December 7, 1995
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH, LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1995, AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 201 BELVEIW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA. President Smith called the meeting to order and on roll call the following members were present:
MARK H. SMITH, PRESIDENT
RICHARD BAILES
GERALD BURNS
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR.
M. GENE HAYMON
C.A. HUGHES
KIM REESE
LINDA WEST
BETTY WESTERCHIL
PHILIP L. GUNN
W.W. PARKER
WILLIS FARRIS
MURPHY O'BANION
B.R. HARVEY
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. Richard Bailes, District One.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Col. Geof Prosch, Fort Polk representative.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Parker, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of November 7, 1995.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
Recommendation was made by Superintendent Hinson that the suspensions of Mr. Robert N. Craft, Principal of Pickering High School, and Mr. James E. Dell Ashley, Head football coach and Athletic Director, Pickering High School be continued, with pay, to the end of the first semester of the 1995-96 school term (January 16, 1996). Motion was made by Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B. R. Harvey, that the Board vote to continue the suspensions of Mr. Craft and Mr. Ashley as recommended by the Superintendent. Mr. O'Banion asked where Mr. Craft and Mr. Ashley would be placed if the suspensions were not approved. Superintendent Hinson stated that at this time he would only recommend the suspensions and that if not approved, the Board would direct him as to the placement of Mr. Craft and Mr. Ashley. Mr. O'Banion stated that some citizens of Pickering have requested that the two employees return to their jobs. Mr. O'Banion stated that since Mr. Ashley had voiced no objection to the continued suspensions, he would make the motion to continue the suspensions. The Board voted to approve the motion by Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey to continue the suspensions of Mr. Craft and Mr. Ashley, with pay, until the end of the first semester of the 1995-96 school term (January 16, 1996).
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. McKee, and seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the sabbatical leave request for Barbara Kite, teacher, Rosepine Elementary, for rest and recuperation, 1-17-96 through 5-31-96.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Farris, the Board voted to approve a leave without pay request for Cheryl Anderson, teacher, Pickering Elementary, 1-17-96 through 5-31-96.
On recommendation of Superintendent, and on motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded of Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:
ATTACHED
Mr. Asa Skinner, school board attorney, addressed the Board relative to a recent car accident involving the Superintendent and the school board car. Mr. Skinner explained that Superintendent Hinson was hit from the rear on Highway 171 on November 29, 1995. He stated that the insurance coverages of the company of the person who was at fault, would allow for the school board deductible of $500.00 to be returned to the school board, the rental car would be paid for and the value of the vehicle owned by the school board would be paid to the school board. Superintendent Hinson asked Mr. Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent, to address the Board. Mr. Moss explained leasing and purchasing new vehicles. He stated that he would advise the Board to advertise for bids to purchase a car.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to advertise for bids for a new 1995 or 1996 car, or a programmed car with low mileage.
Bids to be received January 4, 1996 at 10:00 a.m.
At this time the Superintendent recognized Mr. Tom Neubert, Principal of Leesville High School and Mr. James Williams, Assistant Principal. Mr. Neubert and Mr. Williams informed the Board about the drivers education programs in Vernon Parish, stating that this program has served hundreds of students throughout the parish and thanked the Board for their support. Mr. Neubert explained that Alford Motor Company and Greg Ross have provided cars for this program and Dewey Snowden of Snowden Word Insurance Agency has provided insurance coverage. The Board showed their appreciation to Alford Motors, Greg Ross and Dewey Snowden by presenting them with a plaque from the Vernon Parish School Board.
On motion of Mr. Parker, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to thank Alford Motor Company, Greg Ross and Dewey Snowden for their support of the Vernon Parish Schools and especially the drivers' education program.
On motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to advertise for bids for roofing materials for Hicks High School lobby and gymnasium. Bids to be received January 4, 1996 at 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to advertise for bids for a roofing contract for West Leesville Elementary. Bids to be received January 4, 1996, at 10:00 a.m.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to appoint Mrs. Liz Cordova as Principal of West Leesville Elementary School for a one year contract. There was one nay vote cast by Mrs. Westerchil.
Mr. James Ward, Administrator of Support Services, reported on the turn lane at the new North Polk School. Mr. Ward stated that he had served on the building committee of the new school and has worked closely with Col. Prosch, Garrison Commander on this project and at this time asked Col Prosch to give a break down on the work to be done on Highway 467 for the turn lane. Col. Prosch stated the contractor under estimated the cost for the turn lane. However, the military Director of Public Works has coordinated with both the architect and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DODT) to solve the turn lane matter. BG (Ret) Jude Patin, Chief, Louisiana DODT has informed Col. Prosch that the DODT would fund the excess cost (above that in the current construction scope of work) for constructing the turn lane. The Board expressed their appreciation to Gen. Patin and the DODT.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board voted to advertise for an Assistant Principal for Vernon Elementary for a one year contract. Applications will be taken until January 2, 1996 at 4:30 p.m.
On motion of Mr. Farris, seconded by Mr. Parker, the Board voted to advertise for bids for lights, ceiling tile and grid for Evans High School. Bids to be received January 4, 1996, 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to send good luck wishes to the Leesville High School Wampus Cats as they travel to the Louisiana Superdome to play in the finals of the high school football playoffs.
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 wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies to Mr. T.B. Porter, former school board member for Anacoco, in the recent death of his mother, Mrs. J.A. AMaw@ Porter,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Porter was the grandmother of Mrs. Judy Weisgerber, Mrs. Kathy Bennett, both teachers at Anacoco High School, and Mrs. Lindy Todd, bus operator at East Leesville Elementary,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the entire Porter family, along with sincere condolences.
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 convey their heartfelt sympathies to Mr. David Gibson, teacher at Pickering High School, in the recent death of his mother, Mrs. Eva Gibson,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board further requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. Gibson and his family.
The following supervisors addressed the Board relating their job duties:
DR. LARRY MONK, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
JAMES WARD, ADMINISTRATOR
BILL ENDRIS, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
ROLAND BOOTY, CURRICULUM COORDINATOR GRADES K-8
JOE POPE, CURRICULUM COORDINATOR GRADES 7-12
RICHARD REESE, TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISOR
MIKE PERKINS, SUPERVISOR OF CHILD WELFARE AND ATTENDANCE
President Smith called on Mr. Charles Kay. Mr. Kay addressed the situation at Pickering High School and stated his support of Mr. Craft and Mr. Ashley. He stated that he would like to present two petitions of support for the two employees. On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to allow Mr. Kay to present the petitions to Superintendent Hinson.
President Smith called on Mr. Sam Briggs. Mr. Briggs said he felt that allowing Mr. Kay to address the Board was wrong, in that Mr. Kay was not on the agenda.
After a brief discussion by the Board members on the Pickering situation, Superintendent Hinson stated that he felt that the discussion should cease, that the Attorney General's office has not notified him about the conclusion of the investigation, and that the matter should only be discussed with the employees present.
On motion of Mr. Haymon, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board voted to adjourn to adjourn until Tuesday, December 12, 1995 at 5:00 p.m.
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MARK H. SMITH, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SUPERINTENDENT