September 6, 1994
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1994 AT 5:00 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. T.B. Porter, Ward Two Anacoco.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Benard McKee, Ward Seven.
Superintendent Hinson read the attached call notice:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Arvil Harvey, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of September 1, 1994.
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the attached requests for leave without pay:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to approve the attached requests for leave without pay:
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson and on motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to approve the Vernon Parish School Board Operational Budget for 1994-95.
(Budget is kept on file in the office of the Director of Finance).
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to advertise for asphalt and concrete for pavement of the Pickering Elementary parking lot. Bids to be received October 6, 1994 at 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to proclaim January 20, 1995 as Arbor Day.
PROCLAMATION ATTACHED
On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Concurrent Resolution 6 of the Third Extraordinary Session of the 1994 Louisiana Legislature urged the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to study certain issues relative to the teacher tuition exemption program; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the program is to address the statewide need to fully certify teachers in all content areas and particularly in critical shortage content areas; and
WHEREAS, currently school administrators and supervisors are not included within the teacher tuition exemption program, although they are required by law to hold a valid teacher's certificate and are mandated to fulfill the requirements of the Administrative Leadership Academy which may include one college course every five years.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board hereby requests the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to address the concerns of teachers and others having difficulty participating in the program due to the changes made in the past year and to modify the program to allow all employees who hold a teaching certificate and whose job description requires the holding of a teaching certificate and who must participate in the Administrative Leadership Academy to participate in the program.
Superintendent Hinson reported that he received correspondence from Hammonds and Sills Attorneys in the state law suit concerning the State Employees Group Health. (Each member received a copy) Mr. Hinson stated that he would keep the Board updated in this situation.
Col. Peter Sun, military liaison for Fort Polk, related that approximately 10% of the construction of the new North Polk Elementary has been completed. Superintendent Hinson asked Col. Sun to check into the possibilities of the Board making an air tour by helicopter of the construction site.
Mr. Gunn inquired about volunteers working in schools. Superintendent Hinson stated that some schools do have parent volunteers, however, any person interested in doing this must be screened and approved by the administration of each school.
Mrs. Westerchil announced that Cleve Weisgerber, 4-H County Agent, has been recognized for a national service award by the 4-H Organization.
On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to commend Mr. Weisgerber for this outstanding accomplishment.
Superintendent Hinson recognized a group of concerned parents who reside in Ward One and who transport their children to a highway in Ward Two, Anacoco, for bus transportation to Anacoco Schools. Mr. Hinson reported that Board policy states that a person must request to be on the Board agenda five days prior to the meeting, however, that if the Board had no objection, the parents would be allowed to address the Board. Mr. Ralph Coleman spoke on behalf of the group. He stated that for several years he and other parents had transported their children from Ward One to a highway location in Ward Two, Anacoco, for bus transportation to and from school in Anacoco. He stated that the information he received from the school was that as long as he and the parents transported the children to the highway area in Ward Two, even though they live in Ward One, the children could ride the bus to Anacoco Schools.
He further stated that he and the parents have received notification from the schools' administration that the children would be allowed to attend the Anacoco Schools, however, due to overcrowded buses inside the Ward Two, Anacoco, area, bus service would no longer be available. His request was to have a bus to pick up the children at this designated area or to have a bus run through the Ward One area so that the children could have bus service to the Ward Two, Anacoco Schools.
Superintendent Hinson thanked Mr. Coleman and heard comments from other parents. Mr. Hinson stated that due to the over crowded bus situation inside the Anacoco area that the bus in this situation had to be used on the overcrowded routes in Anacoco and that students outside the Anacoco zone would be allowed to ride as seats on the bus were available. Current Board policy states that students are provided transportation within the school zone where they live; however, students may attend any school as long as they provide their own transportation to and from school. Mr. Hinson also stated the major concern he has with students being bused from outside their school zone is the liability problem created at the bus stop where these children assemble to catch the bus. He noted that for many years throughout the parish, the same situation has existed as Mr. Coleman stated, where students are transported by parents to an area, usually on a highway, to be picked up by a bus to another school zone. Mr. Reese stated that should an accident happen to these children at this "bus stop" determined by the parents, that the Board would be liable.
Board members stated their concern in this situation and asked that Mr. Reese work on resolving the problem and continue to provide transportation. The Board thanked the parent group for their organized and mannerly way of handling this situation. Mr. Hinson and Mr. Reese stated that they would provide transportation by Monday, September 12, 1994, and also thanked the parents.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
ON motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to claims as approved by the claims committee.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to adjourn.
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CAROLYN G. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY