January 11, 1996
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION ON JANUARY 11, 1996 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
WILLIS A. FARRIS, VICE PRESIDENT
RICHARD W. "DICKIE" BAILES
GERALD BURNS
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR.
M. GENE HAYMON
C.A. HUGHES
LINDA WEST
KIM REESE
BETTY WESTERCHIL
PHILIP L. GUNN
W.W. PARKER
MURPHY O'BANION
B.R. HARVEY
BENARD MCKEE
COL. GEOFF PROSCH
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Gene Haymon, District One.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Alvin C. Dowden Jr., District One.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Parker, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of January 4, 1996.
Superintendent Hinson read the attached Call Notice:
ATTACHED
At this time Superintendent Hinson introduced Mr. Tommy Henry, Louisiana High School Athletic Commissioner. Mr. Henry addressed the Board stating that the mission of the LHSAA is to promote, regulate, and direct interscholastic sports activities for its member schools. He reported that the LHSAA is governed by an executive committee consisting of 14 principals elected to represent each of the states 7 classifications and representatives from the department of education, the Louisiana School Boards Association, the Louisiana School Athletic Directors Association, the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, and two representatives from the Louisiana High School Coaches Association. Two at-large members and one representative from the non-public school of the LHSAA are appointed. The past president of the association is also a member. The membership to the LHSAA is a voluntary organization which consists of 409 schools, 322 public and 87 non-public. Dues are paid by each member school according to the size of its enrollment. Mr. Henry stated that all rules and policies are voted and adopted by member principals. The LHSAA services are provided through a commissioner, two assistant commissioners in charge of sports programs and officials, a clerical support staff, a promotional and marketing representative and a coordinator of a healthy lifestyles program. Stating that LHSAA is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Mr. Henry related that the association has been very successful and beneficial to Louisiana High Schools.
In the matter of the sanctions against the Pickering High School athletic program, Mr. Henry stated that he received a call from a high school coach who stated that he suspected Pickering High School was playing an ineligible football player. Mr. Henry advised the coach to have his school principal call the principal of Pickering High School, Bobby Craft. Mr. Craft was contacted by another principal, who was chairman of the district. Mr. Craft faxed a copy of a birth certificate of the athlete in question to Mr. Henry. He said that it was obvious that the document had been tampered with. He then obtained a certified birth certificate from Alabama on the athlete. After receiving and examining the birth certificate from Alabama, Mr. Henry stated he determined that the birth date on the birth certificate received from Mr. Craft through a fax machine had been changed. He stated that sometimes a birth date is traced over by a student or someone else. However, he said the tampering was significant enough that he, as commissioner, questioned the document. After meeting with Mr. Craft in the LHSAA office on November 3, 1995, Mr. Henry stated that he ruled that the athlete's birth certificate had been altered for eligibility reasons. At this time, according to LHSAA rules, Mr. Henry ruled that Pickering High School would forfeit all games played due to an ineligible player's participation in the season games. Mr. Henry reminded Mr. Craft of the school's right to an appeal before the Executive Committee on the ruling. Mr. Craft declined the right to an appeal. Mr. Henry stated also at this that time his ruling was based on the fact that as far as he knew the Principal nor any coach had prior knowledge of the ineligible player. However, he now knows that there have been other findings. He said that if the School Board takes its own action against the coach and principal for the wrong doings, then the LHSAA will not have to step in and issue further sanctions against the school and student athletes. He stated that he did not want to punish the students any further. Mr. Henry related the Northwood High School situation and gave an example where a school board did not take local action against wrong doings by school officials in their athletic program. Mr. Henry also stated that the LHSAA is awaiting the final report from Attorney General's office in the Pickering matter.
Mr. Henry was asked if the coach and principal were not in the school next year, would this keep severe penalties from hurting the students anymore. He stated that it is possible that the LHSAA ruling could involve only unholsom competition sanctions, which would be the least harsh sanctions to be further imposed if they were not at the school.
Superintendent Hinson spoke stating that at this time he would recommend to the Board that on January 17, 1996, Dell Ashley step down as Athletic Director and Head Football coach at Pickering High School and be transferred to Pickering Elementary as physical education teacher, with teacher pay and that Rubin Solon, Pickering Elementary physical education teacher, be transferred to Pickering High School to the teaching duties only of Mr. Ashley, pending the investigation findings by the Attorney General's office.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Farris, the Board voted to accept the Superintendent's recommendation to transfer Mr. Ashley to Pickering Elementary on teachers' pay and to move Mr. Rubin Solon to Pickering High School to teach in Mr. Ashley's position, pending the investigation findings of the Attorney General's office.
Superintendent Hinson asked that the Board act on number six of the agenda. On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. O=Banion, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve a sabbatical leave request for Mr. Robert N. Craft, Principal of Pickering High School, for rest and recuperation, January 17, 1996 to January 16, 1997, pending the investigation findings of the Attorney General's office.
At this time Superintendent Hinson announced that Mr. Dell Ashley had requested an Executive Session to discuss his situation with the Board for fifteen minutes. Mr. Hinson stated that the following people would be in attendance in the session: The members of the Board, the Superintendent, Dr. Monk, James Ward, Tandy Schwartz, Asa Skinner and Edwin Cabra. Mr. Ashley asked that Rev. Bradshaw, Duane Roberts, Tommy Henry, and his wife Donna Ashley also attend the session.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted unanimously to grant Mr. Ashley the Executive Session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to come out of Executive Session.
At the request of the Board, Superintendent Hinson restated that Mr. Craft had been granted a sabbatical leave from Principal of Pickering High School, from January 17, 1996 to January 16, 1997, pending the Attorney General's investigation. Also that Mr. Ashley had been transferred to Pickering Elementary to teach elementary physical education, on teacher's pay, and that Mr. Rubin Solon had voluntarily agreed to transfer from Pickering Elementary to Pickering High School to teach in the classes of Mr. Ashley, pending the investigation findings of the Attorney General. He further stated that the Board has not been informed from Attorney General's office as to when their investigation will be concluded.
On motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Farris, the Board voted to approve the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Reese, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Farris, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the attached leave without pay request:
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Ms. West, the Board voted to appoint Mrs. Debbie Clark as Assistant Principal at Vernon Elementary for a one year contract. Mr. Dowden abstained from the vote.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Farris, the Board voted to advertise for an acting Principal for Pickering High School. Contract to expire January 16, 1997. Applications are due January 24, 1996 at 4:30 p.m.
At this time Mrs. Vicki Wilson, Pickering Elementary teacher, addressed the Board. Mrs. Wilson reported that she had made application and was granted an Eisenhower math and science grant for $500.00 for classroom use. Mrs. Wilson purchased computer software for the school computer lab, stating that students learn while enjoying the class.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Parker, the Board voted to adopt the attached revised Drug Free Workplace Policy.
ATTACHED
On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mr. Harvey, the Board voted to open the following bids for high speed buffers:
BIDDER BID
BANCROFT PAPER CO. $880/995/1060/1150
HILLYARD INC. $1,329.60
METRO FLOOR MACHINES $876.00
UINISORSE MACHINES $1,475.00
WEST CENTRAL WHOLESALE $1,320.00
On motion of Mr. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Reese, the Board voted to accept the low bid that meets specifications approved by Mr. Moss. The low bid is Metro Floors for $876.00.
Mr. Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent, reviewed the bids received for the Superintendent's car. Mr. Moss stated that the low bid from Pynes Chrysler for a 1996 Chrysler Concorde for $17,950.00 did not meet the specified size of a full six, 6 passenger car.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Ms. West, the Board voted to accept the second low bid of McRae Auto Plaza for a 1996 LTD, Crown Victoria for $19,847.00.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Reese, the Board voted to advertise to sell used band equipment from Leesville High School. Bids to be received February 6, 1996, at 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to call for a 13-mill 10-year renewal tax election for Ward Seven, Wardwide School District for April 20. 1996.
Mr. Farris asked the difference in voting areas for maintenance tax renewals and voting areas for school board members. Superintendent Hinson stated that he would ask Asa Skinner to address the Board in this matter.
On motion of Mr. Haymon, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board voted to advertise for proposals to lease/rent the processing plant at Simpson School. Proposals to be received no later than Friday, February 2, 1996 at 4:30 p.m.
Mrs. Sherry Paris, Curriculum Supervisor of elementary grades addressed the Board. Mrs. Paris related to the Board her job description and duties.
Dr. William Foster, Director of the Bilingual Program, addressed the Board relating information about the Bilingual Program and his job duties as director.
Mr. O'Banion invited the members to tour and have lunch at the Pickering Schools.
On motion of Mr. Haymon, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to advertise for a roofing contractor for Simpson High School. Bids to be received March 7, 1996, at 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to change the March 12, 1996 school board from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. due to basketball game schedules. Mrs. Westerchil voted nay.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to authorize the President and Secretary to pay claims as approved by the claims committee.
_____________________________
MARK H. SMITH, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
____________________________________
SAMMY L. HINSON, SUPERINTENDENT