March 1, 2001
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, MARCH 1, 2001, AT, 10:00 A.M., AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA. VICE PRESIDENT KIM REESE, CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
KIM REESE, VICE PRESIDENT
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR.
WILLIS A. FARRIS
PHILIP L. GUNN
M. GENE HAYMON
JANE HOLTON
C.A. HUGHES
GAYE MCKEE
MURPHY O’BANION
TED PARIS
W.W. PARKER
MARK SMITH
LINDA WEST
BETTY WESTERCHIL
COL. THOMAS SITTNICK
ABSENT:B.R. HARVEY, 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.
Superintendent Schwartz requested that approval of the minutes of the February 6, 2001 board meeting be postponed until the March 6, 2001 board meeting so that the wording of the dress code policy could be clarified.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Ted Paris, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to approve the attached list of resignations.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Jane Holton, the Board voted to approve the attached request for a sabbatical leave.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Murphy O’Banion, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve the attached request for a leave without pay.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHED
Betty Westerchil presented a plaque of appreciation to Mrs. Flo Hover for her years of dedicated service to the Vernon Parish School System while serving as Vernon Parish extension agent.
Kim Nugent and Donnis Poe gave an interesting and informative presentation on Vernon Parish School System’s Tech Prep, Career and Technical Education, and School-to-Work program. Highlights of the presentation were Governor-appointed Secondary School Redesign, Career and Technical Endorsement and Academic Endorsement, Industry-based Certification, Articulation between secondary and post-secondary, Career Information and Counseling, and Act 1124.
Don Gallemore, technology administrator for the Vernon Parish School System, in his technology update, reported that 52 technology workshops have been held in the last six months and 752 teachers and staff have attended. New computers are being assigned to teachers who have documented InTech training and at this time, more than 80 computers have been assigned. He reported that eight E-rate applications have been filed resulting in approximately $100,000.00 savings to the Board. Additionally, our system has been awarded grants from Microsoft and the U.S. Forestry Service for computer equipment.
Mr. Gallemore further reported that student and personnel records are being placed on CD’s allowing faster access to these records and reducing any risks of misplaced or misfiled records.
Superintendent Schwartz presented his recommendation for making up the two days the schools were closed because of the employee sick-out as follows:
Thursday, May 31st - Change 1/2 day for students to a full day
Friday, June 1st - Change 1/2 day for students to a full day
Monday, June 4th - Add a full day for students. This would be the last student day for the school year
Tuesday, June 5th - Add a Teacher Work Day. This would be the last day for teachers.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted 13-1 to approve Superintendent Schwartz’s recommendation. Linda West opposed and B.R. Harvey was absent.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to proclaim March American Red Cross Month and Friday, March 30th as American Red Cross Day in Vernon Parish Schools.
On motion of Murphy O’Banion, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to advertise for bids to purchase a bus for the Special Education Department.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Murphy O’Banion, the Board voted to advertise for bids to purchase bleachers for Pitkin High School gym.
On motion of Willis Farris, 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. William D. Fountain, of Port Arthur, Texas, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Fountain was the brother-in-law of Mr. B.R. Harvey, District 5 board member, and the uncle of Mr. Donald Bush, counselor at Pickering High 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 Mrs. Lee Fountain and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, 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 was deeply saddened by the recent death of Mr. Paul Sliman, retired District I bus operator; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sliman was a loyal and dedicated employee and he will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his family and friends, and the faculties, staffs, and students of the schools he served;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the members of this board adopt this memorial resolution and request that a copy be sent, along with their heartfelt condolences, to Mr. Sliman’s family at this time of sorrow.
There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
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B.R. HARVEY
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT
March 1, 2001