December 5, 1991

THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON DECEMBER 5, 1991 AT 10:00 A.M.  IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA  71446 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 H. SMITH

BETTY WESTERCHIL

T.B. PORTER

CAROLYN 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. Gerald Burns, Ward One.

The pledge of allegiance was led by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, Ward One.

On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Arvil Harvey, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of November 12, 1991.

On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:

ATTACHED

On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to approve a Sabbatical Leave request for Mrs. Margaret R. Paris, teacher, West Leesville Elementary, for Rest and Recuperation, 1-17-92 to 6-2-92.

On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees:

ATTACHED

Mr. Sam Fulton, Public Relations Director of Byrd Hospital, and Mr. Joe Tucker, Administrator, presented to Mr. Gunn, a reimbursement check in the amount of $18,329.79.  This reimbursement is part of an incentive program offered by Byrd Hospital.  This money will be applied to the Self-Insurance Program for the participating employees of the Vernon Parish School System.

On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to approve the following loans from General Fund:

                a.             Preschool '91                         $ 7,000.00

                b.             Ward 2 Anacoco Maint.     19,000.00

                c.             P.L. 94-142                                2,000.00

                d.             Preschool                                 3,000.00

                e.             JTPA Pals                                 2,000.00

On motion of Mr. Arvil Harvey, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to receive bids for the purchase of a portable building for the Headstart Program:

                BIDDER                                                 AMOUNT

                Fertitta Construction                                           $29,000.00

                Morgan Buildings                                                $23,892.00

                Charles Simmons                                                  $20,350.00

                Pat Williams                                                          $20,156.00

On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to take under advisement the bids received for the Headstart portable building.

On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to change the January school board meeting dates to January 14th and January 21st, 1992.

Superintendent Hinson referred the Board to a copy of Act 939 as passed by the 1991 Legislature pertaining to "Demotion". Mr. Hinson asked that the Board review this document for action as mandated by the State Legislature.

On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to increase the bus size of bus #2, Ramona Bennett, Ward 6, from a 48 passenger bus to a 65 passenger.

Mr. James Ward, Administrator of Support of Services, reported that the three schools evaluated under the state regulations, Hornbeck, Hicks, and Vernon Elementary, all met the guidelines with no exceptions.  Mr. Ward stated that only minor recommendations were reported.

Superintendent Hinson reported that Sports World Ministries is presently making presentions to high school students. Representing this program is Mr. Eddie Cole.

Dr. Larry Monk, Assistant Superintendent, and Mr. John Burns, Steering Committee member of the Vernon 2000 group, reported that the Vernon Parish meeting on December 2, 1991, was very successful with 188 persons attending.  They stated that this Committee, aimed at improving education, will endeavor to work towards all goals set by America 2000.

Gerald Burns, Chairperson of the committee to study the lease/purchase of a touring car for the use of the Superintendent reported that the committee's finding showed that it would be feasible to advertise for bids for this automobile.  On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to advertise for bids for automobile for the use of the Superintendent.  Bids to be received January 14, 1991, at 10:00 a.m.

On motion of Mr. Dowden, 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 do hereby express their sympathy and condolences in the recent death of Mrs. Myrtle Dixon Johnson, retired teacher from Vernon School, and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Johnson was a devoted educator and loyal employee of this school system,

                THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution along with sincere condolences be sent to Mr. Julius Johnson, husband, of Mrs. Johnson.

R E S O L U T I O N

                WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to convey their heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Patricia Williams, teacher at Vernon Elementary, in the recent death of her father Mr. Tilman Jordan,

                THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board also request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Williams.

On motion of Mr. Benard McKee, seconded by the entire 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 learned with grief and sadness of the recent death of Mr. Reid Howard, bus operator, Rosepine Schools,

                WHEREAS, Mr. Howard was a dedicated and conscientious bus driver, always keeping the safety of the children who rode his bus foremost in his mind and for thirteen years transported children to and from school,

                WHEREAS, Mr. Howard will be sadly missed by everyone at Rosepine School,

                THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THAT the members of the this school board do hereby request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Roxie Howard, his mother, along with sincere condolences from this Board.

On motion of Mr. Arvil Harvey, 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 send their sympathy and condolences to the family of Mr. Woodrow Smith, Wildlife and Fisheries Game Warden, and great supporter of the Evans School,

                THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of this Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Alma Smith, his wife, and his children.

On motion of Mr. 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 do wish to convey condolences to Mr. Doug Willis, night watchman at Pickering Schools, in the recent death of his mother, Mrs. Creasie Willis,

                THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of this Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. Willis.

There being no further business, on motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Arvil Harvey, the Board voted to adjourn until Tuesday, December 10, 1991 at 5:00 p.m.

___________________________

PHILIP L. GUNN, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________________

SAMMY L. HINSON, SUPERINTENDENT

DECEMBER 5, 1991