PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 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, June 1, 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 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 L. Coleman, Sr., Mr. Don Joseph, Mr. Ernest Lynn White, Rev. Johnnie Brown, Mrs. Mary Campbell, Mr. Ricky Raven and Mrs. Martha Rabb.

Mrs. Ann Dyer, Librarian, Vidalia Junior High School, recognized the 1999 Quiz Bowl winners.  Mrs. Dyer gave a brief description of the Quiz Bowl activities which are held annually.

Superintendent Lee recognized the retirees for the 1998-99 school year.  Each of the retirees was presented with a plaque.

Dr. Peterman presented the PLATO award to Mrs. Mary Blankenship, Librarian, FHS, for the use of technology in the school library.

Mr. O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs, presented the financial report.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve invoices in the amount of $2,175,505.00.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to enter into executive session at 6:55 p.m.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried unanimously to enter into open session at 8:25 p.m.

It was moved by Mrs. Rabb, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to add Mr. Roger Woodfork to the agenda.

Superintendent Lee recommended that, following the outcome of the official investigation, Mr. Roger Woodfork be terminated from his position as teacher, Vidalia High School, effective April 26, 1999.

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to accept the Superintendent's recommendation.

It was moved by Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph not to accept the contract presented tonight by Mr. Lee's counsel or any other contract.  A roll call vote was taken as follows:

Rev. Johnnie Brown                  No

Mrs. Mary Campbell                 No

Mr. Eddie Coleman                   No

Mr. Darrell Crofford                 Yes

Mr. Donald Joseph                   Yes

Mrs. Martha Rabb                    Yes

Mr. Ricky Raven                      Yes

Mr. Lynn White                        No

Mr. Mike Grantham                 Yes

The motion carried 5-4.

Mr. Coleman spoke in Superintendent Lee's behalf.

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to grant permission to advertise for bids for exterminating services for School Food Service.

Mr. O'Neal presented the General and Special Revenue Funds budget revision.  Mr. O'Neal provided the Board with information concerning revenues and expenditures and invited members to his office for any additional information they may require.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the 1998-99 Budget Revision.

Mrs. Doretha Woodfork, Special Education Supervisor, presented the FY2000 Application for Special Education.  Mrs. Woodfork pointed out that this was a standard application with basically the same funding level.  There was a brief discussion concerning the amount of in-parish and out-of-parish travel budgeted in the application. 

It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mrs. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve the FY2000 Application for Special Education.

Superintendent Lee requested that the Board hear Item P out of order.  It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to hear Item P - Superintendent's Request out of order.

Superintendent Lee addressed the room.  He thanked the four (4) Board members who supported him.  He also requested that his supporters harbor no ill feelings. 

Mr. Julius Huhn, Federal Program Director, reviewed the FY2000 Consolidated Application.

Mr. Huhn informed the Board that this was a standard proposal.  He explained that funds were budgeted at 95% of the previous years funding.  The Board was provided with information pertaining to the allocation of funds to the schools, salary schedules, substitute pay, and parent involvement. 

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to approve the FY2000 Consolidated Application.

Dr. Peterman reviewed the 1999-2000 school calendar. He explained the absence of the Mardi Gras Holiday in that this date fell one week prior to testing.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to accept the 1999-2000 school calendar.

Dr. Peterman reviewed the changes in the Personnel Evaluation Plan.  He also explained to the Board how these changes were brought about.  It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to approve the revisions of the Personnel Evaluation Plan.

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Rev. Brown and carried unanimously to advertise for share lease for Section (16) TIN, R8E.

It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to advertise for lease for Section 6-T7N, R9E.

Superintendent Lee reviewed the Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) Application with the Board.  He explained that this was additional cooperation between the Concordia Parish Sheriff's Department and the Concordia Parish School System.  This program would place officers in the Junior High and High Schools on a scheduled basis.  Superintendent Lee recommended that the Board endorse this application.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to endorse the COPS Application.

It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the

Red Cross Shelter Agreement.

Mr. Fred T. Butcher, Director of Academic Affairs, gave a report from the Pupil Progression Committee.

The Board was presented with a report from the Alternative School Advisory Committee.

The Board was informed by Mr. Magee that it was the responsibility of the City of Vidalia for the naming of the street at the Vidalia High School.

It was moved by Mrs. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the following personnel items:

Retirement

Bettye Huhn, Teacher, VUES, effective June 1, 1999

Annie Johnson Bates, Teacher, FUES, effective May 27, 1999

Resignation

Nellie H. Harrell, Teacher Assistant, VLES, effective May 27, 1999

Brigida Cook, Teacher, FLES, effective May 27, 1999

Joanna Green Gray, Teacher, VJHS, effective May 27, 1999

Leave

Sabbatical Leave - Professional or Cultural Improvement

Karen P. Nelson, Teacher, FUES, effective August 12, 1999, through January 11, 2000

Irene A. Young, Teacher, VLES, effective August 12, 1999, through May 26, 2000

Return from Sabbatical Leave

Sue Butler, Teacher, VUES, effective August 12, 1999

Extended Sick Leave

Lee Edna Wilson, Teacher, VHS, effective through May 27, 1999

Norma J. Sims, Teacher Assistant, FLES, effective April 5, through May 27, 1999

Patricia Washington, Teacher, FHS, effective June 2, through June 11, 1999

Superintendent Lee announced that there would be a Board Training Session held on Thursday, June 10, 1999, at 5:00 p.m.

It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to adjourn at 9:50 p.m.

________________________________                    __________________________________

Lester Peterman, Interim Superintendent                       Mike Grantham, President