AUGUST 3, 1993
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1993 AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 201 BELVEIW 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
There was also Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Gerald Burns, Ward One.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mrs. Carolyn Williams, Ward Two Hornbeck.
On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
attached
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to approve the transfer of Beth Russell, from aide to secretary at Leesville Junior High School.
On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to approve Penny Ronayane, as bus driver at Anacoco School.
Mr. Billy Crawford, Principal of Leesville High School, gave a report to the Board relative to "High Schools That Work". This program is a branch of Tech Prep, blending academic subjects with vocational areas for high school students. Mr. Crawford and the committee attended a nation wide meeting in Alabama recently. There are 19 states receiving federal funding for this pilot program.
On recommendation of Mr. Moss, Purchasing Agent, and on motion of Mr. Porter seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to award the milk bid for parish schools to Borden Milk Company, the overall low bidder. Bids kept on file in the office of the Purchasing Agent.
On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to accept the low bid of Cotton Brothers Bakery for bread for parish schools. Bids kept on file in the office of the Purchasing Agent.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to approve the following loans from General Fund:
a. Migrant $ 2,100
b. Headstart 40,000
c. Chapter I 50,000
d. Starting Points 4,500
e. Early Childhood 5,000
f. Chapter II '93 10,000
g. Headstart '93 10,000
Superintendent Hinson explained that the meat processing plant at Hornbeck has recently been closed. Because of this closure there has been a large increase in the production at the Evans meat plant. On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson and on motion of Mr. Arvil Harvey, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to increase the general fund allotment by $100.00 to the Evans meat processing plant for operations.
At this time President Westerchil asked Mr. B.R. Harvey, Chairperson of the Salary Committee, to give a report to the Board. Mr. Harvey stated that the Committee met on August 2, 1993 at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Harvey stated that the Committee's recommendation was to accept the proposed salary increase schedules for all Vernon Parish School employees for 1993-94 and to begin with the 1993-94 school year as presented to each school board member.
Motion was made by Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. McKee to accept the salary proposal as presented based on a student enrollment count of 10,300 and that these 1993-94 salary increases will begin August 18, 1993.
An amendment was made by Mr. Burns to call a Finance Committee Meeting before accepting the recommendation of the Salary Committee to approve the proposed salary increases, with a second from Mr. Smith. Roll Call vote was taken:
YEA NAY
Gerald Burns X
Alvin C. Dowden 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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4 YEA 8 NAY
The amendment was defeated.
Question was called for the original motion. On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to accept the proposed salary increases as presented based on a student enrollment count of 10,300 and that these 1993-94 salary increases will begin August 18, 1993. (Copies of salaries are kept on file in the office of the Director of Finance).
Roll Call vote was taken:
YEA NAY
Gerald Burns X
Alvin C. Dowden ABSTAIN
****Mr. Dowden stated that due to the fact that he was out of town and could not attend the Salary Committee meeting, he felt it necessary to abstain from the vote.
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
___________________
11 YEA 1 ABSTAIN
The motion passed.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to ask all employees to vote on the issuance of the Christmas and end of school salary adjustment checks as to whether or not they would be included in the employee monthly check or in two checks, December and May. A vote by employees will be taken after the opening of school. Majority vote will rule.
Superintendent Hinson thanked the Board on behalf of all employees of this school system. He stated that he realized that the Board had a great task in approving the salary increases.
President Westerchil stated that the Board was happy to approve the salary increases for Vernon Parish School employees. She stated that this is only a beginning in the phases of the Minimum Foundation Program equalization throughout the state. The objective of the Vernon Parish School Board is to continue to keep Vernon Parish Schools and its students and employees at the top of all areas of education and she hoped on behalf of the Board, that the employees will consider these salary increases to be a part of the future goals and objectives of this Board.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to commend all of the Vernon Parish Schools once again for their outstanding test scores on the CAT.
Mr. Arvil Harvey stated that a vehicle has been abandoned on the campus of Evans High School. He stated that it is necessary to have the car removed. It was suggested to Mr. Harvey to contact the Louisiana State Police and the Vernon Parish Sheriffs office for removal of the vehicle.
On motion of Mr. B.R. 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 wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies to Mr. Roger Dale Johnson, former bus operator at Pitkin School, in the recent death of his mother, Mrs. Katie Willis Johnson,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. Johnson and his family.
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 learned with grief and sadness of the recent death of Mr. Huey Williams, music minister of the First Baptist Church of Leesville, and husband of Mrs. Pat Williams, secretary at East Leesville Elementary School,
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams touched many lives with his beautiful music and he will be sadly missed by everyone in this community,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Williams and her children.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to adjourn until Tuesday, August 10, 1993.
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BETTY WESTERCHIL, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY