PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 1998.
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, April 7, 1998, 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. Charles Partridge, Mr. Ricky Raven and Mrs. Georgia Washington. Mr. Mike Grantham, Mr. Manson E. Nelson, Sr., and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr. were absent.
Superintendent Lee introduced Mr. Ralph Laukhuff, Executive Director of Louisiana Hydroelectric, Inc., who recognized the following Sidney A. Murray Citizenship Award winners:
MHS 1st Grade Evan Twilbeck
2nd Grade Chelsea Crum
FLE 1st Grade Wilford Mays
2nd Grade Jasmine Watkins
VLE 1st Grade Emily Michelle Cavin
2nd Grade Dereca McGraw
RES 1st Grade Derrick Atkins
2nd Grade Clinton Sweat
Mr. Grantham arrived at 5:40 p.m.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and Mrs. Washington to take the resolution for Mrs. Carol Washington Jones out of order. Superintendent Lee recognized the presence of the family. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried to approve the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS,MRS. CAROL ANN WASHINGTON JONES departed this life on March 21, 1998. at the age of forty-five years, ten months, and twenty-six days; and,
WHEREAS,Mrs. Jones served the children of the Concordia Parish School System from August 22, 1977, until March 20,1998, touching the lives of hundreds of families and serving the school system well during her twenty-one years of teaching; and,
WHEREAS,Mrs. Jones was a devoted wife to Mr. Lem Jones and mother to three children, Charles, Chandra, and Warren, each of whom will miss her love and attention greatly; and,
WHEREAS,the Concordia Parish School Board, both collectively and individually recognize and appreciate how deeply Mr. Jones, her children, other family members and friends must grieve for the loss of their loved one; now,
THEREFORE,the Board does resolve that they hereby express their deep sorrow and regret for the loss of Mrs. Jones and extend their condolences to Mr. Jones, his daughter and sons, other family members and a host of friends, and furthermore, that the original of this Proclamation be presented to the family in memory of Mrs. Jones.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of March 3, 1998.
Mr, Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs, presented invoices and the Financial Report for March 1998. It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried to approve the payment of invoices in the amount of $1,712,293.
The Executive Session, which was scheduled, was passed.
Superintendent Lee provided an update on the exhaust systems for kitchens as relayed to him by Mr. Joe Brocato, architect. Superintendent Lee presented the following schedule for bidding and installing exhaust systems:
Bid in May for June installation:
Ferriday Lower Elementary
Monterey High School
Vidalia Lower Elementary
Vidalia Upper Elementary
Bid in June for July installation:
Ferriday Upper Elementary
Ferriday High School
Vidalia High School
Vidalia Junior High School
Bid in the fall for installation over a long weekend or during a holiday:
Ferriday Kindergarten Center
Ridgecrest Elementary
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the schedule.
Mr. Partridge asked several questions regarding special education staff at Ferriday Education Center. There was discussion of the chain of command. Superintendent Lee stated that all staff assigned to FEC report to Mrs. Doretha Woodfork, special education supervisor, and Mrs. Woodfork reports to Mr. Julius Huhn, Director of Federal Programs. Mr. Huhn reports to Superintendent Lee.
Mr. Coleman expressed interest in developing a parishwide Career Awareness Day. Following discussion, it was decided that the possibility would be investigated and that activities would be coordinated with existing career awareness activities through School-to-Work or Tech Prep. Mr. Coleman asked that the school counselors be involved.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve free lunch for teachers during the week of Teacher Appreciation Week May 3-9, 1998, and to approve the following proclamation:
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the future of our communities, our state, and our nation rests in the hands of our teachers who are called upon to meet challenges daily in helping all students, regardless of ability level, to reach their full potential; and
WHEREAS, teachers play a crucial role in the development of our children, and the success of the educational process is dependent upon the classroom and the relationship which exists between the teacher and the student; and
WHEREAS, the economic and social well-being of our communities depends on the skills and knowledge teachers provide their students day in and day out, in spite of low pay and the ever-growing number of responsibilities they are asked to assume; and
WHEREAS, Concordia Parish School Board recognizes the vital contributions by teachers in Concordia Parish who exhibit a high degree of expertise, knowledge, dedication and love for our children in our classrooms every day of the school year; now
THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the week of May 3 through May 9, 1998, will be celebrated as Teacher Appreciation Week in the Concordia Parish School System, and the Concordia Parish School Board requests that parents and citizens join in expressing their appreciation for the contributions of our teachers.
It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve the use of school facilities at VJH for the DeWayne Albert Summer Youth Basketball League during June and July.
It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to revise the 1997-98 school calendar to provide for 1:00 p.m. dismissal on May 25 and 16, 1998.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve the following 1998-99 school calendar:
GRADING PERIODS
FIRST SEMESTER Monday, August 17, 1998 - Monday, January 11, 1999
1st 6 Weeks Monday, August 17, 1998 - Monday, September 28, 1998
2nd 6 Weeks Tuesday, September 29, 1998 - Monday, November 9, 1998
3rd 6 Weeks Tuesday, November 10, 1998 - Monday, January 11, 1999
SECOND SEMESTER Tuesday, January 12, 1999 - Thursday, May 27, 1999
4th 6 Weeks Tuesday, January 12, 1999 - Friday, February 26, 1999
5th 6 Weeks Monday, March 1, 1999 - Wednesday, April 14, 1999
6th 6 Weeks Thursday, April 15, 1999 - Thursday, May 27, 1999
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Labor Day September 7, 1998
Employees' Conventions November 23. 24, 25, 1998
Thanksgiving Holidays November 26, 27, 1998
Christmas Holidays December 21, 1998 -January 1, 1999, inclusive
Martin Luther King's Day January 18, 1999
Mardi Gras February 15, 16, 1999
Easter Holidays April 1, 2, 5, 1999
TESTING DATES
LEAP/GEE April 12 - 16, 1999
Iowa Test of Basic Skills April 19 - 23, 1999
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
August 12 - 14, 1998
March 18 - 19, 1999
OTHER IMPORTANT DATES
Early Dismissal (1:00 p.m.) August 17, 1998
Early Dismissal (1:00 p.m.) December 18, 1998
Parent Conference Day January 22, 1999
Preschool Round-up May 7, 1999
Senior Exams May 10 - 14, 1999
Graduation May 20, 21, 1999
Final Exams May 21 - 25, 1999
Final Exams and
Early Dismissal (1:00 p.m.) May 26, 1999
Teacher Workday & Report
Cards Issued (2:00 p.m.) May 27, 1999
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Partridge and carried unanimously to approve the following personnel items:
Extended Sick Leave:
Brenda Jarvis, Teacher, FJH, effective 4/2/98-5/28/98
Leigh Webber, Teacher, FKC, effective 2/10/98-5/28/98
Termination:
Mary Beard, Teacher Assistant, FLE, effective 4/7/98
Beverly Adams, Teacher Assistant, FHS, effective 3/6/98
Retirement:
Mary C. Johnson, Teacher, FHS, effective 5/28/98
Eddie Washington, Principal, FUE, effective 3/30/98
Sabbatical Leave:
Sue Butler, Teacher, VUE, effective 1998-99
Transfer:
Regina Harris, Title I Teacher Assistant to Title I Teacher, FKC, effective 2/10/98-5/28/98
Appointment:
Eddie Carter, 12-Month Janitor, TBA
Ferman Washington, 12-Month Janitor, FHS, 4/8/98
Superintendent Lee announced that April 10 and 13, 1998 would be Easter Holidays for all staff and he reminded the Board of the Honors' Banquet scheduled for April 13, 1998. Mr. Partridge asked if the Honors' Banquet could be rescheduled because several students involved had scheduled conflicts. Superintendent Lee stated that although this year's date could probably not be changed, the date for Honors' Banquet would be established prior to school next year so that all other activities could be scheduled around it.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried to adjourn at 6:35 p.m.
__________________________ __________________________
James E. Lee, Superintendent Ernest Lynn White, President