Frustrations and tempers nearly boiled over during a work session of the Coffee County Schools Board of Education May 28.
During a discussion of looking in to changing board policy on the number of board members required to call special meetings – the final item on the work session agenda - board members Jimmy Clark and Rubin McKinnon each went verbally toe-to-toe with school board president Shag LaPrade.
LaPrade asked the board to consider reducing the number of required board members from four to two. The notion was met with instant criticism from Clark.
“I ain’t wanting to meet all the time, now,” Clark said.
LaPrade rebutted Clark’s remarks with a statement of how much board members are compensated per month. Each member of the CCBOE is paid $600 a month.
“We get a lot of money to be here,” LaPrade said. “If we meet six hours in a month, and we have never met that long in a month…”
Before LaPrade could finish his thought, Clark interjected again.
“We are getting pretty close,” Clark quipped. “We are now since you have become president.”
LaPrade sternly replied to Clark’s statement by continuing his previous thought.
“If we do meet six hours in one month, that is $100 an hour we are getting paid,” said LaPrade. “I volunteered to be on the board. I ran. I spent my own money. I campaigned.”
Clark once again interrupted LaPrade.
“I didn’t run for this for the money,” Clark said. “That is not my purpose. I ran to support the people of Coffee County. I want to make that clear. I did not run for no money. If it was the money, I could do something else and make a lot more money than sitting up here and listening to us talk. I ran because I love the people in Coffee County and I love our children.”
Clark’s remarks were met by grumbling from the handful of citizens in attendance at the work session.
McKinnon got involved in the discussion by calling in to question LaPrade’s adherence to the board policy.
“It seems awful strange that we have had a lot of complaints in here that were brought in by you and not by the plaintiffs,” said McKinnon. “Is that following the board policy?”
LaPrade went on the defense immediately.
“I follow the board policy,” LaPrade said. “That board policy states that any one that wants to talk to the board will submit those letters to the superintendent. Those requests were submitted to the superintendent.”
McKinnon fired back without hesitation.
“I questioned one of the plaintiffs, and it is written in the records,” McKinnon said. “She said, in front of all the board members, that she did not comply with the board policy. You delivered the complaint to this board! That is not following board policy.”
McKinnon and LaPrade traded quick “semantics” with one another, before McKinnon sat up in his seat and pointed directly at the board president while going on the offense.
“You use things for your advantage,” McKinnon said. “You aren’t interested in saving money. You are interested in doing it your way. If you were interested in saving money, we wouldn’t be paying a lawyer $1,600 for two or three days of work. That just irritates me.”
Following McKinnon’s remarks, LaPrade quickly wrapped up the work session.
The work session breezed through the first eight items on the agenda, before hitting a snag as the board discussed limiting travel expenses for school system employees. Currently there is no limit on the amount of reimbursement an employee may receive following a trip.
LaPrade asked other board members their opinion of potentially capping the meal expense at $50 per day, per person. LaPrade’s submission was met with mixed comments from Clark, McKinnon and Galen McWaters.
The board also discussed revisions of the parent/student information guide, meeting schedule for the 2015-16 school year, meal price increases for the Child Nutrition Plan and review of salary schedules for certain positions.
No action was taken on any item. The next scheduled meeting of the Coffee County Schools Board of Education is set for June 4 at 5:30 p.m. at the Administrative Office on Reddoch Hill Road in Elba.
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5 comments:
Coffee County Parent posted at 9:26 am on Wed, Jun 17, 2015.
In reference to the two Laprade supporters, I too have attended some of the board meetings and have witnessed his ludicrous behavior. No one cares that he is a Coffee County citizen, he never attended any of the Coffee County schools nor his off spring. He doesn't care about these parents who are complaining about their Coach who resigned. He is using them to get what he wants! Under handiness? Why that describes him perfectly! The Superintendent has increased the graduation rate, upgraded facilities, built ball fields, is in the public eye supporting the school system, and so much more. Yet we have a few parents plus board members that complain constantly. If parents, teachers, students, and staff wanted to run the school system then they should all get paid like a Superintendent!
Coffee County Parent posted at 9:15 am on Thu, Jun 4, 2015.
First of all, why is Mr. Laprade the President of the Coffee County School Board? He doesn't have any interest in the school system. He loves to stir trouble and divide the community. Secondly, he doesn't have any affiliation to the school system. He is an outsider. Lastily, he is an embarrassment to our school system. Can we impeach him? Oh wait, is that board policy?
Coffee County Parent posted at 9:00 am on Thu, Jun 4, 2015.
First of all, why is Mr. Laprade the board President for Coffee County Schools? He doesn't have any interest in the school system. He loves to stir trouble and divide instead forwarding the progress of our school system. Secondly, he doesn't have any affiliation to the schools. He is an outsider. Lastily, he is an embarrassment to our community and school system. Anyone who takes his advice is an idiot. Can we please impeach him? Oh wait, is that board policy!
Voice Of Truth posted at 10:33 am on Tue, Jun 2, 2015.
The board chair's true colors will surface. He came onto the board with the intention to cause contention. He is not working for the benefit of the Coffee County Schools. He loves to cause division and has done so, also in other places as well. The Coffee County School system is a great system.
Shelly SPACEMAKER posted at 4:28 pm on Fri, May 29, 2015.
Members of the Coffee County School Board are elected by the people of Coffee County and the members talk about how they are working for the people. However, the people are not allowed to speak. When the "plaintiffs" attend board meetings they are not allowed to express their concerns. They are allowed one person to be a spokesperson and this person is put on a ridiculous time limit. Maybe that is why the "plaintiffs" go directly to one board member.