February 8, 1996
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SESSION ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 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
KIM REESE
LINDA WEST
BETTY WESTERCHIL
PHILIP L. GUNN
MURPHY O'BANION
B.R. HARVEY
BENARD MCKEE
COL. GEOFFREY PROSCH
ABSENT: W.W. PARKER, ILLNESS
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mrs. Kim Reese, District I.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. C.A. Hughes, District I.
Superintendent Hinson read the attached Call Notice:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Ms. West, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of February 1, 1996.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request:
ATTACHED
At this time the Superintendent and Board recognized the Leesville High School Quiz Bowl team as the 4th Annual Quiz Bowl Champions. They recognized Mrs. Deborah Beck, coach of the team, and the Board presented each team member a certificate for their outstanding accomplishments. Mr. Richard Schwartz, Quiz Bowl supervisor, introduced Mr. Tony Tillman, Mr. Rick Barnickle as moderators for the four years of the event, Mr. John Coburn of Galaxy Cable vision, for filming the matches, and Mr. Creighton Owen and N.S.U. Leesville/Fort Polk for providing judges. Superintendent Hinson and the Board presented appreciation plaques to the supporters of the quiz bowl.
Mrs. Sharon Hardwick, art teacher, Leesville High School introduced Mr. Demetrie Penson, art student. Demetrie won the Louisiana School Boards art contest and his work was selected to be a part of the cover of the Louisiana State Directory. Superintendent Hinson presented Mrs. Penson and Demetrie with a complimentary copy of the directory.
Mr. Roger Rolon, Curriculum Coordinator, of Leesville High School, and Mrs. Penny Williams, nursing instructor, reported on the mock disaster held at Leesville High School on December 5, 1995. This project was a part of the AIM (Advanced Integrated Model) Program, which involved more than 400 students and many academic areas of the curriculum.
Mr. Bobby Moss, purchasing agent, reported that the bids for the sell of used band instruments at Leesville High School were opened by committee on Tuesday, February 6, 1996. They were as follows:
BIDDER BID
MALCOLM MORRIS $50.00 (2 HORNS)
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to award the bid to Mr. Morris (the only bidder) for $50.00.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Farris, the Board voted to appoint Mr. Duane Roberts as Principal of Pickering High School. Contract to be dated January 1, 1996 to January 16, 1997.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to name Mr. Jerry Foshee as Administrative Assistant at Pickering High School for one year.
Dr. Monk presented the proposed policy on grievance procedures to be adopted by the Board. On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson and on motion of Mr. Farris, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to adopt the attached Complaints and Grievances policy (File: GAE).
Superintendent Hinson discussed long range and short range goals that were developed by the Board in 1991-92. (ATTACHED) He reported that many of the listed goals have been reached. He pointed out that teacher supplies for students have been upgraded and the allotment increased, summer workshops for teachers have begun for the last three summers, 52 workshops offered. He further stated that the Central Office staff is currently working to outline further goals and objectives for the benefit of Vernon Parish students.
Mrs. Dottie Neugebauer, Director of Special Education, gave a report on the special education programs for Vernon Parish students. She stated that each year the enrollment of special needs children increases, reporting that there are more than 1400 students enrolled.
Mrs. Shirley Ward, Director of Title I, gave a report on the Title I program in Vernon Parish. Mrs. Ward stated that this federally funded program serves students in math and reading.
On motion of Ms. West, and seconded by the Board, the Board voted to go on record as supporting resolutions submitted to the Louisiana School Boards Association for consideration at the LSBA convention to be held later in February regarding pay increases for teachers and support personnel.
On motion of Mrs. Reese, 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 are saddened by the death of Steven Benecke, a senior student from Hornbeck High School,
WHEREAS, Steven was a kind and loving young person and he was very much liked by his fellow students and the administration and faculty at Hornbeck High School AND
WHEREAS, Steven will be sadly missed by his friends and family,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Steven's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Benecke, along with sincere condolences and sympathy from this Board.
President Smith announced the assignments for 1996 committees for board members.
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr.Farris, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Ms. West, 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. Harvey, 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, SUPERINTENDENT