October 12, 1993
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993 AT 5:00 P.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
ARVIL HARVEY
MURPHY O'BANION
B.R. HARVEY
WALLACE MCRAE
BENARD MCKEE
COL. PETER SUN
ABSENT: T.B. PORTER, FAMILY ILLNESS
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, Ward Four.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Arvil Harvey, Ward Three.
Superintendent Hinson read the attached Call Notice:
attached
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of October 7, 1993.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve a transfer for Renee Wilson from Preschool aide to Maintenance Department Clerk.
Mrs. Elizabeth Maricle, teacher at Pickering Elementary and VIGIL Grant Winner, addressed the Board. Mrs. Maricle described her Puppet reading center, which she purchased with her VIGIL grant award. She presented a video of her first grade students conducting a puppet show. Mrs. Maricle stated that her "Welcome Back to Reading" approach has encouraged her students in reading.
Superintendent Hinson asked Mr. Moss to give an update on the paving of the south parking lot at the Central Office. Mr. Moss reported that he had received an estimate for concrete to pave the area which for the concrete alone would be approximately $6,412.60. He stated that Mr. Koonce of R.C. Paving, who quoted $6,156.00 to put a two inch overlay of blacktop on the area, had been invited to attend this meeting, however Mr. Koonce could not attend. Mr. Moss stated that Mr. Koonce related to him that his plan for the overlay was to remove the patched concrete areas, refill them, seal the foundation, and pour the overlay. Mr. Moss stated that he did not know if the job included a seal over the finished overlay. Superintendent Hinson stated that he recommended the overlay quote of R.C. Paving.
On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to accept the quote of Mr. Koonce in the amount of $6.156.00 for the overlay. Mr. Kay stated that the job would be done by R.C. Paving over a weekend period.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. O'Banion.the Board voted to approve the following bus size increases:
a. Charles Alcorn, Pitkin, bus #91, from a 54 passenger bus to a 66 passenger bus
b. Kathy McCullough, Pitkin High School bus, #85, from a 36 passenger to a 65 passenger bus
c. Barbara White, Pitkin, Bus #92, from a 48 passenger bus to a 60 passenger bus
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to advertise for bids for a tandem goose neck trailer. Bids to be received November 4, 1993.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to approve the purchase of assorted hand tools to drills and equipment for the Maintenance Department.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to approve the following loan from General Fund:
a. 94-142 '93 $10,000.00
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Arvil Harvey, the Board voted to approve the 1994 contract with Policy Updating Services, a part of the Louisiana School Boards Association, which reviews all policies and minutes of the Vernon Parish School Board. This contract is in the amount of $1,585.00.
Superintendent Hinson reported that Mark Wolverton has been put on a 90 day trial for working in the maintenance department. Mr. Kay, Supervisor of Maintenance, gave an experience listing of Mr. Wolverton ranging from refrigeration and air conditioning to kitchen equipment. Superintendent Hinson stated that this information on Mr. Wolverton is provided to the Board for awareness, Mr. Kay will report back to the Board after the 90 trial.
Superintendent Hinson reported that the Board had expressed a possible need for an employee Hospitalization Insurance Committee. This committee would meet monthly to discuss and review the insurance. He stated that each school is presently in the process of selecting one employee to serve on this committee.
Superintendent Hinson announced that the Insurance Committee would meet on October 21, 1993 at 10:00 a.m. to hear proposals of insurance consultants. Committee members are:
T.B. PORTER, CHAIRMAN
MARK SMITH
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR.
MURPHY O'BANION
WALLACE MCRAE
PRESIDENT WESTERCHIL
VICE PRESIDENT WILLIAMS
President Westerchil discussed the National Unfunded Mandates Day scheduled for October 27th. She explained that a resolution is forthcoming from the National School Boards Association. This action is taken in a concerted effort to address the issue of unfunded mandates and is being called to ensure that mandates only go into effect when sufficient federal funds have been appropriated. Unfunded mandates create severe financial problems for local school districts.
On motion of Mr. Smith and seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to support the forthcoming resolution from the NSBA on this issue.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to move the Tuesday school board meetings back to 10:00 a.m., continuing to hold quarterly evening meetings at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Harvey explained that since basketball season is beginning and games are played on Tuesdays, returning the time back to 10:00 a.m. would allow board members to attend basketball games. There was one nay vote cast by Mr. O'Banion.
Mr. O'Banion asked that Mr. Moss look into the possibility of the school board receiving discounts from local merchants on school board purchases of equipment, supplies and materials. Mr. O'Banion stated that due to the volume of dollars spent locally by the school system, then perhaps some sort of discount could be given. Superintendent Hinson requested that Mr. Moss send a letter to all local merchants inquiring on the possible discounts for Vernon Parish schools.
On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, 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. Arvil Harvey, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to adjourn.
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BETTY WESTERCHIL, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SUPERINTENDENT