October 10, 1995
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 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. GEOFFREY PROSCH
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Philip L. Gunn, Ward One.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, Ward One.
Superintendent Hinson read the attached Call Notice:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of October 5, 1995.
On motion of Mr. O=Banion, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests:
ATTACHED
At this time the Superintendent and Board recognized the Teachers of the Year for Vernon Parish:
Charlene Babcock, Elementary, Pitkin School
Cala Rayburn, Junior High, Leesville Junior High School
Ramona Avant, High School, Pitkin High School
Superintendent Hinson congratulated these outstanding educators, stating that they had been recognized at the Fall Teachers Workshop and each one received a $500 award and a plaque for their outstanding accomplishments.
Debbie Smith, Leesville High School business teacher, addressed the Board. Mrs. Smith presented different teaching techniques and programs she uses in her classes to prepare students for adult life after high school. She stated that placing students in actual workplaces, allowed them to get a first hand feel of certain career fields.
Mrs. Gloria Owen and Mrs. Berta Fertitta, representatives of the Mayor=s Women=s Commission, addressed the Board about the AClean City Campaign.@ The ladies stated that this campaign is a parish wide effort and presented certain ways that awareness of litter on the streets and grounds of the Parish are being controlled. Mrs. Anne Smith, Principal of East Leesville Elementary, chairman of the educational group for this campaign, described East Leesville=s involvement with the group. Mrs. Shirley Holt, representative of the School Board, stated that all Vernon Parish schools will participate in this clean community campaign. On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to support this clean community campaign throughout the school system.
Mrs. Pat Crawford, Supervisor, addressed the Board relative to vocational education and 8G grants. She stated that grant funds are being used to help students to prepare for careers and college through the Ashadowing program@ and Aschools to work program.@
On motion of Mr. O=Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to open the bids received for concrete for Pickering Schools.
BIDDER BID
LEESVILLE CONCRETE $58.00 PER YARD
R.B. SEWELL $60.00 PER YARD
On motion of Mr. O=Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to award the bid for concrete to the low bidder, Leesville Concrete Company in the amount of $58.00 per yard.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to sell miscellaneous used kitchen equipment at Leesville High School.
Superintendent Hinson reported to the Board that the Louisiana School Boards Association has sent all school boards a copy of the Public Affairs Research Council of La., Inc. AGuide to the Proposed Constitutional Amendments.@ The LSBA has asked all Boards to consider voting to support amendment #3 which would limit the amount of money awarded in lawsuits against the state or local governments.
Superintendent Hinson reported that the student count officially reported for Student Information Systems (SIS) for October 1, 1995 is 11,220. He also stated that the count for 1994 for this report on Vernon Parish student count was 11,241.
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 do hereby wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mrs. Jane Lee, mother of retired teachers= aide from Pitkin School, Melanie Bennett and grandmother of Carolyn Maddox, teacher at Pitkin School,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board takes this means to send their condolences and prayers to the family of Mrs. Lee and to request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to them.
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to express their appreciation to Doris Maricle, Leesville Daily Leader, reporter who has covered the Vernon Parish School Board meetings for more than eight years. Ms Maricle has always provided thorough and positive coverage of Vernon Parish Schools. The Board wishes her many successes in the future.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Burns, 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. Gunn, 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