PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY DECEMBER 7,1999
The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana met in regular session at the Concordia Parish School Board Office, in Vidliaa, Louisiana, on Tuesday, December 7, 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 Superintendent Peterman 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. Darrell Crofford, Mr. Donald Joseph, Mr. Ernest Lynn White, Mrs. Martha Rabb, Mrs. Mary Campbell, Rev. Johnnie Brown, and Mr. Eddie Coleman.
Superintendent Peterman recognized the Hydroelectric Citizenship award winners for November as follows:
Ferriday Junior High School 7th Grade Ebony Prater
8th Grade Kasey Harris
Vidalia Junior High School 7th Grade Sharron Johnson
8th Grade William F. Marsalis, Jr.
Monterey High School 7th Grade Will Sanders
8th Grade Adam Philley
Ridgecrest School 7th Grade Wesley Cavin
Mrs. Gloria Dangerfield, Assistant Business Manager, presented the financial report for the month of November. It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to approve invoices in the amount of $2,151,694.00.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr Crofford and carried to approve the minutes of November 2, 1999.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to take Item N -Establish Policy fo Rehiring Teachers and Item 0 - Recruiting Certified Teachers out of order.
Mr. Coleman voiced concerns over teachers leaving Ferriday schools to teach in Vidalia. Mr. Coleman requested that a policy be established which prevents teachers from leaving Concordia Parish School System, without good cause, and then being rehired by the system.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to have Mr. Magee, Board Attorney, to look at the legal aspect of establishing such a policy.
Mr. Coleman expressed concerns over the hiring of certified teachers. Mr. Coleman suggested that the teacher unions should work together to advertise the teaching profession. Other suggestions concerning the problem of securing certified teachers included recruiting our own graduates, securing grants and offering bonuses.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to go into executive session at 6:05 p.m.
It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to return to open session at 6:40 p.m.
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried to approve the Superintendent's contract, have Mr. Magee prepare the contract in final form and to authorize the Board President to sign the finalized contract.
Superintendent Peterman presented to the Board a Strategic Plan Process as follows:
1. Appoint Steering Committee
2. Organizational Meeting of Steering Committee
3. Steering Committee Reviews, Critiques, and Amends Process find Consider Selection of Consultant
4. Steering Committee Reports Amended Process to the Board for Approval
5. Selection of Task Force
6. Identify Goal Areas
A. Administrative Operations
B. Budget and Finance
C. Community Relations
D. Curriculum and Instruction and Co-curricular Programs
F. Facilities aid Equipment
F. personnel
G. Student Activities
H. Student Services
7. Identify Goal Area Committees (Teams)
8. Design Needs Assessment Formats
9. Gather and Analyze Data
10. List Priorities in Each Area
11. Assign Cost of Each Priority
12. Reprioritize Needs, Identify Alternatives
13. Identify Resources
14. Adopt Goals in Each Area
15. Develop Action Plan for Each Goal
A. Goal
B. Objectives for Each Goal
C. Specify Required Activities for Each Objective
D. Identify Responsible Personnel aid Resources for Each Activity
E. Establish Time line for Each Activity
F. Establish an Evaluation valuation Procedure for Each Activity
16. Construct a Five Year Strategic Plan
17. Appoint Oversight Committee
18. Present Plan to Concordia Parish School Board for Consideration
19. Select Project Director
20. Begin Implementation of Strategic Plan
21. Conduct Periodic Evaluation of Progress
22. Make Periodic Adjustments
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve moving forward with the Strategic Plan Process.
There was a recommendation from the finance committee that the Concordia Parish School Board authorize Mr. Tom O'Neal, Business Manager, to conduct a study exploring the feasibility and ramifications of separating the tax collecting services from the administrative operation of the Concordia Parish School Board, and by February, 2000, provide a written report which details the legal ramifications, financial impact, administrative and personnel considerations, facility requirements, and a projected Time line of the project is deemed feasible.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to accept the recommendation.
Mr. Julius Huhn, Director of Federal Programs, explained to the Board that Mr. Kenneth Jenkins, Distinguished Educator, was unable to attend the meeting. Mr. Huhn explained to the Board the purpose of having a Distinguished Educator in our Parish.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried to award the bid for Library automation software to Winnebago Software Company in the amount of $20,225.65.
It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried to approve the second reading of the following policies:
IFBGA-R - Guidelines for Use of the Interne (Ise the Internet
EFA - Computer A Access and Use
Policy IFBGA - Computer Internet and Use
GBRAA - Employee Substance A Abuse
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to approve the first reading of the following policies:
IDCa - Summer Session
GAK - Personnel Records
DJED - Bids and Quotations
DJE Purchasing
CEC Recruitment of Superintendent
BH - School Board Ethics
IDBB - Alcohol, Drug and Substance A Abuse Edcuation
It was moved by Mr. Crofford, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to establish the January Board meeting date as Monday, January 3, 2000.
Ms. Rose Tillary, School Bus Operator, addressed the Board concerning bus operational increases. Ms. Tillary presented information to the members showing that there had been no operational increased since 1986. Ms. Tillary explained that the school bus operators wanted the eight (8) cent per mile operational expense which was cut in 1981 reinstated. The school bus operators also wanted the Board to look into paying the cost of the physicals of substitute drivers.
It was requested that the River Basin study be moved to the January agenda.
Mr. Butcher, reviewed the Pupil Progression Plan revisions. It was moved by Mr. White, seconded by Mrs. Campbell and carried unanimously to approve the revisions.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried to approve the revised physician's statement for additional leave.
Bids for the Monterey High School Bleachers were opened. The bids were as follows:
Rowley Group Inc. $37,690.00
D&A Associates $23,998.00
It was moved by Mr. Crofford seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to approve the low bid of $23,998.00 by D&A Associates pending a study of the bids.
Item P - American Legion Post 420 - Request for Permission to Use FJHS Gym for Youth Basketball was dropped from the agenda at the request of Rev. Brown.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to add an item concerning VHS to the agenda.
Mr. Rick Brown, Principal, VHS, addressed the Board concerning a proposal by Louisiana Central Bank to erect a sign for Vidalia High School. Mr. Brown informed the Board that the present sign was an eyesore and would be removed. There was general discussion concerning the advertising on the sign and the stipulations made by Louisiana Central Bank. It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Joseph and carried unanimously to bring the matter before the Building and Grounds Committee for further study.
Mrs. Mary Campbell requested to add a personnel committee item to the agenda. It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried to add the item.
It was recommended by the Personnel Committee that a job description and salary schedule be established for the position of Secretary to the Superintendent/Personnel Coordinator. It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Crofford and carried unanimously to approve the recommendation.
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to accept the following resignations.
Kristen Brown, Teacher, VUES, effective December 17, 1999
Renee West, Teacher, FHS, effective January 10, 2000
Judith Wilson, Secretary, CPSB, effective December 23, 1999
Shanna Tullos, Bus Attendant, effective November 3, 1999
It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mrs. Rabb and carried unanimously to accept all the remaining personnel items as follows with the exception of the Leave of Absence.
Retirement
Ernestine Brown, Secretary, FJHS, effective February 1, 2000
Extended Sick Leave
Hugh Burts, Teacher, VHS, effective Debember 2-10, 1999
Jeffery Ables, School Nurse, effective December 7, 1999 through January 4, 2000
Maternity
Rhonda Moore, Secretary/Bookkeeper, CPSB, effective January 3, through March 24,
2000
Leave of Absence
Rhonda Moore, Secretary/Bookkeeper, CPSB, effective March 27, through May 19, 2000
Rescission of Leave
Sue Ann Easterling, Teacher, FLES, effective December 7, 1999
Appointments
Mary Blankenship, Teacher, Family Independence Wrok Program Instructor, effective January N, 2000 Carl Ray Thompson, Jr., bus Driver, to fill vacant route in Monterey, effective December 8, 1999 Claristeen Beard, Teacher, FJHS, effective January 11, 2000 Carolyn Turner, Temporary, Part-time Title I Tutor, FKC, effective 1999-2000 project year only
Superintendent Peterman recommended to the Board that the Leave of Absence not be granted. Superintendent Peterman explained to the Board the neither he nor Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs, could recommend the leave.
Rev. Brown stated that according to the policy manual, it was within the Board's power to grant this leave in the interest of the school district. It was moved by Rev. Brown, seconded by Mr. Coleman and carried unanimously to grant the Leave of Absence as listed above.
Superintendent Peterman invited the Board members to attend the office luncheon on Friday, December 17, 1999, at 1:00 p.m.
It was moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried unanimously to adjourn at 8:32 p. in.
__________________________ __________________________
Lester L. Peterman, Superintendent Mike Grantham, President