PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1998.

The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in special session at the Concordia Parish School Board Office, in Vidalia, Louisiana, on Tuesday, August 11, 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 Superintendent James E. Lee, 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.

Superintendent Lee stated that Ms. Evelyn Fairbanks, Supervisor of School Food Service, was present to provide more information regarding the award of bids for bread.  Ms. Fairbanks informed the Board that she had reviewed all pertinent guidelines and that it was legal for the Board to split the awards between the two companies providing bids because the specifications had been written with that provision.  It was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Grantham and carried to approve the following bids for bread products:

            Flowers Baking Company

            Sliced White Bread, 24 oz.                               $ .92

            Hot Dog Buns, 12 pack                                    $1.00

            Café, Hamburger Buns, 30 count                      $1.90

            Cotton Brothers Baking

            Sliced Whole Wheat Bread, 16 oz.                   $1.10

            French Bread, 16 oz.                                        $1.05

            Bagels 1 oz., 6 count (Plain, Cinnamon

            Raisin, Blueberry)                                             $1.58

Superintendent Lee stated that Board members have been intimately involved in the efforts to reconstruct FJH since the fire occurred on June 29, 1997, and leading up to the bidding process.  He stated that the Building and Grounds Committee, comprised of Mrs. Washington (chairperson), President White, and Mr. Partridge, met six times during the past year.  Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs, handled all contacts with the insurance company and architects.  He stated that construction needed to begin as soon as possible to ensure that the building would be ready for use at the beginning of the 1999-2000 school year.  He assured that Board that the funds were available to reconstruct the building and, based on the administration's past record in handling finances, the Board could be assured that the project would be carried out on a sound financial basis.

There was lengthy discussion of the insurance receipts and costs to date.  Mr. O'Neal distributed a worksheet and reviewed the disbursements and receipts in connection with the reconstruction project.  He stated that negotiations were continuing with the insurance company on the contents, but that a total of $1,066,000 had been received from Coregis for the building and that an additional $552,000 in hold back money would be paid once the costs were incurred, or a total of $1,558,000 for the building.  Mr. O'Neal stated that engineer fees were set by the state at a percentage of the building cost at a projected rate of 7%.  There was continued discussion on the hold back funds.

Mr. Coleman stated that if he was in order he would like to make a motion.  President White declared the motion out of order.

There was discussion of the monthly payment schedule.  Mr. O'Neal stated that 5% would be held back until the project was completed and inspected.  Mr. Joe Brocato informed the Board that his firm would review and certify the work prior to final payment.

It was moved by Mr. Grantham and seconded by Mr. Raven to accept the low bid including Alternates 1, 2, and 3, with the cost not to exceed the low bid price.  Mr. Coleman moved to amend the motion and to accept the low bid including alternates 1, 2, and 3 and to omit the portion of the original motion which stated "not to exceed the low bid." The amendment failed for lack of second.  The original motion carried 5-3 with Mr. Coleman, Mrs. Washington and Mr. Williams voting no.

It was moved by Mr. Grantham, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried to adjourn at 6:39 p.m.

__________________________                                            __________________________

James E. Lee, Superintendent                                                   Ernest Lynn White, President