January 6, 2000
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, JANUARY 6, 2000, AT 10:00 A.M., AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA. PRESIDENT WEST CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
LINDA WEST, PRESIDENT
B.R. HARVEY, VICE PRESIDENT
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR.
WILLIS FARRIS
M. GENE HAYMON
JANE HOLTON
C.A. HUGHES
TED PARIS
W.W. PARKER
KIM REESE
MARK SMITH
BETTY WESTERCHIL
MURPHY O'BANION
PHILIP GUNN
COL. THOMAS SITTNICK
There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Willis Farris.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Murphy O'Banion .
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of December 7. 1999.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by the Board, Mrs. Gaye McKee was named District 7 School Board member to replace Mr. Benard McKee, who passed away on December 28, 1999. Vernon Parish Deputy Clerk of Court, Willie Deon, was present and administered the Oath of Office to Mrs. McKee.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve a proclamation to set an election date to elect a District 7 School Board member to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Benard McKee who passed away on December 28, 1999. The qualifying dates for candidates will be August 16-18, 2000, the primary election will be held October 7, 2000 and the general election (if needed) will be held November 7, 2000.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee resignations
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by B.R. Harvey the Board voted to approve the attached request for a leave without pay.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Jane Holton the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfer.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHED
The Board recognized Mr. L.J. Langlois for his assistance to the students of Vernon Parish. Philip Gunn presented him with a plaque of appreciation from the Board.
At this time, on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board entered into executive session for the purpose of hearing an appeal of a student expulsion. The time was recorded as 10:10 a.m.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to come out of executive session and resume order. The time was recorded as 11:00 a.m.
Sonja Funderburk, Title I Supervisor, presented a proposal for using Title I funds to hire an additional computer technician for the school system.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to refer the Title I proposal to the Technology Committee. The Technology Committee will meet on Tuesday, January 11, 2000, at 9:00 a..m. to discuss the matter.
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to open bids for the sale of two used trucks at the Maintenance Department. Only one bid was received as follows:
BIDDER ITEM BID
Jeane's Service Center and Towing 1984 Ford F350 flatbed $100.00
Jeane's Service Center and Towing 1983 C-20 Pick-up $650.00
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to take the bids for the two used trucks at the Maintenance Department under advisement.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell a used copier at Pickering High School.
In other business, Jimmy Funderburk, Director of Transportation, gave an update on cell phones on buses. Original information from U.S. Unwired was that calls to or from the cell phones would be restricted, however, when the contract for the phones was received the provision to restrict calls was not included. Mr. Funderburk contacted the company concerning the contract and was told that calls would not be restricted.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to refer the matter of cell phones on buses to the Transportation Committee.
In further business, Superintendent Schwartz referred to action taken by the Board on October 7, 1999 to adopt a policy stating that any time a board member attends meetings on behalf of the Board that occur at the same time of a scheduled board meeting, the member will not be counted absent from the board meeting. He informed the Board that Board Policy Consultant, Jim Prescott, had advised that the Board grant an excused absence with an explanation reflected in the minutes of that meeting.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to allow excused absences any time a board member attends meetings on behalf of the Board that occur at the same time of a scheduled board meeting.
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to refer the matter of the purchasing agent position, left vacant by the retirement of Bobby Moss, to the Finance Committee for study.
A. C. Dowden, Finance Committee Chairperson, and Gene Haymon, Chairperson of the Technology Committee requested that joint meeting of the two committees be scheduled for Tuesday, January 11th, at 9:00 a.m. preceding the board meeting.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board were saddened by the recent death of Mrs. Edna Kay, the mother of Mr. Ricky Kay, Maintenance Department supervisor and the mother-in-law of Mrs. Pat Kay, central office secretary; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Kay, a lifelong resident of our community, was a caring and loving person and she will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her family and friends;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Ricky and Pat Kay, along with its heartfelt sympathies, to the entire family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express its deepest sympathies to Mrs. DeWanna Craft, teacher at Vernon Middle School, in the recent death of her father, Mr. Marvin Brack, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Brack, a retired Vernon Parish school bus driver, was a lifelong resident of our community, and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Craft and her entire family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathies to the family of Mr. Aron Thornton, of Hornbeck, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thornton, a longtime resident of the Hornbeck community, was the father-in-law of Mrs. Elena Thornton, cafeteria manager at Hornbeck School, and the grandfather of Mr. Todd Thornton, teacher at Hornbeck School. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Helen Thornton, Mrs. Elena Thornton, and Mr. Todd Thornton and their entire family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board record with grief and sorrow the recent death of Mr. Benard McKee, District Seven Board Member, the husband of Mrs. Gaye McKee, retired teacher at Rosepine Elementary School, the brother of Mr. Glenon McKee, bus driver at Rosepine High School and the brother-in-law of Mrs. Patty Cupit, principal at Rosepine Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McKee devoted thirty-one years of dedicated service to the schools and families of District Seven and to the educational progress of this entire school system and he will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his family and friends, our community, and this board;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mrs. Gaye McKee, her son and daughter-in-law, Dalton and Brenda McKee, her grandchildren, and the entire family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their condolences to the family of Mr. Thurl Burrows, of Dickinson, Texas, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Burrows was the brother-in-law of Mrs. Carlene Johnson, cook at Pitkin School and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Johnson and her family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their condolences to the family of Mr. Charles Shoumake, of Pitkin, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Shoumake was the stepfather of Mrs. Bianca Perkins, teacher's aide at Pitkin School and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Perkins and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their deepest sympathies to Mrs. Peggy Weldon, teacher at Pitkin School in the recent death of her husband, Mr. John Weldon; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Weldon was lifelong resident of Pitkin and a great supporter of this school system and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mrs. Weldon and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express its condolences to the family of Ms. Cheryl Wells, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Wells was the sister of Ms. Regina Wells, teacher at West Leesville Elementary School and Mr. Rodney Wells, teacher at Leesville Jr. High School, and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to the entire family at this time of great sorrow.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board were deeply saddened by the recent death of Mrs. Orgerine Smith, retired teacher at East Leesville Elementary School and the wife of Mr. Hamp Smith, retired administrator at Leesville Jr. High School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith devoted twenty-seven years of dedicated and loyal service to the education of children and she will be sadly missed by her family, her friends and former students whose lives she influenced;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent, along with its sincere condolences, to Mr. Smith and his family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Philip Gunn, on behalf of Gaye McKee, and seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board were deeply saddened by the recent and untimely death of Herbert Ray Whittington, a member of the freshman class at Rosepine High School; and,
WHEREAS, Ray, whose ready smile and quite manner endured him to the faculty, staff and students at Rosepine High School, will be remembered for his respectful and helpful attitude and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution, along with its heartfelt sympathies, be sent to Ray's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert R. Whittington, and their family at this time of sorrow.
There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
_____________________________________
LINDA WEST, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT
ATTACHMENTS:
PERSONNEL CHANGES
RESIGNATIONS
Melanie Hoffman, teacher/Leesville High School
Teresa Young, cook/Evans
Frances R. Burden, teacher/Pickering High School
SABBATICAL LEAVE REQUESTS
Sharon McCain, teacher/Rosepine High School, Medical Sabbatical, 1/18/00 - 5/26/00
Tina Pilcher, teacher/Hornbeck, Medical Sabbatical, 1/18/00 - 5/26/00
LEAVE WITHOUT PAY REQUEST
Jodie Parker, SPED aide/Pickering Elementary, 1/18/00 - 1/17/01
EMPLOYEE TRANSFER
Eddie Johnson, custodian/central office to custodian/V.P. Optional School (replacing Rosie Williams- resigned.
This central office custodial position will not be filled.)
NEW EMPLOYEES
Debbie Lang, teacher/LHS (replacing Deborah Murray-sabbatical)
Wilda Highland, teacher/South Polk (replacing Stephanie Robison-resigned)
Luauna M. Cryer, teacher/South Polk (new additional class)
Carmen Garcia, bilingual aide/Pickering Elem. (Replacing Brenda Capo-transfer to teacher/West)
Courtland French, teacher/LHS, (replacing Melanie Hoffman-resigned)
June Laverne Coney, teacher/LHS (replacing Michelle Farley-resigned)
Sheila Reeder, teacher/Rosepine High School (replacing Sharon McCain-sabbatical)
Denise Driggers, teacher/Anacoco Elementary (replacing Mildred Ellis-retired)
Gloria Grevemberg, cook (part-time)/Evans School (replacing Teresa Young-resigned)