October 7, 1993
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 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
B.R. HARVEY
WALLACE MCRAE
BENARD MCKEE
COL. PETER SUN
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
President Westerchil welcomed the guests, Major General Lawson Magruder, Mr. T.L. Berry, Jr., Mr. Creighton Owen, Dr. Ray Bamgardner, Mrs. Donna Owen, Mr. Lonnie Bewley, Mrs. Elsie Richmond, and Mr. Bill Oliver.
General Magruder addressed the Board, stating that he and his staff have been very impressed with Vernon Parish and the educational system. He stated that he has received many favorable comments about the excellent educational programs in Vernon Parish and that he wishes to continue to cooperator with the Board and the schools for further progress in education.
Mr. Berry, Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army, expressed that he has very much enjoyed working with General Magruder and praised his expertise. He stated that Senator Johnston has been very instrumental in securing funding for many areas of the military at Fort Polk. Mr. Berry thanked the Board for working closely with him and the Fort Polk staff.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to dispense with the reading and approve the minutes of September 7 and 25, 1993.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
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On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:
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President Westerchil called on Mrs. Donna Owen, staff representative of Senator J. Bennett Johnston. Mrs. Owen announced that Senator Johnston had met with the Joint Appropriations Committee and that $4.9 million dollars has been allocated for the construction of a new school facility at Fort Polk.
After a round of applause, President Westerchil stated that this news has been a long time in coming and asked that Col. Sun serve as the Building Committee chairman for the new school at Polk. She stated that a committee would be appointed at a later date.
Superintendent Hinson thanked everyone involved in this long endeavor and agreed with Col. Sun that Vernon Parish is very concerned with providing the best possible educational environment for the military dependent children. He praised Senator J. Bennett Johnston for his diligent dedication to helping secure funds for this construction. Mr. Hinson stated that Mr. Jim Kelly from Fort Polk had called and stated that a 40 acre tract of land across from South Polk Elementary is being looked at for a possible site for the school. He further stated that it is hopeful that this project can get underway right away.
President Westerchil requested that a motion be made to thank those who have been directly involved with securing the funds for the new Polk School.
On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to thank Senator J. Bennett Johnston, Major General Lawson Magruder, Mr. T.L. Berry, Jr., Mr. Creighton Owen, Mr. Jim Kitts, Col. Sun and Col. Gillis. It was noted that Col. Gillis was instrumental in steering the military in the right direction for securing funding.
Mr. Creighton Owen addressed the Board and reported on a new program designed by the Department of Defense and in conjunction with Northwestern State University to help place prior military personnel as teachers. This program will pay the person to attend school to receive teacher certification and it will pay the employing school system $25,000 per ex-military person employed through this program. Catalog materials are available at the Education Center at Fort Polk and Northwestern State University at Fort Polk.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to agree to employee the prior military persons described by Mr. Owen.
Mr. Owen also announced that Dr. Ray Bamgardner, President of Fort Polk N.S.U., has recently received approval for persons to pursue a masters degree program, 5000 level courses in Administration, at the Fort Polk campus without having to attend classes at Natchitoches. Mr. Owen stated that N.S.U. has employed a new certification person who is working closely with Mrs. Cheryl Craft of the central office to help those who have problems with teacher certification.
Mr. Lonnie Bewley, bonding attorney, addressed the Board relative to the FmHA bond sale for general obligation bonds for Simpson Wardwide School District #161.
On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board to receive bids for the bond sale.
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On motion of mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to accept the Issuance of Bonds.
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Mr. Bewley announced that at the November 4, 1993 school board meeting that he will be attending to announce the refinancing of school bonds in certain districts.
Lewis Brown, architect for the Simpson Construction, reported that Change Order #1 had been addressed was in order. On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve change order #1 for Simpson Construction.
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Mrs. Elsie Richmond, teacher at Pitkin High School, addressed the Board. Mrs. Richmond explained her techniques training students to take the ACT and in helping students improve ACT scores. She stated that she conducts a one day workshop for any interested students. This workshop is given in the spring of each year. Mr. Hinson thanked Mrs. Richmond and asked that she continue to contact all schools to invite students to attend her ACT workshop.
Superintendent Hinson introduced Mr. Bill Oliver, representative of the Wireless Communications Company. Mr. Oliver explained that his company provides at no cost to the Vernon Parish School Board satellite viewing on 4 educational channels at all schools. This company works in conjunction with the Louisiana Public Broadcast. Mr. Oliver stated that this wireless communications is approved by the FCC and that it does not conflict with any other government agencies and their agreement with the FCC. On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson and on motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to authorize the Superintendent to request that the school board attorney, Mr. Asa Skinner, review the 5 year lease agreement with Wireless Communications for approval.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board proclaimed the month of October as Assessment Teacher Month.
President Westerchil announced that no bids had been received for the sale of used computers. On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to authorize Mr. Moss, purchasing agent and Superintendent Hinson to dispose of the used computers.
Superintendent Hinson announced the proposals received for Insurance Consultant:
NORRIS INSURANCE CONSULTANTS, BATON ROUGE, LA
RUTH MARTIN, ANACOCO, LA
RWL AND ASSOCIATES, RICHARDSON, TEX
On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to refer the proposals to the insurance committee and make a recommendation to the Board.
Mr. Reese, transportation supervisor, reported that due to traffic problems at Fort Polk with the eleven assigned buses transporting military children to school, that the schedules at North and South Polk elementary have been changed. Those changes are:
NORTH POLK: BEGINNING TIME NO CHANGE
DISMISSAL TIME IS CHANGED TO 3:10 P.M.
SOUTH POLK: BEGINNING TIME NO CHANGE
DISMISSAL TIME IS CHANGED TO 2:30 P.M.
Superintendent Hinson stated that the south parking lot of the central office is need of repair. He stated that Mr. Moss has made several inquires and that the proposal he has received is from R.C. Paving in the amount of $6,156.00 to repair and make a 2 inch overlay. Mr. Porter stated that the 2" overlay may not be strong enough. Superintendent Hinson asked that he be given authority to get proposals on concrete and overlay and have a committee of Mr. Ward, Mr. Kay and Mr. Moss to review the findings and report to the Board on Tuesday, October 12, 1993. Mr. Dowden asked that Mr. Koonce, of R.C. Paving attend the meeting to discuss the overlay proposal of his company.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, 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. Pujo McElveen, husband of Mrs. Ella Mae McElveen, counselor at Evans High School, and brother-in-law to Mr. B.R. Harvey and Mr. Arvil Harvey,
WHEREAS, Mr. McElveen was a great and loyal supporter of Vernon Parish schools, and his loving spirit was always an inspiration to his friends and family,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. McElveen along with the most sincere condolences from this Board.
On motion of Mr. Wallace McRae, 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. Beldon Jackson, former school board member of Ward Six, in the death of his mother, Mrs. Edna Jackson. Mrs. Jackson was a retired cook from Simpson High School.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution to Mr. Jackson and his family.
On motion of Mrs. Carolyn Williams, 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 the family of Mrs. Frances Johnson, retired spanish teacher, from Leesville High School,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Johnson was a dedicated and loyal educator who loved her students. Mrs. Johnson will be sadly missed by her friends and family,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent the family of Mrs. Johnson.
On motion of Mrs. Carolyn Williams, 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 sympathies to Mrs. DeeDee Farris, teacher at Anacoco Elementary School, in the recent death of her grandmother, Mrs. Rilla Prewitt. Also Mrs. Prewitt was the sister of Mrs. Maggie Harvey, wife of school board member from Pitkin, Mr. B.R. Harvey,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Farris and Mrs. Harvey along with sincere regrets from this Board.
On motion of Mr. T.B. 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 Allen Eubanks, Anacoco High School senior,
WHEREAS, Allen was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Eubanks of Anacoco,
WHEREAS, Allen will be missed by his many friends and family, he was an ideal student and loving son,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Eubanks along with sincere condolences from this Board.
On motion of Mr. T.B. 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 wish to convey their sincere condolences to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hicks, Sr., in the recent death of their son, Walter, Jr.,
WHEREAS, Walter was a 1992 graduate of Anacoco High School and his will be sadly missed by his family and many friends.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Hicks along with sympathies from this Board.
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 wish to express their condolences to the family of Mrs. Pearl Oleta Midkiff who recently passed away,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mrs. Midkiff.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to adjourn until Tuesday, October 12, 1993.
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BETTY WESTERCHIL, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SUPERINTENDENT