June 7, 2001
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, JUNE 7, 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 FARRIS
PHILIP GUNN
M. GENE HAYMON
JANE HOLTON
C.A. HUGHES
GAYE MCKEE
MURPHY O'BANION
TED PARIS
MARK SMITH
LINDA WEST
BETTY WESTERCHIL
ABSENT: COL. THOMAS SITTNICK
W.W. PARKER
There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Murphy O'Banion.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Willis Farris.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of May 8, 2001.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee resignations.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Ted Paris, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the attached request to extend a sabbatical leave.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Gene Haymon, 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 C.A. Hughes, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Murphy O=Banion, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employees who were not named in April.
ATTACHMENT
Brenda Bealer, Director of Head Start, recognized the volunteers who donated the top numbers of hours helping in Head Start classes throughout the parish. Those recognized and the number of hours each volunteered are as follows: Patricia Kantor 379 hours at East Leesville Elementary School, Kathy McClellan 363 hours and Laura Brach 297.25 hours at Anacoco Elementary, Paula Osborne 318.5 hours at Vernon Middle School, Stephanie Brown 274.25 hours and Kandie Beasley 204.25 hours at Hornbeck School, and Loretta Cox 261.75 hours at Rosepine Elementary School. Also recognized were Julie Wineland, Head Start Policy Council president and Wendy Kreps, Head Start teacher at Hornbeck for being the teacher with the most volunteer hours from classroom parents and helpers and for the teacher with the greatest percentage of improvement of volunteer participation over the previous year.
Tom Neubert recognized the Support Personnel of the Year from the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Those selected for the honor were Mary Dowden, secretary at Anacoco Elementary School, Mary James, aide at Rosepine Jr. High School, and Diane Gibson, secretary at Leesville High School.
Jackie Self present the following proposed video surveillance policy for approval:
PROPOSED VIDEO SURVEILLANCE POLICY
The Board authorized the use of video cameras on district property to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of all staff, students, and visitors to district property, and to safeguard district facilities and equipment. Video cameras may be used in locations as deemed appropriate by the superintendent.
The district shall notify staff and students through student/parent and staff handbooks that video surveillance may occur on district property.
Students or staff in violation of board policies, administrative regulations, building rules, or law shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. Others may be referred to law-enforcement agencies.
Video recordings may become a part of a student's educational record or a staff member's personnel record. The district shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws related to record maintenance and retention.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to adopt the Video Surveillance Policy as presented.
Jackie Self presented the 2001-02 Personnel Evaluation Plan for the Board's review. Approval for the plan will be requested at the June 12, 2001 board meeting.
Tim Ward reported the amount of supplemental sales tax checks for Vernon Parish School Board employees will be as follows: Teachers $1,824.76, aides $1381.85, secretaries $1,452.71, janitors $1,381.85, bus drivers $1,523.58, cooks $1,381.85, and retirees $388.89.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, our Sales Tax Office staff is dedicated, professional, and very knowledgeable of the procedures necessary for the effective operation of its office; and
WHEREAS, our Sales Tax Office personnel fulfill the responsibilities of the office in an efficient and courteous manner; and
WHEREAS, sales tax collections have increased and our school system and our community are realizing the benefits of these collections; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board wishes to commend and congratulate Mr. Bill Endris, Mrs. Paulette Jeane, and Mrs. Denise White for their conscientious efforts that have resulted in the outstanding operation of the Vernon Parish Sales Tax Office.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to approve a resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held in Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, on Saturday, May 5, 2001, to authorize the incurring debt and issuance of bonds therein.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to approve a resolution to receive Rapides Foundation grants.
Kim Reese reported that the District 1/6 Committee had no recommendations to present to the Board at this time.
On recommendation of the Athletic Committee and on motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to approve a map designed to show eligibility areas for student athletes.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to advertise for bids for a portable building at Pitkin School.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell unusable computer equipment at the Head Start office.
In other business, members of the Curriculum Committee agreed to change the time of their meeting following the board meeting from 1:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
On motion of Gene Haymon, 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 Mr. Jerry Bynog, of Temple, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bynog was a native and lifelong resident of the Temple-Vernon Parish area and the brother-in-law of Ms. Linda West, board member. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Ms. West and the entire family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Ted Paris, 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. Denise West Berry, a longtime resident of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Berry was the wife of Mr. T.L. Berry, Sr., former Vernon Parish School Board member, the mother-in-law of Mrs. Gayla Berry, secretary at East Leesville Elementary School, and the grandmother of Mrs. Callie Toney, secretary at Leesville High School, Mrs. Lisa Franklin, teacher at North Polk Elementary School and Mrs. Liz VanDine, teacher at East Leesville Elementary School; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Vernon Parish School Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to the entire family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Philip Gunn, 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 sincere sympathies to Mrs. Mamie Haynes, custodian at the central office, in the recent death of her husband, Mr. Murphy Marvin Haynes; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Haynes was a longtime resident of Leesville and a great supporter of this school system. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Haynes and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Gaye McKee, 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 condolences to the family of Mr. Nelon Calhoun, of Rosepine, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Calhoun was the uncle of Mrs. Linda Calhoun, teacher at Rosepine Elementary School, and a great supporter of this school system; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. Calhoun's family 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. James M. Mancil, retired bus operator at Pitkin High School, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mancil dedicated many years of loyal service to Pitkin School and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mrs. Jewel L. Mancil and her family 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Shelby Taylor, retired custodian at Pitkin High School, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Taylor, the mother-in law of Mrs. Delores Taylor, custodian at Pitkin School, was a dedicated and loyal employee and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Taylor's family 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express its condolences to the family of Mrs. Elizabeth Wyatt, of Pitkin, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Wyatt was the mother of Mr. Floyd Stokes, custodian at North Polk Elementary School and the sister of Mrs. Sintha Cryer, a North Polk Elementary School cafeteria employee; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. Stokes and Mrs. Cryer and their family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, 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 records with sadness the recent death of Mrs. Patricia Durr, retired teacher at Pickering Elementary School and the wife of Mr. Steve Durr, retired Vernon Parish teacher; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Durr was a loyal and dedicated educator and a credit to the educational community. She will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board takes this means to express its condolences to Mrs. Durr's family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, 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 sincere sympathies to the family of Mr. Rodney Fletcher, of DeRidder, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Fletcher, formerly of Leesville and a graduate of Pickering High School, was the son of Mrs. Emily Fletcher, retired custodian a Pickering School, the brother of Mr. Stanley Fletcher, teacher at Leesville High School, the brotherof Mrs. Brenda Darnell, teacher at Pickering Elementary School, and the brother-in-law of Mrs. Tamra Fletcher, teacher at Pickering Elementary School; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mr. Fletcher's family at this time of sorrow.
There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by, the meeting was adjourned.
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B.R. HARVEY, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT