March 9, 2000
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, MARCH 9, 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
GAYE MCKEE
KIM REESE
MARK SMITH
BETTY WESTERCHIL
MURPHY O’BANION
PHILIP GUNN
ABSENT: COL. THOMAS SITTNICK
There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by A.C. Dowden, Jr.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Gene Haymon.
On motion of Ted Paris, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of February 8, 2000.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee resignations.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Murphy O’Banion, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the attached employee termination
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Jane Holton, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave requests.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached request for leave without pay.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Murphy O’Banion, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfers.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Murphy O’Banion, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHED
Leesville Mayor Jim Shapkoff addressed the Board concerning a parish-wide recreation tax proposal which will be on the ballot April 15, 2000. The goal of the tax is to fund construction, improvement, operation and maintenance of public parks and recreational facilities throughout the parish.
Jimmy Funderburk, Director of Athletics, introduced Coach Vic Ortiz and the Anacoco girl’s basketball team, Class B State Champion. Each team member was recognized individually and presented with a certificate of achievement. The team received a plaque to commemorate the accomplishment along with a plaque presented to Coach Ortiz.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Jane Holton, the Board voted to appoint Mr. Tim Ward to the assistant business manager position.
Mr. Mike Kay, assistant principal at Evans School, gave a presentation on the Forestry Technology Academy at the school. He explained the purpose of the program is to prepare students for gainful employment in forestry related industry through hands-on application.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution commending Mr. Mike Kay and the administration, staff and students at Evans School.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to commend Mr. William Carver, principal, Mr. Mike Kay, assistant principal, the staff, and students for the success of the Forestry Academy at Evans High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mike Kay was instrumental in establishing the program and through his insight and untiring efforts this innovative and beneficial curriculum is now being offered to the students at Evans High School;
WHEREAS, the forestry and paper products industry has an enormous impact on the economy of our area and with this knowledge, it is not only appropriate but necessary that our students be offered an opportunity to prepare for possible future employment in the field;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board takes this means to commend and congratulate the administration, faculty, and students at Evans High School for their outstanding Forestry Academy and to wish them continued success with this very worthwhile endeavor.
Kathy Jarrell, president of the Vernon Parish Bus Operators Association, presented a request from the Association, for an increase in maintenance checks to help defer the current higher costs of fuel.
Superintendent Schwartz announced that a meeting of the Finance Committee would be held before the Tuesday, March 14th board meeting to consider the request and to try to remedy the situation. The Finance Committee meeting was scheduled for 4:00 p.m., Thursday, March 9th.
A.C. Dowden, Jr., in his report from the Finance Committee, gave the Committee’s recommendation to replace the air conditioning equipment at South Polk Elementary School at a cost of $125,000.00. He explained that the frequent repairs to the existing equipment were becoming increasingly more expensive. Bid advertisement for the new air conditioning equipment will be placed on the Tuesday, March 14th board meeting agenda.
Mr. Dowden stated that a request for financial assistance for the air conditioning equipment for South Polk Elementary and for a new roof for the building will be sent to our congressional delegation.
Mr. Dowden, in further report from the Finance Committee, voiced his concerns regarding the cost to the board for garbage collection and his feeling that the service should be provided through the Police Jury.
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve a recommendation of the Transportation Committee to install cell phones on all school buses.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to receive bids on floor tile for the District I schools. Bids received are as follows:
BIDDER TILE ADHESIVE TOTAL
Alexander’s Paint & Floor Covering $43,318.25 $3,000.00 $44,318.25
Leesville Flooring 38,335.91 2,476.03 40,810.94
Leesville Paint & Decorating 44,586.00 3,660.00 48,228.00
Lowe’s Home Centers (Leesville) 41,355.39 2,928.00 44,283.39
Sherwin Williams 35,078.73 3,260.40 38,339.13
On motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to take the bids for floor tile for District I schools under advisement.
On motion of Ted Paris, seconded by A.C. Dowden, Jr., the Board voted to receive bids on gym bleachers for Leesville High School. Bids received are as follows:
BIDDER BID
Insight, Inc. $ 53,265.00 (+ $9,443.00 for installation)
School Specialty 20,505.45
Louisiana School Equipment Company 68,792.00
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to take the bids for gym bleachers for Leesville High School under advisement.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express its heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mrs. Gladys Whitlock, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Whitlock was the mother of Mr. George L. Whitlock, retired teacher at Pitkin School, and the mother-in-law of Mrs. Sandra Whitlock, curriculum supervisor for Vernon Parish Schools;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to George L. and Sandra Whitlock and their entire family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of A. C. Dowden, Jr., 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 heartfelt sympathies to the family of Ms. Joy Faye Dowden, of Anacoco, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Dowden, a lifelong resident of Vernon Parish, was the aunt of Miss Larilyn Dowden, teacher at East Leesville Elementary School and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy ofthis memorial resolution be sent to Miss Larilyn Dowden and her family at this time of bereavement.
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
March 9, 2000