PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 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, November 3, 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 Ms. Leinda Peterman, 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, Assistant Superintendent, recognized the Sidney A. Murray Citizenship winners for November.  They were:

            Vidalia High School                  9^th grade           Shannon Raeshell Seals

                                                            10^th grade         Brendy Renee Ellis

            Ferriday High School                9^th grade           Adelice Smith

                                                            10^th grade         Maxine Chatman

            Monterey High School             9^th grade           Jessica Ganey

                                                           10^th grade         Audra Kemp

Superintendent Lee asked the board to hear an item not on the agenda concerning a request for a resolution from the Board.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to hear Mr. Kevin Guthrie.

Mr. Guthrie presented a grant proposal for Friends First, a program on abstinence.  Mr. Guthrie informed the Board that a Resolution from the Board was required as a part of the proposal.  It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried to approve the following resolution.

RESOLUTION

            WHEREAS, Louisiana has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the nation, with 12,000 teenagers giving birth in 1995 or nearly 20% of all births in the state; and

            WHEREAS, high teen pregnancy rates affect the educational, economic, social and physical well-being of our teenagers; and

            WHEREAS, Governor Mike Foster has developed a plan which has become a national model known as the Foster Plan or The Governor's Program on Abstinence, which is aimed at modifying attitudes and behavior toward abstinence; and

            WHEREAS, Concordia Parish School Board has an opportunity to play a role in a pilot parish project to promote abstinence on a parish-wide basis through education; now, therefore,

            BE IT RESOLVED, that the Concordia Parish School Board hereby pledges its support of the grant application to be submitted by the Abstinence Committee of Concordia Parish to the Governor's Program on Abstinence.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve minutes of the June 2 and June 30, 1998, meetings.

Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented invoices and the Financial Report for November.  It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve the payment of invoices in the amount of $1,729,110.

It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Williams and carried 7-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to go into executive session at 6:00 p.m. to discuss personnel matters.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried to return to regular session at 6:59 p.m.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to approve the 1^st reading of the policy and policy revisions IFGA.

Mr. Lee read the proclamation for American Education Week.  It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried to approve the proclamation as follows:

                                                               PROCLAMATION

            WHEREAS, the school systems of this nation are charged with the education and welfare of our most precious resources--our children; and,

            WHEREAS, American Education Week has been set aside to call attention to the work done in schools throughout the country by dedicated principals, teachers, and support staff; and

            WHEREAS, the theme for this week is "American Education--Teaching Children to Think and Dream"; and,

            WHEREAS, the Concordia Parish School Board joins with other educational systems to recognize the important role education has played in the development and ongoing success of our nation; and, now

            THEREFORE, in honor and recognition of the successes of American education, the Concordia Parish School Board does hereby proclaim that November 15-21, 1998, be recognized and celebrated as American Education Week in our school system.

Mr. Tom O'Neal presented to the Board an update on the insurance settlement.  It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to approve the settlement.

Ms. Leinda Peterman, Grant Director, appraised the Board of the current status of the Technology Innovative Challenge Grant.  Accounts have been opened and equipment will be ordered.

It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Washington to approve personnel items A, B and C with no questions.  Mr. Grantham asked if procedures of the School Board were being followed.  Superintendent Lee informed Mr. Grantham that Board procedures were being followed.  The motion passed on a vote of 6-2 with Mr. Grantham and Mr. Raven voting no.

Superintendent Lee reminded the Board of the Parentfest to be held November 7, 1998, at 9:00 at Ferriday High School. 

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to adjourn at 7:35 p.m.

______________________________            ______________________________

James E. Lee, Superintendent                           Ernest Lynn White, President