NOVEMBER 4, 1993

THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4,1 993 AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATION, 201 Belview Road, Leesville, Louisiana.  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.

MARK H. 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. B.R. Harvey, Ward Five.

The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, Ward Four.

On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to accept and dispense with the reading of the minutes of October 12, 1993.

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

attached

On  motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board, voted to name the attached list of new employees:

attached

On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve a leave without pay request for Deloris Williams:

attached

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

Rodeo Queen winners

West Louisiana Forestry Festival Pageant Winners

Leesville Junior High School Undefeated 7th grade football team

Col. Peter Sun, represented the Steering Committee of the proposed new school at North Polk Elementary, addressed the Board.  Col. Sun stated that Committee recommended to the Board that Yeager, Watson and Associates be employed as the architects and engineers for the proposed new school at Polk.

Col. Sun stated that from what the Committee had seen from work previously done by Yeager and Watson and from the expedient and efficient information that the firm had gathered for the army on a very short notice, they would very impressed with the work of this firm.  He further stated that in order to have this new construction completed by the summer of 1995, that the most important order of business at the present time is to employ an architectural firm.  He stated that this employment would be on a contingency basis and that he did not know what percentage of fees would be charged by Yeager and Watson.  Col. Sun stated that there are no regulations stated that bids must be taken to employ an architect.   He stated that the Committee had received three proposals from architectural firms:

Yeager, Watson and Associates

Lewis Brown and Associates

R.O. Lasalle

Several Board members expressed that they felt that the fee charged was an important issue and should be addressed before a firm is employed.    Superintendent Hinson stated that he felt that it is necessary that the school board attorney look into  the architectural agreements and asked that Col. Sun and the Steering Committee research the funding process for the proposed new school and detect if there are regulations set forth for architectural fees.  Mr. Hinson stated that this matter would be discussed at the Tuesday,  November 9, 1993 after further review.

Mr. Bill Endris, Director of Finance, gave a report on the attached budget amendment.  On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to adopt the budget amendment as presented by Mr. Endris.

attached

Mr. Endris gave a report on the condition of the Vernon Parish School Employees Self Insurance program.  Mr. Endris stated that each school has chosen representatives to attend meetings and to relay information to the insurance carriers.

He stated that the plan is in serious trouble and that several options are being looked at by the committee.  He said that one option is to return to the Group Benefits Plan carried by the state.  Board members expressed their concern of urgency that this matter be given immediate attention by the committee and that Mr. Endris, as chairman of the committee who represents the carriers of the plan, to insure that every person who is a carrier of the plan be informed of the serious nature of the insurance program.  Mr. Endris stated that by December 8, 1993, he would have completed a survey and informational matters and have a recommendation to the Board.

On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to open the bids received for the purchase of a tandem goose neck trailer:

COMPANY                                                                                           BIDDER

BYLES TRACTOR, MANY                                                                $7,722.00

HAMMONDS TRACTOR, OKLA                                                    $6,800.00

PRESSURE CLEAN, LEESVILLE                                                       $6,320.00

FARM EQUIPMENT                                                                           $7,825.00

GOOSENECK TRAILERS                                                                   $7,205.00

KALYN TRAILERS, TEXAS                                                             $7,626.00

On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to take under advisement the bids received for the goose-neck trailer.

The following loan paybacks were announced:

a.             Headstart '93                         $8,000.00

b.             Chapter II '93                         $10,000.00

On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to approve the following loan from General Fund:

a.             94-142 "93                              $17,000.00

Superintendent Hinson announced that the following school districts' general obligation bonds would be refinanced and on motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to adopt the attached resolution relative to the refinancing of bonds:

R E S O L T U I O N

ATTACHED

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 wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies to Mrs. Anita Obstinik, Special Education aide, in the recent death of her husband, Mr. William Obstinik,

                                THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does takes this means to convey their condolences to Mrs. Obstinik and her family and ask that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family.

On motion of Mr. Gerald Burns, 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 hereby wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies to Mrs. Inez Smith, retired teacher's aide, in the recent death of her mother, Mrs. Lettie Burns,

                                THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Board request that  a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Smith and her family along with sincere condolences from this Board.

Superintendent Hinson presented each member with a copy a budget for ACT math workshops.   Mr. Hinson reported that Mrs. Elsie Richmond will conduct the workshops for certain Vernon Parish teachers and students.  The idea is to "teach teachers"  methods in assisting students in taking the test and to raise scores. The members expressed that they want these workshops to begin as soon as possible.  Mr. Hinson stated that the first workshop will be given before the December ACT is given.  There was discussion about a fee charged to students and location of the workshop.  The first workshop will be given at no charge and will possibly be conducted at Pitkin High School, by Mrs. Richmond.

There being no further business, on motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to adjourn.

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BETTY WESTERCHIL, SECRETARY

ATTEST:

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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY