PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 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, March 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 Mr. Eddie Coleman, 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.
Dr. Pete Peterman, Assistant Superintendent, recognized the Sidney A. Murray Citizenship Award winners for March. They were:
Ridgecrest Elementary School 3rd grade Nicole Stutson
Vidalia Lower Elementary 3rd grade Elizabeth Kaitlin Johnese
Ferriday Lower Elementary 3rd grade Kenterrius Jefferson
Monterey High School 3rd grade Kaslynn Hughes
Superintendent Lee recognized the Student of the Year Award winners. They were:
Ferriday Upper Elementary School 5th grade Jessica La'Niece Johnson
Ferriday Junior High School 8th grade Jokora Martin
Vidalia Junior High School 8th grade Heather Nicole Miller
Ferriday High School 12th grade Onya Yvette Comradd
Superintendent Lee recognized Lynn Emfinger, Public Relations Representative for Alcoa Industrial Chemicals Vidalia Works, for the $6,000 donation made to the Concordia Parish School System.
Superintendent Lee recognized Mrs. Barbara Crum, D.E. Coordinator, Vidalia High School, and Mrs. Zulieka Moore, D.E. Coordinator, Ferriday High School for their work with the D.E.C.A. students. Each teacher recognized the students which participated in the D.E.C.A. conference.
As a way of showing their appreciation for having the 4-H program in the school, a special presentation was made to the Board by representatives of the VidaliaUpper Elementary School 5th grade 4-H Club. Representing the organization were Jarred Martin and C. J. Cage.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the February 2, 1999, and February 22, 1999, Board meetings.
Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Business Director, presented invoices and the Financial Report for March. It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to approve invoices in the amount of $3,330,061.00.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to go into executive session at 5:55 p.m.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Campbell and carried unanimously to return to regular session at 6:12 p.m.
Mr. Grantham explained that the Board had discussed personnel matters as well as the Superintendent's contract. No action on the Superintendent's contract would be taken at this time.
Superintendent Lee reviewed the new policy being offered for the first reading , II, Testing Program. It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to approve the first reading of Policy II, Testing Program.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the second reading of Policy JS, Student Fees, Fines, and Charges.
Superintendent Lee read the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Louisiana grants local political subdivisions the right to levy and collect local Sales and Use Taxes; and
WHEREAS, Sales and Use Tax revenues for the public education system for the Parish of Concordia represent approximately 68% of our tax revenues; and
WHEREAS, local oversight and administration for the collection of such taxes are the best means to protect our most important revenue source; and
WHEREAS, the public education system for the Parish of Concordia does not believe that it is in their best interest to be dependent on state agencies to manage this critical function; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry is proposing to have the State of Louisiana and its Department of Revenue collect local Sales and Use taxes.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and members of the Concordia Parish School Board urge and request every member of the Parish Legislative delegation to vigorously support local administration and collection of Sales and Use taxes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution will be sent to the Concordia Parish Legislative delegation so that they will be made aware of our position on this very important matter.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to accept the resolution.
Mr. Julius Huhn, Federal Program Director, informed the Board that the bids for the Title I van had been studied and Jordan Auto Company was the low bid of 28,059.92. Mr. Huhn recommended that the Board accept the low bid.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried 8-1 with Mr. Crofford voting no, to award the bid for the Title I van to Jordan Auto Company.
Superintendent Lee reviewed the results of the Parent Conference Day Parent Survey with the Board. The Board was provided with the results of the survey. Superintendent Lee pointed out that there was a clear mandate to leave the time of the Parent Conference Day as is.
There was a report from the Buildings and Grounds Committee on the school restrooms. Rev. Brown reported deplorable conditions in some of the restrooms visited. It was suggested that the committee present the Board a plan for upgrading and standardizing the restrooms in the parish. Superintendent Lee proposed that the Committee present short and long range plans with clear directives for the upgrade of restrooms. Mr. Grantham asked that the privacy issue be addressed first.
Rev. Brown expressed concerns over the number of suspensions and expulsions in the parish. Mr. Jackson, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, made an in-depth report to the Board concerning suspensions, expulsions, as well as the role of the Alternative Center.
Superintendent Lee requested that Personnel Item B be removed from the agenda.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Crofford/Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve the following resignations:
Curtis Smith, Teacher, FUES, effective 10/23/98
April Wallace, Speech Pathology Assistant, FEC, effective 2/19/99
It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to approve the following extended sick leave requests:
Jessie Lewis, Teacher, FHS, effective 2/15/99 through 3/26/99
Jan Armstrong, Secretary, Central Office 2/1/99 through 3/12/99
Rose Tillery, School Bus Operator, effective 2/2/99 through 3/26/99
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the following retirements:
Gertrude Barber, Teacher, VUES, effective 5/27/9
Susan Randall, Teacher, VUES, effective 2/3/99
James White, School Bus Operator, effective 7/28/98
Superintendent Lee reminded the Board of the Louisiana School Board Association meeting in Alexandria on March 4-6, 1999.
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to adjourn at 8:15 p.m.
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James E. Lee, Superintendent Mike Grantham, Board President