally estimated.
Mr. Julius Huhn, Director of Federal Programs, reviewed the process required in preparation of a Consolidated Proposal for federal programs. He explained the guidelines for school projects and discussed the various federal programs to be included. Special education is not a part of the Consolidated Proposal. He distributed a timeline for preparing the proposal and informed the Board that the proposal would be presented for approval at the May meeting.
Dr. Peterman provided an overview of parishwide programs. He presented copies of the Louisiana Progress Profiles and a summary of information on test scores. He pointed out information showing that in comparison with other school systems, Concordia is funding instructional programs at a higher level that the average school system in the state. He also reviewed pupil enrollment, number of faculty members, faculty degree data, student attendance, suspensions, expulsions and dropouts.
Superintendent Lee presented a draft version of a policy on Internet use by faculty and students for a first policy reading. Dr. Peterman informed the Board that a committee had been formed to discuss issues related to Internet use and to prepare the draft version of the policy. It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve the first reading of the policy.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve the following proclamation:
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, each year all over Louisiana, some children will need special help in reaching their potential and in gaining an education commensurate with their abilities; and,
WHEREAS, there are children currently enrolled in the public schools who are having difficulty working at their age levels; and,
WHEREAS, children must be the center of all educational programming; and,
WHEREAS, early identification is a key to helping Louisiana's children overcome their developmental and learning problems in order to gain an education; and,
WHEREAS, time is of the essence in providing an early opportunity for these children that will help them become productive citizens and to lead fulfilled lives; and,
WHEREAS, children need to remain in school and have access to appropriate educational programs; and,
WHEREAS, the Concordia Parish School Board is working to offer our children special help so they can obtain an appropriate education; now,
THEREFORE, THE CONCORDIA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD does hereby proclaim the month of April 1996 Child Search Awareness Month in the Concordia Parish Schools.
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Superintendent Lee announced that May 5 - 11 is Teacher Appreciation Week and recommended that the Board approve a proclamation. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve the following proclamation:
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the future of our communities, our state, and our nation rests in the hands of our teachers who are called upon to meet challenges daily in helping all students, regardless of ability level, to reach their full potential; and
WHEREAS, teachers play a crucial role in the development of our children, and the success of the educational process is dependent upon the classroom and the relationship which exists between the teacher and the student; and
WHEREAS, the economic and social well-being of our communities depends on the skills and knowledge teachers provide their students day in and day out, in spite of low pay and the ever-growing number of responsibilities they are asked to assume; and
WHEREAS, Concordia Parish School Board recognizes the vital contributions by teachers in Concordia Parish, who exhibit a high degree of expertise, knowledge, dedication and love for our children in our classrooms every day of the school year; now
THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the week of May 5 through May 11, 1996, will be celebrated as Teacher Appreciation Week in the Concordia Parish School System, and the Concordia Parish School Board requests that parents and citizens join in expressing their appreciation for the contributions of our teachers.
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Mr. Clarence L. Hymon, Coordinator of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities program informed the Board that action taken by the legislature during 1995 would allow students to have weapons in their vehicles on the school campus. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the local school system to provide a safe environment; and
WHEREAS, possession of firearms at school has increased; and
WHEREAS, the legislature has recognized this problem by enacting legislation concerning the possession of firearms by students in lockers and in student vehicles; and
WHEREAS, the legislature has amended R.S. 17:416 (E) in 1995 to exclude the prohibition of firearms in students' cars unless intent to use can be proved; and
WHEREAS, this exclusion does not provide the safest environment for students; now
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Concordia Parish School Board supports deleting the portion of Act 1292 (R.S. 17:416 (E)) allowing a firearm to be stored in a student vehicle on school campus; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to the Louisiana School Boards Association, the Governor of Louisiana, members of the legislature, the State Superintendent of Education, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and all superintendents throughout the state.
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It was moved by Mrs Cowan, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried 6-0, with Mr. Partridge abstaining, to approve the Special Education Advisory Committee as follows:
Member Term/Expiration Date Position
Janice Fletcher, Pres. 1 1997 Teacher
Brenda Moore, Secretary 1 1997 University Representative
Sue Ann Easterling 3 1999 Teacher
Augustine Thomas 3 1999 Teacher
Neeva Sibley 3 1999 Principal
Rhonda Lewis 1 1997 Parent
Patricia Metcalf 2 1998 Parent
Ray King 1 1997 Director, Vo-Tech
Elbert White 1 1997 Disabled Citizen
Charles Partridge School Board Member
It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. Nelson and Mrs. Miley and carried 6-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to go into Executive Session at 6:25 p.m. to discuss personnel issues.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to return to Open Session at 6:55 p.m. President White stated that the Board had discussed personnel matters while in Executive Session. Superintendent Lee made the following recommendation:
Based on the valid reasons provided and in accordance with Board policy, I recommend that the Board sustain the suspension without pay of Mrs. Evelina Cage, School Food Service Technician, at Vidalia Junior High School, for the remainder of this school year, the effective date to commence March 18, 1996, and to continue until and including May 27, 1996. Also, Mrs. Cage shall be required to attend a conference prior to the beginning of the 1996-97 school year to discuss her work ethics and job responsibilities.
It was moved by Mrs. Miley, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve the Superintendent's recommendation.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 6-1, with Mrs. Miley voting no, to approve the following retirements:
Wayne Miley, Counselor, FUE/VUE, effective 6/10/96
Enora Jennings, Teacher, RES, effective 5/27/96
Sherrie McMahon, Counselor, FHS, effective 3/29/96
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to add to the list of resignations the name of Edward B. Reed, Teacher, VJH, effective 3/8/96 and to approve his resignation and the resignations of:
Norma Byrnes, Sp. Ed. Bus Aide, effective 2/22/96
Leslie Carter, School Bus Operator, effective 3/1/96
It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried unanimously to add to the list of appointments the name of Beatrice Brown, Special Case Worker, effective 4/1/96 and continuing until funding runs out, and to approve her appointment and the appointment of Rafael Cook, Teacher Assistant, VUE, effective 1/29/96.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:03 p.m.
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James E. Lee, Superintendent Ernest Lynn White, President