PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 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, September 16, 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 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, Mr. Manson E. Nelson, Sr., Mr. Charles Partridge, Mr. Ricky Raven, Mrs. Georgia Washington and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr..
Superintendent Lee recognized Concordia Parish Teachers of the Year for 1997-98. Each teacher was presented a certificate and a check in the amount of $100 and was awarded an additional personal leave day.
Middle School Teacher of the Year Sarah Cotton, VJH
Elementary Teacher of the Year Doris Polk, FUE
Mrs. Debra Pinkney, ISGS Coordinator, thanked the Board for their support of the Girl Scouts program and commended FKC, FJH and FHS for their participation in the program. She recognized Ms. Jan Hinton, Teacher's Assistant, and four students from FKC who thanked the Board and presented a plaque of appreciation to Superintendent Lee and President White. The students were Kai Lewis, Kelesa Pounds, Hollie Rushing, and Marianna Thompson.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve minutes of August 5 and 26, 1997.
Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented invoices and the Financial Report for August. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve payment of invoices in the amount of $1,983,780.22.
Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs, informed the Board that he had reviewed the joint Fiscal Agent agreement bid presented by Concordia Bank & Trust and Louisiana Central Bank. He recommended that the agreement be accepted. It was moved by Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried unanimously to award the joint bid as recommended.
Superintendent Lee presented Policy JCDB Student Dress Code, which mandates school uniforms for Concordia Parish School System students beginning with the 1998-99 school year. He presented revisions of Policy GAK Personnel Records and Policy IFGA Internet Policy. It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the first reading of these policies.
Superintendent Lee explained the rationale for revisions of Title I Supervisors' job descriptions. Following discussion, it was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried 8-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to approve the revisions as recommended.
Mr. Partridge presented a list of questions he stated had been asked of him by the public. He requested that a response be provided through the superintendent's normal weekly report to the Board. The questions were: (1) How much did the parking lot cost at the Central Office and who did the work? (2) How many temporary buildings do we have and how many do we need? (3) How many empty classrooms do we have? In Ferriday, counting old Ferriday 7th Grade? (4) How much do we lack having kitchens air conditioned in parish? (5) When are the lights at Vidalia High going to be fixed? (6) What is ratio of students to teachers in school system? I understand we have 35 or more per class at Vidalia Junior High and other schools. (7) Do we have handicap access at all schools? (8) Do we have Mississippi students attending Concordia Parish Schools that have been expelled or suspended from Mississippi schools or other schools? (9) Do we have teachers that are not teaching a class--they are working on grants? (10) Why was the job description changed for the Title I supervisors? Mr. Grantham asked that question number one include the date when the Board approved the parking lot and the count of the vote. Mr. Partridge also stated that he appreciated the work that was going on in the schools. Superintendent Lee said that the information would be sent out to Board members as soon as possible.
Mr. Raven asked that graduation requirements be reviewed for the benefit of parents. Mr. Fred Butcher, Director of Academic Affairs, reviewed the Pupil Progression Plan, including requirements for graduation, and the timelines for the Graduate Exit Examination and remediation programs. He also reviewed procedure followed at the schools to ensure that parents are kept informed of their child's progress toward meeting all requirements and stated that in January principals will send a certified letter to the parents of each students who had not passed the GEE.
Mr. Raven requested an update on air conditioning kitchens. Mr. H. L. Irvin, Supervisor of Supportive Services, stated that his crew was in the final stages of completing Phase I with MHS cafeteria being 60% complete. He also stated that he and Ms. Evelyn Fairbanks, Supervisor of School Food Service, had requested quotes and additional information on ventahoods for the kitchens. Superintendent Lee stated that it was important to do the job correctly and in the most cost effective manner.
Mr. Coleman stated that he had received complaints from persons who had worked as substitutes for the system but felt they were overlooked when a position became available. He requested that substitutes be given an opportunity to be appointed. He also suggested that an evaluation program be developed for substitutes and those with the highest ratings be given preference. He made a motion to remove personnel item A and refer it to the Personnel Committee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Williams. There was additional discussion of the function of the Personnel Committee and whether all personnel items should go through the committee prior to being brought to the Board. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Grantham and carried unanimously to amend the motion to add the administrative appointments (personnel items E and F) to the previous motion. Mr. Grantham stated that he recalled that the Board had previously agreed to eliminate one Title I supervisor's position and requested that the matter be researched. The amended motion to refer personnel items A, E and F (appointments) to the Personnel Committee was carried unanimously.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the following personnel matters:
Maternity Leave
Judy Johnson, Sp. Ed. Teacher, FLE, effective 9/9/97-10/24/97
Extended Sick Leave
Ginger McNeely, Teacher, FKC, effective 8/15/97-10/7/97
Resignations
Angela Smith, 2.5 hr. Sweeper, VUE, effective 8/1/97
Sandra Smothers, 2.5 hr. Sweeper, RES, effective 9/9/97
Margaret Woods, Teacher Assistant, FKC, effective 8/29/97
The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
__________________________ __________________________
James E. Lee, Superintendent Ernest Lynn White, President