PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 7, 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, May 7, 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. Kenneth Thornton, 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, Mr. Mike Grantham, Mrs. Polly Miley, Mr. Manson E. Nelson, Sr., Mr. Charles Partridge, Mrs. Georgia Washington, and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr.
No members were absent.
Superintendent Lee announced that there were a number of special recognitions scheduled.
Dr. Peterman announced that Jacqueline Cooper, 6th grade student at FJH, had written a letter nominating her mother Mrs. Mariah Cooper, assistant principal at FLE, as MOM USA. The letter was written as an assignment in Ms. Bobbie Hinson's language arts class. As a result of Jacqueline's letter, Mrs. Cooper was named MOM USA for Louisiana. President White presented certificates to Mrs. Cooper and to Jacqueline.
Mrs. Gloria Murphy, teacher at MHS, was recognized for being named Outstanding Special Education Teacher of the Year for Region VI. Superintendent Lee announced that she would receive a check for $100 and one additional personal leave day. President White presented Mrs. Murphy with a certificate.
Superintendent Lee commented on the history and purpose of the Middle School Quiz Bowl, which is held annually at Vidalia Junior High School. Mr. Fred Marsalis, principal at VJHS, introduced the winning Quiz Bowl teams for 1996. Each student was presented a certificate and a medal. The team was presented a plaque. The winners were: 6th grade - FJH, 7th grade - VJH, 8th grade and overall champions - MHS.
Superintendent Lee recognized Coach Hank Zizzi of the MHS baseball team. Coach Zizzi introduced his players and his assistant Paul Nelson. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried to approve the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Concordia Parish School Board encourages a program of full participation for students leading to excellence in both academics and athletics; and
WHEREAS, the level of athletic achievement by Concordia Parish high school football teams, boys' and girls' basketball teams and baseball teams during the 1995-1996 school year has been exceptionally high; and
WHEREAS, building successful athletic programs requires enormous sacrifices and extraordinary efforts by coaches, students, parents, teachers, staff members and all other individuals associated with the school; and
WHEREAS, Concordia Parish School Board wishes to celebrate the tremendous achievements of the MONTEREY HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM for winning the championship in District 6B and reaching the playoffs; now,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Concordia Parish School Board does hereby congratulate the coaches and players of the MONTEREY HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM and make known its appreciation for their outstanding achievements.
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Mrs. Marie Cowan informed the Board that while Mrs. Miley was serving on the State Board of Directors for the Louisiana School Boards Association, she had proposed that each Page 2
May 7, 1996
school board develop a banner to be displayed during the LSBA convention. Mrs. Cowan called attention to the banner on display at the front of the room and informed the Board that a group of teachers at FHS had designed and produced the banner, which is used annually at the Academic Banquet. On Friday, May 3, 1996, Mrs. Cowan and Mrs. Marie Potts, teacher at FHS, presented the banner at the LSBA State Board of Directors meeting. Mrs. Cowan currently represents District IV, which includes Concordia Parish, on the State Board of Directors. The personnel at FHS who were responsible for designing and producing the banner are Mrs. Doretha Cook, Mrs. Marie Potts, Mrs. Neeva Sibley, and Mrs. Ruth Walker. Also involved in the production of the banner were Mrs. Beatrice Williams, Chapter 1 Reading Supervisor, and Mr. Fred T. Butcher, principal at FHS.
Mrs. Cowan announced that a new scholarship awarded by LSBA would go to Amanda Kay Roberts, a senior at VHS. Mrs. Cowan introduced Miss Roberts and presented her a certificate in recognition of her selection as scholarship recipient in District IV.
Superintendent Lee recognized Mr. Harry Creighton, president of CFT/SE. Mr. Creighton announced that he was concluding his tenure as president of the organization, and he introduced Mr. Arthur A. Arnold, who replaced him. Mr. Arnold spoke briefly and issued invitations to the Board members for the organization's annual banquet.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to approve the minutes of the April 2, 1996, meeting.
Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented invoices for April. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried 8-1, with Mr. Grantham voting no, to approve invoices in the amount of $1,169,762.68.
Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs, presented the Comprehensive Budget Report for the period ending March 31, 1996. He informed the Board that the report is the first step in the budget revision process and that it is presented for information only. Mr. O'Neal then presented the Financial Report for March.
Mrs. Cowan presented the minutes of the May 6, 1996, Finance Committee meeting.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried 7-2, with Mr. Partridge and Mr. Grantham voting no, to go into Executive Session at 6:23 p.m. to discuss personnel matters.
It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to return to Open Session at 6:42 p.m. President White announced that the Board had discussed personnel matters and that no action was required.
Mr. Grantham stated that he had been unable to attend the April 2, 1996, meeting and had some concerns about a portion of the March 5, 1996, minutes. He asked to have the minutes of the March 5, 1996, meeting amended and what was actually said be printed in regard to the appointment of a substitute to fill a position during a maternity leave. He stated that the wording of the motion in the minutes indicated that he wanted the appointment of Mrs. Cindy Roberts reviewed when, in fact, he wanted the procedure for filling the position reviewed. Superintendent Lee reviewed the process of sending out draft copies of minutes prior to the meeting at which they are to be approved. Following discussion about the procedure necessary to change the minutes after they have been approved, it was moved by Mr. Grantham and seconded by Mr. Partridge to rescind the action taken to approve the minutes of the March 5, 1996, meeting. Following additional discussion about the wording of an amendment to the minutes, a roll call vote was taken on the motion as follows:
YEAS: Mr. Nelson, Mr. Grantham, Mr. Partridge, Mr. White
NAYS: Mrs. Cowan, Mr. Coleman, Mrs. Miley, Mrs. Washington, Mr. Williams
It was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to approve the second reading of the Internet Policy.
Mr. Julius Huhn, Director of Federal Programs, presented the Consolidated Project Application and informed the Board of recent information about revisions in the amount of funds available from the federal level. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve the Consolidated Project Application.
Mrs. Doretha Woodfork, Supervisor of Special Education, presented the Special Education Project Application. She informed the Board that this is the third year of a three year project and that the funding remains at the same level. It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve the project application.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to advertise for bids for milk, bread and exterminating services for the 1996-97 school year.
Mr. H. L. Irvin, Supervisor of Supportive Services, requested that the Board advertise for painting contracts for two schools or hire additional summer maintenance workers if the bids for painting are more costly that the salaries of the additional workers. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Grantham and carried unanimously to advertise for bids for painting contracts on two schools and to authorize additional summer workers if the bids for painting greatly exceeded the cost of additional workers.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried unanimously to advertise for band instruments.
Dr. Pete Peterman, Assistant Superintendent, reviewed the process of selecting textbooks to recommend for adoption and introduced members of the Textbook Selection Committee.
It was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve the health textbook recommended by the committee.
It was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried unanimously to approve the science textbook recommended by the committee.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried 8-1, with Mr. Grantham voting no, to approve contracts with the Concordia Parish Police Jury to collect fees for beverage licenses.
Superintendent Lee informed the Board that no action was necessary on the investment policy.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Miley to accept the following resignations:
Amy Crane Howard, Teacher Assistant, MHS, effective 4/30/96
Marty Wells, Janitor, MHS, effective 4/30/96
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried to approve the following appointment:
Oscar K. Reed, Teacher, VJH, effective 4/9/96 - 5/27/96
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve the following requests for military leave:
Eddie Lee Carter, Janitor, FHS, effective 5/9-10/96
Joyce Ivory, Teacher, VJH, effective 5/10/96
Wilton W. Nolan, School Psychologist, effective 5/6/96
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington to approve the following request for extended sick leave:
Sherry McKnight Byrnes, Secretary/Bookkeeper, Sales Tax,
effective 6/1/96 - 8/31/96
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:23 p.m.
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James E. Lee, Superintendent Ernest Lynn White, President