APRIL 20, 1993
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION ON TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 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 L. 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 Mr. Philip L. Gunn, Ward One.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Mark Smith, Ward One.
Superintendent Hinson read the attached call notice:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Arvil Harvey, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of April 6, 1993.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. McRae, the Board voted to accept the attached list resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. McRae, the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests:
ATTACHED
Mrs. Colleen Crow, special education teacher from Pitkin High School, addressed the Board and reviewed her teaching techniques used to motivate children to read to attain grade level achievement for special children.
Mr. Mike DeKeyzer, architect for the construction of additions and renovations of Simpson High School addressed the Board. Mr. DeKeyzer explained that the delay in the school board receiving funding for this project to begin has been due to a change in administration in the Farmers Home Administration and getting approval on the sewer treatment plant. He stated that the environmental quality control authority had many requirements to be met. He further stated that the school board had done all steps in acquiring the necessary funding from the FMHA and that the delay was of no fault of the Board. He stated that FMHA had informed him that they were giving verbal approval to go ahead with the construction plans and that a letter of commitment was forthcoming.
On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to advertise for bids for general contractor for the construction of additions and renovations of Simpson High School. Bids to be opened Tuesday, June 8, 1993 at 5:00 p.m.
Superintendent Hinson distributed to the members of the Board the reapportionment plan books containing the Reapportionment of Election Districts for the School Board of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, Submission Under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. Mr. Hinson stated that the information in the book has been sent to the Justice Department for approval.
Mr. Smith noted that April 19-23 is Secretary Week and expressed appreciation to the Board secretary, Tandy Schwartz, and also to all central office secretaries and school secretaries for their hard work and expertise on the job.
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to officially express their appreciation to all Vernon Parish School Secretaries for a job well done.
Mr. Porter asked about the study being conducted on school board insurance policies. Superintendent Hinson stated that Mr. Jim Prescott, of Forethought, Inc., (the company that reviews all school board minutes and policies) is presently reviewing the insurance coverages of the Board and that it would take Mr. Prescott sometime to complete the review, due to the complexity of the coverages.
Mr. O'Banion asked about a report from Miss Moses about teacher supplies. Superintendent Hinson stated that teachers had received $15.00 each in classroom supplies for the 1992-93 school year. He stated that in the 1993-94 school year we will increase to $50.00. Mr. Hinson further stated that in the future he hoped that this allotment could be increased when funding becomes available.
Mr. Dowden questioned the action by the Board on April 6, 1993 in the approval for the purchase of bus video cameras and black boxes.
Superintendent Hinson stated that he had followed the recommendation of Mr. Reese, transportation supervisor. He stated that Mr. Reese had done much research on the use of bus video cameras.
Mr. O'Banion stated that some sort of bidding should take place in cases such as Southern Electric company. He stated that Pickering Schools alone had seventeen maintenance invoices from this company in one month.
Superintendent Hinson stated that he would have Mr. Moss look into this matter.
On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Burns, 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. Gunn, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to adjourn.
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BETTY WESTERCHIL, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY APRIL 20, 1993