NOVEMBER 3, 1994
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1994, AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATION, 201 BELVEIW 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. Mark Smith, Ward One.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. T.B. Porter, Ward Two, Anacoco.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Arvil Harvey, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of October 18, 1994.
Col. Sun introduced Dr. Ronald Thomas, Special Advisor to the Garrison Commander, who will attend school board meetings in his absence.
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. McRae, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted to terminate the employment of Mr. James Green, custodian at Leesville Junior High School.
At this time Mr. Ernesto Abad addressed the Board. Mr. Abad is a math and science teacher at Leesville High School. He is a state finalist in the Presidential Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Math and Science. He gave a report on the Principles of Technology Lab and applied physics class at Leesville High School. This a part of the Tech Prep program.
Mr. Bill Endris, Director of Finance, gave a report on the findings of the GAB Business Services, Inc. This company was employed by the Board to appraise school facilities parishwide for insurance purposes. An overview of the appraisal is attached. The amounts listed do not include the costs of land.
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to open the bids received for roofing materials at Hicks High School.
BIDDER BID
SOUTHERN STRUCTURES $11,794.14
CARLISLE ENGINEERING 9,219.05
MCELROY METALS 9,514.44
METAL WAREHOUSE 9,556.20
On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to take the bids for metal roofing materials under advisement.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to open bids received for metal roofing martials and trusses for Leesville High School.
BIDDER BID
ROGERS MANUFACTURERS (TRUSSES) $12,478.75
SOUTHERN STRUCTURES (METAL) 12,294.79
NOVEMBER 3, 1994
MCELROY METAL (METAL) 10,212.00
CARLISLE ENGINEERING (METAL) 10,392.05
SENTRY BUILDING (TRUSSES) NO BID
KRANTZ (TRUSSES) 8,750.00
SOUTHERN COMPONENTS 14,194.00
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to take the bids for roofing materials and trusses under advisement.
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to advertise for bids for metal roofing and trusses for the annex gym at Leesville High School. BIDS TO BE RECEIVED DECEMBER 1, 1994 AT 10:00 a.m.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr Burns, the Board voted to change the December 6, 1994 school board meeting to December 13, 1994 at 5:00 p.m.
President Williams announced that Mr. B.R. Harvey has been selected to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Mr. Harvey's selection is a first for a Vernon Parish School Board employee.
On motion of Mr. Arvil Harvey, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to approve a request by the West Louisiana Forestry Festival Executive Board that the school board pay a $50.00 fee for the use of electricity in the fair grounds auditorium when the building is used for a school function. This fee will be billed by invoice to the Vernon Parish School Board for auditing purposes.
Superintendent Hinson asked Mr. Asa Skinner, school board attorney, to address the Board relative to a recent request from the U.S. Justice Department on reapportionment. Mr. Skinner stated that the department has requested by letter certain information regarding the plan submitted for approval. He said that the Board has 60 days from October 28, 1994 to comply with the requests and that the Justice Department will then have 60 days to give a determination on their findings on approval or disapproval of the reapportionment plan submitted by the Vernon Parish School Board. Mr. Skinner stated that hopefully the requests will be finalized and sent back to the department by December 1, 1994. He informed the Board that the plaintiffs have filed an appeal on the judge's ruling concerning the payment of their attorneys.
The Board requested that they receive copies of information requested by and sent to the Justice Department in regards to the reapportionment plan.
Superintendent Hinson announced the winners of the Eisenhower Grants.
Attached
He stated that workshops have been planned to assist teachers in writing grant proposals.
Superintendent Hinson announced that the final enrollment count for Vernon Parish as of the official date, October 1, 1994, is 11,238 students.
President Williams announced that the deadline for submission of resolutions to the Louisiana School Board Association is December 1, 1994.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to advertise for bids to pave the parking lot at East Leesville Elementary School and to work with the city of Leesville to improve the traffic flow in this school zone. Bids to be received December 1, 1994 at 10:00 a.m.
Superintendent Hinson announced that the first drug screening workshop for bus operators is currently being held at the Vernon Parish fair grounds. He reported that this mandated workshop is proceeding smoothly.
Mr. Porter announced that on November 10, 1994 the Louisiana Agriculture and Food Exposition will be held in Alexandria and invited the Board to attend.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, 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 express their heartfelt condolences in to the family of Mr. Ross Weldon, retired custodian at Pitkin High School,
WHEREAS, Mr. Weldon was the grandfather of Mrs. Christie Taylor, central office secretary, and father of Mrs. Kay Daigle, custodian at Pitkin School,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests
that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Weldon and her family along with sincere condolences from this Board.
On motion of Mr. McKee, 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 Mr. Robert "Robbie" Ambler,
WHEREAS, Mr. Ambler was the brother of Cathy Ambler, teacher at North Polk Elementary School,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. and Mrs. James Ambler, along with sincere condolences from Board.
There being no further business, the Board voted to adjourn until Tuesday, November 8, 1994 at 10:00 a.m.
______________________________
CAROLYN G. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
______________________________
SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY