MAY 10, 1994
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION ON TUESDAY, MAY 10, 1994 AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA 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 GUNN
BETTY WESTERCHIL
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. T.B. Porter, Ward 2 Anacoco.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Gerald Burns, Ward One.
Superintendent Hinson read the attached Call Notice:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of May 5, 1994.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Arvil Harvey, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
Motion was made by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Porter, that the Board name employees who were not named on May 5, 1994. Mr. Burns asked that these employees not be named until the June 2, 1994 meeting.
Mr. Smith withdrew his motion.
On motion Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the attached list of Sabbatical Leave requests:
attached
At this time the Board recognized the following schools and students for outstanding accomplishments in state competitions:
HICKS HIGH SCHOOL
HORNBECK HIGH SCHOOL
LEESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
PICKERING HIGH SCHOOL
SIMPSON HIGH SCHOOL
PITKIN HIGH SCHOOL
LEESVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Mrs. Stacie Craft, 3rd grade teacher at Polk Elementary, addressed the Board relating "a typical day in the classroom". Mrs. Craft reported that working with the adminsitration, counselors, and other teachers cooperatively is the key to a teacher's success in the classroom. She briefly went through a day's regular activities and explained the different levels of learning which exists in her class.
At this time President Williams called on Mr. B.R. Harvey for a Salary Committee report.
Mr. Harvey referred to the Salary Committee report in each members' folder. (attached)
Motion was made by Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Porter, that the Board approve the Coach's Supplement Salary schedule. Mrs. Westerchil inquired if all school districts are making an effort to decrease the numbers of coaches who coach more than two sports in a school. Various members commented that an effort is being made.
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The motion passed.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to approve the teachers' aides salary increase to that of the base salary of a school cook.
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve the Cheerleader Sponsor pay according to the attached increases.
ATTACHED
Superintendent Hinson asked that everyone be reminded that the next items of the Salary Report are based on Phase III of the MAP being approved by the state legislature in its entirety enacted July 1, 1994 and consistent with the estimates of 3rd year MFP funding.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to approve a $900.00 annual raise for teachers/administrators and a $600.00 annual raise for support personnel.
ATTACHED
Motion was made by Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Porter, that the Board approve a $1,000.00 being added to the annual base pay of a teachers' aide for those receiving 60 hours of college credit from an accredited college or university. And to continue receiving the $1,000 annually, aides must complete an additonal 6 hours of credit.
Motion was made by Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, to table the motion by Mr. B.R. Harvey and refer items #2, #3a and #3b to the salary committee and the curriculum committee.
Mr. B.R. Harvey asked how long the table would be. Mr. Dowden stated that the raise for aides should be studied to determine an approximate number of persons involved and perhaps should include other support employees.
Mr. B.R. Harvey withdrew his motion.
Roll call vote was taken on the motion by Mr. Dowden to table #2, #3a, and #3b and refer to the salary and curriculum committees:
YEA NAY
GERALD BURNS X
ALVIN C. DOWDEN X
MARK SMITH X
BETTY WESTERCHIL X
CAROLYN WILLIAMS X
T.B. PORTER X
ARVIL HARVEY X
MURPHY O'BANION X
B.R. HARVEY X
WALLACE MCRAE X
BENARD MCKEE X
PHILIP GUNN X
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7 5
The motion passed.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to rescind the motion and action taken by Mr. Dowden's motion.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to refer the issue of aides receiving a $1,000 addition to the base salary for 60 hours of college credit and an additional $1,000 for 6 hours earned each year to the curriculum committee and the salary committee.
Motion was made by Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. McKee, that the Board increase the index for Principals and Assistant Principals according to the attached salary report. (3#a).
ATTACHED
An amendment was made by Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mr. O'Banion to change the wording of #3a to read "increase the salary of" Principals and Assistant Principals.
After an explanation from Superintendent Hinson and Mr. Bill Endris, Director of Finance, of the definition "index" and how the index is used in the salary structure, Mrs. Westerchil withdrew her amendment.
Roll call was requested on the original motion by Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. McKee, to increase the index for Principals and Assistant Principals.
YEA NAY
GERALD BURNS X
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR. X
PHILIP GUNN X
MARK SMITH X
BETTY WESTERCHIL X
T.B. PORTER X
CAROLYN WILLIAMS X
ARVIL HARVEY X
MURPHY O'BANION X
B.R. HARVEY X
WALLACE MCRAE X
BENARD MCKEE X
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12 0
The motion carried.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to refer #3b to the Salary Committee.
ATTACHED
Mr. Gunn and Mr. McRae voted "no" on the above motion.
Superintendent Hinson requested that Mr. Mike Juneau, school board attorney for the reapportionment law suit, be moved up on the agenda.
Mr. Juneau presented two reapportionment plans that are proposed plans by Mr. Allen Bradley, attorney for the plaintiffs. Mr. Juneau stated that the plans presented in the law suit show a very inequitable "one man, one vote" situation. The plans include Fort Polk residents and would create 5 members for the Pickering and Fort Polk areas, therefore changing all other voting districts as well. He announced that a hearing in Federal Court will be held May 31st and June 1st in Lake Charles.
Mr. Dowden announced that he had to leave the meeting due to court.
Col. Sun announced that he had to leave the meeting due to a meeting at Fort Polk.
At this time Superintendent Hinson introduced the persons who have applied for the vacancy of Supervisor of Elementary supervisor. Those persons gave a brief presentation to the Baord and they were:
JANE BELTZ, COUNSELOR, EAST LEESVILLE ELEMENTARY
SANDRA BRISCOE, TEACHER, VERNON ELEMENTARY
LAURA CLARK, TEACHER, EAST LEESVILLE
VERNA JONES, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, WEST LEESVILLE ELEMENTARY
CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, PRINCIPAL, PICKERING ELEMENTARY
ANNE SMITH, ASSISTANT PRINCPAL, EAST LEESVILLE ELEMENTARY
WILLIAM THOMAS, TEACHER, LEESVILLE HIGH
On recommendation of Superintendent, and on motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to appoint Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, to the position of Elementary Supervisor.
Mr. B.R. Harvey voted for Verna Jones.
Mr. Dottie Neugebauer, Director of Special Education, addressed the Board and presented the LEA Federal budget application.
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconced by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the budget presented by Mrs. Neugebauer.
Mr. Bill Endris, Director of Finance, presented the attached budget revision.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve the budget revision presented by Mr. Endris.
ATTACHED
Mr. Roland Booty, Coordinator of Curriculum, addressed the Board to give a report of the 1994 LEEP program. Mr. Booty related that the recent week long program for selected fifth graders in the parish, and held at the Louisiana Lions Camp was very successful, however, he recommended a proposal to make changes in the program. He suggested that all fifth graders be given the opportunity to attend a one day event and change the location. Superintendent Hinson suggested that the recommendation by Mr. Booty be referred to the Curriculum Committee.
On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to reject the bid received for asphalt for the driveway repairs at South Polk Elemenetary and to advertise for concrete for these repairs. Bids to be received June 2, 1994 at 5:00 p.m.
On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to receive the following bids:
a. TIMBER TO BE CUT LOCATED BEHIND LEESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
BIDDER BID
B & B WOODS $11,898.00
* TONEY LAND & TIMBER 7,029.00
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to award the timber cutting bid to the high bidder, B & B Woods.
*This bid arrived before the bid opening deadline, however, was not read at the time of bid opening due to this bid inadvertently being placed with the General Supply bids and not being detected until that opening, motion was made by Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to open the bid.
B. METAL ROOFING MATERIALS BIDS FOR EAST LEESVILLE ELEMENTARY
BIDDER BID
METAL WAREHOUSE, INC $16,600.00
SOUTHERN STRUCTURES, INC 20,141.00
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to award the metal roofing materials bid to the low bidder, Metal Warehouse, Inc. according to specifications required by bid documents.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson and on motion of Mr. Arvil Harvey, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to record the general supply bids and refer these bids to the following committee:
Bill Endris
Bobby Moss
Roland Booty
Joe Pope
The following is a list of bids received for general supplies:
Aries Paper Co.
Prassel Lumber
GBC
Prairie
WJM
La. Teacher Supply
Buckelews
Media for Education
Vernon Paper Co
Castleman Co
Columbia
Sysco
West Central Wholesale
Aris Paper and Chem
USI
J & J Chem
Bancroft
Windtree
Butler
Cash Gro
Standard Stationary
Long's Preferred
Building Maint
Tubex
Beckly Cardy
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Arvil 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. Smith, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to adjourn.
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CAROLYN WILLAIMS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY