February 7, 1995
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1995 AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA 71446 PRESIDENT SMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
MARK H. SMITH, PRESIDENT
T.B. PORTER, VICE PRESIDENT
GERALD BURNS
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR.
PHILIP L. GUNN
CAROLYN WILLIAMS
ARVIL HARVEY
MURPHY O'BANION
B.R. HARVEY
WALLACE MCRAE
BENARD MCKEE
DR. RON TOMAS
ABSENT: BETTY WESTERCHIL
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Wallace McRae, Wards Six and Eight.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Benard McKee, Ward Seven.
Superintendent Hinson read the attached call notice:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of February 2, 1995.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Arvil Harvey, the Board voted to approve the attached list of Sabbatical Leave requests:
Will Waldrup, teacher, Pickering Elementary, Rest and Recuperation, 1995-96
Julie Bertrand, teacher, Pickering Elementary, Rest and Recuperation, 1995-96
At this time the Superintendent and Board recognized the following groups of students and presented each one with a certificate for their outstanding accomplishments:
Leesville Junior High School football team, League Champions
Anacoco High School 1995 Quiz Bowl Champions
Demetrie Penson, 1st place winner of the Louisiana School Boards Association Art Contest
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to name Mr. Charles Balthrop as Assistant Principal at East Leesville Elementary.
Mr. Gunn voted nay.
The contract for this position will expire at the end of the Fall Semester of the 1995-96 school year.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to name Mr. John Farris as Assistant Principal at South Polk Elementary.
The contract for this position will expire at the end of the Fall Semester of the 1995-96 school year.
Mr. Gunn made the following statement:
"I'm having a difficult time trying to arrive at a conclusion as to how some of our positions are filled. In analyzing the situation at East Leesville Elementary School, the Principal and Assistant Principal were white females. This system has a qualified black female educator assigned and teaching at that school. She is an exceptional person, professional educator with all the credentials. This lady has been waiting for the opportunity to advance. But all of a sudden two women are not wanted in these positions. So a white male is hired who, incidentally got certified just in time to be interviewed. I want to bring to the Boards' attention that we had two females at South Fort Polk School and they made it alright. There are other situations basically the same as this situation, where black educators have been denied advancement. The same question has been asked many times, " Why don't more black males enter the field of education?" I feel situations like this can be considered the classic example. The chances for advancement are little to none, mainly because of the color of their skin. This is the year 1995. It is my prayer and hope that we can move beyond this kind of thinking and open the doors to advancement in our great system to black educators as well as any other educators."
Mr. Roland Booty, Elementary Coordinator, reported on the LEEP program. Mr. Booty proposed that the LEEP become a day camp instead of an overnight camp. Proposed changes attached.
ATTACHED
The Board requested that all meals be provided for the participating students.
On motion of Mrs. Williams, seconded by the entire Board, the Board voted to adopt the attached resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board do hereby express their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. Joe Westerchil, retired Principal of the Leesville Junior High School,
WHEREAS, Mr. Westerchil was a dedicated educator and served dutifully and with great love for children. He was employed in this Parish in 1964 as counselor at Leesville Junior High School. He retired in 1986 after serving as Principal. This school system excels in the field of education and is a leader in the State of Louisiana because of fine educators like Joe Westerchil. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
WHEREAS, Mr. Westerchil was the husband of Ward One School Board member Betty Westerchil and his son Grant, is a teacher and coach at Leesville High School, son Scott is an attorney in Leesville,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board takes this means to express their sincere sympathies to Mrs. Westerchil and her family and request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to them in this time of bereavement.
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 Board take this means to express their heartfelt sympathies to Mrs. Cheryl Craft, Central Office Secretary, and to Mrs. Mackie Smart, retired School Health Nurse, in the recent death of Mr. Hal Maple,
WHEREAS, Mr. Maple was a great supporter of this school system and he will be sadly missed by his many friends and his family,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Pat Maple and her family.
Superintendent Hinson announced that McDonald's Restaurant is sponsoring a spelling bee for 5th and 6th graders. He stated that Mr. L.J. Langlois, owner of McDonald's, has announced that the spelling bee will be televised on the Leesville cable network. The bee will be held February 25, 1995 at the Leesville High School auditorium.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Arvil Harvey, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to authorize the President and Secretary to pay claims as approved by the claims committee.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by mr. McKee, the Board voted to adjourn.
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MARK H. SMITH, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY