February 6, 2001
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, FEBRUARY 6, 2001, AT, 10:00 A.M., AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA. PRESIDENT HARVEY CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
B.R. HARVEY, PRESIDENT
KIM REESE, VICE PRESIDENT
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR.
WILLIS A. FARRIS
PHILIP L. GUNN
JANE HOLTON
C.A. HUGHES
GAYE MCKEE
MURPHY O'BANION
TED PARIS
W.W. PARKER
MARK SMITH
LINDA WEST
LORETTA NALE
ABSENT: M. GENE HAYMON, PREVIOUS COMMITMENT
BETTY WESTERCHIL, LSBA CONFERENCE, WASHINGTON, D.C.
There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Ted Paris.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Kim Reese.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of February 1, 2001.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the request of Lorenzo Garner, bus driver at East Leesville Elementary School, for leave without pay.
Tom Neubert recognized Vernon Parish=s school counselors in observance of School Counseling Week, February 5-9, 2001.
Tamara Krenek, assistant principal at West Leesville Elementary School, and Tammy Bell, Region VI INCLASS Coordinator, gave an interesting and informative presentation on INCLASS, a program which involves math, technology, and whole faculty study groups. The program is funded by an INCLASS grant.
Jackie Self, Director of Personnel, presented tentative 2001-2002 employee lists for the Board's review. Approval of the lists will be requested at the April 10th board meeting.
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by the Board, the Board approved the following resolution to support the tax assessor on disputed taxes.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board has limited resources to provide an adequate education for its students; and
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board relies heavily on all ad valorem taxes as a major funding source to provide this adequate education; and
WHEREAS, any reduction in the assessments or collections of this tax would greatly hamper its ability to provide an adequate education; and
WHEREAS, the Public Service Pipeline Service Protest of assessments would greatly reduce the funding for and the ability of the Vernon Parish School Board to provide an adequate education;
NOW, BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Vernon Parish School Board does support the Louisiana Assessors' Association and the Louisiana Tax Commission in its intent to fight this protest and urges its representatives, senators, and the Louisiana State School Board Association to assist in any way possible in opposition to this protest.
Philip Gunn presented recommendations from the School Uniform Committee to amend current uniform policy.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Jane Holton, the Board voted to adopt the following amendments to the parish uniform policy:
1. Shirts/blouses/tops/sweaters, etc. shall be white or the additional color(s) as follows:
North Polk Elementary - green
South Polk Elementary - green
West Leesville Elementary - green
East Leesville Elementary - green
Vernon Middle - green
Leesville Junior - green
Leesville High School - green or black
Pickering Elementary - red
Pickering High - red
2. Sweaters/sweatshirts worn over uniform shirts indoors must be the uniform colors. Outerwear other than these items may be worn to school but not in class unless awarded by the school or are the uniform colors.
3. Socks will be one of the uniform colors.
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to open bids on an activity bus at Pitkin High School. The bids received are as follows:
BIDDER BID
Kent Mitchell Bus Sales $80,244.00
Ross Bus and Equipment Sales $70,502.00
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to grant the low bid to Ross Bus and Equipment Sales, if specifications are met.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay claims.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt 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 sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Lois Meylian, of Pitkin, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Meylian was the grandmother of Ms. Jessica Midkiff, teacher at Pitkin School, 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. Midkiff and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt 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. Reeves Gene Thompson, of Pitkin, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thompson was the brother of Ms. Oleane Singletary, retired cook at Pitkin School and the brother-in-law of Ms. Becky LaCaze, cook at Pitkin School;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Ms. Singletary and Ms. LaCaze along with their sincere condolences to the entire family.
There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board voted to adjourn.
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B.R. HARVEY
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT