PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 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, December 8, 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 Nelson, 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, Mrs. Georgia Washington, Mr. Sam Williams, Jr. and Mr. Manson Nelson, Sr.  Absent were Mr. Charles Partridge and Mr. Ricky Raven.

 

Mr. Ralph Laukhaff, Jr. Executive Director of Louisiana Hydro Electric, recognized the Sidney A. Murray Citizenship Award winners for December.  They were:

 

Ridgecrest Elementary  7th grade           Gabriel Eugene Bass

 

Vidalia Junior High    7th grade           William Fredrick Marsalis, Jr.

  8th grade           Heather Miller

 

Ferriday Junior High   7th grade           Sierra James

  8th grade           LaKeith Cherelle Banks

 

Monterey High School  7th grade           Adam Philley

 8th grade           Justin Paul

 

 Mr. Laukhaff also presented the Louisiana Hydroelectric Teacher Grants.  Each of the grants were for $500.  They were:

 

School                                      Teacher                            Project Title

 

Vidalia Lower Elementary         Phyllis Cage                  Reading is Important

 

Ferriday Junior High                 Gayle Carlock              Nutritious Attack

Claudia White

 

Ferriday High School                Mary Blankenship         Computerized Reference and

Interdisciplinary Learning

 

The Concordia Parish School Board was presented a check for the total amount of $1,500. 

 

Superintendent Lee recognized the outgoing board members.  Each member was presented with a plaque reflecting the total years of service on the Concordia Parish School Board.  Members recognized were:

 

Board Member Years of Service

 

Sam Williams                January 1, 1995 through December 31, 1998

Marie Cowan               January 1, 1991 through December 31, 1998

Manson Nelson            January 1, 1991 through December 31, 1998

Georgia Washington     October 7, 1989 through December 31, 1998

Charles Partridge          January 1, 1977 through December 31, 1998

 

It was moved by Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously to approve minutes of the November 3, 1998 meeting.

 

Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented invoices and the Financial Report for December.  It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Cowan and carried unanimously to approve the payment of invoices in the amount of $3,017,818.

It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried 6-1, with  Mr. Grantham voting no, to go into executive session at 5:50 p.m.

 

Mr. Partridge arrived at 5:53p.m.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to return to regular session at 6:50 p.m.

 

Superintendent Lee asked Mr. Norman Magee, School Board Attorney, to present the court case to the Board. 

 

Mr. Magee summarized the court case brought by Francis Netherland and Rosa Elaine.  He explained that the court had ruled in favor of these plaintiffs and the money had been refunded by the Board.  He went on to explain that this was not a class action suit; therefore, the Board was not obligated to refund money to any other employees.  Furthermore, Mr. Magee informed the Board that they are prohibited by law from donating public funds which they do not legally owe.

 

Superintendent Lee advised the Board that he had met with representatives from the Concordia Association of Educators (CAE) along with faculty representatives.  The groups were apprised of the legal problem of refunding money to 1992-93 employees.  Superintendent Lee explained that the funds for this payment had been budgeted in the event that these funds were returned to all employees.  

 

Due to the fact that he was prohibited by law from recommending to the Board to pay the 1992-93 employees, Superintendent Lee requested the Board hear an alternate proposal.

 

It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried to hear the proposal.

 

Superintendent Lee proposed to the Board a one time salary adjustment to current employees.  This adjustment would be in the amount of $300 for certified personnel, $150 for support personnel and $75 for part-time personnel.  The adjustment would be paid in a separate check which would be sent out on Friday, December 11, 1998.

 

Mr. Partridge reminded Superintendent Lee that it was an unwritten policy of the Board that money matters should remain on the table for two meetings.

 

It was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 7-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to approve a one time salary adjustment to current employees.

 

Superintendent Lee requested that the Board hear a recommendation resulting from a due process hearing. 

 

It was moved by Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 6-2 with Mr. Partridge and Mr. Grantham voting no to hear the recommendation.

 

Superintendent Lee read the recommendation of termination for Ryan Kemp, non-tenure bus operator.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried 6-2 with Mr. Grantham and Mr. Partridge voting no, to approve the Superintendent's recommendation.

 

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mrs. Washington and carried to approve the Internet Acceptable Use Policy as revised September 17, 1998.

 

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to set the next Board meeting date for Tuesday, January 5, 1999 with the remaining 1999 dates to be set by the incoming Board.

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried to purchase a maintenance van and work truck, if enough funds are available, which would complete the maintenance fleet.

 

Mr. O'Neal presented a proposal to the Board for a Municipal Lease for a Sales Tax Vehicle to replace the 1985 Ford currently being used.  Mr. Partridge questioned the feasibility of purchasing versus leasing a vehicle.  Mr. O'Neal explained a municipal lease.  After a brief discussion and a preferance to purchase rather than lease, it was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried to approve the purchase of a vehicle to replace the 1985 Ford vehicle currently in use.

 

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

 

                                                                       Transfer

Paula Paul, Teacher, MHS to Technical Assistant America 2000,

effective 12/9/98

Norma Jean Sims, Special Education Bus assistant to Teacher Assistant FLES, effective 10/5/98

 

Mr. Partridge was recognized at this time for his years of service on the Concordia Parish School Board.

 

It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried to adjourn at 7:48p.m.

________________________________                    ______________________________

James E. Lee, Superintendent                                       Ernest Lynn White, President