November 6, 2000

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, NOVEMBER 6, 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

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

ABSENT:               C.A. HUGHES, ILLNESS

There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.

The meeting was opened in prayer by Betty Westerchil.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jane Holton.

 On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of November 2, 2000.

Superintendent Schwartz presented an honorary high school diploma from the State Department of Education, to World War II veteran, Ray Smith. Philip Gunn explained that during World War II, many young men were forced to leave school to serve in the armed forces and did not have an opportunity to complete high school.

Mr. Ray Fugatt, architect, presented and explained tentative plans for improvements to Hornbeck, Anacoco, and Evans school plants. The improvements are pending the outcome of bond applications.

On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted 14-0 to approve a resolution ordering and calling special elections to be held in Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, Hornbeck School District No. 143 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and Orange School District No. 145 of Vernon parish, Louisiana, to authorize the incurring debt and issuance of bonds, making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith and providing for other matters in connection therewith. C.A. Hughes was absent.

On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to authorize Superintendent Schwartz and the Finance Department to reinstate Vernon Parish  administrator salary index, which was previously frozen, when finances are available and to extend bus drivers= maintenance supplement until the end of the 2000-2001 school year.

On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt a resolution to be sent to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education requesting  that areas of counseling, supervision and administration, be included in the teacher tuition exemption program.

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board is concerned about the statewide shortage of applicants in the areas of counseling, administration, and supervision; and

WHEREAS, present Board of Elementary and Secondary Education policy excludes tuition exemption payments for these areas of certification; and

WHEREAS, the Board feels that assistance in funding the required course work would be an incentive to encourage teachers to acquire certification in these areas;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Vernon Parish School Board fully supports a request to ask the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to review the eligibility requirements for granting tuition exemption to those pursuing certification in the areas of counseling, administration, and supervision.

On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mrs. Vergie Mitchell, of Pitkin, who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Mitchell was the mother-in-law of Mrs. Carolyn Mitchell, assistant cafeteria manager at Pitkin School. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends;

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

There being no further business, on motion 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