PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 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, November 19, 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 Mrs. Marie Cowan, 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, Mr. Charles Partridge, Mrs. Georgia Washington and Mr. Sam Williams.  Absent were Mr. Manson E. Nelson, Sr. and Mr. Ricky Raven.

Patricia Bellis, Coordinator of Grants and Public Information, introduced Mr. Sylvan Gremillion of the Louisiana Hydroelectric Partnership.  Mr. Gremillion presented the following Sidney A. Murray Citizenship Awards:

                        10th Grade       FHS     Lakeitha Weatherspoon

                         9th Grade        FHS     Travis Williams

                        10th Grade       MHS    Sheree Ganey

                         9th Grade        MHS    Wendy Ward

                        10th Grade       VHS    Matthew Probst

                         9th Grade        VHS    Marlon Jenkins

Superintendent Lee announced that the 8(g) competitive project ROOTS (Restructuring for Optimum Outcomes with Technological Systems) at Vidalia Junior High School  had been awarded Exemplary Program status.  President White presented certificates to Fred Marsalis, Principal of VJHS, and Erma Davis, Project Administrator, in recognition of this accomplishment.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve minutes of October 1, 1996.

Mrs. Dangerfield provided an analysis of invoices for October.  It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 6-1, with Mr. Grantham voting no, to approve payment of invoices in the amount of $1,899,541.  The Financial Statement for October was received.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried 6-1, with Mr. Grantham voting no, to approve the purchase of a van and a work truck on state contract for the maintenance department.

Mr. Fred Butcher, Director of Academic Affairs, presented the Driver's Education plan for second semester.  He stated that the class would be offered at the high school which had the largest number of students registered.  There was discussion of the need to purchase an additional driver's education vehicle with the possibility of reducing the cost of driver's education for parents.  It is cheaper for the system to purchase the car than to lease one because of the high cost of insurance on the leased cars.  It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to approve the driver's education plan for the second semester.

Superintendent Lee reported to the Board that the 1985 Ford vehicle needs additional expensive repairs.  He requested that the Board approve replacing this car.  He stated that the car would also be used for driver's education.  It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 6-1, with Mr. Grantham voting no, to purchase a company car on state contract.

Superintendent Lee presented a revised Policy GAE and read the proposed changes which would incorporate a Grievance Committee as requested by the Board.  It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve the first reading of proposed policy revisions to Policy GAE.

There was lengthy discussion concerning the makeup of the proposed Grievance Committee.  It was decided that the makeup of the committee would be written into the policy.

Superintendent Lee stated that the resignation of Mrs. Willie Mae Saulsberry should be removed from the personnel items in order to give her an opportunity to apply for disability retirement.  It was moved Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried to approve personnel items as follows:

Resignation

                        Patsy White, Payroll Bookkeeper, CO, effective 11/18/96

                                    Extended Sick

                                    Clara Carter, Print Shop Manager, CO, 10/15/96-11/30/96

                                    Martha J. Rabb, Teacher, FLE, 10/25/96-11/10/96

                                    Sandra Smothers, 2.5 hr. Cleaner, RES, effective 10/22/96-12/20/96

            Retirement

                                    Phyllis C. Savant, Teacher Assistant, VUE, 12/6/96

            Transfers

                                    Ralph Cook, Teacher Assistant, VUE to FUE, effective 11/11/96

                                    Hazel Minor, Teacher Assistant, FUE to VUE, effective 11/11/96

                                    Jean Prather, SFS Secretary/Bookkeeper to Payroll Bookkeeper, effective 11/1/96

            Appointment

                                    Catherine Chatman, Teacher Assistant, VUE, effective 12/9/96

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to adjourn at 6:07 p.m.

__________________________                                ___________________________

James E. Lee, Superintendent                                       Ernest Lynn White, President