February 26, 2002

 

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL CALLED SESSION, FEBRUARY 26, 2002, AT 5:00 P.M.., AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA. PRESIDENT REESE CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:

 

KIM REESE, PRESIDENT

WILLIS FARRIS, VICE PRESIDENT

ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR.

M. GENE HAYMON

B.R. HARVEY

JANE HOLTON

C.A. HUGHES

GAYE MCKEE

MURPHY O'BANION

W.W. PARKER

TED PARIS

MARK SMITH

LINDA WEST

BETTY WESTERCHIL

 

ABSENT:               PHILIP GUNN, DEATH OF A FAMILY MEMBER

COL. THOMAS SITTNICK (DON ROBINSON REPRESENTED)

 

There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.

 

The meeting was opened in prayer by Murphy O'Banion.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Gaye McKee.

 

On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of February 20, 2002.

 

Mr. Glenn A. Koepp, Chief Executive of Redistricting, L.L.C. briefly explained some of the guidelines involved in the redistricting process. He also stated that in the plan he presented a minority/majority district had been maintained.

 

Superintendent Gillespie read the following resolution for the Board's approval:

 

R E S O L U T I O N

 

A RESOLUTION TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS FROM FIFTEEN TO TWELVE AND TO REDISTRICT

THE TWELVE MEMBERS INTO THE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION DISTRICTS

FOR THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD,

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE YEAR 2000 DECENNIAL CENSUS

 

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board is composed of fifteen members; and,

 

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board desires to reduce the size of the board from fifteen members to twelve members; and,

 

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board has considered several proposed plans to redistrict the school board election districts, and has considered such proposed plans in public meetings, for the purpose of receiving comments and disseminating information; and,

 

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board has determined that it is not possible to redistrict itself and meet all of the requisites of law using existing precincts; and, accordingly, has requested the parish police jury to create additional precincts to be used by the school board in redistricting; and,

 

WHEREAS, a redistricting plan, identified as 12-5 Plan 2 has been discussed and considered;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Vernon Parish School Board that the number of members on the Vernon Parish School Board is established at twelve members beginning with 2003-2007 School Board term.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Vernon Parish School Board that the proposed plan, designated as 12-5 Plan 2 as per map attached hereto as Attachment A, further as per statistical summary attached hereto as Attachment B, and further as per description, attached hereto as Attachment C, which said plan meets all requisites of state and federal law, and which establishes 1 multi-member district from which five members shall be elected and seven single-member districts from which one member shall be elected from each district, is herewith adopted by the Vernon Parish School Board, to become effective for qualifying and election at the next regularly scheduled school board election, and which shall become effective for all other purposes on January 1, 2003.

 

Motion made by W.W. Parker, seconded by B.R. Harvey and, adopted by the following: YEA 12 NAY 2, ABSENT 1.

 

THUS DONE AND APPROVED by the Vernon Parish School Board, this 26th day of February, 2002.

 

The Plan Statistics for Plan: VPSB 12-5 Plan 2 are attached.

ATTACHED

 

On motion of Alvin C. Dowden, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution:

 

RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board is dedicated to fulfilling its obligation of providing fair and equitable representation for all citizens of Vernon Parish; and

 

WHEREAS, the citizens of the parish have expressed their desire to vote in the school district in which they reside, thereby, determining their board representative; and

 

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish Police Jury is the only panel that can set precincts in the parish; and

 

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish Police Jury has made every effort to fully cooperate with and assist the Board in its endeavors to provide the desired representation for our citizens; now

 

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the members of the Board adopt this resolution of appreciation to the Vernon Parish Police Jury for facilitating our creation of precincts to form our reapportionment plan.

 

There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.

_____________________________________

KIM REESE, PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

_______________________________________

DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT