April 3, 1992
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON APRIL 2, 1992, AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 201 Belview Road, Leesville, LA 71446 President McRae called the meeting to order and on roll call the following members were present:
WALLACE MCRAE, PRESIDENT
BETTY WESTERCHIL, VICE PRESIDENT
GERALD BURNS
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR.
PHILIP GUNN
MARK SMITH
T.B. PORTER
CAROLYN G. WILLIAMS
ARVIL HARVEY
MURPHY O'BANION
B.R. HARVEY
BENARD MCKEE
COL. THOMAS TUCKER
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Dowden, Ward One.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mrs. Westerchil, Ward One.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of March 10, 1992.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to approve the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to approve the attached list of Sabbatical Leave requests:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Arvil Harvey, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:
ATTACHED
At this time the Board and Superintendent recognized the following groups of students and presented each one with a certificate for their outstanding accomplishments:
EVANS HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM, SWEET SIXTEEN QUARTER FINALS
SPECIAL OLYMPICS BASKETBALL TEAM, STATE WINNERS
HICKS HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM, STATE QUARTER FINALISTS
PITKIN HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM, SWEET SIXTEEN STATE RUNNER-UP
SIMPSON HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM, UNDEFEATED DISTRICT CHAMPS, STATE QUARTER FINALISTS)
LRA CHAPTER I SPECIAL INTEREST COUNCIL YOUNG AUTHORS CONTEST WINNERS
4-H LIVESTOCK STATE WINNERS
Mrs. Beryl Ford, teacher at West Leesville Elementary, addressed the Board relative to the Pre-school program at West Leesville. Mrs. Ford shared a video taken of this 4-year old class at West and explained the teaching techniques to these students.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to reject the bids received for the 1984 Crown Victoria and to authorize the Superintendent and Purchasing Agent to dispose of the vehicle.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to adopt the attached resolution concerning opposition to collective bargaining:
R E S O L U T I O N
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to canvass the election returns of the March 10, 1992, Ward Seven Wardwide Millage election:
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to employee Petroleum Graphics/Precision Cartographics, Gary Joiner owner, as the reapportionment consultant for the Vernon Parish School Board. The Board agrees to pay Mr. Joiner as stipulated on page two of his contract.
President McRae stated that the Vernon Parish School Board has been elected to be the single sales tax collector for the Parish. He stated that a commission has been formed and that he appointed Mr. Mark Smith, Ward One member, to serve on this commission. Mr. Smith reported that the Commission had met on March 19, 1992 and related information from that meeting to the Board. He announced that the next meeting of the Sales Tax Commission will be April 23, 1992, at 2:00 p.m. in the Board Room.
Superintendent Hinson stated a separate building with separate telephone and address for the convenience of Parish businesses should be designated. Superintendent Hinson recommended that the Board advertise for a portable building to be constructed near the School Board central office. He further recommended that the Board take bids and fund this construction from the 1.5% fee charged by the School Board for the collection of the Parish taxes.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to advertise for a portable building to house the Vernon Parish Sales Tax Collection. Bids to be received May 7, 1992.
Dr. Larry Monk, Assistant Superintendent, presented the Board with the proposed school calendar for 1992-93. Dr. Monk explained that the Calendar Committee, composed of representatives from all schools had met on two occasions to study the proposed calendar. He stated that many options had been presented and discussed at these meetings and that the calendar presented at this time was the one that was decided on by the majority of the committee members (this conclusion was rendered after each committee member reported to their respective schools and received input from them.)
The proposed calendar will be presented to Board for approval on Tuesday, April 7, 1992.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to approve a loan from General Fund:
a. Preschool '92 $8,000.00
Superintendent Hinson stated that beginning July 1, 1992 the loans made from General Fund to school board programs which are approved by the Board will show the loan amount and if the loan has been paid back by the program account.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to advertise for bids for a 1988 or newer model activity bus for Ward One. Bids to be received May 7, 1992.
Superintendent Hinson announced that the 1992 Summer Inservice workshops are scheduled to begin in June. These workshops are conducted by the supervisory staff of the Vernon Parish School Board for the teachers of Vernon Parish at no cost to the teachers.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to advertise for bids for roofing materials for Pitkin School. Bids to be received May 7, 1992.
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to thank the voters of Ward 7 for the successful passage of the millage election for Rosepine Schools. Mr. McKee also expressed his appreciation to the election commissioners who served during this election.
Mr. Smith invited all members and any other interested persons to join the Leesville/Vernon Chamber of Commerce. He stated that the Chamber is sincerely interested in the educational system of Vernon Parish. Superintendent Hinson agreed with Mr. Smith and reminded the Board that the Vernon Parish Academic Awards Banquet, sponsored jointly by the Chamber of Commerce and the Vernon Parish School, will be held on May 8, 1992, at 7:00 p.m. The banquet will be held at the West Louisiana Forestry Festival pavilion. Mr. Hinson expressed his appreciation to the Chamber of Commerce for all that they do for this school system.
Superintendent Hinson announced a workshop sponsored by the Vernon Parish School Board, "Enhancing Science Teaching in Elementary Grades", taught by Dr. Dwayne Inman of APRIL 2, 1992
Northwestern State University for 48 Vernon Parish teachers. This course is funded by the Eisenhower Funds and will give the participating teachers 3 hours of graduate credit.
Superintendent Hinson invited all Board members to the Spring Teachers meeting at Leesville High School on April 10, 1992 at 1:00 p.m.
Superintendent Hinson asked all members to schedule a tour of their respective schools. This annual tour is open to all members at each school.
Mrs. Westerchil invited all members to attend a meeting of the Minimum Foundation Commission on April 14th, to be held in Baton Rouge.
On behalf of his constituents, Mr. Gunn thanked the Board for the facility improvements at Vernon Elementary.
On motion of Mr. Westerchil, 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 learned with grief and sadness of the recent of Mr. Preston Sibley, retired teacher from Vernon Parish Schools,
WHEREAS, Mr. Sibley was a loyal and dedicated employee and was devoted to education,
WHEREAS, Mr. Sibley was an excellent educator and always strived to provide his students with knowledge of the
subjects he taught,
WHEREAS, Mr. Sibley was the father of Mr. Rayford Sibley, former teacher at Evans High School,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mr. Sibley along with sincere condolences to them from this Board.
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 wish to convey to the family of Mrs. Jessie Lea Alley, their heartfelt sympathy,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Alley was a retired teacher from Vernon Parish Schools,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Alley was a dedicated teacher and taught her students with expertise and love for them,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mrs. Alley along with their heartfelt condolences.
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, it is recorded with grief the recent death of Mrs. Eva Davis, retired teacher from Vernon Parish Schools,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis was a loyal and dedicated educator and employee of this school system,
WHEREAS, her expertise in education afforded her students an excellent education,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mrs. Davis.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Arvil Harvey, the Board voted to adjourn until Tuesday, April 7, 1992.
___________________________
WALLACE MCRAE, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY