September 8, 1992
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA, CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1992, AT 5:00 P.M. 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
BETTY WESTERCHIL
T.B. PORTER
CAROLYN WILLIAMS
MURPHY O'BANION
B.R. HARVEY
BENARD MCKEE
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Philip Gunn, Ward One.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, Ward One.
Superintendent Hinson read the attached Call Notice:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of September 3, 1992.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee transfers:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:
ATTACHED
At this time Superintendent Hinson and the Board recognized the four Vernon Parish Schools selected by the Civil Defense and Red Cross to be shelters during Hurricane Andrew:
HICKS HIGH SCHOOL
LEESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
PICKERING HIGH SCHOOL
PITKIN HIGH SCHOOL
The Principals were presented a plaque for the school and a superintendent's certificate for each person participating.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to commend all Vernon Parish School employees and thank them for their assistance during Hurricane Andrew.
On motion of Mr. Arvil Harvey, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to approve the following loans from General Fund:
a. Chapter I C/O '93 $10,000.00
b. Headstart '92 15,000.00
c. Title VII Bilig. '93 15,000.00
d. Preschool '92 3,000.00
e. Drug Free '93 10,000.00
f. Chapter I '93 50,000.00
Mr. Gary Joiner, reapportionment consultant addressed the Board. Mr. Joiner explained the reapportionment map for consideration by Vernon Parish School Board.
Motion was made by Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, that the Board adopt the plan as presented by Mr. Joiner with a 12 member board, dividing the districts by 12 and presenting this plan for public viewing from September 10 through September 25, 1992, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
An amendment by Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Burns, was made to establish a 13 member board, adding the 13th member to Ward (District) 4. Roll call vote was taken:
YEA NAY
GERALD BURNS X
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR. 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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3 YEA 8 NAY
1 ABSTAIN
The amendment failed.
An amendment was made by Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Burns, that the Board establish a 13 member board. Roll
call vote was taken:
YEA NAY
GERALD BURNS X
ALVIN C. 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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3 YEA
8 NAY
1 ABSTAIN
The amendment failed.
An amendment was made by Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Dowden to move the precinct containing Jackson Chapel from District 9 to District 4 and to move part of the Fort Polk reservation to District 9. After some discussion, Mr. O'Banion requested this not be done. Mr. Dowden withdrew his second to the amendment. The amendment became null.
Question was called for the original motion by Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, that the Board adopt the reapportionment plan as presented by Mr. Joiner with a 12 member Board, dividing the districts by 12 and presenting this plan to the for public viewing from September 10 through September 25, 1992 from 8:00 to 4:30 p.m. Roll call vote was taken:
YEA NAY
GERALD BURNS X
ALVIN C. 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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7 YEA
4 NAY
1 ABSTAIN
The motion passed.
The reapportionment plan will be on display for public viewing and input from September 10 through September 25 1992 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The reapportionment plan will be on the October 1, 1992 agenda of the Vernon Parish School Board for an official hearing.
Superintendent Hinson announced that Sam Fulton, Public Relations Director of Byrd Hospital, has invited the Board to hold a school board meeting in the hospital. This would make it possible for the board to view and visit the services offered by Byrd Hospital to Vernon Parish School Board employees. The Board agreed that a meeting in November would be considered.
Superintendent informed the Board that the staff working in the alternative school program has suggested that the name of the school be Vernon Parish Optional School. The Board was in agreement.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, 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 their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. Irby Perkins, Sr., who recently passed away.
THEREFORE, the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mr. Perkins along with sincere condolences from this Board.
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to authorize the President and Secretary to pay claims as approved by the claims committee.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to adjourn.
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WALLACE MCRAE, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY
SEPTEMBER 8, 1992