PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 10, 1999

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 Monday, May 10, 1999, at seven (7:00) o'clock p.m.  The meeting was called to order by the Honorable Mike Grantham, President, who declared that the Board, after prayer by Rev. Johnnie Brown, 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, Rev. Johnnie Brown, Mrs. Mary Campbell and Mrs. Martha Rabb. 

Member absent was Mr. Ricky Raven.

Mr. Rick Brown, Principal, VHS, addressed the Board.  Mr. Brown informed the Board that there had been a mistake made on the transcript of one of the top three students.  This caused the second ranked and the third ranked students to switch places in ranking.  Mr. Brown advised the board that, in view of this oversight, the transcripts of the top twenty ranked students at VHS had been reviewed by two VHS teachers.  The top three students ranked as follows:

4.1280 25 units            8 honors courses

4.1163 27.5 units         8 honors courses

4.1056 26.5 units         7 honors courses

Mr. Brown stated that these students had all received all A's.  He also added that this ranking could change after the final exams.

Rev. Brown stated that it was appaling that the Board would be dealing with this situation.  He did not want to jeapordize what a child has earned.  Rev. Brown stated that his position has not changed.  He felt that all three students should serve as co-valedictorians. 

Mr. Mike O'Neal, Parent, addressed the Board.  Mr. O'Neal asked if the Board had a current policy, if so, what did the policy state concerning the selection of valedictorian.

Rev. Brown informed Mr. O'Neal that the policy could be changed. 

Carol Brown, Spokesperson for Advocates for Change in Pupil Progression, stated that the administration was made aware of the flaw in the Pupil Progression Plan at the beginning of the school year.

There was  lengthy discussion concerning the existing Pupil Progression Policy.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Coleman to suspend the policy for thirty days which is that portion of the Pupil Progression Plan which dictates the way valedictorians are selected.  The motion failed 5-3 with Rev. Brown, Mr. Coleman, and Mrs. Campbell voting yes.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried to have a committee to look at the plan for the next meeting. 

Board members volunteering to serve on the committee to review the Pupil Progression Plan were

Mrs. Campbell, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Crofford and Mrs. Rabb.

It was moved by Mrs. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to adjourn at 7:52 p.m.

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James E. Lee, Superintendent                                       Mike Grantham, Board President