APRIL 6, 1993

THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1993 AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA  71446.  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

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 Mr. Mark Smith, Ward One.

The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Gerald Burns, Ward One.

On motion of Mr. Arvil Harvey, seconded by Mr Burns, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of March 11, 1993.

On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:

ATTACHED

On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees:

ATTACHED

At this time Superintendent Hinson and the Board recognized the following groups of students:

STUDENTS OF THE YEAR, PARISH AND REGIONAL WINNERS

FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA, STATE WINNERS

FUTURE HOMEMAKERS, STATE WINNERS

SPECIAL OLYMPICS, STATE WINNERS

VERNON ELEMENTARY CHEERLEADERS, NATIONAL WINNERS

Each student was presented a certificate for their outstanding accomplishments.

Mr. Silas Peters, 5th grade teacher at Vernon Elementary, addressed the Board.  Mr. Peters shared his philosophy of successful classroom teaching.

Mrs. Ila Cook, Vernon Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse, addressed the Board and presented a proclamation to declare the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to declare the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Mr. Joe Pope, Coordinator of Curriculum, informed the Board that  the Progress Profiles on Vernon Parish Schools has been sent to all parents of students.  Also, Mr. Pope reported that the summer workshops sponsored by the Central Office staff of Supervisors are scheduled to begin the first week of June.  All teachers are encouraged to participate in these classes and Mr. Pope reminded everyone that there is no fee for these workshops by the Supervisors.

Dottie Neugebauer, Director of Special Education, and Nita Mallet, Speech Therapist, addressed the Board.  They discussed the problems faced by this school system and other systems in certifying speech therapists.  Mrs. Neugebauer and Mrs. Mallet thanked the Board for their support with asking the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to approve a four year bachelor degree program with certain stipulations for speech therapy certification.  This proposed certification would over-ride the present requirement of a five year degree program.

President Westerchil asked for the bid opening on school bus bodies at Hornbeck.  Mr. Hinson stated that no bids had been received.  On motion of Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to authorize the Superintendent and Purchasing Agent, Mr. Moss, to dispose of the used school bus bodies.

On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to open bids received for the sale of a portion of land at Anacoco School. 

BIDDER                                                 AMOUNT

ROSS INVESTMENTS                                        $2,800.00

On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to accept the bid of Ross Investments for the sale of the land at Anacoco School.

On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to advertise to sell a used maintenance pickup truck (1974 Ford).  Bids to be received May 6, 1993.

On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to advertise to purchase general supplies for the 1993-94 school year.  Bids to be received May 11, 1993 at 5:00 p.m.

On motion of Mr. Arvil Harvey, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to adopt the following resolution:

                                                                                R E S O L U T I O N

                                WHEREAS, application for program funding may be made under Chapter I as amended, and

                                WHEREAS,  a program is now proceeding under this title, now

                                THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Vernon Parish School Board in Regular Session on this 6th day of April 1993 again authorizes the Superintendent to proceed with application for continued funding of this project and to employ the necessary personnel and sign the required documents.

On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the following loans from General Fund:

a.             94-142                     $25,000.00

b.             Headstart '93         $15,000.00

Superintendent Hinson asked Mr. Richard Reese, Supervisor of Transportation, to address the Board relative to the pilot program of video cameras being used on Vernon Parish School buses.  Mr. Reese stated that the cameras have been used for more than two months on school buses with very much success and satisfaction in dealing with behavior problems on buses.  Mr. Reese stated that all buses do not experience discipline problems, and that the installation of the cameras on buses is an option for bus owners, it is not mandatory.  Mr. Louis Massie, Principal of West Leesville Elementary, and Mr. William Carver, Principal of Evans High School, reported that the video camera use on buses at their respective schools had made marked improvements in discipline problems.  Mr. Reese recommended that the following equipment be purchased as follows:

THREE CAMERA ($1,095.00 EACH)                =$3,285.00

EIGHTEEN BOXES ($236.50 EACH) =$4,257.00

                                                                                __________

                                                                                $7,542.00

Motion was made by Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Burns, to purchase the video cameras and black boxes in the amount of $7,542.00 as recommended by Mr. Reese, Supervisor of Transportation.

Mr. Dowden asked if there are other companies who handle video cameras for school bus use.  Mr. Reese said that since the pilot program began that he has been informed of other companies who install and sell video cameras for this use.  Mr. Dowden asked if this equipment should be put out for bids.  Mr. Reese stated that was a Board decision.

Superintendent Hinson stated that control of discipline on school buses is unlike that in a school classroom.  A bus operator must always be in full control of the operation of the vehicle and concentrate on the highway.  A teacher in the classroom does not run the risk of being run over by an eighteen wheeler.  He stated that the cameras installed to monitor student behavior is a safety procedure for our school children.  He stated that  the input that he had received from the Principals was that the cameras are a great help in assisting bus operators in controlling student behavior.

Mr. Dowden stated that he was not prepared to vote on this recommendation.  He asked if cameras could be placed on all buses and if cameras were purchased in separate orders at a later date, would the costs be higher than purchasing them initially. Mr. Dowden asked if these cameras are necessary.

Mr. O'Banion stated that he would like the bus operators to be polled as to their opinions of the video cameras on school buses.

Mr. Reese stated that he had received positive input from bus operators and he felt that this is a definite step forward in assisting bus operators in student discipline.

Mr. B.R. Harvey stated that he had communicated with bus operators in Ward Five and that he concluded that the cameras were not needed in Ward Five.  Mr. Harvey stated that he felt that bus operators should be surveyed.

Mr. Dowden asked if the budget could withstand the purchase recommended by Mr. Reese in the amount of $7,542.00.

Superintendent Hinson stated that he recommended the purchase of the cameras and black boxes as outlined by Mr. Reese, however that the system could not purchase equipment for every bus in the system.

Mr. Arvil Harvey stated that he felt that bus operators should be allowed to have the option of having cameras on their buses.

Mr. Porter stated that he would include in his motion that if more cameras were needed that they would be purchased at a later date or as needed.

Mr. Gunn stated that at one time he had been a bus operator and that job was probably the hardest job he ever had.  He stated that he could definitely understand the problems that bus operators experience and that any assistance for them should be provided.

An amendment was made by Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Dowden, to purchase more cameras and black boxes than the recommended three cameras and eighteen black boxes.

Mrs. Westerchil stated that certain areas of the parish do not experience discipline problems on buses and that perhaps Mr. Reese should determine which routes throughout the parish would use the cameras.  She stated that the use of the cameras on bus routes should be flexible, according to need at any given time in any locality of the Parish.

Mrs. Williams stated that she felt the Board should follow  the recommendation of the school board administration and if it is deemed necessary in the future that more cameras could be purchased as needed.

Mrs. Westerchil stated that an amendment and a second was on the floor.

Mr. O'Banion withdrew his amendment.

The original motion by Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Burns, to purchase three cameras and eighteen boxes as recommended by Superintendent Hinson  in the amount of $7,542.00 was voted on and approved unanimously.

Mr. Reese stated that the bus mechanic position discussed by the Board previously is still under study and he will  report to the Board at a later date concerning this matter.

Superintendent Hinson reported that the Channel One, Whittle Communications, contract renewal is due.  Channel One is a 5 to 10 minute current event and news television program in all schools 6-12 grades.  Mr. Hinson stated that a survey has been completed which questioned all Principals concerning the use of this program in Vernon Parish Schools.  All Principals were in favor of continuing this contract.

On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to renew the contract with Whittle Communications.

Dr. Larry Monk, Assistant Superintendent, presented the proposed school calendars to the Board.  (attached)  Dr. Monk reported that the school employees had voted and the tallies were listed.  He explained that overwhelmingly, Plan I was the most popular calendar.

On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to adopt Plan I as the school calendar for 1993-94.

Dr. Monk gave a brief report of a recent trip to Ft. Lewis, Washington.  Dr. Monk said that the trip was very successful and that he, Mrs. Neugebauer, Roland Booty and Shirley Holt felt that the Vernon Parish School System had been well represented with the military people who will be stationed at Fort Polk.

On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to authorize the Superintendent to sign for P.L. 874 funds and P.L. 815 funds.

Superintendent Hinson informed the Board of the 1993 Spring Teachers Meeting and invited all members to attend.  He also reminded the Board that the Annual Academic Awards Banquet will be held May 14, 1993 at 7:00 p.m. at the fair grounds.

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 sadness of the recent death of Mrs. Mabel Bray, retired teacher from Vernon Parish,

                                                WHEREAS, Mrs. Bray taught in Vernon Parish for forty eight years and then began a private kindergarten, the Little Red School House.  The Little Red School House was operated by Mrs. Bray for seventeen years,

                                                WHEREAS, Mrs. Bray was the aunt of Mrs. Debbie Clark, teacher at Vernon Elementary, and Mr. Alvin C. Dowden, Jr., school board members from Ward One,

                                                WHEREAS, the loving memory of Mrs. Bray will live long in those who knew her and her dedicated years to education will never be forgotten and the loving ways that she touched so many lives

                                                THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,  that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent Mrs. Clark and Mr. Dowden along with sincere condolences.

There being no further business, on motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to adjourn until Tuesday, April 20, 1993.

_______________________________________

BETTY WESTERCHIL, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY