PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1999.
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, February 2, 1999, at five-thirty (5:30) o'clock p.m. The meeting was called to order by the Honorable Mike Grantham, President, who declared that the Board, after prayer by Reverend Robert Lee, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, was ready for the transaction of business.
Members present were the Honorable Mike Grantham, Mr. Darrell Crofford, Mr. Eddie Coleman, Mr. Don Joseph, Mr. Ernest Lynn White, Mr. Ricky Raven, Rev. Johnnie Brown, Mrs. Mary Campbell and Mrs. Martha Rabb.
Mr. Ralph Laukhuff, Jr., Executive Director of Louisiana Hydro Electric, recognized the Sidney A. Murray Citizenship Award winners for February. They were:
Ferriday Upper Elementary 4th grade Jasmine Banks
5th grade Sade' Lewis
Monterey Elementary 4th grade Heather Guillot
5th grade Heather Peavy
Ridgecrest School 4th grade Ashley Cullum
5th grade Whitney Price
Vidalia Upper Elementary 4th grade Raquita Thomas
5th grade Brandon James
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried to approve the minutes of the January 5, 1999 meeting.
Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Business Director, presented invoices and the Financial Report for February. It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve invoices in the amount of $2,550,767.00.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Raven/Mrs. Campbell, and carried unanimously to go into Executive Session at 5:50 p.m.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to return to regular session at 7:45 p.m.
Mr. Grantham explained that during executive session, the Board had discussed the Head Coach position at Ferriday High School along with the Superintendent's contract. The Board agreed to set a special meeting on Monday, February 22, 1999, at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of this meeting will be to appoint a Head Coach for Ferriday High School.
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried 8-1, with Mr. Coleman voting no, not to renew Superintendent Lee's contract as presently written.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Crofford/Mrs. Campbell and carried unanimously to enter into negotiations with Superintendent Lee for a new contract.
Mr. Grantham instructed Mr. Norman Magee, School Board Attorney, to draft a letter to Superintendent Lee informing him of the Board's decision.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to open bids for the Title I Van. They were as follows:
Jordan Auto Company $28,059.92
Natchez Ford, Lincoln, Mercury $28,313.05
Williams Motor Company $28,206.00
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to take the bids under advisement until the following month in order to review bid prices.
Mrs. Melvara Wilson, CAE President, made a presentation to the Board concerning Reading Across America Day.
Superintendent Lee read the following proclamation:
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the school systems of this nation are charged with the education of our most precious resources-our children; and,
WHEREAS, Theodore Suess Geisel was prompted to write The Cat in The Hat following a 1954 published report concerning illiteracy among school children; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Suess books are timeless and continue to delight millions of young readers while remaining in the hearts of older fans; and,
WHEREAS, The Concordia Association of Educators, Louisiana Association of Educators and the National Education Association join in the celebrating of Dr. Seuss's birthday; now,
THEREFORE, in memory and recognition of the contribution Theodore Suess Geisel has made to children's literature, the Concordia Parish School Board does hereby proclaim March 2, 1999, as Reading Across America Day.
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve the proclamation.
Mr. Crofford made an appeal to the Board to upgrade the restrooms in the schools. Mr. Crofford apprized the Board of problems concerning privacy in school restrooms. Mr. White suggested referring this problem to the Building and Grounds Committee for review. Superintendent Lee suggested the Board set the standards for the system's restrooms and a list of deficiencies be drawn up for the committee's review.
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously for the Building and Grounds Committee to proceed and report to the Board at the February 22, meeting.
Superintendent Lee read Policy JS - Student Fees, Fines and Charges. It was moved by Mrs. Campbell, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried unanimously to approve the first reading of Policy JS - Student Fees, Fines and Charges.
Mr. Howard Jackson made a presentation to the Board concerning out-of-zone students. He informed the Board of eleven (11) names which were currently being investigated by his office. There was general discussion by the Board concerning the investigation process. Mr. Jackson invited Board members to come by his office to see how the process is carried out. Mr. Grantham asked Mr. Jackson to periodically report to Superintendent Lee so information could be placed in the FYI (For Your Information Weekly Update) for the Board members.
Mr. Coleman discussed the schedule for Parent Conference Day. He expressed concerns that the current time schedule does not allow for working parents to attend the conferences. He suggested that teachers be allowed to begin conferences later in the day so they could remain later in the evening in order to accommodate working parents. It was suggested to survey parents immediately and incorporate the results into the school calendar for next year.
Mr. Crofford made a proposal to the Board concerning the naming of the street located next to the Vidalia High School. It was proposed the street running between Vidalia High School and the softball field off Murray Drive be named Lady Viking Lane. Superintendent Lee suggested a letter be drafted to Mr. Norman Magee, board attorney, requesting direction on how the Board should proceed in this matter.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to have Mr. Magee to look into the matter of naming the street.
Dr. Peterman, Assistant Superintendent explained to the Board the necessity of contracting a school nurse. It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to contract with Donna Smith for school nurse services for the months of February and March.
Superintendent Lee noted the personnel item listing Brenda Carter, Teacher Assistant FLES, returning from sick leave be removed from the agenda.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried to approve the resignations as follows:
Ranessa Brooks, Teacher Assistant FKC, effective January 15, 1999
Arlana Lee, Teacher Assistant FKC, effective January 8, 1999
Cordell Bailey, Teacher/Head Football Coach FHS, effective January 4, 1999
Johnalynn Dennis, Speech Pathlogy Assistant, effective January 18, 1999
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried to accept the following appointments:
Cynthia Hawkins, Teacher Assistant RES, effective January 19, 1999
Charlie Richard, Teacher/Coach FHS, effective January 25, 1999
Cary Shively, Teacher, MHS effective January 12, 1999
Macy Wells, Teacher Assistant FKC effective January 11, 1999
Daryle Price, School Bus Operator, effective February 3, 1999
Superintendent Lee advised the Board of the recommendation by Mr. Huhn, Federal Programs Director, for the Title I Secretary. It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to accept the recommendation of Linda Hayes as Title I Secretary.
Rev. Brown asked to go on record requesting that the Board get into the habit of looking within the system when hiring personnel to fill vacant positions.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Crofford to accept all remaining personnel items.
There was a general discussion concerning the transfer of Amelda Thomas, Teacher FUES to Teacher FLES, effective January 12, 1999. This discussion centered around the current employment status of Ms. Thomas. Ms. Leinda Peterman, former personnel director, informed the Board of an Attorney General's opinion which advised that once a Board hired a teacher, regardless of the length of time, that employee must resign or be terminated before the employment ceases. Superintendent Lee informed the Board the transfer had been made. The interpretation of the statement was Ms. Thomas was hired to teach at FUES only for one semester.
As an amendment to the previous motion, it was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried 7-2 with Mr. White and Mr. Coleman opposed, to accept all remaining personnel items with the exception of the transfer of Amelda Thomas which would be reviewed at the next meeting. Personnel items approved are as follows:
Extended Sick Leave
Valarie Ann Prosser, School Food Service Technician FUES effective 10/20/98
Jan Armstrong, Central Office Secretary, through February 1, 1999
Transfers
Stephanie Burnette, Teacher Assistant RES to Teacher Assistant FKC, effective January 19, 1999
Return from Sabbatical Leave
Annie Bates, Teacher FUES, effective January 12, 1999
Announcements
Superintendent Lee informed the Board photographs made during Family Night at the Board had been enlarged and framed for presentation as a gift to the individual members. This presentation was made by Mrs. Frances Lee who provided the frames.
Superintendent Lee reminded the Board of the School Board conference being held in March. He asked the Board to notify the central office of their plans in order to complete registration plans.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Campbell and carried to adjourn at 8:40 p.m.
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James E. Lee, Superintendent Mike Grantham, President