May 4, 2000
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, MAY 4, 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
COL. THOMAS SITTNICK
There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Jane Holton.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Betty Westerchil.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of April 11, 2000.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Alvin C. Dowden, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to approve the attached list of resignations.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Jane Holton, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Murphy O’Banion, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfer.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Jane Holton, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve current employees who were not named on the list which was approved in April.
Superintendent Schwartz introduced Mr. Dale Bayard, member of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Mr. Bayard addressed the Board concerning current BESE issues and answered questions and concerns of the members.
Billie Jean Bauer, representative of the Partners in Prayer for Schools organization, discussed the organization and explained its purpose and goals.
John Farris directed the recognition of students from eight Vernon Parish Schools including East Leesville Elementary, West Leesville Elementary, South Polk Elementary, Leesville High, Evans, Hornbeck, Pickering Elementary, and Hicks. Each student was recognized individually and presented certificates for their various accomplishments during the 1999-2000 school year.
Lee Coriell, teacher at Leesville High School, gave an informative presentation regarding his computer repair class and explained the benefits students gain from their participation in the class.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by A.C. Dowden, the Board voted to approve the Preschool Flow-through and IDEA budget applications.
On motion of Murphy O’Banion, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve a $25,606.25 loan from the general fund to Pickering Sinking Fund.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to move an item regarding bids on copier paper to the Tuesday, May 9th agenda.
On motion of A. C. Dowden, seconded by Murphy O’Banion, the Board voted to receive bids on a truck for the Maintenance Department. Bids received are as follows:
BIDDER BID
Gray Nissan $22,424.00
LaMarque Ford 26,657.00
Walker GMC 22,879.30
On motion of Murphy O’Banion, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to take the bids for a truck for the Maintenance Department under advisement.
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to receive bids for an activity bus for Hornbeck High School. Ross Bus Sales’ bid in the amount of $34,900.00 was the only bid submitted.
On motion of W. W. Parker, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to take the bid for an activity bus for Hornbeck High School under advisement.
On motion of Murphy O’Banion, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to advertise for bids to construct a portable building at Pickering Elementary School.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to advertise for Food Services 2000-2001 Price Quotation Calendar.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, 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 wish to express their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. Van Karamales, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Karamales was a longtime resident of Leesville and the father-in-law of Mrs. Vickie Karamales, teacher at Vernon Middle 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 the 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 heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mrs. Jimmie Lou Smith, of LaPryor, Texas, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith was the sister-in-law of Mrs. Dona Dowden, secretary at the central office, Mrs. Deloris Rogers, secretary at South Polk Elementary School, and Mrs. Dovie Curtis, custodian at Hornbeck School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith was a loving and caring person whose ready smile, positive attitude, and deep faith inspired many 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 copies be sent to Mrs. Smith’s husband, Mr. W.D. Smith and their children 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Frankie Lou Green, of Leesville, who recently passed away;
WHEREAS, Mrs. Green, a longtime and beloved resident of Leesville and the mother-in-law of Mrs. Sissie Green, secretary at the central office, will be sadly missed by her family, her church family, and her friends;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mrs. Green’s family at this time of bereavement.
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 records with sadness the recent death of Mrs. Mary Sue Welch, retired teacher, and the mother of Miss Heidi Welch, teacher at West Leesville Preschool Center; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Welch devoted thirty-three years to teaching Vernon Parish children and she will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her family, her friends and her 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 heartfelt sympathies, to Miss Heidi Welch and her 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 Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Evelyn Staggs, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Staggs, a longtime resident of the Leesville area, was the wife of Mr. J. T. Staggs, former board member. 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 family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Mark Smith, 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 takes this means to express their deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Vera Toole of Hemphill, Texas, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Toole, the mother of Mrs. Sandra Perkins, Vernon Parish Registrar of Voters, was a loving and caring person 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 Mrs. Perkins and her family at this time of sorrow.
In observance of National Day of Prayer, Gaye McKee led in prayer.
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
May 4, 2000