AUGUST 15, 1994
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION ON MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 1994, AT 5:30 P.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 G. 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
COL. PETER SUN
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Wallace McRae, Wards 6 and 8.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. B.R. Harvey, Ward 5.
Superintendent Hinson read the attached Call Notice:
attached
President Williams thanked all visitors who were present and stated that she would make the following statement concerning this reapportionment meeting.
Mrs. Williams addressed the Board members and reminded them that the Board is attempting a job that is a difficult task and as a group, she ask that as a group the Board would look a the options which are best for Vernon Parish schools. She stated that all members have been willing to cooperate and adjust to new and different distances; some have even been moved from their precincts. As President, Mrs. Williams stated that she sincerely asked that each Board member remain focused to the business of the meeting and requested that each member pledge to address this task of reapportionment with open minds and sincere effort to arrive a the best possible solution for the citizens and students of Vernon Parish.
President Williams addressed the visitors stating that the Board has and would continue to listen to their concerns. She stated that many people have expressed their concerns to the Board members and asked that the citizens be patient with the Board as the proceeded.
She stated that the criteria for the Board to keep in mind would be to include Fort Polk population according to the 1990 census, 20,688 people, creating a minority district and that Fort Polk would like to be represented by the Leesville school board members stating that Col. Peter Sun gave reasons at the last meeting.
President Williams asked that the Superintendent Hinson
Superintendent Hinson gave a report on how population and representation are figured for the number of board members to serve. (Information attached).
Mr. Juneau, school board attorney, addressed the Board relative to splitting precincts. Mr. Juneau stated that it is not advisable to split precincts due to the fact the Board is dealing with time constraints ordered by the judge, splitting precincts would require Police Jury approval and that in his opinion a reapportionment plan would be better in not splitting precincts. He stated that splitting precincts is not illegal.
Superintendent Hinson referred to letters he sent to Mr. Joiner, school board reapportionment consultant, and to Mr. Koepp, plaintiffs attorney, in which he asked that they work to draw a plan which would allow representation for all school wards. (ATTACHED)
Mr. Hinson read a letter from Mr. Joiner whereas he stated that he and Mr. Koepp had talked and that they agreed it is not possible to have a board member to represent each ward.
(ATTACHED)
Mr. Koepp addressed the Board and presented and explained a 12 member reapportionment plan to the Board. Mr. Koepp stated that it is not possible to have a board member to represent each school ward.
It was stated that there are approximately 27 reapportionment plans which have been presented during this reapportionment plan situation.
Mr. Gunn stated that he had asked for time to get minority input on reapportionment plans and at this time he felt that he had received such input.
Motion was made by Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, that the Board adopt reapportionment Plan E Revised (15 member board).
Mr. Burns stated that in this plan precinct 4-3C (Pickering School) will be located in Mr. O'Banion's district.
Mr. Robert Walker, minority citizen) asked to addressed the Board. Mr. Walker stated that he felt that the Plan E Revised (15 member plan) would dilute the black representation and that he is against the plan.
Mr. Don Mallet, minority citizen, asked to addressed the Board. Mr. Mallet voiced his opposition to Plan E (15 member).
Mr. John Smith addressed the Board. He stated that he was in favor of the 12 member plan presented by Mr. Koepp.
An amendment was made by Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Smith, that should the Board adopt a 15 member plan that the Board member compensation would be no more than that of the present compensation for 12 members this salary would begin with the new terms of office. Roll call vote:
YEA NAY
GERALD BURNS X
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR. X
PHILIP GUNN 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
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The motion was defeated.
Motion was made by Mr. O'Banion to adopt the 12 member plan submitted by Mr. Koepp.
There was no second, the motion died.
Question was called for the motion by Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, that the Board adopt a resolution for Plan E Revised (15 member) plan. Roll call vote was taken.
YEA NAY
GERALD BURNS X
ALVIN C. DOWDEN X
PHILIP GUNN 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
_______ _______
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The motion passed.
Mr. Juneau advised that the Board hand deliver the reapportionment plan to the U.S. Justice Department.
Motion was made by Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, that the Board authorize that the reapportionment plan be hand delivered to the U.S. Justice Department by Mr. Gunn, Mr. Joiner and the Superintendent as quickly as possible. Roll call vote was taken:
YEA NAY
GERALD BURNS X
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR. X
PHILIP GUNN 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
_________ ________
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The motion passed.
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. McRae, the Board voted to adjourn.
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CAROLYN G. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY