MAY 5, 1994
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON THURSDAY, MAY 5, 1994, AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA 71446 PRESIDENT WILLIAMS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
CAROLYN WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT
MARK SMITH, VICE PRESIDENT
GERALD BURNS
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR.
PHILIP L. GUNN
BETTY WESTERCHIL
T.B. PORTER
ARVIL HARVEY
MURPHY O'BANION
B.R. HARVEY
WALLACE MCRAE
BENARD MCKEE
LOU KENNEDY
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. Wallace McRae, Wards Six and Eight.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Arvil Harvey, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of April 19, 1994.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the attached list of school employees for the 1994-95 school year:
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson and on motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to dismiss Mr. Gary Loftin, substitute custodian, who has not been regularly employed by this Board. There were two abstentions:
MR. MCKEE
MR. ARVIL HARVEY
At this time the Board recognized the following schools and students who participated or won state competitions:
East Leesville Elementary
Vernon Elementary
Rosepine High School
Anacoco Elementary
Anacoco High School
Evans High School
Pickering Elementary
Mrs. Elaine Smith, parent from Hicks, addressed the Board. Mrs. Smith read a statement she wrote relating her feelings about the issue of seniors marching or not marching in high school graduation exercises who have not passed the Graduate Exit Exam. Mrs. Smith stated that she is in favor of students' marching who have not passed the exam. She stated that her daughter now has a 3.0 grade point average, however, has not passed the social studies section of the exit exam. She stated that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education who represents Vernon Parish told her that the decision for seniors to march or not is left to local school systems.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson and on motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. McRae, the Board voted take a roll call vote to allow students to march at graduation in spite of passing or failing the Graduate Exit Exam:
YEA NAY
GERALD BURNS X
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR. X
PHILIP GUNN X
MARK SMITH X
MAY 5, 1994
BETTY WESTERCHIL X
CAROLYN WILLIAMS X
T.B. PORTER X
ARVIL HARVEY X
MURPHY O'BANION X
B.R. HARVEY ABSTAIN
WALLACE MCRAE X
BENARD MCKEE X
_________ ________
8 3
1 ABSTENTION
The motion carried.
Mrs. Wanelle Jaeger, teacher, Pickering Elementary, addressed the Board relative to her VIGIL grant award. Mrs. Jaeger stated that her grant of $500.00 allowed her to purchase items for her "Critters in the Classroom" science project.
Mr. Bill Endris addressed the Board and reported that all Vernon Parish School Board insurances, except workers compensation, will be bid and will be received at the second meeting in July.
Mr. Richard Reese, Supervisor of Transportation, reported that the federally mandated drug and alcohol testing for any and all persons employed in a safety sensitive areas will become effective January 1, 1995 for entities employing more than 50 employees. This law is Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations, part 391, 394 and 40. Mr. Reese stated that the screening must be in place by the above date and that he has contacted many other school systems and agencies about companies who do this required drug and alcohol screening. Mr. Reese stated that Mr. John Reed of Compliance Services, Eunice, La, was highly recommended to him. He introduced Mr. Reed, representative of the Drug Screening and DOT Program Management, to the Board. Mr. Reed gave a report of the requirements and procedures of this screening. On recommendation of Mr. Reese and Superintendent Hinson and on motion of Mr. Gunn seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to employ Compliance Services to set up the required drug and alcohol screening for the Vernon Parish School system, to be in place by January 1, 1995.
Mr. Hinson and some Board members stated that they would agree to this same drug and alcohol testing.
On motion of Mr. Arvil Harvey, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to open bids received for asphalt for repairs to the South Polk Elementary school entrance drive.
BIDDER AMOUNT
R.C. Paving Company $28,575.00
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. Arvil Harvey, the Board voted to take under advisement the bid for asphalt.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to open bids received for the Chapter I Literacy Building:
BIDDER AMOUNT
J.B. Constructional Enter. $55,000.00
Phillip Mayo Construction $50,799.00
Pat Williams Construction $58,406.00
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to award the Chapter I building to the low bidder, Philip Mayo Construction, in the amount of $50,799.00, based on the verification that the specifications have been met. Superintendent Hinson stated that the building has been approved by the federal government and according to Mrs. Shirley Ward, Director of Chapter I, the low bid does fall into the funding range approved.
On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve Change Order #3 for Simpson High School construction in the amount of an increase of $2,197.00.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to advertise for bids for the purchase of air conditioners for the Hornbeck High School gym. Bids to be received June 2, 1994.
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to advertise to sell a portable utility trailer located at Rosepine High School. Bids to be received June 2, 1994.
Superintendent Hinson announced the attached maintenance funds distributions:
Attached
On motion of all Board members, seconded by all Board members, the Board voted to accept the maintenance funds distributions.
Superintendent Hinson reported that he requested that the following changes be made in the board meetings time in June due to him having to attend an annual Principals' meeting at Toro Hills:
June 2, 1994 school board meeting be set for 5:00 p.m. and the June 7, 1994 school board meeting be set for 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to make the requested time changes in the June board meetings.
On motion of all Board members, seconded by all Board members the Board voted to adopt the following resolution in honor of Teacher Appreciation:
R E S O L U T I O N
Superintendent Hinson reminded the Board of the Academic Awards Banquet to be held May 13, 1994 at 7:00 p.m.
Mrs. Dottie Neugubauer invited the Board to have lunch at the Lions Camp for the Special Education Arts Festival.
Superintendent Hinson announced that the Board is invited to attend the Optional School Awards Ceremony on May 13, 1994 at 1:00 p.m.
Dr. Monk reported on the school calendar for the 1994-95 school term. He stated that employees voted on three proposed calendars and that proposal #1 had received the majority of the votes. Dr. Monk recommended this calendar with a modification which would name Fair Day as an official holiday. On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to adopt the school calendar, proposal #1, as voted by the majority of school employees, with Fair Day listed as an official holiday, as the official school calendar for the 1994-95 school year.
Mrs. Westerchil, Chairman of the Curriculum Committee, asked that an update be given on the requested curriculum survey from teachers. Dr. Monk reported that the results would be given Tuesday, May 10, 1994.
On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to adjourn until Tuesday, May 10, 1994.
___________________________________
CAROLYN G. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
____________________________________
SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY