January 11, 2000
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, JANUARY 11, 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.
M. GENE HAYMON
JANE HOLTON
C.A. HUGHES
TED PARIS
W.W. PARKER
KIM REESE
MARK SMITH
BETTY WESTERCHIL
WILLIS A. FARRIS
MURPHY O'BANION
PHILIP L. GUNN
GAYE MCKEE
COL. THOMAS SITTNICK
There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by B.R. Harvey.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Colonel Thomas Sittnick.
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of January 6, 2000.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Jane Holton, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee resignations.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfers.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHED
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to name the Leesville Daily Leader as the official journal for the Board for 2000.
At this time President West called on Ms. Barbara Barnickel, principal at South Polk Elementary School, to recognize volunteers from the Fort Polk Community who assisted with the recent paint project at the school. Each volunteer was presented a certification of appreciation from the Board.
Dr. Doug Brandon, on behalf of the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, spoke to the Board regarding the closing of the Leesville Office of Social Security and requested the Board's support in the Chamber of Commerce's efforts to keep the Leesville office open.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt a resolution requesting that our legislative delegation to do an independent study of the Leesville Office of Social Security.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to go on record as opposing the closing of the Leesville Social Security Office; and
WHEREAS, closing the local office would impose a definite hardship on Vernon Parish residents who must depend on the services provided by the Social Security and SSI programs; and
WHEREAS, without the local office our elderly and disabled, would be forced to travel out of the parish for appointments in order to reach a representative for information concerning their benefits; and
WHEREAS, many military retirees have chosen to remain and establish residence in Vernon Parish thus increasing our retired population and creating an even greater need for local access to the services of the Office of Social Security;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board wishes to encourage our legislative delegation to continue their efforts to persuade the Social Security Administration of the extreme necessity of maintaining a full service office and staff in Leesville.
Superintendent Schwartz welcomed Sam Craft, Vernon Parish Sheriff-elect to the meeting. Mr. Craft spoke briefly extending his cooperation and assistance to the Board.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to enter into executive session at 10:35 a.m., to hear an investigative update by Detective Larry Smith of the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Department.
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to come out of executive session and resume order. The time was recorded at 11:25 a.m.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to increase the size of Barbara Jordan's bus from 48 feet to 65 feet.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Jane Holton, the Board voted to name board committees for 2000.
Gene Haymon reported that the Technology Committee had met at 9:00 a.m. preceding the board meeting and that no action had been taken. Another meeting will be scheduled at a later date.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt a resolution thanking Mr. William E. Tilley, District Attorney, and his office for a donation of computer equipment to the school system.
A.C. Dowden, in his report from the Finance Committee meeting, stated that the Committee had agreed to recommend that the Board consider creating an assistant business manager position. He explained that this would not be a new position but would be filling the vacancy of purchasing agent left by the retirement of Bobby Moss. The Committee further recommended that the position require a degree in a business related area.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to authorize Superintendent Schwartz and Bill Endris to develop a job description for an assistant business manager and set the salary based upon educational background.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to authorize Superintendent Schwartz to request and sign all Federal Funding, P.L. 81-874 for Vernon Parish School System.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to grant the bid for two used trucks at the Maintenance Department to Jeane's Service Center and Towing in the amount of $100.00 for a 1984 Ford F350 flatbed and $650.00 for a 1983 C-20 pick-up.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted by roll call vote to change Tuesday board meeting time to 4:00 p.m. The results of the roll call vote as follows:
YEA NAY
Alvin C. Dowden, Jr. X
M.. Gene Haymon X
Jane Holton X
C.A. Hughes X
Ted Paris X
Kim Reese X
Linda West X
Betty Westerchil X
Mark Smith X
W.W. Parker X
Willis A. Farris X
Murphy O’Banion X
B.R. Harvey X
Philip L. Gunn X
Gaye McKee Abstained
The motion to approve the changes to the board meeting calendar for 2000, passed 10 to 4 with one abstaining.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to change the District 1/6 meeting from Thursday, February 3rd at 1:00 p.m,. to Tuesday, February 1st at 1:00 p.m.
The new board meeting dates are as follows:
JANUARY 6 10:00 A.M.
JANUARY 11 10:00 P.M.
FEBRUARY 1 10:00 A.M.
FEBRUARY 8 4:00 P.M.
MARCH 9 10:00 A.M.
MARCH 14 4:00 P.M.
APRIL 6 10:00 A.M.
APRIL 11 4:00 P.M.
MAY 4 10:00 A.M.
MAY 9 4:00 P.M.
JUNE 1 10:00 A.M.
JUNE 6 4:00 P.M.
JULY 6 10:00 A.M.
JULY 11 4:00 P.M.
AUGUST 3 10:00 A.M.
AUGUST 8 4:00 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 7 10:00 A.M.
SEPTEMBER 12 4:00 P.M.
OCTOBER 5 10:00 A.M.
OCTOBER 10 4:00 P.M.
NOVEMBER 2 1 0:00 A.M.
NOVEMBER 7 4:00 P.M.
DECEMBER 7 10:00 A.M.
DECEMBER 12 4 :00 P.M.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, Jr., seconded by , the Board voted to adopt 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 heartfelt sympathies to Mrs. Earlean Hall, retired teacher, in the recent death of her husband, Mr. J.R. Hall, retired teacher at Simpson School.
WHEREAS, Mr. Hall, a loyal and dedicated teacher who devoted thirty four years to educating children, will be remembered and sadly missed by his family and friends, and his many former students whose lives and decisions he influenced;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mrs. Hall and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt 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 sincere sympathies to the family of Mr. Ruffin Scoggins, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Scoggins was a native and lifelong resident of the Leesville and Vernon Parish area 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. Julia Scoggins and her family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Ethel Taylor, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Taylor was a lifelong resident of the Leesville area 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 a copy be sent to Mrs. Taylor's family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board the meeting was adjourned.
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LINDA WEST, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT