October 9, 2001

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, OCTOBER 9, 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

M. GENE HAYMON

JANE HOLTON

C.A. HUGHES

GAYE  MCKEE

MURPHY O’BANION

TED PARIS

W.W. PARKER

MARK SMITH

LINDA WEST

BETTY WESTERCHIL

ABSENT:  COL. THOMAS SITTNICK

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by Mark Smith.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jane Holton.

On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of October 4, 2001.

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Linda West, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.

ATTACHED

Curtis Clay directed the presentation of school donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Fund. Representatives from each of the parish schools were recognized and given an opportunity to speak concerning various fund raising activities and present a check for the amount of money collected by the school to Ms. Martie Hewitt, American Red Cross representative. The amount collected by the combined efforts of all the schools, $22,103.56, was matched by MacDonald’s of Leesville for a final total of $44,207.12.

On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution:

R E S O L U T I O N

                WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board proudly commends and congratulates our students, administrators, teachers and staffs for the outstanding success of the parish-wide effort to raise money for the Red Cross Disaster Fund; and

                WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish pride and true American spirit of our students were demonstrated by the outpouring of compassion and concern for the victims of the recent tragic and devastating events in our country; and

                WHEREAS, the overwhelming support of Vernon Parish administrators, teachers and staffs was reflected in their willingness to sponsor fund raising activities and to assist, advise and encourage our students in this worthwhile effort; now

                BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this resolution of congratulations and appreciation to all who contributed the time and energy necessary to accomplish such tremendous success in this endeavor.

Wallace Wilson, principal at Pickering Elementary School, discussed the impact of the Southern Association on elementary schools. Pickering Elementary was the first Vernon Parish Elementary School to go through the new five year accreditation process.

On motion of Murphy O’Banion, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to promote Gary Dunn, Maintenance Department employee, from Level I to Level II.

W.W. Parker, Transportation Committee chairperson, reported that the Committee had discussed the bus drivers’ fuel adjustment but would have no recommendation for the Board until Mr. Endris can have a budget report ready for the Committee in November.

On motion of Jane Holton, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to change the time of the Tuesday meeting each month from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Directors and supervisors will be present at the evening meetings when necessary. Willis Farris, Philip Gunn, and W.W. Parker voted no. Mr. Parker withdrew his no vote making the final vote 13-2.

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 condolences to the family of Mr. Clyde Smith, formerly of Pitkin; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Smith was the uncle of Ms. Sandra Suydam, cook at Pitkin High School and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends; now

                BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board hereby adopts this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Ms. Suydam and her family at this time of bereavement.

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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mrs. Lola King, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. King was the grandmother of Mrs. Carolyn Toney, secretary at Leesville High School and Mrs. Liz Van Dine, teacher at East Leesville Elementary School; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. King was a long-time resident of Leesville 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. Toney and Mrs. Van Dine, along with its sincere condolences to the entire family, at this time of bereavement.

On motion of A.C. Dowden, 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. Lollie Russell, long-time resident of Leesville, who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Russell was the grandmother of Mrs. Diane Barney, retired supervisor at the office and the grandmother of Mrs. Leigh White, former Vernon Parish teacher, and Mrs. Deborah Bruss, teacher at Vernon Middle School; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Russell will be remembered by our business community as well as for her volunteer involvement in many local organizations and church activities; now

                BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Barney, Mrs. White and Mrs. Bruss 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board were deeply saddened by the recent death of Chadwick ”r;Chad” Bryant, of Pineville; and

                WHEREAS, Chad was a graduate of Pickering High School and the son of Mrs. Sandra Bryant, bus driver at Pickering Elementary School. He will be sadly missed by his family, his friends and former classmates; now

                BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent, along with its heartfelt sympathies, to Chad’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Bryant, his wife, Mrs. Misty Bryant, and their entire family at this time of sorrow.

On motion of Murphy O’Banion, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

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    

October 9, 2001