December  7, 1993

THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993, AT 5:00 P.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.

MARK SMITH

T.BERRY PORTER

ARVIL HARVEY

MURPHY O'BANION

B.R. HARVEY

WALLACE MCRAE

BENARD MCKEE

COL. PETER SUN

ABSENT:               PHILIP GUNN, ILLNESS

There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.

The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. T.B. Porter, Ward Two, Anacoco.

The pledge of allegiance was led by Mrs. Carolyn Williams, Ward Two, Hornbeck.

Superintendent Hinson read the attached Call Notice:

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On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of December 2, 1993.

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

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On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to  approve the attached list of new employees:

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On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to approve the following Sabbatical leave request:

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Motion was made by  Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Smith,  that the Board employee Mr. Jim Parks, of the law firm McCollister and McCleary, of Baton Rouge, LA as Bond Attorney for Ward One Wardwide School District No. 16.

Mr. Parks stated that his law firm would agree to a total fee as bonding attorney for this bond issue in the amount of $33,000.00.

There was discussion by the Board as to the employment of a bonding attorney for the Ward One building project.  Question arose as to why the Board would consider hiring another bond attorney. It was pointed out that in a single school district a Board is not bound to one bond attorney and could use various bonding attorneys for different projects within the school district.    

The motion passed with one abstaining vote by Mrs. Westerchil. Mrs. Westerchil stated that she abstained because she did not want any appearance of conflict of interest in this situation.

On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to adopt the attached resolution ordering and  calling a special election to be held in Ward One Wardwide School District No. 16 of  Vernon Parish.

R E S O L U T I O N

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At this time President Westerchil called the election of officers for 1994.  The floor was opened for the office of President.

Mr. Dowden nominated Mrs. Carolyn Williams.  Mr. McKee seconded the nomination.  On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to elect Mrs. Williams as President of the Board by acclamation.

The floor was opened for the office of Vice President.

Mr. B.R. Harvey nominated Mr. Mark Smith.  Mr. Porter seconded the nomination.  On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to elect Mr. Smith as Vice President of the Board by acclamation.

President Westerchil presents the gavel to Mrs. Williams.

Mrs. Williams takes the Chair.

Superintendent Hinson announced a position opening of bookkeeping secretary is now open in the finance department of the Central office.  Mr. Hinson asked that all schools be notified of the opening so that interested employees could apply no later than December 17, 1993.

Superintendent Hinson announced that Senator J. Bennett Johnston would formally announce the construction of the new Fort Polk Elementary school December 9, 1993 at the Fort Polk Officers' Club.  Mr. Hinson invited the Board to attend.  He also announced that Senator John Breaux would be at the Leesville Holiday Inn on December 21, 1993, at 2:30 p.m.

On motion of Mr. McKee, 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 sorrows in the recent death of Mr. Charles Cassell,

                THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Cassell and her family.

On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.

On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Dowden, 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. B.R. 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, SECRETARY

DECEMBER 7, 1993