APRIL 4, 1995
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1995 AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 201 Belview Road, Leesville, LA 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
BETTY WESTERCHIL
MURPHY O'BANION
B.R. HARVEY
WALLACE MCRAE
BENARD MCKEE
DR. RON THOMAS
ABSENT: ARVIL HARVEY, ILLNESS
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Gerald Burns, Ward One.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mrs. Carolyn Williams, Ward Two, Hornbeck.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the minutes of March 7, 1995.
On motion of Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests:
ATTACHED
Mrs. Mickie Seastrunk, Coordinator of the Alternative School and the P.M. School, addressed the Board. Mrs. Seastrunk gave an update on the schools and stated that the Alternative School has 45 students enrolled. She stated that the P.M. School has an enrollment of approximately 70 students with 25 attending on a regular basis. She explained that students who would be considered drop-outs, are being educationally fulfilled in these programs and that if the needs of students cannot be met at these schools, the staff works with other avenues for the students such as the vocational school and the GED program.
Mr. Bill Bailey and Mr. Gene Haymon, Chamber of Commerce, addressed the Board relative to the 1995 Program of Work which the Chamber has published detailing the functions of the Chamber. Mr. Bailey and Mr. Haymon invited the Board members to join as individuals and as a Board.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to join the Leesville/Vernon Chamber of Commerce.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to advertise for Principal of Leesville High School for a one year contract. Applications will be taken until April 28, 1995 at 4:30 p.m.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to advertise for Assistant Principal of Hornbeck High School for a two year contract. Applications will be taken until April 28, 1995 at 4:30 p.m.
Mr. James Ward presented the proposed 1995-96 school calendar. Mr. Ward stated that the Calendar Committee has met on several occasions and have voted to present this calendar to the Board after meeting with school faculties and getting input from each school. The calendar will be considered for adoption on April 11, 1995.
Mr. Bill Endris addressed the Board. Mr. Endris stated a survey of employees on the distribution of supplemental checks had been completed and that an overwhelming majority had voted to continue to receive the supplemental checks as two separate checks, one distributed in May and one in December.
Mr. Endris explained a change in social security.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to adopt the following resolution concerning social security:
R E S O L U T I O N
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Mr. Endris gave a report on the Insurance Commitee's hospitalization meeting. He stated that three companies have given presentations, State Employees Benefit Plan, Morris Temple Insurance, and Sisters of Charity. He stated that the Committee of teachers and Board members had met on Monday, April 3, 1995 and will meet again on Wednesday, April 5, 1995. He further stated that a plan must be decided on and changes made by the April 11, 1995 Board meeting. The new plan will be in effect by June 1, 1995. Mr. Endris indicated that $400,000.00 is needed in the insurance fund to cover outstanding premiums.
On motion of Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to authorize $400,000.00 to be transferred to the insurance fund.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to advertise to sell miscellaneous used office equipment and instructional equipment at Leesville High School. Bids to be received May 4, 1995.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to advertise to sell miscellaneous used kitchen equipment at Pickering High School and Pickering Elementary. Bids to be received May 4, 1995.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to advertise to purchase roofing materials for Leesville High School. Bids to be received May 4, 1995.
On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to open the following bids:
a. Used copiers for sale at Hornbeck
NO BIDS RECEIVED
b. Timber cutting at Simpson
BIDDER BID
Roy O. Martin Lumber Co. $315,217.00
On motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to award the timber cutting to Roy O. Martin Lumber Company.
c. Used driver's education equipment
NO BIDS RECEIVED
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to appoint a committee to open bids on Thursday, April 6, 1995 at 10:00 a.m. for the following:
a. Pickering High School activity bus
b. Two maintenance trucks
The committee will be:Mr. Endris, Mr. Moss, Mr. Ward, Mr. Kay and President Smith
Superintendent Hinson announced that LEAP testing, CRT, and GEE testing are taking place in all Vernon Parish Schools this week.
Superintendent Hinson referred the members to ballots of the April 29, 1995 millage tax renewal elections. Mr. Hinson stated that the tax elections will be held parishwide, Ward 2 Hornbeck, Ward 2 Anacoco, and Ward One. He asked that the media emphasize that these elections are renewal taxes.
Superintendent Hinson stated that Col. Sun and Fort Polk have requested that students whose parents work at Fort Polk be allowed to participate in the "Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Program" on April 27, 1995. He stated that students will be allowed to participate with written permission from the parent and will be excused from school.
Mr. Dowden inquired about the 5% state legislature pay raise for school employees. Superintendent Hinson stated that he will give a report of the status of this pay raise to the Vernon Parish principals on Friday, April 7, 1995.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to request an explanation from Governor Edwards, Representative John Smith, Representative Dwayne Cooley, and Senator James David Cain concerning the pay raise, further requesting that answers be given as to the amount to be received and when the checks will be issued.
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 record with grief and sadness the recent death of Mr. Carl Sweat and wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies to Mrs. Carlene Johnson, lunchroom technician at Pitkin High School and Mrs. Mickie Cooley, special education aide at Pitkin High School, sisters of Mr. Sweat,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Cooley along with sincere condolences from this Board.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by the entire Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board learned with grief and sadness of the recent death of Mr. Jimmy Lewis Polson, great supporter of the Pitkin High School agriculture program,
WHEREAS, Mr. Polson was the brother-in-law of Mrs. Ruby Polson and uncle of Mrs. Betty Compton, teacher, and Mrs. Pat Roberts, teacher, both at Pitkin School,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mr. Polson along with sincere sympathies from this Board.
On motion of Mr. Gerald Burns, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolutions:
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. Ruth
Cavanaugh, retired lunchroom manager, in the recent death of her brother-in-law, Mr. Lester Mace Cavanaugh,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Cavanaugh and her family along with sincere condolences from this Board.
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 Mr. Johnny Hall, long time supporter of the Vernon Parish School System,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this resolution be sent to Mrs. Hall and her family along with sincere condolences from this Board.
On motion of Mr. Porter, 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 of Mr. Julian Cavanaugh, retired bus operator,
WHEREAS, Mr. Cavanaugh was a loyal and dedicated employee who always kept the safety of the children on his bus as his goal while employed by this school system from 1957 to 1974,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mr. Cavanaugh along with sincere condolences.
Superintendent Hinson announced that the Leesville Mayor's Womens' Commission will hold a clean up campaign on Saturday, April 8, 1995 and that all Leesville schools will be notified of this project and asked to have all school yards cleaned.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. McRae, the Board voted to adjourn until Tuesday, April 11, 1995.
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MARK H. SMITH, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY