PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 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, August 4, 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 Mr. Manson E. Nelson, 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. Manson E. Nelson, Sr., Mr. Ricky Raven, Mrs. Georgia Washington and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr. Absent was Mr. Charles Partridge.

It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried unanimously to approve minutes of the July 21, 1998, meeting.

Superintendent Lee presented the Financial Report for June 1998.  Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, reviewed major expenditures.  Following discussion regarding the Insurance Reserve Fund and the Coregis Loss Fund, it was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve the Financial Report and the payment of invoices in the amount of $1,547,140.

It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 6-2, with Mr. Grantham and Mr. Raven voting no, to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters.

Superintendent Lee requested that Mr. John Bostic, principal of FJH, and Mr. Fred T. Butcher, Director of Academic Affairs, also attend the Executive Session.

On a motion by Mr. Coleman and second by Mr. Raven, it was carried unanimously to return to Open Session at 7:52 p.m. President White reported that while in Executive Session, the Board had discussed personnel matters which required action by the Board.  Superintendent Lee made the following statements and recommendations:

Criterion-Referenced Tests (LEAP)

            Two teachers were cited by the Louisiana Department of Education on the LEAP Test Erasure Analysis Report at Ferriday Junior High School.  Both teachers have voluntarily resigned, and their resignations have previously been accepted by the Board.  Therefore, I recommend that no further action be taken against them.

Norm-Referenced Tests (ITBS)

            Two teachers were cited by the Louisiana Department of Education on the NRT Test Erasure Analysis Report at Ferriday Junior High School.  During an investigation into this matter, two additional teachers were found to be involved.

            In connection with this investigation, a due process hearing was held for each teacher, and, as a result thereof, the following recommendations are being made:

• Larry Denny Hinson - five days suspension without pay, subject to the outcome of a tenure hearing to be held at a special meeting of the Board on September 22, 1998, unless such hearing is waived by the employee.  
   

• Brenda Logan - five days suspension without pay, subject to the outcome of a tenure hearing to be held at a special meeting of the Board on September 22, 1998, unless such hearing is waived by the employee.  
   

• Yvonne Chatman - one day suspension without pay, subject to the outcome of a tenure hearing to be held at a special meeting of the Board on September 22, 1998, unless such hearing is waived by the employee.
   

• Clara Ware - a tenure hearing be held for termination, to be scheduled upon notice; further that she be suspended without pay subject to the outcome of the tenure hearing.

It was moved by Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 7-1, with Mr. Raven voting no, to approve the recommendations as stated.

Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs, introduced Mr. Joe Brocato of the firm Barron, Heinberg & Brocato, Architects and Engineers.  Mr. Brocato explained the alternate bids to be received for the reconstruction of FJH.  It was moved by Mr. Grantham, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to open bids for the project.  The following bids were received:

Contractor                  License            Base Bid          Alternate #1    Alternate #2    Alternate #3

R.A, Edgin                   7358                $1,572,000      $59,700           $24,000           $18,000

Construction Company

James Holyfield            25978              $1,475,000      $62,000           $30,000           $30,000

Construction, Inc.

Wilmar Construction     24370              $1,476,700      $62,000           $23,000           $18,000

Company, Inc.

It was moved by Mr. Coleman and seconded by Mrs. Cowan to take the bids under advisement and refer them to the Building and Grounds Committee to review and award the bid to the lowest bidding contractor.  There was discussion regarding whether the committee should bring a recommendation to the full Board, which would award the bid at that time.  Mr. Grantham moved that the motion be amended to hold a special Board meeting on August 11, 1998, at 5:30 p.m. in lieu of the Building and Grounds Committee meeting.  The amendment to the motion was seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously.

It was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to open bids for day care services.  The following bid was the only one received:

            BMJ Child Care & Development Center           $ 10 per day for 5 days per child

It was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to accept the bid.

It was moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to open bids for propane gas for MHS.  The following bids were received:

Ferrellgas                                             59¢ per gallon

Herring Gas Company, Inc.                  60¢ per gallon

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve the bid by Ferrellgas.

It wa moved by Mrs. Cowan, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to open bids for exterminating services for the Home Economics departments.  The following bids were received:

            B & B Pest Control                              $180 per department annually

            Dr. Bug, Inc.                                        $240 per department annually

            E.A. Redd Pest Control, Inc.                $175 per department annually

            Northeast Pest Control                         $230 per department annually

It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 7-1, with Mr. Raven voting no, to award the bid to E. A. Redd Pest Control.

Dr. Pete Peterman, Assistant Superintendent, reported that Ms. Evelyn Fairbanks, Supervisor of School Food Service, had reviewed the bread bids received at the last meeting and recommended that the bids be awarded by individual item to the company making the lowest bid for that item.  There was discussion regarding the legality of splitting the award between the two companies.  On a motion by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Coleman, it was carried unanimously to table the award of the bids until the special meeting on August 11, 1998.

Mr. O'Neal recommended that the current lease held by Don Marshall on Section 16, T7N, R8E be extended for an additional 5 years.  Following discussion, it was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve the lease extension as recommended.

Dr. Peterman reported that Athletic Allotments were recommended at the same level as last year, including the $500 for junior high school softball.  It was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried to approve the following Athletic Allotments:

            FHS                                         $9000

            MHS/JHS                                $6000

            VHS                                        $9000

            FJHS                                       $3000

            VJHS                                       $3000

Superintendent Lee recommended that the Board approve Classroom Allotments in the amount of $100 per teacher for classroom supplies and materials again this year.  The same guidelines will be followed, with the funds being spent in the parish.  It was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve the Classroom Allotment.

It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to approve the following personnel items:

Retirement

Josephine Webster, Teacher, VJH, effective 7/21/98

Transfers

                                                From                                                    To

Effective 8/5/98

Sarah Davis                  Sch. Secty., FHS                                  Voc. Tchr. Asst., FHS

Patricia Morris              Tchr. Asst., RES                                  School Secretary, RES

Effective 8/13/98

Brenda Logan               Teacher, FJH                                       Teacher, VJH

Karen Nelson               Sp. Ed. Tchr., FLE                               Reg. Ed. Tchr., FUE

Vickie Smith                 Teacher, FLE                                       Teacher, VJH

Effective 8/17/98

Debra Minor                Voc. Tchr. Asst., FHS                          Tchr.  Asst., FLE

Appointments

Darlene Baker, Teacher, FJH, effective 8/13/98

Warren D. Brown, Teacher/Coach, FHS, effective 8/13/98

Stephanie Burnette, Teacher Assistant, RES, effective 8/17/98

Aquetta Butler, Teacher, VLE, effective 8/13/98

Betty Cade, Coordinator, Project Independence, effective 8/5/98

Brenda Scott Carter, School Secretary, FHS, effective 8/5/98

Sharon Conner, Teacher Assistant, FUE, effective 8/17/98

Brigida Cook, Sp.  Ed.  Teacher, FLE (Head Start), effective 8/13/98

Johnalynn Dennis, Speech Therapist, FEC, effective 8/13/98

Quenta Duson, Teacher Assistant, FLE (FEC), effective 8/17/98

Sandra Eidt, Teacher, FJH, effective 8/13/98

Leslie Kennedy, Teacher Assistant, MHS, effective 8/17/98

Debra Pinkney, Teacher, RES, effective 8/13/98

Lynda Prince, Teacher Assistant, FHS, effective 8/17/98

Eric Richard, Teacher/Coach, MHS, effective, 8/13/98

Rose Roberts, Teacher, FJH, effective 8/13/98

Charlene Rushing, Teacher Assistant, RES, effective 8/17/98

Tabatha Sinclair, Teacher, FUE, effective 8/13/98

Gary Stewart, CO Maintenance (Roofing) Crew, effective 8/5/98

Ernestine Litt Summers, Teacher Assistant, VLE, effective 8/17/98

Amelda Thomas, Teacher, FUE, effective 8/13/98-1/11/99 only

Wanda Temple, School Bus Operator, effective 8/17/98

Joe L. Thomas, 12-Month Janitor, FHS, effective 8/5/98

Todd Thompson, Teacher, FJH, effective 8/13/98

April Renee Wallace, Speech Therapy Assistant, effective 8/13/98

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to adjourn at 8:42 p.m.

__________________________                     __________________________

James E. Lee, Superintendent                             Ernest Lynn White, President