March 9, 1993
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1993 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA PRESIDENT WESTERCHIL CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
BETTY WESTERCHIL, PRESIDENT
CAROLYN WILLIAMS, VICE PRESIDENT
GERALD BURNS
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR.
PHILIP GUNN
MARK SMITH
T.B. PORTER
ARVIL HARVEY
MURPHY O'BANION
B.R. HARVEY
WALLACE MCRAE
BENARD MCKEE
COL. PETER SUN
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mrs. Carolyn Williams, Ward Two Hornbeck.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Col. Peter Sun.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of February 9, 1993.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. McRae, the Board voted to approve a leave without pay request for Cynthia Shafer, lunchroom manager at Rosepine Elementary for the spring semester 1993.
Mrs. Deborah Bretz, gifted and talented teacher at Leesville Junior High School, presented her VIGIL grant program utilized in her classes. Mrs. Bretz explained certain teaching techniques which have been very beneficial in motivating her students to read.
On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to sell a portion of land located in lots 4, 5 and 12, Block 1 East Side Addition, Anacoco, Vernon Parish, LA., the estimated area of the site is 27,930 square feet, the appraised price of the land is $2,700.00, therefore the lowest acceptable bid shall be no less than $2,700. Bids shall be received April 6, 1993 at 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to change the April 1, 1993 school board meeting to April 20, 1993.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to accept the bid of $200.00 for the used drum set submitted by Laura Moller. This was the only bid received.
The following loan paybacks to General Fund were listed:
a. $60,000 Chapter I '93
b. 20,000 Adult Ed '93
c. 10,000 Ward 5 Maint
d. 7,000 Migrant '93
e. 20,000 Chapter II '93
f. 50,000 94-142 '93
g. 40,000 Headstart '93
h. 57,000 Title VII '93
i. 10,000 Title II '93
Roland Booty addressed the Board relative to a meeting he attended for Mr. Hinson about Interstate 69. Mr. Booty stated that local officials and area legislators have formed a local coalition of themselves and citizens to work together to have the I-69 route to run through central and west Louisiana, better serving the State. On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to declare their support of this project by the Vernon Parish Coalition.
Superintendent Hinson informed the Board of the information he has received concerning the financial difficulties of the State Employees Group Benefits Program (SEGBP). The law firm of Hammonds and Sills has been retained by various school systems around the State to pursue administrative and/or legal action against the SEGBP designed to insure equity in funding for health care costs and a sound state program. The state has continued funding to the school systems that are members of the SEGBP, however, the state discontinued funding to the school systems that formed self-insurance programs. Superintendent Hinson attended a meeting January 15, 1993 in Baton Rouge, where Mr. Hammonds explained in detail the situation. Vernon Parish established a self-insurance program for health care in 1989. Mr. Hinson stated that he has received many comments from Vernon Parish employees who wish to remain in the Vernon Parish School Employees Self-Insurance Program. He stated that he would keep the Board informed of the situation.
Superintendent Hinson gave the Board information he received concerning the William Curtis Bradshaw Scholarship Fund. This scholarship has been set up by members of the former Superintendents family to be awarded to a Vernon Parish senior each year.
Mr. Hinson announced that the Simpson High School Lady Broncos won the Class C State Girls Basketball Championship for 1993. Also Evans High School Lady Eagles advanced to the semi-finals in Class B and the Pitkin High School Lady Tigers and the Hicks High School Lady Pirates advanced to the quarter-finals. These teams will be recognized by the Board on Thursday, March 11, 1993.
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 learned with grief and sadness of the recent death of Mr. Ashton "Gus" Elwood Grevemberg, Jr. of Burr Ferry,
WHEREAS, "Gus" was a loving and caring man who always strived to help his fellow man and he was a devoted husband and father,
WHEREAS, Mr. Grevemberg was the father of Mr. Kevin Grevemberg, teacher at Vernon Elementary, and father-in-law of Mrs. Gloria Grevemberg, cook at Evans School,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of this school board wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies to Mrs. Grevemberg and her children in this time of sorrow. Gus" shall be missed by his family and his many friends.
The Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent the family of Mr. Grevemberg.
On motion of Mr. Porter, 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 sorrow of the recent death of Mrs. Vernia Lenahan,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Lenahan was the Coordinator of the Vernon Parish Optional School, she was a former teacher, Counselor and Curriculum Coordinator at Leesville High School,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Lenahan served loyally and faithfully as an educator for more than thirty years in Vernon Parish,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Lenahan's love for her family and school were evidenced by her daily actions and words, she touched many lives and influenced many students to become productive citizens,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board wishes to convey their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mrs. Lenahan and request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. Lenahan, her mother Mrs. Elvina Gotreaux, her children and grandchildren. She is truly missed by everyone.
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, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies to Mr. and
Mrs. Perry Morrow in the recent death of their daughter, Anna Olivia Morrow,
WHEREAS, it is the hope of this Board that the loving memory of this precious baby will always sustain them in times of sorrow,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Morrow is a teacher at the Preschool Center,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Morrow and their families.
Mr. O'Banion inquired of the status of the recent reapportionment plan. Superintendent Hinson stated that he he had been informed by Gary Joiner, Reapportionment Consultant, that the plan had been submitted to the U.S. Justice Department and that he would notify the Board as soon as the Department has accepted or rejected the plan.
Motion was made by Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Dowden, to change the meeting times of the Vernon Parish School Board from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. meetings so that citizens could attend meetings after work hours and to help the Board members who are businessmen. Superintendent Hinson stated that a problem with this change would be that it would be difficult to have students and teachers to attend meetings if they were held after school hours. Mr. McRae made a motion that only one meeting time of the month be changed, keeping the first meeting of the month at 10:00 a.m. and the second meeting at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Smith stated that evening meetings would better suit his working hours and agreed with Mr. McRae. Mr. Gunn stated that he felt that the times of the school board meetings have been working successfully and that having 5:00 p.m. quarterly meeting gave the public opportunity to attend meetings of the Board. Mr. Arvil Harvey stated that 5:00 p.m. caused him a hardship in that his wife is handicapped and he has to hire someone to sit with her after normal working hours. Mr. O'Banion stated that he agreed with Mr. McRae's motion to keep the first meeting of each month at 10:00 a.m. and hold the second meeting at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Porter seconded Mr. McRae's motion.
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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8 yea 4 nay
The motion passed to hold Vernon Parish School Board meetings as follows: the first meeting of the month at 10:00 a.m. and the second meeting of the month at 5:00 p.m.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. McRae, the Board voted to adjourn until Thursday, March 11, 1993 at 10:00 a.m.
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BETTY WESTERCHIL, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SUPERINTENDENT