November 10, 1992
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 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
COL. THOMAS TUCKER
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. B.R. Harvey, Ward Five.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Murphy O' Banion, Ward Four.
Superintendent Hinson read the attached call notice:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of November 5, 1992.
At this time the Superintendent and Board recognized the girls who participated in the West Louisiana Forestry Festival Pageant and the Lions Club Rodeo Queens Contest.
Mr. Bud Briethaup, Mor-Tem Risk Management Services, addressed the Board relative to comprehensive insurance coverages.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approved the requests for sabbatical leaves:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Arvil Harvey, the Board voted to advertise for bids for air conditioners for Pickering High School.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to advertise for bids for concrete for Pickering High School.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to advertise to sell unusable industrial arts equipment at Leesville High School.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to accept the following bus bids for Ward One activity bus:
BIDS ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to approve the following loans from General Fund:
a. Title II '93 $10,000.00
b. Chapter I '93 $15,000.00
c. Ad Ed '93 $15,000.00
d. Headstart '93 $30,000.00
e. 94-142 '92 $15,000.00
f. Headstart '93 $10,000.00
At this time President McRae announced that the floor was open for discussion of reapportionment.
Superintendent Hinson recommended that the reapportionment plan presented by Mr. Allen Bradley, attorney for certain residents of Ward 4, be rejected.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to reject the reapportionment plan presented by Mr. Bradley.
One nay vote by Mr. O'Banion was cast.
Motion was made by Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, that the Board adopt the original Vernon Parish School Board reapportionment plan as reviewed by the public from October 16, 1992 through November 5, 1992. This plan shall include the following amendment numbers one through six and the following three precinct changes if and only if the Vernon Parish School Jury approves amendments one through six.
Mr. O'Banion called for discussion.
Mr. Dowden asked that consideration be given to establish divisions in District 9, such as A, B, C and D divisions, with no residency requirements and 4 members to run at-large in this district.
Discussion.
Motion was made by Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, that the Board establish at -large divisions in District 9, such as A, B, C, and D divisions, thus making separate and distinct divisions, with no residency requirements.
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 X
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3 YEA 9 NAY
The motion failed.
The motion by Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, to adopt the original Vernon Parish School Board reapportionment plan as reviewed by the public from October 16, 1992 through November 5, 1992. This plan shall include the following amendment numbers one through six and the following three precinct changes if and only if the Vernon Parish Police Jury approves amendments one through six was as voted on.
The motion passed with one nay vote by Mr. O'Banion.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to request the Vernon Parish Police Jury to approve the following:
AMENDMENT 1: To cut precinct 4-3 to include Pickering Schools as follows:
Beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 171 and 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. If the Vernon Parish Police Jury approves Amendment 1, this precinct will be placed in District 4. The Vernon Parish School Board will pay expenses incurred for this precinct if this payment is determined to be legal.
The motion passed.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to request the Vernon Parish Police Jury approve amendment numbers 2 through 6. (Amendments 2 through 6 are inclusive and if the Police Jury does not approve all amendments, 2 through 6, then the original plan will include Amendment 1 only.):
AMENDMENT 2: Cut Precinct 4-3A to exclude Vinson Trailer Park and Shady Oaks Trailer Park. The resulting precinct including both trailer parks will move to District 9.
AMENDMENT 3: Cut precinct 4-3 Northwest of Jeans Chapel Road. The resulting precinct northwest of Jeans Chapel Road will move to District 4.
AMENDMENT 4: Cut Precinct 7-2A from the northeast corner of Precinct 7-2 directly east to Precinct 7-5B. The resulting precinct, the northern portion of 7-2A will remain in District 7.
AMENDMENT 5: Create a null precinct (no population) between cut 6 and the corporate limits of Rosepine. This null precinct will move to District 3.
AMENDMENT 6: Cut Precinct 7-2A from the northeast corner of Precinct 7-2 directly east to precinct 7-5B. The resulting precinct, the southern portion of 7-2A will remain in District 7.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to move the following precincts, these precincts changes are inclusive and will be made if and only if the Vernon Parish Police Jury approves Amendments 2 through 6.
Precinct 4-1 to District 4
Precinct 7-5B to District 3
Precinct 7-5A to District 7
Mr. O'Banion requested that Gary Joiner, Reapportionment Consultant, supply each board member with map of the adopted reapportionment plan.
Superintendent Hinson reported to the Board that Fort Polk has requested to set up collection bins for the purpose of recycling of waste materials at North and South Polk schools. He stated that Col. Tucker had requested approval from the Board for this recycling to be done.
On motion of Mr. Arvil Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the collection of waste materials for the purpose of recycling at North and South Polk Elementary schools.
Superintendent Hinson discussed with the Board a situation with speech therapists' certification. Mr. Hinson stated that Vernon Parish has an excessive shortage of speech therapists. Some other parishes experience the same problem also with occupational therapists and physical therapists. He and Dottie Neugebauer, Director of Special Education, have been working with the State Department of Education to get this problem corrected. Presently, speech therapists, occupational therapists and physical therapists must hold a masters degree with license from the State Board of Examiners to be approved for employment as a certified therapist. In Vernon Parish there are speech therapists who hold bachelor degrees who could provide services for children, if the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education would allow certification for these people. With Board approval, he and Mrs. Neugebauer would approach the Board of Examiners for the licensing of therapists to make revisions in certification.
On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to support and approve Superintendent Hinson's recommendation that he and Mrs. Neugebauer make a request that revisions be made in speech therapists certification.
Asa Skinner, Assistant District Attorney, reported that the bid received for the sell of the wooden building at Hicks High School on November 5, 1992 by Doylan Wilbanks was a legal bid. Therefore the bid is awarded to Mr. Wilbanks in the amount of $50.00.
Col. Thomas Tucker, Fort Polk Representative on the Board, reported that he begins his retirement on November 23, 1992. On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board acknowledge the vital role and important contributions of Col. Thomas Tucker, Garrison Commander of Fort Polk and the military representative on the Vernon Parish School Board,
WHEREAS, Col. Tucker represented the military families of Fort Polk with enthusiasm
and sincere concern for the welfare of the dependent children of the Fort Polk soldier,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of this Board extend to Col. Tucker their sincere appreciation and wish him the best of luck in his retirement.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr Porter, the Board voted to authorize the President and Secretary to pay claims as approved by the claims committee.
On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to adjourn.
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WALLACE MCRAE, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY