July 20, 2000
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, JULY 20, 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
BETTY WESTERCHIL
WILLIS A. FARRIS
MURPHY O'BANION
PHILIP L. GUNN
GAYE MCKEE
ABSENT: MARK SMITH
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 Gaye McKee.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of July 6, 2000.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Gaye McKee, 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 C.A. Hughes, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to approve the request to rescind a leave without pay on the attached list.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee transfers.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to name Towanda Willrodt to an assistant principal position at Pickering Elementary School.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to advertise for an assistant principal at Rosepine Elementary School.
John Norris, Insurance Consultant for Vernon Parish School Board, informed the Board that the company that currently provides our Property and Liability insurance coverage no longer provides property and liability insurance in Louisiana making it necessary for the Board to seek other coverage. Mr. Norris recommended that the Board change to Zurich Insurance Group.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by A.C. Dowden, the Board voted to accept coverage from Zurich Insurance Group for the period of August 1, 2000 until August 1, 2001.
In a report from the Curriculum Committee, Betty Westerchil, Chairperson, addressed the following five items which were on the Curriculum Committee meeting agenda.
1. On request of Colonel Thomas Sittnick, the Committee recommended that Dr. Gillespie and her staff study ways to incorporate SAT prep into the ACT prep classes already in place in the parish high schools. The purpose of offering a SAT prep class is to prepare military dependent students and other students who may attend institutions of higher learning outside Louisiana that require SAT scores.
2. The Committee recommended that supply money be distributed to schools based on $125.00 per teacher and $10.00 per student based on the October 1, 1999 student count. It was further recommended that principals and schools be allowed to determine how the money will be spent based on teacher input.
3. Mrs. Westerchil explained that Education Excellence FundBtobacco moneyBwill be distributed to schools based on student count and that each school must use the money to help meet the needs of its School Improvement Plan.
4. Mrs. Westerchil stated that she had received a good report from summer school for fourth and eighth grades which was held at Vernon Middle School. A total of 335 LEAP 21 and regular summer school students attended the summer school. LEAP 21 scores are expected in early August. The cost of Summer School for fourth and eighth graders for deficiency removal was $36,312.50 and was funded by the general fund. LEAP 21 Summer School cost a total of $141,597.50. Copies of an explanation of expenditures and funding sources were distributed to Board members for their review.
5. Thirty-one Vernon Parish Teachers were involved in Deeper into Mathematics training to better meet the needs of accountability in mathematics. The program is funded by the LaSIP District Enhancement Grant.
Mrs. Westerchil recognized Tom Neubert who was responsible for writing a technology grant which was recently awarded to the Board. The grant will be used to fund a computer assisted self-paced study program for students at the Vernon Parish P.M. School. Students at the Vernon Parish Optional School will also use the program for remediation and to enhance reading skills.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the Curriculum Committee report and recommendations.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to continue a $.10 per mile maintenance supplement for bus drivers because of the high price of fuel. The supplement will remain in effect until midterm of the 2000-01 school year at which time the situation will be reassessed.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to grant a supplement of $800.00 per year for assistant cafeteria managers.
At this time, Superintendent Schwartz, former Superintendents Creighton Owen, John Burns, Sammy Hinson, the Board, and guest paid tribute to Mr. Benard McKee, deceased District 7 Board member. A plaque commemorating Mr. McKee's thirty-one years of service on the board was presented to Mrs. Gaye McKee and her family.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to table a decision to purchase an activity bus at Leesville High School until the budget can be reviewed.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to award the bid to lease Pitkin School property for oil and gas exploration to Chesapeake for $100.00 per acre for the first year and $50.00 per acre for the second and third years with royalties amounting to 3/16ths of all oil, gas and other liquid or gaseous minerals in solution and produced with oil and gas and saved or unitized.
On motion of Kim Reese, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to advertise for bids for SOAR microscopes and equipment for the parish schools.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, Jr., seconded by Philip Gunn the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay claims.
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 Mr. Kimble Marler, of Alexandria, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Marler was a former teacher at Leesville High School who will be remembered for loyal and dedicated service to this school system and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mr. Marler's wife Mrs. Ollivette Marler, and his daughters, Ms. Linda Gremillion, Ms. Deborah Carver, and Ms. Dena Deshotel 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 Vernon Parish School Board members take this means to express its sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Gary Busby, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Busby was the brother of Mrs. Kathy Beard, cook at South Polk Elementary School, and the brother-in-law of Mr. Lowell Tarver, Maintenance Department employee, Mrs. Patricia Busby, aide at Simpson School, Ms. Donna Busby, aide at Leesville Jr. High School, and Ms. Barbara Busby, teacher at Leesville High School;
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.
There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board voted to adjourn.
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LINDA WEST, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT