PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 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, September 14, 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. Ricky Raven, Mr. Lynn White, Mr. Don Joseph, Rev. Johnnie Brown, Mrs. Mary Campbell, and Mrs. Martha Rabb.
Members absent were Mr. Eddie Coleman and Mr. Darrell Crofford.
The Concordia Parish School Board recognized the recipient of the Louisiana LEARN Grant, Mrs. Anti Sandidge, Teacher, Monterey High School.
The Concordia Parish School Board recognized the recipient of the South Central Bell Grant Mrs. Phyllis Cage.
Mrs. Elizabeth Boothe, Teacher, Vidalia High School, made a presentation to the Board describing her experiences with the School to Work Program. Mrs. Theda Nugent, Fifth District Education Liaison, commended the Board for supporting the School to Work Program. Ms. Nugent presented Dr. Peterman with a seminar program courtsey of Dr. John Cooksey, Fifth District Representative.
Mr. Ralph Laukhauff, Hydro-electric representative, recognized the Venture Grant teachers. The teachers are as follows.
Ms. Dorothy Marsalis, Teacher, Vidalia High School
Ms. Earnestine Watts, Teacher, Ferriday Junior High School
Ms. Dorothy Sutton, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School
Ms. Sharon Patrick, Teacher, Vidalia High School
Ms. Dorothy Ulmer, Teacher, Vidalia High School
Ms. Barbara Crum, Teacher, Vidalia High School
Mr. Tim Herndon, Teacher, Vidalia High School
Ms. Willie Mae Bacon, Teacher, Vidalia High School
Ms. Catherine Matthews, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School
Ms. Errna Davis, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School
Mr. Darrell Crofford arrived at 5:45 p.m.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of July 20, 1999.
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of August 3, 1999.
It was moved by Mrs. Rabb, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of August 26, 1999, public hearing.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of August 26, 1999, special meeting.
Ms. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, presented the financial statement to the Board. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to approve invoices in the amount of $1,845,923.00.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to go into Executive Session at 5:55 p.m. It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to return to regular session at 6:34 p.m.
Mr. Grantham informed the group that legal matters along with personnel items had been discussed in executive session. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to add items concerning Robert Mahony, Teacher, Ferriday Junior High School, and Karen Fletcher School Bus Operator, to the Personnel section of the agenda.
Mr. Fred T. Butcher, Director of Academic Affairs, addressed the Board concerning Character Education. The information presented to the Board included the approximate cost of implementation as well as how the program would be implemented
Mr. Kevin Guthrie, W.A.I.T. Training, introduced Mr. Mike Worley, Friends First Representative, to the group. Mr. Worley addressed the Board concerning the Friends First W.A.I.T. program. Mr. Worley passed out an information packet. Mr. Worley informed the Board that 150 to 200 school systems nationwide were implementing this training.
Ms. Lola Jordan, Abstinence Committee, presented the results of a random survey of parents, teachers, students and administrators.
Questions and concerns included what to do with the students who elected not to participate in the training, who would teach the training and WAIT committee being more representative of Concordia Parish.
Mr. Grantham requested that the committee look at all these concerns and be sure everything was in order. He asked that all these concerns be worked out through the committee. Mr. Grantham asked that the committee spend time on the front end so that the program could be one of which everyone could be proud.
Mr. Chuck DeWeese, Vidalia Fire Department, informed the Board that October 3-9, 1999, had been declared National Fire Safety Week. Mr. DeWeese explained how the fire department had delivered fire safety presentations in the schools in the past. It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. White and approved unanimously to approve a resolution proclaiming October 3-9, 1999, Fire Safety Week.
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the first reading of the following policies.
Policy BD - Policy Development
Policy GBRHA - Sabbatical Leave
Policy GBRIB - Illness
Policy IKDB - Graduation Exercises (replaces IKD)
Policy IKDC - Prayer in Schools (replaces IKD)
Policy JCD - Student Conduct
Policy JD - Discipline
Policy JDD - Suspension
Policy JDE - Expulsion
Dr. Peterman, Interim Superintendent, addressed the Board concerning the problem of policy review. Dr. Peterman requested that the Board appoint a committee to review both policies and curriculum. It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to form a new committee, to be appointed at a later date, to review policies and curriculum.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the first reading of the newly developed GBRAA - Drug Testing/Substance Abuse policy.
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It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to approve the Levying of Property Tax Millages for 1999. The levied mills are 3.10 Constitutional, 24.58 Operations and Maintenance.
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to approve the Sales Tax Collection Contract for the Town of Waterproof.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the resolution allowing additional school districts to enter into the Child Nutrition Purchasing Cooperative.
Mr. H. L. Irvin, Supervisor of Transportation and Maintenance, opened bids for Ridgecrest School Flooring. The bids were as follows.
J&J Carpeting $16,914.21
Joe Banks Drywall $14,470.00
Martins Floor $12,404.00
It was recommended that the Board take the bids under advisement until the October meeting in order to allow Mr. Irvin and Mr. O'Neal an opportunity to meet with the principal and be sure the specifications for the bid were met It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to take the bids under advisement.
Lauri Boyd, Attorney, Sturgeon & Boyd Law Offices, presented to the Board a request for rightof-way servitude for the Monterey Rural Water. It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to grant Monterey Rural Water right-of-way.
Mrs. Neeva Sibley, Principal, Monterey High School, appeared before the Board to discuss the bleachers at the Monterey School. Mrs. Sibley explained that the bleachers were old and in bad condition. She had requested estimates on new bleachers and was having difficulty in getting a response from contractors. Suggestions were offered and the problem was referred to the Building and Grounds Committee.
Mrs. Leinda Peterman, Director, America 2000, appeared before the Board to discuss professional development opportunities provided through the grant, including equipment, distance learning opportunities, and PRAXIS workshops.
Mrs. Josephine Webster, retired teacher, appeared before the Board to request the use of a Vidalia School for a K-12, all subject, tutorial program. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mrs. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve the use of a school, after hours, for a tutorial program.
Mr. Sam Matson, Data Processing Supervisor, provided the Board with an update oil the action taken concerning the Y2K computer problem. Mr. Matson assured the Board that all steps were being taken to insure that Concordia Parish School System would be Y2K compliant.
Mr, Howard Jackson, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, presented the new Policy JBCC concerning out-of-zone students. Mr. Jackson reviewed the changes in the policy including the new affidavit. It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the first reading of Policy JBCC - Student Assignments.
Mr. Emerson Slain had requested to be placed on the agenda to discuss Pupil Progression. Mr. Slain did not appear.
Mr. Justin Conner had requested to be placed on the agenda. Mr. Conner did not appear.
Dr. Peterman, Interim Superintendent, requested that the Board strike the personnel item regarding Felicha Morales. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to strike the following personnel item.
Sabbatical Leave
Felicha Morales, Speech Therapist, effective January 4, 2000, through May 23, 2000.
After inquiring if all personnel items were in order, it was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. White and carried to approve the following personnel items.
Resignations
Erica Johnson, Teacher, Ferriday Kindergarten Center, effective August 31, 1999
Appointments
Hazel Doolittle, Teacher, MHS, effective September 1, 1999
Linda Hawkins, Part-time Secretary, effective September 13, 1999
Ginger Wiley, O.S.S. Tutor, MHS, effective September 13, 1999
Jimmy Bowman, Jr., Head Custodian, MHS, effective September 13, 1999
Ricky Anderson, 5-hour janitor, FUES/America 2000, effective September 13, 1999
Sabbatical Leave
Sue Ann Easterling, Adapted Physical Educator, effective January 4, 2000 through May 23, 2000
Extended Sick Leave
Bettye J. Sigust, Teacher, FUES, effective August 12, 1999 through October 5, 1999
Transfers
Jerome Harris, Janitor, FJHS, to School Board Maintenance Crew, effective September 13, 1999
Ferman Washington, School Board Maintenance Crew, to Janitor, FJHS, effective
September 13, 1999
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to approve the Suspension, with pay, of Karen Fletcher, School Bus Operator, and Robert Mahony, Teacher, Ferriday Junior High School, pending the investigation and outcome of charges against them.
Mr. Grantham asked the Board members to remember Mr. Coleman who was still recovering from illness.
Mrs. Mary Campbell, Chairperson, Superintendent Selection Committee, announced the three applicants for the position of Concordia Parish Superintendent of Schools. The applicants were as follows.
Dr. Lester Peterman, Ferriday, LA
Mr. Richard Miles, Monroe, LA
Mr. C. Arsteal Williams, New Orleans, LA
Dr. Peterman, Interim Superintendent, explained to the Board how the school lunch program arrived at the cost for adult lunches. He explained that the cost of adult lunches was calculated using a formula sent from Baton Rouge.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.
Lester L. Peterman, Interim Superintendent
Mike Grantham, President