September 1, 1994
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 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 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. B.R. Harvey, Ward Five.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Wallace McRae, Wards Six and Eight.
On motion of Mr. Arvil Harvey, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of August 9, 1994 and August 15, 1994.
On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
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On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees:
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On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to approve the attached leave without pay request:
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On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request:
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Superintendent Hinson stated that the following employee transfer is an example of the Board's incentive for support personnel to become classroom teachers.
On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to approve the transfer of Ms. Belinda McKensie from bus operator to teacher at North Polk Elementary.
At this time the Board and Superintendent recognized the following groups of students:
Hicks High School, State Champion Class B baseball team
Pitkin High School, State Runners UP Class b baseball team
Each student was presented a certificate for their outstanding accomplishments.
Superintendent Hinson announced that the Vernon Parish Teachers' of the Year are Renita Davis, Leesville High School, Rhonda Morrison, Leesville Junior High School, and Gene Davis, Vernon Elementary. He called on Mrs. Shirley Holt, Supervisor, who introduced the teachers, and the Ward One school board members presented each one with a certificate and check from the Board for their outstanding achievements.
At this time Superintendent Hinson introduced Senator James David Cain to the Board. Senator Cain discussed recent legislation which affects school systems in Louisiana.
Superintendent Hinson thanked Senator Cain for the attending the meeting and expressed appreciation for the Senator's continued support of Vernon Parish Schools.
President Williams also thanked the Senator for attending and also stated that Superintendent Hinson was very active and led the fight for the Minimum Foundation Program to be equally distributed to all parishes. She also expressed appreciation to Mrs. Westerchil who served on the MFP Committee.
Mr. Gerald Burns, Chairman of the Finance Committee, stated that the Committee had met in a Public Meeting, September 1, 1994, and reviewed the consolidated budget prepared by Mr. Bill Endris.
Mr. Bill Endris, Director of Finance, gave a finance report of the Vernon Parish School Board. Mr. Endris asked that the Board review the budget which is on public view until Tuesday, September 6, 1994.
Mr. Burns stated that the budget will be presented for approval on Tuesday, September 6, 1994, at 5:00 p.m.
Mr. Endris presented the Vernon Parish School Board millage rates for 1994.
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On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve the millage rates for 1994 as attached.
Mr. Burns stated that the Finance Committee recommended that all Vernon Parish teachers receive $125.00 each for classroom supplies. Superintendent Hinson noted that the expenditure of these funds would be under the supervision of the Principal of each school.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to approve $125.00 for each teacher to purchase school supplies and that said supplies should be purchased in Vernon Parish if at all possible. Superintendent Hinson stated that this is an increase of $75 for supplies for each teacher.
Mrs. Westerchil, Chairman of the Curriculum Committee, asked Mrs. Shirley Holt, Supervisor to report on library needs. Mrs. Holt stated that she had met with the Committee and at this time she explained the needs assessment study done by the Vernon Parish school librarians.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve the requested library needs as presented by Mrs. Holt in a two-phase process. Mr. Hinson stated that the total funding requested is $92,157.00 combined for the libraries and that at lease one-half would be funded for 1994-95 and the reaminder for 1995-96.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to set Open House dates for September 19-23, 1994.
Superintendent Hinson stated that Mr. Perkins, Mr. Endris, Mr. Reese and Mr. Pope would discuss school laws which have been added or changed in Louisiana. The laws were presented and each member was presented a copy.
Mrs. Westerchil inquired about he tuition exemption resolution pertaining to teachers and administrators. Dr. Monk stated that he would have a detailed report for the Board on Tuesday.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to grant one additional coaches' supplement for Pickering High School for one year only, one half from maintenance and one half from general fund.
There was one nay vote cast by Mrs. Westerchil.
On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to advertise to sell unusable office equipment and audio visual equipment at Hicks High School.
Superintendent Hinson announced that school enrollment for 1994-95 is approximately the same at this time as it was for the 1993-94 school year, 11,117. He stated that the October 1st enrollment report is expected to be about the same also.
Mr. Hinson reported that a question has been raised concerning instructional aides' salary increases and bus aides' salary increases. On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to clarify this issue by stating that the bus aides shall received the same base salary increase as instructional aides thus making the bus aides' total increase $1,145.00.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to increase the index of Rickey Kay, maintenance foreman, from 2.0 to 2.1.
Col. Sun, Garrison Commander of Fort Polk and military representative on the Board, presented a drug education tape for each school in Vernon Parish.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, 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 sympathies to the family of Mrs. Gladys Shirley, retired teacher from Anacoco School,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Shirley was a dedicated educator and taught for many years in Vernon Parish, she was a loving and caring teacher,
WHEREAS, she was the aunt of Mrs. Betty McRae, also a teacher at Anacoco School,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board takes this means to express their condolences to the family of Mrs. Shirley and request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. McRae and her family.
Mr. McRae reported that he received a call from Mrs. Elaine Smith, a parent whose daughter did not pass the graduate exit before May graduation. He stated that Mrs. Smith related to him that her daughter did pass the test during the summer and thanked the Board for the policy of allowing students to march in graduation who had not passed the GEE before the graduating date.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to adjourn until Tuesday, September 6, 1994.
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CAROLYN WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY