SEPTEMBER 7, 1995

THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 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

BETTY WESTERCHIL

CAROLYN G. WILLIAMS

ARVIL HARVEY

MURPHY O'BANION

B.R. HARVEY

WALLACE MCRAE

BENARD MCKEE

COL. GEOF PROSCH

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 Mr. T.B. Porter, Ward Two Anacoco.

On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of August 8, 1995.

On motion of Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:

 ATTACHED

On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to approve a sabbatical leave request for Dawn Travis, teacher, Leesville High School, for the spring semester 1996, for professional improvement.

On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. McRae, the Board voted to approve the attached list of leave without pay requests:

ATTACHED

On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee transfers:

ATTACHED

On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:

ATTACHED

On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. McRae, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to name Mr. Randy Lansdale as Assistant Principal of Hicks High School.

At this time the Board recognized the following groups of outstanding students:

Simpson High School, State semi finalists softball team, Class C

Simpson High School, State runners up baseball team, Class C

Hicks High School, State runners up baseball Class B

Pitkin High School, Class B state champions, baseball

Mrs. Beth Thomas, teacher at Rosepine Elementary, addressed the Board. Mrs. Thomas demonstrated learning techniques for teaching phonics to Kindergarten students. The Board members enjoyed participating in a bubble demonstration which Mrs. Thomas uses in teaching the letter "B".

Mr. Cleve Weisgerber, Vernon Parish County Agent, introduced Mr. Jason Parker, Assistant County Agent, who will be working with the 4-H program Mr. Weisgerber thanked the Board for their support for students in 4-H programs.

Mr. Bill Endris, Director of Finance, presented the final general fund/consolidated budget for 1994-95.

On motion of Mr. Bums, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to adopt the final budget for 1994-95.

Bill Endris, Mike Perkins, Richard Reese and James Ward reviewed recently enacted laws passed by the Louisiana legislature pertaining to public education. Superintendent Hinson announced that the Louisiana School Board Association would send copies for all school board members at a later date.

Superintendent Hinson announced that the town of Hornbeck had formally requested that the Vernon Parish School Board assist them in having a traffic light installed at the intersection of Highways 171 and 392. On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mr. Bums, the Board voted to authorize the request of the traffic light for the town of Hornbeck.

On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Bums, the Board voted to authorize a request to have a traffic light installed at the entrance to the Pickering Schools on Highway 171.

On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to open the bids received for the sale of the used bus at Pitkin.

BIDDER                                                                                  BID

VALERIE JOHNSON                                                            $1,200.00

On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to award the bus bid to Valerie Johnson in the amount of $1,200.00. This was the only bid received.

On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to open the bids received for air conditioning for the Leesville High School annex gymnasium

On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Bums, the Board voted to take the air conditioning bids under advisement.

On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to establish the lease agreement terms to the Pitkin Senior Citizens Center, Inc. from the Pitkin School as follows:

LENGTH OF LEASE:                                                 99 YEARS

AMOUNT OF LEASE:                                              $100.00 ANNUALLY

Superintendent Hinson announced that he had conferred with Mr. George Thompson, Principal of North Polk Elementary, Col. Prosch and General Sheffield about a date for the dedication and ribbon cutting for the new facility. He stated that October 10, 1995 would be a good date for the military and the school personnel.

On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to hold the ribbon cutting ceremonies on  October 10, 1995 at North Polk Elementary.

Superintendent Hinson presented the proposed open house dates for Vernon Parish Schools. On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to approve the open house dates as corrected.

On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. McRae, the Board voted to authorize the Louisiana Mineral Board the authority to accept three quotes to lease school property for an oil and mineral lease at a cost of $200.00 to the Vernon Parish School Board. Superintendent Hinson stated that Mr. Asa Skinner, Assistant District Attorney, will be consulted as to the distribution of the collected lease funds.

On motion of Mr. Bums, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to authorize Mr. Reese, Transportation Supervisor, to have the bus operators to identify all highway and street "blind corners" so that the Sheriff's officials can clear these areas for the safety of students. The Board expressed their appreciation to Sheriff Howard and Mr. Creasy for the assistance in making bus transportation and private vehicle transportation safer in Vernon Parish.

On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to advertise for bids for the purchase of concrete for the Pickering Schools.

Mr. O'Banion inquired as to whether or not Vernon Parish Schools have prayer in schools and if the schools have the pledge of allegiance. Superintendent Hinson stated that non-denominational prayer is allowed and that the pledge of allegiance is encouraged in the Vernon Parish school system. He stated that he will look into this matter and report back to the Board.

On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board do hereby wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. F. Clay Tillman who recently passed away,

WHEREAS, Mr. Tillman was a great supporter of the Vernon Parish School system both in academics and athletics. Mr. Tillman was one of the "Voices of the Wampus Cats" for Friday night football games and he will be sadly missed.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Tillman and her children in this time of sadness along with sincere condolences from the members of the Vernon Parish School Board.

On motion of Mr. Arvil Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board learned with grief and sadness of the recent death of Mrs. Mattie Davis, retired teacher from Evans School,

WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis taught at Evans for more than forty years, and during her tenure she was respected and admired for her exceptional abilities of expertise in the classroom and her love for children,

WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis was always a loyal and dedicated employee of this school system and she was held in high regard by her peers,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby wish to convey their sorrow to the family of Mrs. Davis and does hereby request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family.

On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to adjourn until Tuesday, September 12, 1995 at 5:00 p.m.