JULY 7, 1994

THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON THURSDAY, JULY 7, 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

MURPHY O'BANION

B.R. HARVEY

WALLACE MCRAE

BENARD MCKEE

LOU KENNEDY

ABSENT:                               ARVIL HARVEY, ILLNESS IN THE FAMILY

The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Mark Smith, Ward One.

The pledge of allegiance was led by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, Ward One. 

On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of June 7, 1994.

On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to accept the attached list resignations:

ATTACHED

On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:

ATTACHED

On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests:

ATTACHED

On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to name the attached list of employees who were not previously named on schools' lists:

ATTACHED

At this time the Board and Superintendent recognized Mrs. Bea Bookter, cafeteria manager at East Leesville Elementary, and Mrs. Booty's fourth grade class for winning the School Food Services 1st Place award for the "Dough Bread Contest".  Rachel Smith, student in the winning class, accepted the award for Mrs. Booty's class.

Mr. Ernesto Abad, teacher at Leesville High School, addressed the Board.  Mr. Abad recently participated in the Presidental program in mathematics and is a finalists in the national competition.  Mr. Abad won the state competition in the State for excellence in mathematics teaching in May and the national compeition will be concluded in August.

Mrs. Sandy Perkins, Sales Tax Manager, addressed the Board, giving an update on the sales tax collection.  Mrs. Perkins stated that collections increased 9.6% for the 94-95 fiscal year or by $190,710.13.  Report attached.

Mr. Bill Endris, Director of Finance, gave a report on employee hospitalization.  Mr. Endris stated that the program in relatively good shape.  He further stated that  the 5% pay raise for school employees by the State, has not been approved. 

Mr. John Norris, Insurance Consultant, addressed the Board.  Mr. Norris stated that insurance quotes were received by Morris Insurance Agency, Snowden/Word Insurance Agency, and Fertitta Insurance Agency for various school board insurances.  Mr. Norris provided the Board with a summary sheet showing all quotes by these agencies (attached).  Mr. Norris recommended  the quote of Snowden/Word Agency and stated that he felt that the Insurance Committee should meet to closely review all areas of the insurance coverages quoted and that the Board should employ an appraiser who would  collect information and reveiw all facilities owned by the School Board to determine that all buildings are covered by school board insurances.  Mr. Norris explained that there are areas of benefit in many of the quotes and the final decision of which agency to award the insurance to would be that of the Board.  Mr. Porter, Chairman of the Insurance Committee, called for an Insurance Committee meeting for Thursday, July 14, 1994 at 8:30 p.m.

President Williams asked that #23 on the agenda be addressed at this time.   On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to changed the July 12, 1994 meeting to July 15, 1994, at 10:00 a.m.

Superintendent Hinson stated that the insurance committee would report their findings at the July 15th meeting.

On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to open the following bids:

a.             TIMBER SALE, ANACOCO

                BIDDER                                                                 BID

                B & B Woods, Inc.                                              $52,599.00

                Rodney Wilson                                                    30,151.52

On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to take under advisement the bids for the timber sale at Anacoco.

On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to withdraw the timber sale for Anacoco to be under advisement.

On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to the Board