October 5, 1995
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 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
CAROLYN 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 open in prayer by Mrs. Westerchil, Ward One.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Dowden, Ward One.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of September 12, 1995.
On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to approve the attached list
of new employees:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Arvil Harvey, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests:
ATTACHED
Mr. Vernon Meyer, engineer, of Meyer and Associates, Inc. addressed the Board. Mr. Meyer stated that a grant proposal has been approved and work has begun with the Police Jury for the Pickering School Wastewater Tie-In for the Cooper Church Road/Brown Lane, 1993 CDBG Wastewater Improvement Program MA Project No. A9-93020. Mr. Meyer gave details of the project status, stating that the Pickering schools could tie-in to the wastewater treatment for approximately $600.00 per year for 12 months. Superintendent Hinson recommended this proposal of the Pickering Schools joining the wastewater tie-in for $600.00 per month for twelve months, with the stipulation that Mr. Asa Skinner, school board attorney, research and approve the project proposal and set the $600.00 rate on a permanent or long term basis. On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to join the Wastewater Improvement Program for $600.00 monthly, with the final approval of school board attorney, Asa Skinner.
Mrs. Vickie Harter, 4th grade teacher, at South Polk Elementary School, addressed the Board. Mrs. Harter stated that she received a QSM grant and with the monies she purchased special calculators for her students. Mrs. Harter demonstrated math manipulatives she uses in her class. She stated that children learn the math basics both with pencil and paper as well as with the calculators.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson and on motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to change the Pitkin Senior Citizens Center, Inc. annual fee to lease a building from the school board to $10.00 (from $100.00 annually) and other valuable considerations.
On motion of Mr. Porter, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board voted to advertise to sell a used piano at Anacoco Elementary School. Bids to be received November 2, 1995 at 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to advertise to sell used sewing machines at Leesville High School. Bids to be received November 2, 1995 at 10:00 a.m.
Mr. Burns suggested that the Board consider a policy that no lockers be rented in Vernon Parish Schools due to the recent media coverage. It was the consensus of the Board and Superintendent that the Vernon Parish Schools have never rented lockers to students, however, locks are rented at schools. Mr. Dowden stated that he felt that the Board should not respond to the Soapbox in the local newspaper. Mr. O'Banion stated that locks, not lockers are rented at Pickering High School.
Mr. B.R. Harvey asked that an official statement be issued that no schools in Vernon Parish will be closed.
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 do hereby wish to covey their heartfelt sympathy to the family of Mr. Tom Austin Russell. Mr. Russell was a graduate of Leesville High School in 1967 and fought in the Viet Nam war as a U.S. State Marine.
WHEREAS, Mr. Russell was the brother of Mrs. Diane Barney, Supervisor of Food Services, for Vernon Parish Schools, and he was the nephew of Mr. Arvil Harvey, School Board member, Ward Three, Evans,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that sincere condolences be sent to his wife and children and to Mr. Russell's mother, Mrs. Austin Russell, Jr., and his grandmother, Mrs. Austin Russell, Sr., who are both long time supporters of the Vernon Parish School system, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this
memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mr. Russell.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, 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 wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies to Mr. Murray Hicks, teacher at Hornbeck High School, in the recent death of his mother, Mrs. Iva Lo'D Conerly Hicks,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Hicks was lifelong resident of Leesville and Vernon Parish, and great supporter of Vernon Parish Schools,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does take this opportunity to express their condolences to Mr. Hicks and his family.
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, it was learned with grief and sadness of the recent death of Mrs. Bobbie Johnson Mullins, the sister-in-law of Mrs. Carlene Johnson, cook at Pitkin High School,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does wish to send their heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Johnson and her family.
Superintendent Hinson reminded the Board that the North Polk dedication and ribbon cutting would be held on Tuesday, October 10, 1995 after the school board meeting and that open house is scheduled for October 16th, for Preschool and Kindergarten, and October 17th for first grade.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to adjourn until Tuesday, October 10, 1995.
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MARK H. SMITH, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY