AUGUST 25, 1992
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1992, IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA 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
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Mark Smith, Ward One.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Gerald Burns, Ward One.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of August 11, 1992.
Superintendent read the attached call notice:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Arvil Harvey, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to rescind a sabbatical leave request for Meri Garrett, teacher, Vernon Elementary.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to approve a leave without pay request for Bonnie Hobbs, aide, Pre-school center for the fall semester 1992.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the transfer of Evelyn Rodriquez, from ESL aide at North Polk Elementary, to teacher at Pickering Elementary.
Maxine Ellis, Vernon Parish Secondary Teacher of the Year, Leesville High School, gave a presentation to the Board, relating her techniques in successful teaching of motivation to students and hands on learning.
Dr. Larry Monk, Assistant Superintendent, James Ward, Administrator of Support Services, and Mike Perkins, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, reviewed recent legislation dealing with school laws.
Mr. Bill Endris, Director of Finance, reported the 1992 Millage Rates. On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to approve the Millage rates for 1992.
ATTACHED
Mr. Endris presented the proposed 1992 Consolidated Budget to the Board for review. The budget will presented for approval at the September 3, 1992 board meeting.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to approve the following loans from General Fund:
A. Title VII '93 $12,000.00
B. 94-142 '93 20,000.00
C. Migrant '93 7,000.00
D. Chapter I '93 15,000.00
E. Adult Education '93 25,000.00
F. Drug Free '93 8,000.00
G. Title II C/O ;93 5,000.00
H. Ward Five Maint. 10,000.00
I. Ward Two Maint. 10,000.00
On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to sell a used activity bus at Anacoco High School.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to increase the bus size of Doris Brumley, Ward Four, from a 60 passenger bus to a 66 passenger bus.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to increase the bus size of Debra White, Ward One, from a 60 passenger bus to a 66 passenger bus.
Gary Joiner, reapportionment consultant, addressed the Board relative to the reapportionment plan to be approved by the Board by December 1992.
Motion was made by Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Dowden, that the Board include the Fort Polk military reservation in the reapportionment plan.
Board members expressed their concern about voting on this issue before they had an opportunity to study the plan. Many board members said they were in favor of including Ft. Polk but felt the vote should be taken at a later date.
ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN:
YEA NAY
GERALD BURNS x
ALVIN DOWDEN X
PHILIP GUNN X
MARK SMITH X
BETTY WESTERCHIL X
CAROLYN WILLIAMS X
T.B. PORTER X
ARVIL HARVEY X
MURPHY O'BANION X
B.R. HARVEY X
WALLACE MCRAE X
BENARD MCKEE ABSTAIN
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YEAS 2
NAYS 9
ABSTAIN 1
The motion failed.
Mrs. Williams asked for a study of the various insurance programs within the Vernon Parish School system.
Superintendent Hinson announced that due to the possible serious weather brought on by Hurricane Andrew and the request by the Red Cross to provide shelter for evacuations throughout the state, he recommended that Vernon Parish schools be closed Wednesday, August 26, 1992.
The area schools to be used for hurricane shelters are:
Pickering High School
Pitkin High School
Leesville High School
Hicks High School
All other schools are to be on alert.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to dismiss schools on Wednesday, August 25, 1992 due to the hurricane.
Superintendent Hinson announced that Stephanie Desselle, CABL representative for long range school board planning, will address the Board on September 3, 1992.
Superintendent Hinson announced school open house dates. Ward One asked that Ward One schools be scheduled on different nights to accommodate parents.
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 heartfelt sympathies to Suzie Ritter and Donnie Shankle in the recent death of their father, Mr. Jim Shankle, retired bus operator for Ward One,
WHEREAS, Mr. Shankle was a dedicated and loyal employee of this school system and always drove his bus with the safety of the children foremost in his mind,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the bereaved family of Mr. Shankle.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to authorize the Secretary and President to pay claims as approved by the claims committee.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to adjourn.
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WALLACE MCRAE, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY
AUGUST 25, 1992