PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 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, December 2, 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, Mrs. Georgia Washington and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr. Absent was Mr. Manson E. Nelson, Sr.
Dr. Pete Peterman, on behalf of Mr. Ralph E. Laukhuff, presented the Louisiana Hydroelectric Sidney A. Murray Citizenship Awards to the following students:
MHS 7th grade Rachel Britt
8th grade Lindsey Strebeck
FJH 7th grade Jakora Martin
8th grade Willie Lee Martin, Jr.
VJH 7th grade Jaci DeWeese
8th grade Aleshia Dennis
RES 7th grade Pamela Sullivan
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve minutes of November 4, 1997.
After discussion, it was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve payment of invoices for November in the amount of $1,721,851.48.
Mr. Norman Magee, Concordia Parish School Board attorney, issued his interpretation of the attorney general's opinions as follows:
Concordia Parish School Board
Post Office Box 950
Vidalia, LA 71373
RE: Concordia Parish School Board
Request for Interpretation of December 2, 1997
Attorney General Opinions
Provisional Custody by Mandate
Gentlemen:
Per your request, I have examined the Attorney General's opinions #97-306 and 307 concerning the acceptance and attendance of Mississippi children to public schools in Concordia Parish, Louisiana.
Based upon said examination, the opinions clearly establish that the policy of the Concordia Parish School Board in the use of a Provisional Custody by Mandate pursuant to LRS 9:951 et seq. for Mississippi children to attend Concordia Parish public schools and obtain an education in Louisiana is clearly authorized by law and perfectly legal, provided there is no violation of any pending federal desegregation court order. Further, in the administration of the policy of Provisional Custody by Mandate, the opinions endorse LSA-RS 17:104.1 which grants the School Board the power and authority to prescribe rules and regulations pertaining to the assignment, transfer and continuance of pupils among and within the public schools within its jurisdiction, including but not limited to the determination of student residency and school transportation purposes.
In connection with the implementation of the policy of Provisional Custody by Mandate, however, the question arises as to whether Mississippi children have to physically reside with his or her tutor by Mandate within Concordia Parish while attending our public schools. This question was not clearly answered by the opinions nor is it directly addressed by statute. In closely scrutinizing the language of the opinions, the writer on two separate occasions referred to Mississippi children "living" or "residing" within Concordia Parish when addressing other issues. Consequently, although this question was not clearly answered directly in the opinions, I feel that the negative implication of the language in said opinions implies that the Mississippi children should be required to reside with his or her tutor by Mandate in Concordia Parish while attending our public schools.
If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Cordially,
/s/ Norman Magee
Mr. Nelson arrived at 5:45 p.m. during the reading of Mr. Magee's interpretation.
Following discussion and comments from members of the audience, it was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously:
*to receive the interpretation,
* to revise the policy regarding Provisional Custody by Mandate by incorporating * a residency requirement; and
* to present a draft of the revised policy at the February school board meeting,
Ms. Leinda Peterman, Executive Assistant/Personnel Director, presented the preliminary results of the security measures survey. The items on the survey were: Item 1 - 2-way communications in classrooms; Item 2 - walkie talkies or other form of communication between the principal and the office; Item 3 - hand held metal detectors; Item 4 - security cameras; and Item 5 - other.
Parents' Survey
Ranking Item 1* Item 2* Item 3* Item 4*
1 754 452 357 544
2 121 181 86 133
3 91 158 117 112
4 46 119 167 71
5 117 212 190 130
X (Do Not Want) 76 115 233 186
*Totals under each column do not equal 100% because of discrepancies in completing the form.
Principals' Survey
Ranking Item 1 Item 2 Item 3 Item 4 Item 5
1 9 0 0 0 1
2 0 9 0 0 2
3 0 2 1 4 0
4 1 0 5 2 1
5 1 0 1 1 1
X 0 0 3 4 1
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to approve the following meeting dates for 1998:
January 6, 1998 - Regular Meeting
February 3, 1998 - Regular Meeting
March 3, 1998 - Regular Meeting
April 7, 1998 - Regular Meeting
May 5, 1998 - Regular Meeting
June 2. 1998 - Regular Meeting
July 21, 1998 - Regular Meeting
August 4, 1998 - Regular Meeting
August 25, 1998 - Public Hearing for FY99 Budget
and Special Meeting
September 15, 1998 - Regular Meeting
October 6, 1998 - Regular Meeting
November 3, 1998 - Regular Meeting
December 8, 1998 - Regular Meeting
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the first reading of revised policies JD, JDD, JDE, and JDF.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried unanimously to approve the following personnel items:
Resignation
Lois Jackson, Teacher Assistant, FHS, effective 12/5/97
Maternity Leave
Glynda Wallace, SFS Technician, VHS, effective 12/1/97-2/2/98
Extended Sick Leave
Phyllis Falkenheiner, Teacher, RES, effective 11/5/97-12/12/97
Ginger McNeely, Teacher, FKC, effective 11/12/97-1/12/98
Gloria Nix, Cleaner, FHS, effective 10/7/97-5/27/99
Leigh Webber, Teacher, FKC, effective 11/13/97-1/12/98
Appointments
Loyce Hale Breland, SFS Technician, VHS, effective 12/5/97
Sue Cockerham, School Bus Operator, effective 12/5/97
Darrell Green, Custodian, FUE, effective 12/5/97
Willie Mae McCoy, Teacher Assistant, FHS, effective 12/5/97
Mary Tennessee, 2.5 hr. Sweeper, FLE, effective 12/5/97
Mr. Richard Alwood announced that the Christmas display was provided by FKC, and he recognized Mrs. Loretta Peterman, principal, who commented on the work done by students, teacher, and parents.
Mr. Partridge requested that an item be added to each agenda to provide time for announcements.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:08 p.m.
__________________________ __________________________
James E. Lee, Superintendent Ernest Lynn White, President