December 12, 1995
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1995, AT 5:00 P.M. PRESIDENT SMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
MARK H. SMITH, PRESIDENT
RICHARD W. 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 A. 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. Gerald Burns, District One.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Richard Bailes, District One.
Superintendent Hinson read the attached call notice:
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On motion of Mr. Parker, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of December 7, 1995.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
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On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Farris, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:
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On motion of Mr. Farris, seconded by Mr. Parker, the Board voted to approve the sabbatical leave request for Sherry Paris, Central Office Supervisor, for rest and recuperation effective January 17, 1996 to September 16, 1996.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Bailes, the Board voted to authorize the Superintendent to purchase 4.33 acres of land across from Vernon Elementary from the Vernon Bank in the amount of $15,000.00.
DESCRIPTION ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Farris, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to limit the services of the Evans Meat Plant to Vernon Parish residents only and to authorize the following changes in meat processing prices at the meat plant:
Deer processing 17 cents per pound
Beef and pork (killing and cutting) 15 cents per pound
Mr. Farris stated that this year so far production of hog processing for out of parish residents has been 3,000 pounds, beef for out of parish residents has been 10,110 pounds and that 60 deer have been processed for out of parish residents. He further stated that the Evans Meat Plant was built on a small scale to serve Vernon Parish residents and due to the work overload and the limited processing space in the plant, Vernon Parish residents have been turned away for meat processing.
Superintendent Hinson announced the meeting dates of the school board for 1996:
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On motion of Mr. Haymon, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board voted to approve the schedule of meetings of the Vernon Parish School Board for 1996.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to advertise for bids for three to five high speed buffers. Bids to be received January 11, 1996, at 10:00 a.m.
The following supervisors addressed the Board, outlining their various job duties:
PAT CRAWFORD
SHIRLEY HOLT
RICHARD SCHWARTZ
President Smith opened the floor for nominations for President of the Board for 1996.
Mrs. Westerchil nominated Mr. Smith
Mr. Farris nominated Mr. Dowden
Motion was made by Mr. Burns, seconded by Ms. West, that the nominations cease.
Mr. Dowden asked that his name be withdrawn from the nominations due to the fact that he could not dedicate the time needed for the office because of his job.
Mr. Parker nominated Mr. Haymon.
Mr. Haymon asked that his name be withdrawn from the nominations due to the fact that he felt he, as a newly elected board member, needed more experience before taking an office.
Mr. Parker nominated Mr. Farris.
President Smith stated that a motion and a second for the nominations to cease had been made.
A debate was called for on the issue.
There was a discussion of a board president succeeding himself/herself.
An amendment was made by Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Farris, that the Board vote that a member would rotate himself/herself off as President after serving one term.
There was question as to whether or not the amendment was according to rules of order.
A further discussion was held as to a President succeeding himself/herself in office.
Mr. Burns noted that if it pleased the Board and they desired to make further nominations for President, he would withdraw his motion that the nominations cease.
Mr. Burns withdrew his motion that the nominations cease.
Ms. West withdrew her second to the motion of Mr. Burns.
Mr. Parker withdrew his nomination of Mr. Farris.
Mrs. Westerchil withdrew her nomination of Mr. Smith.
President Smith opened the floor for nominations for President of the Board.
Mrs. Westerchil nominated Mr. Smith for President
Ms. West seconded the nomination of Mr. Smith.
There were no other nominations.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr.B.R. Harvey, the Board voted that the nominations cease.
Roll call vote was requested.
Mark H. Smith for President
YEA NAY
RICHARD W. DICKIE BAILES X
GERALD BURNS X
ALVIN C. DOWDEN X
M. GENE HAYMON ABSTAIN
C.A. HUGHES X
KIM REESE X
LINDA WEST X
MARK H. SMITH X
BETTY WESTERCHIL X
PHILIP L. GUNN X
W.W. PARKER X
WILLIS A. FARRIS X
MURPHY O'BANION X
B.R. HARVEY X
BENARD MCKEE X
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Mr. Smith was elected to President of the Board for 1996.
President Smith opened the floor for the office of Vice President of the Board for 1996.
Mr. McKee nominated Mr. B.R. Harvey for Vice President.
Mr. Gunn seconded the nomination.
Mr. Parker nominated Mr. Willis A. Farris for Vice President
Mr. Hughes seconded the nomination.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted that the nominations cease.
Roll call vote was requested.
Mr. Haymon asked for a secret ballot vote.
It was stated that a secret ballot vote could not be taken in a public meeting.
Roll call vote for B.R. Harvey, Vice President and Willis A. Farris, Vice President
B.R. HARVEY WILLIS A. FARRIS
RICHARD W.DICKIE BAILES X
GERALD BURNS X
ALVIN C. DOWDEN X
M. GENE HAYMON X
C.A. HUGHES X
KIM REESE X
LINDA WEST X
MARK H. SMITH X
BETTY WESTERCHIL X
PHILIP L. GUNN X
W.W. PARKER X
WILLIS A. FARRIS X
MURPHY O'BANION X
B.R. HARVEY X
BENARD MCKEE X
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Mr. Farris was elected as Vice President of the Board for 1996.
Motion was made by Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Parker, that for the remainder of the present Board's tenure that a member should rotate himself/herself off as President and not succeed himself/herself in office, thus serving only one year.
Mr. Burns made an amendment that a member could serve for two consecutive years.
There was no second to Mr. Burns motion.
Roll call vote was requested on Mr. Dowden's motion that a member would serve for only one year as president and not succeed himself/herself for the tenure of the present Board's terms.
YEA NAY
RICHARD W. DICKIE BAILES X
GERALD BURNS X
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR. X
M. GENE HAYMON X
C.A. HUGHES X
KIM REESE X
LINDA WEST X
MARK H. SMITH X
BETTY WESTERCHIL X
PHILIP L. GUNN X
W.W. PARKER X
WILLIS A. FARRIS X
MURPHY O'BANION X
B.R. HARVEY X
BENARD MCKEE X
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The motion passed.
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 the family of Mr. Sam Fertitta who recently passed away,
WHEREAS, Mr. Fertitta was the father of Mrs. Ann Morrow, teacher for the Vernon Parish School system and
WHEREAS, Mr. Fertitta was a great supporter of this school system, and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the Fertitta family along with sincere condolences.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, 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 record with grief and sadness the recent death of Mr. Napoleon Midkiff, father of Tony Midkiff, custodian at Pickering High School,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Vernon Parish School Board does hereby request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the Midkiff family along with sincere condolences.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, , seconded by the Board, the Board voted to thank the Central Office Staff for the Christmas reception held in honor of the Board.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to express their appreciation to Mayor Jim Shapkoff and the City of Leesville for honoring the Leesville Wampus Cats participation in the state playoffs.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Bailes, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to authorize the Superintendent and Secretary to pay claims as approved by the claims committee.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. Farris, seconded by Mr. Parker, the Board voted to adjourn.
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MARK H. SMITH, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SUPERINTENDENT