November 2, 2000

 

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, NOVEMBER 2, 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

JANE HOLTON

TED PARIS

W.W. PARKER

GAYE MCKEE

KIM REESE

MARK SMITH

BETTY WESTERCHIL

MURPHY O'BANION

PHILIP GUNN

COL. THOMAS SITTNICK

 

ABSENT:               C.A. HUGHES, ILLNESS

                                GENE HAYMON, OUT-OF-TOWN

 

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 Mark Smith.

 

On motion of Ted Paris, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of October 10, 2000.

 

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee resignations.

ATTACHMENT

 

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request.

ATTACHMENT

 

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Jane Holton, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee transfers.     

ATTACHMENT

 

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.

ATTACHMENT

 

Dr. Daniel Kyle, Legislative Auditor and Tim Green, Vernon Parish School Board Independent Auditor, presented an award to Bill Endris, Director of Finance, from the Association of School Business Officials International congratulating and commending  Mr. Endris and the Board for being the first school system in the United Stated to implement the new financial reporting model known as GASB Statement 34, and to further commend Mr. Endris and the Board for receiving a certificate of excellence on this report.

 

On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution commending Dr. Daniel Kyle and Tim Green and his staff for their assistance and Bill Endris and his department for implementing the GASB 34 reporting model.

R E S O L U T I O N

 

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board is extremely proud of being the first school system in the United States to implement the new financial reporting model known as GASB Statement 34; and

WHEREAS, the Board wishes to commend and congratulate Mr. Bill Endris, Director of Finance whose expertise, insight, and energy made this outstanding accomplishment possible; and

WHEREAS, the Board further wishes to commend Dr. Daniel Kyle, Legislative Auditor, and Mr. Tim Green, Vernon Parish School Board Independent Auditor for their input and assistance;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this resolution of appreciation to Mr. Bill Endris for his excellent reporting and to  Dr. Daniel Kyle, Mr. Tim Green for their expert assistance.

 

Dr. Cindy Gillespie and Sonja Funderburk discussed school report cards and performance scores. They also presented  School Accountability Results and a comparison of 1998-99 and 1999-2000 results. The Board also received copies of the Report Card for Principals and The Report Card for Parents.

 

Betty Westerchil reported that the Curriculum Committee had met and discussed the School Improvement Plans.  She asked Dr. Gillespie and Mrs. Funderburk to explain the process of developing the plans.

 

On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to accept the School Improvement Plans.

 

On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to approve a $26,000 loan from the general fund to Hicks Maintenance Funds, a five-year payback, due February 1st each year.

 

On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell an obsolete scoreboard at Rosepine Elementary School.

 

On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell used student desks and chairs at Anacoco Elementary School.

 

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 werewere saddened by the recent death of Mr. Robert McClain, a retired bus operator at East Leesville Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McClain was a loyal and dedicated employee who was will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his family and his many friends.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and request that a copy be sent to Mrs. June McClain and her children 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 wishes to express its sincere sympathies to Mrs. Obie Dickens, a retired custodian at Pitkin School, in the recent death of her son, Mr. Ricky Paul Dickens, of Pitkin; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dickens was a native and lifelong resident of Pitkin and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mrs. Dickens and her family at this time of sorrow.

 

On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution:

 

R E S O L U T I O N

 

WHEREAS, Leesville High School recently celebrated its annual homecoming activities with current and past administrators, faculty members, and alumni  coming together to share the great Wampus Cat pride; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Sharon Hardwick, Leesville High School art teacher, and the students of the  Leesville High School art department donated their time, talent, and hard work, to decorating the stage and other areas of the school, thereby, enhancing the delight and enjoyment of all who attended the event;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board acknowledges and appreciates the significant contributions of Mrs. Hardwick and her students which helped to make Leesville High School's 2000 homecoming a very memorable one.

 

On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted by a unanimous roll call vote to address a motion tabled at the October 10, 2000 board meeting. That motion was made by Betty Westerchil, seconded by Gene Haymon to support as a board Amendments 1 and 2 on the November ballot.

 

Following some discussion, the motion passed 12 - 1. Mr. Farris voted no. 

 

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