MAY 2, 1991
LEESVILLE, LA
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH, LOUISIANA, CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON MAY 2, 1991, AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 201 Belview, Leesville, LA President Gunn called the meeting to order and on roll call the following members were present:
PHILIP L. GUNN, PRESIDENT
WALLACE MCRAE, VICE PRESIDENT
GERALD BURNS
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR.
MARK SMITH
BETTY WESTERCHIL
T.B. PORTER
CAROLYN G. WILLIAMS
ARVIL HARVEY
MURPHY O'BANION
B.R. HARVEY
BENARD MCKEE
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Arvil Harvey.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Murphy O'Banion.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of April 9, 1991.
Superintendent Hinson introduced Miss Cassandra Wilson, President of the Vernon Parish Association of Educators. Miss Wilson presented to State Senator Bryan Poston a certificate of appreciation from the educators of Vernon Parish. Senator Poston was one of two legislators in the state that had a perfect record of voting in favor of every educational issue before the legislator in 1990. Miss Wilson thanked Senator Poston on behalf of all educators in Vernon Parish as well as the state of Louisiana.
Bill Endris, Director of Finance, addressed the Board. Mr. Endris reported that it was necessary that the Board set a date for the sales tax pay increase to become effective. On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson and on motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted that the pay increase will be given to all employees effective April 1, 1991, and that the amount of the raise for this fiscal year will be determined after sales tax proceeds have been calculated for the months of April and May 1991. The amount for next fiscal year will be determined at a later date.
Mr. Endris presented the attached budget amendment. On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to adopt the budget amendment.
At this time Superintendent Hinson and the Board recognized and presented a Superintendent's Certificate to the following outstanding groups of students:
LIST ATTACHED
Mrs. Liz Cordova, teacher, 2nd grade West Leesville Elementary, addressed the Board and gave a brief overview of her reading program. Mrs. Cordova was one of the VIGIL winners for 1990, winning $500.00 to be used for educational purposes at West Leesville Elementary.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Arvil Harvey, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to name the attached list new employees:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to approve a leave without pay request for Mr. Doug Cooley, custodian, Leesville Junior High School, April 12, through August 1, 1991.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to advertise for the sell of a portable building at Hornbeck High School. Bids to be received June 6, 1991.
Superintendent Hinson reported that the student uniform surveys were complete. Of approximately 12,500 students enrolled, 5,841 survey forms were returned. The results were:
YES NO
1,681 2,080
Superintendent Hinson reported that the survey concerning purposed Policy #1 was complete. The results were:
YES NO
570 39
Mr. Hinson stated that Policy #1 would be discussed at a later board meeting.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Arvil Harvey, the Board voted to change the July 4th and July 9th board meetings to July 11th and July 16th.
On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve a loan from General Fund to Headstart Fund in the amount of $30,000.00.
Superintendent Hinson called on Mr. Joe Pope to discuss computerized bussing. Mr. Pope stated that the State Department of Education has not made any firm decisions on this issue. The Board discussed the issue and asked Mr. Pope to do further research and report back to the Board.
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to declare Tuesday, May 7, 1991 as National Teacher Day. To show appreciation to Vernon Parish teachers and to recognized their contributions to the children of this parish, the Vernon Parish Association of Educators and the Vernon Parish School Board will sponsor a reception in the Central Office, on Tuesday, May 7th from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to commend all Vernon Parish school system secretaries and to thank them for their dedicated services to this school system.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolutions:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board record with sorrow the recent death of Mrs. Ruby Stevens, retired teacher from Vernon Parish Schools,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Stevens taught in Vernon Parish schools for more than 30 years,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Stevens was a devoted educator who touched the lives of hundreds of children through the years, filling them with knowledge for their future,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mrs. Stevens along with their heartfelt condolences.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to send condolences to Mrs. Diedra Farris, teacher at Anacoco Elementary, in the recent death of her father, Mr. Darrell Franklin, of Anacoco, and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of the memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Farris and her family.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to convey their heartfelt sorrow and condolences to the family of Bernette Montgomery, student at Pickering High School, and
WHEREAS, Bernette was a loving and caring person and she had many friends in this school family. She will be missed by all.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent the family of Bernette.
Superintendent Hinson reminded the Board of the Academic Awards Banquet scheduled for Friday, May 3, at 7:00 p.m.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. McRae, the Board voted to adjourn until May 7, 1991 at 5:00 p.m.
____________________________
PHILIP L. GUNN, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
____________________________
SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY
MAY 2, 1991