DECEMBER 13, 1994
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1994 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 201 Belveiw 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
In the absence of Superintendent Sammy L. Hinson, Mr. James
Ward, Administrator of Support Services, was present.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Arvil Harvey, Ward Three.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Philip L. Gunn, Ward One.
Mr. Ward read the attached Call Notice:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Arvil Harvey, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of December 1, 1994.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Arvil Harvey, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:
ATTACHED
Mr. Porter, Chairman of the Insurance Committee, reported that the Mr. John Norris, Insurance Consultant, had met with the committee and reviewed the Statement of Values and premium options on property insurance. Property insurance coverage is through the Snowden-Word Insurance Agency. (COPIES ATTACHED)
On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve the Statement of Values and the annual premium with an endorsement that limits the maximum amount of payable in any one occurrence to $54,661,638.00 (annual cost to the Board, $9,202.00).
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to accept the low bid of McElroy Metal, Inc. in the amount of $4,724.00 for metal roofing materials for the Leesville High School annex gym.
ATTACHED
Mr. Ward announced that quotes for the trusses for the gym have been received and that the low quote of Southern Components was accepted in the amount of $2,538.40.
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On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to advertise to sell unusable equipment at Simpson High School. Bids to be received January 5, 1994, at 10:00 a.m.
President Williams announced that the supplemental information requested by the U.S. Department of Justice had been compiled and would be sent to the Department on December 14, 1994. Mr. O'Banion asked that a letter to the Department be sent asking for an expedient judgement on the proposed plan submitted by the Board.
Mr. O'Banion stated he is donating his salary for school board member to a scholarship fund for a graduating senior from Pickering High School who is majoring in education. He stated that his donation would exclude his insurance coverage and taxes.
Mrs. Westerchil stated that she would like for the Board to investigate a recent announcement by the Governor's office relative to grants for school based health care centers.
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 learned with grief and sadness of the recent death of Mrs. Freda LaCaze, retired lunchroom manager at Pitkin High School,
WHEREAS, Mrs. LaCaze was a loyal and dedicated employee and she will be missed by her family and friends,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to her sisters, Mickie Cooley, special education aide, and Carlene Johnson, lunchroom cook, at Pitkin High School and her husband, Mr. Pierre LaCaze of Pitkin.
On motion of Mr. Smith, 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 do hereby request that sincere condolences be sent to Dr. and Mrs. Larry Monk, Assistant Superintendent, of the Vernon Parish School Board, in the recent death of Mrs. Monk's father, Mr. Claiborne Pollard, life long resident of Vernon Parish,
WHEREAS, Mr. Pollard was a great supporter of this school system. He was a respected business man in Leesville and his bakery served many dozens of donut to teachers and students in this community.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board takes this means to express their heartfelt sympathies to Mrs. Marjorie Pollard and her family in this time of bereavement,
AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the Pollard family.
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 Mrs. Melissa Gill, teachers' aide at East Leesville Elementary, in the recent death of her father, Mr. Jack Trishell,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Gill and her family.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to express their appreciation to the Central Office Staff for the Christmas reception held in the Board's honor.
At this time President Williams opened the floor for the election of officers for 1995.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to elect officers for 1995.
Mr. B.R. Harvey nominated Mr. Mark Smith for President. Mr. McRae seconded the nomination.
Mr. Gunn made a motion that the nominations cease. Mr. Burns seconded the motion.
Mr. Smith was elected as President by acclamation.
Mr. Arvil Harvey nominated Mr. T.B. Porter for Vice President. Mr. McKee seconded the nomination.
Mr. Burns made a motion that the nominations cease, seconded by Mr. Dowden.
Mr. Porter was elected Vice President by acclamation.
Mr. Ward presented a plaque of appreciation to Mrs. Williams for her tenure as president of the Board for 1994.
Mrs. Williams expressed her gratitude to the members for their support of her during 1994 and for their dedication to the children of Vernon Parish.
Mrs. Williams presented the gavel to Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith thanked the Board for trusting him with the office of President of the Vernon Parish School Board.
On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to authorize the Secretary and President to pay claims as approved by the claims committee.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adjourn.
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CAROLYN G. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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JAMES C. WARD, ADMINISTRATOR OF SUPPORT
SERVICES