November 13, 2001
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, NOVEMBER 13, 2001, AT 5:00 P.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
COL. THOMAS SITTNICK
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 Philip Gunn.
On motion of Murphy O’Banion, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of November 1, 2001.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Ted Paris, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board to approve the attached resignations.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of , seconded by , the Board voted to approve the attached request to extend a sabbatical leave.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfer.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion Jane Holton, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
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On motion of Ted Paris, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to receive bids on General Obligation Bonds for Simpson School District No. 161. No bids were received.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to accept the proposal of Rural Development for the purchase of the Simpson School District No. 161 bonds.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to award the low bid on Simpson School renovations, subject to approval of the delivery of bonds, to Pat Williams Construction in the amount of $348,000.00.
Cleve Weisgerber, County Agent, discussed the activities of Twin Valley Resource, Conservation and Development Board (RCD) and indoor air quality program. He will get more information and materials back to the Board for possible consideration of placing the program in the schools at no cost to the Board or the schools.
Charles Lewis, principal at Rosepine High School, and Mitzi Martin, teacher, explained the concept of the T.E.A.M. (Teachers as Educational Advisors and Mentors) program which is being implemented at the school.
On motion of Willis Farris, 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 wishes to commend Mr. Charles Lewis, principal, and the faculty at Rosepine High School for implementing the Teachers as Educational Advisors and Mentors program; and
WHEREAS, their genuine concern for their students is once again demonstrated through their dedication to this new and innovative concept which is designed to fulfill the educational, personal, and social needs of the young people intrusted to them; and
WHEREAS, the administration and faculty have devoted many hours of their time and untiring efforts in to the securing of information and materials and the in-depth planning that essential to the outstanding success of the program; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board takes this means to commend Mr. Charles Lewis and the faculty at Rosepine High School and to express its appreciation for their implementation of the T.E.A.M. program as another avenue through which they can assist, support, and encourage their students.
Betty Westerchil reported that the Curriculum Committee had met at 4:00 p.m. prior to the board meeting and to discuss district and school accountability and Dr. Cindy Gillespie explained the reports the system recently received. All Vernon Parish Schools are academically above average.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution thanking all school personnel for their efforts and the good report.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board is extremely well pleased with the recent Louisiana Department of Education District and School Accountability report which indicates that all Vernon Parish Schools are academically above average in all areas; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Cindy Gillespie, Director of Curriculum, and her supervisory staff have provided the expertise and assistance necessary to make these outstanding results possible; and
WHEREAS, the individual and collective efforts of our school administrators and faculties have provided the guidance and instruction that ensures all students an opportunity to reach and exceed their academic goals; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board takes this means to commend and congratulate our central office supervisory staff, school administrators and faculties for their dedication and hard work that helped to make possible the very positive results reflected in the Louisiana Department of Education School and District Accountability Report.
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board recognize the significant of the role of our armed forces, both past and present, in keeping our great country free; and
WHEREAS, the Board wishes to express its appreciation for all the wonderful Veterans’ Day programs presented by our schools throughout the parish; and
WHEREAS, the efforts of our administrators, teachers and students to honor the men and women who have served in the past and those who are serving our country today, demonstrated our great Vernon Parish pride and patriotism; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board commends all our schools for the programs and ceremonies presented to honor all veterans for their service and the sacrifices for America.
On motion of Mark Smith, 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 saddened by the recent death of Mrs. Mary Patsy Hearn, wife of Dr. John Hearn, former and now deceased board member; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Hearn was a longtime resident of Leesville and will be fondly remembered for her community and church involvement and will be sadly missed by her family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board takes this means to express its heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Hearn’s family and requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to them at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Linda West, 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 condolences to Mr. Don Gallemore, technology administrator at the central office, and his family in the recent death of his son-in-law, Mr. Brandy Champagne, of Moss Bluff; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Champagne, Sanitarian Parish Manager at the Beauregard Parish Health Unit, was involved in community and recreational activities and served as assistant little league coach in Moss Bluff; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Don Gallemore and to Mr. Champagne’s wife and son, Tanya and Dillon, 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
November 13, 2001