November 5, 1992
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1992, AT 10:00 A.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 L. GUNN
MARK SMITH
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 Mrs. Betty Westerchil, Ward One.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. B.R. Harvey, Ward Five.
On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of October 6, 1992 and October 16, 1992.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to open bids received for concrete for Pickering High School.
Mr. Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent, reported that no bids had been received for the concrete.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to open bids received for purchase of an activity bus for Ward One:
BIDDER AMOUNT
EDDIE EDWARDS BUS SALES $35,000, 1991 INTERNATIONAL
ROSS BUS SALES $20,500, 1987 CHEV
$23,500 1988 CHEV
$23,500 1988 FORD
DON WALLEY, PENTECOSTALS
OF ALEXANDRIA $10,500 1985 FORD
(Mr. Moss reported that a fax bid had been received from a bus company in Arkansas and he announced the information received as a matter of record, however, bids must be received by sealed envelop.)
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to take under advisement the bids received for an activity bus for Ward One.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to open the bids received for the sell of the wooden building at Hicks High School:
BIDDER AMOUNT
Doylan Wilbanks $50.00
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to sell the wooden building to Mr. Wilbanks. Due to the fact that Mr. Wilbanks is an employee of the Vernon Parish School System, Mr. Asa Skinner, Assistant District Attorney, stated that he would advise the Board as to the legality of an employee bidding on school property. If it is legal, the building could be sold to Mr. Wilbanks.
At this time President McRae open the meeting for the Public Hearing to discuss the proposed reapportionment. President McRae called on Superintendent Hinson.
Mr. Hinson stated that education reapportionment is a "monster" and a problem that is not enjoyable, however it is a law and must be addressed every ten years. He further stated that the Board does have a plan proposed and, as he stated at the October 16, 1992 meeting of the Board, Pickering Schools are to be placed in District 4. In order to accomplish this Mr. Hinson stated that the following action must be taken.
On recommendation of Mr. Hinson, a motion was made by Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Porter that the Board request the Vernon Parish Police Jury to create a new precinct, 4-3C, as follows:
Beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 171 and a La. State Highway 10, thence proceed easterly on La. State Highway 10 to its intersection with Vernon Parish Road #83 (Also known as Billy James Road), thence proceed first northerly then westerly on Vernon Parish Road #83 to its intersection with U.S. Highway 171 thence proceed southeasterly on U.S. Highway 171 to its intersection with La. State Highway 10, the point of beginning. This precinct 4-3C is to be placed in District 4.
A vote of yea was taken.
Mr. O'Banion asked for discussion.
President McRae stated that he acted prematurely on the vote and opened the meeting to discussion by Mr. O'Banion.
Mr. O'Banion asked that the Board consider moving two military trailer parks out of District 4 into District 9, thus moving an area contained in Jeans Chapel Road into District 4 from District 9. Reapportionment consultant, Gary Joiner, stated that upon what Mr. O'Banion described on the displayed map, it appeared that the "swap" would keep numbers equal as required by the voters right act, however, that he would have to research this request before giving final approval as far as reapportionment is concerned.
Mr. Dowden asked Mr. O'Banion if he was going to make this into a motion. Mr. O'Banion said he would.
Superintendent Hinson stated that he did not see a problem with the request of Mr. O'Banion if the statistics balanced. Mr. O'Banion also suggested that precinct 4-1 be moved from District 3 to District 4. Gary Joiner, reapportionment consultant, stated that there are 406 people in precinct 4-1 (presently located in District 3.) He would have to study the plan to verify that this could be done and he would not link these suggestions together and make them two different moves.
Mr. Hinson stated again that the Board intended from the beginning that no one have to vote out of their school district. Unfortunately, four precincts in District 7 are voting out of their home districts. Mr. Hinson stated that he happens to be in one of those districts.
Mr. O'Banion made an amendment to the original motion made by Mr. B.R. Harvey that would request the Vernon Parish Police Jury to create a precinct, 4-3C, in District 4. The amendment by Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Dowden, is to move two military trailer parks, Vinson's Trailer Park and Shady Oaks Trailer Park, out of District 4, if statistics balance, and move them into District 9 and to move a certain portion of Jeans Chapel Road from District 9 into District 4.
The amendment passed.
The original motion by Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Porter was called for.
The motion passed to request the Vernon Parish Police Jury to create a precinct, 4-3C, in District 4 as described above.
The motion passed.
An amendment was made by Mr. Arvil Harvey, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, that the Board move precinct 4-1 into District 4 if the statistics balance. The amendment passed.
President McRae called on Mr. Allen Bradley to address the Board. Mr. Bradley represents a group of Ward 4 citizens.
Mr. Bradley stated that he appreciates the posture of the Board and agreed with Superintendent Hinson that reapportionment is a "monster" and is a reality that must be dealt with. Mr. Bradley stated that his clients were concerned with the voting rights act and the constitutional requirement of one-man one-vote. Also, they were concerned with the method of counting military personnel. Mr. Bradley stated that he would propose a reapportionment plan on behalf of his clients at this meeting.
Mr. Bradley presented the proposed plan to the Board. He stated that he asked that the Board consider this plan.
Superintendent Hinson addressed Mr. Bradley. He asked Mr. Bradley if he was aware that in the last reapportionment plan, 1982, that there was a law suit filed against the School Board adopted reapportionment plan. Mr. Bradley stated that he was aware of this fact. Mr. Hinson stated that Fort Polk was not counted in the 1992 plan, and that the plan was upheld in the courts. Mr. Hinson asked Mr. Bradley if he felt that this would set a precedent. Mr. Bradley stated that the facts of that case could apply in this proposed plan.
Mr. Hinson further stated that Col. Thomas Tucker, Fort Polk representative on the Vernon Parish School Board, could not attend the meeting today, however, Col. Tucker had previously voiced the military's satisfaction with the present operations of the Vernon Parish School Board.
President McRae called on Mr. Regionald Seastrunk. Mr. Seastrunk stated that he was representing a group of people who had expressed their concerns with the reapportionment. He stated that the plan proposed by the Board adequately meets the needs of the black community. He stated that ten years ago when reapportionment was undertaken, that there had been no minority representation on the Board, now there is a black member on the Board. Mr. Seastrunk stated that he supports the proposed plan by the Board and further stated that no plan was perfect or ideal.
Mr. C.V. Dye addressed the Board voicing his views of the proposed plan.
Mr. Gunn stated that he hoped that the Board would be given credit for trying to do the best they can with reapportionment and that he considers children very important and that he and the Board supports and appreciates Fort Polk.
Superintendent Hinson addressed the Board stating that he would like for all people to be able to vote in their home school districts, however, reapportionment did not always allow that.
Mr. Arvil Harvey stated as a school board member, there are many people living in other school districts who vote in District 3. Mr. Harvey stated that he ran his first race in parts of Ward One and Ward Four as far as Jeans Chapel Road and in his second race was moved to two precincts in Ward 7.
He stated that he would like to see reapportionment done away with and the original districts used once again.
Motion was made by Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, that the Board adopt the proposed plan of October 16, 1992 with the amendments adopted today if Mr. Joiner advised that statistics balanced as indicated.
Mr. Dowden asked if this vote is premature. He stated that perhaps Mr. Joiner should come back to the Board on November 10, 1992, with the amendments adopted to assure that everyone understands what has taken place today.
Mr. Joiner stated that he would study the statistics of the amendments adopted today and that each variation will be considered separately and that he will have figures ready for the Board's consideration on November 10, 1992.
Mr. Smith asked Mr. Skinner what the legal procedure would be with the actions taken today. Mr. Skinner stated that he felt that another public hearing would not be necessary since the Board has held two public hearings. He stated that he felt that if Mr. Joiner found that the amendments were sound statistically, he felt that the Board could make a final adoption of the reapportionment plan on Tuesday, November 10, 1992. Mr. Skinner stated that he will verify his statements and advise the Board.
Mr. Porter withdrew his motion.
On motion of Mrs. Williams, 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 Mrs. Norma Woodward, retired teacher from Hornbeck High School,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Woodward was a dedicated and loyal teacher whose love for children always guided her to be the best in her field,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. Bill Woodward and his children along with sincere sympathies from school board.
Superintendent Hinson announced that the next meeting of the Board will be held at Byrd Hospital. The administrators of the hospital have invited the Board and guests to meet there and tour the facility.
Mr. Hinson thanked all employees for helping to defeat the constitutional amendment affecting education.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
DEFEAT OF UNNUMBERED AMENDMENT
On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
RED RIBBON WEEK ATTACHED
Mr. Dowden announced the birth of his son, Alvin C. Dowden, III.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to adjourn until November 10, 1992.
__________________________
WALLACE MCRAE, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
________________________
SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY
NOVEMBER 5, 1992