February 1, 1996
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 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. 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
MURPHY O'BANION
B.R. HARVEY
BENARD MCKEE
COL. JAMES BRADLEY
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. C.A. Hughes, District One.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Gene Haymon, District One.
Superintendent Hinson stated this meeting would also be a hearing for the termination of employment of Barbara Dowden, bus operator of the Vernon Parish School Board, further stating that Mrs. Dowden had been given a drug test on November 14, 1995 according to Vernon Parish School Board policy and federal law and had tested positive for drug use. She was suspended, with pay, as bus operator, at that time and as policy permits, Mrs. Dowden had requested this termination hearing. Mr. Hinson introduced Mr. Edwin Cabra as counsel representing the school board and Mr. David Wallace as counsel representing Mrs. Dowden.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board unanimously voted to name Mr. Willie Banks, as the official Mediator and/or Magistrate to conduct the termination hearing for Mrs. Barbara Dowden.
Mr. Banks addressed the Board, relating the procedures to be followed in this hearing. The counsels addressed the Board. Mr. Wallace stated that Mrs. Dowden requested that Executive Session be called for her hearing.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to have a roll call vote for the Executive Session, stating that the time would be for one hour (10:05 a.m. to 11:05 a.m.)
YEA NAY
RICHARD 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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15 UNANIMOUS VOTE
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to come out of Executive Session.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Haymon, the Board voted to have roll call vote to return to Executive Session and extend that session 45 minutes.
YEA NAY
RICHARD W. 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
___________
15 UNANIMOUS
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Ms. West, the Board voted to come out of Executive Session.
On motion of Mr. Haymon, seconded by Ms. West, the Board voted to go back into Executive Session and extend the session to 12:00 noon.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to come out of Executive Session.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, motion was made by Mr. Farris, seconded by Mrs. Reese, that the Board accept the recommendation of Superintendent Hinson to terminate Mrs. Barbara Dowden, bus operator, due to her positive drug test on November 14, 1995. ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN:
YEA NAY
RICHARD W. 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
____________
15 UNANIMOUS
The motion passed to terminate the employment of Mrs. Dowden, as school bus operator for the Vernon Parish School Board.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of January 11, 1996.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Parker, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Farris, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee transfers:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mrs. Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached leave without pay request:
ATTACHED
Asa Skinner, school board attorney, related that school board property (description attached) deed dated April 8, 1904 be legally transferred to the family of Lucas and Betty Wilson due to the non-use clause in the original deed. On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Haymon, the Board voted unanimously to sell, transfer, assign, remise, relinquish, donate and forever quit claim the aforesaid property to Lucas and Betty Wilson and or their heirs.
ATTACHED
Mr. Skinner also discussed voting districts and maintenance districts, describing the problems that occur with voting for taxes and voting for school board members. Mr. Skinner indicated that changes in districts could work adversely against any given school district, however, it is possible to change voting districts to match those in voting for school board members. Mr. Skinner reminded the Board that with each census taken, that reapportionment most often changes voting districts for school board members, which would cause a change in maintenance districts.
Superintendent Hinson announced that School Nurse week had been declared for the week of January 11, 1996. On motion of Ms. West, seconded by Mrs. Reese, the Board voted to declare School Nurse Week.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to declare February 11, 1996 through February 17, 1996 as Vocational Education Week.
On motion of Mr. Haymon, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to open the bids received for high speed duplicators.
COMPANY BID
BIGGS COMPANY $6,995.00
ALEXANDRIA BUSINESS
MACHINES $6,133.00
XEROX RENTAL: $604.00 PER YEAR
XEROX $7,930.00
On motion of Mr. Haymon, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board voted to award the high speed duplicator bids to the low bidder, Alexandria Business Machines, in the amount of $6,133.00 if all specifications are met and approved by the purchasing agent.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell pine timber at Simpson High School. Bids to be received for March 7, 1996, 1996 at 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board voted to re-advertise for bids for a roofing contractor for Simpson High School. Bids to be received April 4, 1996 at 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell the school board vehicle. Bids to be received March 7, 1996, at 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Ms. West, the Board voted to advertise for copy paper. Bids to be received March 7, 1996 at 10:00 a.m.
Mr. John Norris, Insurance Consultant, gave an update on the school board self-funded workers compensation insurance. (Report Attached). Mr. Norris pointed out that a substantial savings has been realized since the Board became self-insured on workers compensation insurance. He recommended to the Board that a reserve account be formed in the event of any catastrophic claims.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to renew the annual contract with John Norris as insurance consultant (1 year only).
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to negotiate with Morris Insurance Agency as the agent of record with Alexandria and Alexandria Insurance Company, as provider for workers compensation on a 1 year or a 2 year contract.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Haymon, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board voted to approve Change Order #5 for North Polk Elementary School.
ATTACHED
President Smith reported that due to him attending the Federal Relations Network Conference in Washington DC, he would request that the February 6, 1996 school board meeting be changed to February 8, 1996 at 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to refer the Leesville High School used band equipment bids to the committee of Mr. Moss, Mr. Endris, and Dr. Monk to be opened on Tuesday, February 6, 1996 at 10:00 a.m.
Superintendent Hinson reported that due to a new state representative being elected, he would request that he and the President of the board, Bearegard Parish Superintendent and President of the board meet with all area legislative representatives to express the concerns and desires of the school boards as related to education such as MFP, teacher assessment and other concerns before the up-coming legislative session to begin in March. On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Haymon, the Board voted to authorize the Superintendent to call a meeting with area representatives and to include the Beauregard Parish superintendent and school board president.
Superintendent Hinson announced that the 4th Annual Quiz Bowl was presently being played at Leesville High School and invited the members to attend.
Mr. Haymon requested that all Principals work with the Quiz Bowl sponsors and students to promote and improve the matches.
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 Mrs. Dorothy Smith, retired custodian of Pitkin High School, in the recent death of her son Timothy Smith,
WHEREAS, Mr. Smith was also the brother-in-law of Mrs. Kathryn Smith, teacher, at North Polk Elementary School
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Smith and her family in this time of bereavement.
On motion of Mr. Alvin C. Dowden, Jr., and Mr. W.W. Parker, and seconded by the entire Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolutions:
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. Z.T. Craft who recently passed away,
WHEREAS, Mr. Craft taught at Hornbeck High School and was the uncle of Mrs. Nadine Ellis, Title I teacher, at Hornbeck,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Ellis and her family in this time of bereavement.
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. Wallace McRae, former school board member, in the recent death of his mother Mrs. Nora McRae,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVE, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. McRae and his family in this time of bereavement.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to adjourn until Thursday, February 8, 1996 at 10:00 a.m.
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MARK H. SMITH, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
_________________________________
SAMMY L. HINSON, SUPERINTENDENT