PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1997.
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, August 5, 1997, 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 Mr. Eddie L. Coleman, Sr., 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, Mr. Ricky Raven and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr. Absent were Mr. Manson E. Nelson, Sr. and Mrs. Georgia Washington.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried unanimously to approve minutes of June 30 and July 10, 1997.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried 6-1, with Mr. Grantham voting no, to approve payment of invoices in the amount of $1,208,142.32.
On a motion by Mr. Coleman and seconded by Mrs. Cowan, it was carried unanimously to award bids for milk, bread and exterminating services previously taken under advisement to the low bidders as follows:
Milk: Foremost Dairies $.1463 composite bid
Bread: Cotton Brothers Baking Company
Sliced White Enriched Bread, 24 oz. $1.10
Sliced Whole Wheat Bread, 16 oz 1.13
Hot Dog Buns, 12 package 1.15
Cafe Buns/Hamburger Buns 30 package 1.93
French Bread, Fully Cooked, 16 oz 1.05
Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns, 8 package 1.27
Exterminating Service: B & B Pest Control $250.00 per unit
Mrs. Washington arrived at 5:35 p.m.
The only bid received for day care services for children of students enrolled in the single parent program (ETAP) was BMJ Child Care Center at $10.00 per day per child. It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to award the bid to BMJ Child Care Center.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to take under advisement a joint bid by Concordia Bank and Trust and Louisiana Central Bank for fiscal agent.
The following bids were opened for exterminating services for the home economics departments:
VENDOR AMOUNT
B & B Pest Control, Inc. $250 per unit annually
105 Tumminello Road
Ferriday, Louisiana 71334
Dr. Bug, Inc. $210 per unit annually
P. O. Box 145
Natchez, Mississippi 39120
Northeast Pest Control $270 per department annually
P. O. Box 593
Jonesville, Louisiana 71343
Redd Pest Control, Inc. $180 per unit annually
P. O. Box 881
Natchez, Mississippi 39121-0881
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to accept the low bid from Redd Pest Control.
The following bids were received for propane gas for Monterey High School:
VENDOR AMOUNT
Ferrellgas 65¢ per gallon
1603 North Fourth Street
Ferriday, Louisiana 71334
Herring Gas Company, Inc. 60¢ per gallon
P. 0. Box 308
Meadville, Mississippi 39653
It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried unanimously to accept the low bid from Herring Gas.
Mrs. Washington, Chairperson of the Building and Grounds Committee, read the following report and recommendation from the Committee:
The Building and Grounds Committee of the Concordia Parish School Board met at 9:15 a.m. on July 17, 1997, in the Conference Room of the Concordia Parish School Board office. Present were Superintendent James Lee; Dr. Pete Peterman, Assistant Superintendent; Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs; Ms. Leinda Peterman, Executive Assistant/Personnel Director; Mr. H.L. Irvin, Supervisor of Supportive Services; Mrs. Georgia Washington, Chairperson of the Building and Grounds Committee; and Mr. Lynn White, Board President. Absent was Charles Partridge.
The Committee met to receive an update on FJH and to discuss a proposed fence at VUE. Mr. O'Neal reported to the committee that the asbestos abatement consultant, who has set up a portable lab in the annex, has been cooperative in the salvage of equipment and materials from the site. Mr. Irvin reported that three classrooms of desks, some microscopes and other science equipment, as well as some additional files, have been salvaged. Also, Mr. Irvin reported that he hoped to be able to remove the ceiling fans and some additional air conditioning equipment. It may be possible to save the slab, which would cost $30,00-$40,000 to replace. However, if it cannot be saved, there will be time to remove it before school starts. The asbestos abatement will cost $15,000-$20,000 according to the abatement contractor, and the demolition contractor has provided a price of $34,000. Both costs have been agreed upon by the insurance adjustor.
Dr. Peterman reported that the renovation is nearly complete on the wing at FUE. While the two schools will be completely separated by doors between the FUE wing and the FJH wing, the principals will need to cooperate in managing the cafeteria and playground areas. Dr. Peterman also reported that the majority of the textbooks have been ordered at a cost of $17,900, and he thinks the state will help on the cost. Teacher desks should arrive soon, and filing cabinets have already been received. However, new student desks will not arrive before school starts. Old desks will be used to begin the year.
The committee adjourned at 10:30 a.m. and reconvened at VUE at 10:40 a.m. to view the area on the levee side of the school. If a fence is placed along the shoulder of the street, there will be less than ten feet between the building and the fence. This exit is the major fire evacuation route on that side of the building. Mr. Dyer also participated in the meeting and stated that he is opposed to a fence on that side of the campus. Also, he pointed out that a fence would prohibit his staff from parking in that area as they are accustomed to doing and that the dumpster would be inaccessible to the garbage trucks. It was also observed that the proposed fence would block access to a fire hydrant. Mr. Dyer has stated that he does not allow students on that side of the building at any time and does not see how a fence would have any positive impact on student safety.
The committee also viewed the new bus turn around and the staff parking areas on the west side of the site.
The meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.m.
RECOMMENDATION
BUILDING & GROUNDS COMMITTEE
After meeting at Vidalia Upper Elementary to view the area to be enclosed by a proposed fence and discussing the matter with the building principal, the Building and Grounds Committee does not recommend the placement of a fence along the Riverside Street side of Vidalia Upper Elementary for the following reasons:
1. A fence along Riverside Street will be fewer than 10 feet from the building. This is not adequate space for safe evacuation of the students from the building in an emergency.
2. The principal does not recommend a fence in this area.
3. The principal does not allow students in the area along Riverside Street and the area is monitored by the staff.
4. Access to a fire hydrant would be blocked.
5. Several staff parking spaces would be lost.
6. The dumpster would be inaccessible to garbage trucks.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to accept the report and recommendation of the committee not to erect a fence at that site.
Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs updated the Board on completion of removal of debris from the FJH site. Mr. H. L. Irvin, Supervisor of Supportive Services, reported on security provided at the site and salvage efforts, which included student desks and air conditioning units. He also reported that the preparation work at FUE for students to be housed at that site were nearly completed. Dr. Pete Peterman, Assistant Superintendent, stated that textbooks and teachers' desks had been delivered.
Superintendent Lee recommended that $100,000 be made available from the Insurance Fund to cover the costs incurred to date as a result of the fire at FJH. It was moved by Mr. Coleman and seconded by Mrs. Cowan to approve the recommendation. Mr. O'Neal stated that the insurance coverage is $100,000 deductible. There was lengthy discussion concerning the balance which would remain in the Insurance Fund. The motion was approved 6-2, with Mr. Partridge and Mr. Raven voting no.
Superintendent recommended that the Board again fund allotments for classroom teachers in the amount of $100, with teachers who were housed in the main building at FJH receiving $300 because of the loss of their classroom materials in the fire on June 29. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve the recommendation.
Superintendent Lee recommended that athletic allotments be approved in the same amount as 1996-97, except that junior high schools would receive an additional $500 for girl's softball. It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve athletic allotments as follows: $9000 for FHS and VHS, $6000 for MHS, and $3000 for VJH and FJH.
Mr. Partridge requested that air conditioning of school kitchens be completed. Superintendent Lee stated that work had been delayed because of the work at FJH and FUE but that the maintenance crew was scheduled to begin work on the cabinets for the units at the MHS cafeteria. Mr. Coleman requested an estimated cost, including the increase in utilities, for air conditioning the kitchens.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve personnel items as follows:
Transfer
Marie Potts, Assistant Principal, FJH, to Assistant Principal, FLE, effective 8/4/97
Resignations
Darlene Baker, Teacher, MHS, effective 7/25/97
Doris Bell, Teacher, RES, effective 7/29/97
Donna Byrd, Teacher, FKC, effective 8/l/97
Judy Johnson, Teacher, VJH, effective 7/23/97
Nichelle Payne, Sp. Ed. Teacher, FHS, effective 7/23/97
Terrance Pipes, Teacher, FHS, effective 7/2/97
Ava Stewart, Teacher, FLE, effective 7/31/97
Retirement
Willie J. Woods, Teacher, FUE, effective 7/21/97
Appointments
Vincent Turner, Industrial Arts Teacher, FHS, effective 8/15/97
Shanna Tullos, Sp. Ed. Bus Attendant, effective 8/18/97
Return From Sabbatical
Shirley Percy, Teacher, FLE, effective 8/15/97
It was moved by Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve Superintendent Lee's recommendation that Lillian Franklin, Teacher at FHS, be appointed assistant principal at VLE, effective 8/6/97.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried to adjourn at 6:35 p.m.
__________________________ __________________________
James E. Lee, Superintendent Ernest Lynn White, President