PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 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, June 4, 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. Roger Johnson, 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, and Mrs. Georgia Washington.
Mr. Sam Williams was absent.
Superintendent Lee recognized and presented plaques to the following retirees. Each retiree was given an opportunity to make comments:
Yvonne Brown, SFS Technician, 22 years
Virgil Ray Coley, School Bus Operator, 22 years
Harry Creighton, Teacher, FJH, 30 years
Mildred Grimble, Teacher, VHS, 32 years
Edwina Halford, School Bus Operator, 28 years
Enora S. Jennings, Teacher, RES, 34 years
Sherrie J. McMahon, Counselor, FHS, 22 years
Wayne B. Miley, Counselor, FUE/VUE, 30 years
Will Washington, Jr., Maintenance, 13 years
Alec T. Wiley, School Bus Operator, 20 years
Mr. Williams arrived at 6:37 p.m.
Dr. Pete Peterman, Assistant Superintendent, recognized the valedictorians and salutatorians of the 1996 graduating classes. They were presented framed certificates, and Dr. Peterman announced that each would receive a savings bond:
FHS:
Evangeline Denise Cessna - Salutatorian
Anetra La=shea Harbor - Valedictorian
MHS:
Amanda Kay Stokes - Salutatorian
Amy Michelle Sandidge - Co-Valedictorian
Lesley Leann Crum - Co-Valedictorian
VHS:
Rebecca Joy Barfield - Salutatorian
Chancie Morace - Valedictorian
Superintendent Lee announced that the VHS band had a particularly successful year and introduced Herbert Bassett, band director, who gave an overview of the band=s accomplishments during the 1995-96 school year and acknowledged the support of the VHS Band Boosters. The band=s accomplishments include placing over 38% of band members in district honor bands, having two students selected for All-State bands and earning the Louisiana Music Educator=s Association State Music Festival Sweepstakes Award. Mr. Bassett also commented on the large number of band students who received medals at solo and ensemble competitions, and he asked students who had achieved specific honors to stand. On a motion by Mr. Nelson, second by Mr. Coleman, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Partridge, the following resolution was unanimously approved:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Concordia Parish School Board encourages a program of full participation for students encouraging excellence in curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular areas; and
WHEREAS, the level of achievement by VIDALIA HIGH SCHOOL BAND during the 1995-1996 school year has been exceptionally high; and
WHEREAS, building successful programs requires enormous sacrifices and extraordinary efforts by the director, students, parents and all individuals associated with the band; and
WHEREAS, Concordia Parish School Board wishes to celebrate the tremendous achievements of the VIDALIA HIGH SCHOOL BAND for earning all superior ratings at State Music Festival, in addition to numerous other noteworthy achievements both individually and collectively; now,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Concordia Parish School Board does hereby congratulate the director and members of the VIDALIA HIGH SCHOOL BAND and make known its appreciation for their outstanding achievements.
•••
Superintendent Lee announced that the coaches and players of the VHS Baseball Team had won the State Championship. He stated that since the coaches could not be present, Mr. Duck would be presented a copy of a resolution in their honor. On a motion by Mr. Partridge and second by Mr. Coleman, the following resolution was unanimously approved:
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 VIDALIA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM for winning the State AA Championship; now,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Concordia Parish School Board does hereby congratulate the coaches and players of the VIDALIA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM and make known its appreciation for their outstanding achievements.
•••
Superintendent Lee introduced Mr. Willie Barnes, teacher at VHS. Mr. Barnes informed the Board that one of his ninth grade students, Julius Turner, had placed first in physical science at the Louisiana Literary Rally. On behalf of the Board, Superintendent Lee presented Julius with a framed certificate. Mr. Barnes presented Julius with a medal and a certificate for superior performance from LSU and a letter of award for a $300 scholarship at a college of his choice.
Superintendent Lee recognized Candace Cook and Robert-James Lee, students of Doretha Cook at FHS, who submitted winning essays in the Louisiana Electric Co-Operative Youth Tour essay contest. Superintendent Lee presented the students framed certificates on behalf of Senator Noble Ellington, who was unable to be present, and on behalf of the Concordia Parish School Board.
Mrs. Miley, former member of the Louisiana School Boards Association Board of Directors, presented James Soileau, Executive Director of LSBA. Mr. Soileau complimented the Board on taking the time to recognize employees and students on their accomplishments and commented on the importance of keeping the focus on students. He informed the Board that Superintendent Lee is well known at the state level for the achievements of Concordia Parish School System and for his cooperation with LSBA in working to improve education across the state. He also complimented Mrs. Miley, former LSBA Board of Directors member and Mrs. Cowan, current district representative on the LSBA Board of Directors, for their work at the state and local level.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the May 7, 1996, meeting.
Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented invoices and a breakdown of expenditures for May. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to approve the payment of invoices in the amount of $1,479,159.71.
Mrs. Kathleen Stevens appeared before the Board on behalf of the Concordia Chapter of the Louisiana Organization for Gifted and Talented Students. She reviewed the history of the new local organization and stated that the purpose of the organization is to support the gifted and talented program and teachers at all the parish schools. Superintendent Lee announced that several efforts were already underway to strengthen the gifted/talented program, including participation by the parish in a Jacob Javitts Foundation Grant proposal and a statewide search for certified teachers of gifted and talented.
No bids were received for painting contracts. Therefore, it was agreed to use a summer paint crew as authorized at the May 4, 1996 meeting.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried to open bids for band instruments. Mrs. Dangerfield opened each bid and read the amounts which were bid for each specified instrument.
Following discussion about how to handle the numerous items which were bid, it was moved by Mr. Partridge that the band directors of FHS and VHS go over the bids and make a recommendation to the Finance Committee about what their school needs; then the Finance Committee would go over their recommendations and present them to the Board. The motion died without a second.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Miley and carried 8-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, that the Finance Committee and the two band directors review the bids and that the Finance Committee bring a recommendation to the July 16, 1996, meeting.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to advertise for the following positions: (1) custodian at FEC, (2) janitor at MHS, (3) counselor at MHS, and (4) three vacant bus routes.
Superintendent Lee recommended that kindergarten teaching assistants be re-classified as early childhood teaching assistants so that they can be assigned to other grades as well as kindergarten. It was moved by Mrs. Miley, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve the Superintendent=s recommendation.
It was moved by Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve revisions to the Professional Personnel Evaluation Program Manual.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried 7-2, with Mr. Grantham and Mr. Partridge voting no, to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters at 7:35 p.m.
It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to return to Open Session at 7:44 p.m. President White announced that the Board discussed personnel items for which no action need be taken.
President White informed the audience that Superintendent Lee's evaluation report has been completed satisfactorily and that the Superintendent had accepted it.
Mr. Partridge stated that he wished to thank Mr. Soileau for for the portfolios and pens he presented the Board on behalf of LSBA. Superintendent Lee thanked Mr. Soileau for being present at the meeting and for his complimentary comments.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve all personnel items as follows:
Resignations
Alicia Havard, Teacher, VJH, effective 5/27/96
BeBee Tiffee, School Bus Operator, MHS, effective 5/27/96
Retirement
Virgil Ray Coley, School Bus Operator, FKC, effective 5/27/96
Harry A. Creighton, Teacher, FJH, effective 5/27/96
Military Leave
Wilton W. Nolan, School Psychologist, effective 6/3/96
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:51 p.m.
____________________________ ______________________________
James E. Lee, Superintendent Ernest Lynn White, President