MARCH 7, 1996

THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 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. FARMS, 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

W.W. PARKER

MURPHY O'BANION

B.R. HARVEY

BENARD MCKEE

COL. GEOFFREY PROSCH

There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.

The meeting was opened in prayer by Ms. Linda West, District One/Six.

The pledge of allegiance was led by Mrs. Kim Reese, District One/Six.

On motion of Mr. Gunn, and seconded by Mr. Parker, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of February 8, 1996.

On motion of Mr. O'Banion, and seconded by Mr. Farris, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:

ATTACHED

On motion of Mr. Parker, and seconded by Mr. O'Banion , the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:

ATTACHED

On motion of Mr. Burns, and seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board voted to approve the attached list of

Sabbatical leave requests:

Superintendent Hinson announced that two Vernon Parish boys' basketball teams had participated in the Top 28 Basketball tournament, Pickering High School and Leesville High School. On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to congratulate the Leesville High School boys' basketball team for progressing to the finals of the tournament. On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to congratulate Pickering High School boys basketball team for their participation in the semifinals of the tournament.

The Board and Superintendent recognized the Black History essay contest winners. Mrs. Shirley Holt, supervisor in charge, introduced the winners. The students read their essays to the Board and they were presented a certificate for theft outstanding accomplishments.

Mrs. Carlie Welborn, teacher at Pickering Elementary addressed the Board and informed them of her math grant for her classroom.

At this time the Board recognized the Principals of the Year and awarded each of them a plaque for their outstanding accomplishments. They are:

WILLIAM CARVER, HIGH SCHOOL

JACKIE SELF, JUNIOR HIGH

DON STOKES, ELEMENTARY

On motion of Mr. Gunn, and seconded by Hughes, the Board voted to open the following bids:

a.              COPY PAPER

On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board voted to take under advisement the bids received for copy paper.

b.                      School Board vehicle

L & L Motor Co                                     $1,701.00

On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Bums, the Board voted to award the bid for the school board vehicle to L & L Motor Company in the amount of $1,701.00. This was the only bid received.

c.                      Sale of Simpson pine timber

NO BIDS RECEIVED

On motion of Mr. Hughes, and seconded by Ms West, the Board voted to advertise for air-conditioning equipment for Leesville Junior High School. Bids to be received April 4, 1996.

On motion of Mr. Parker, and seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLUTION

RESOLUTION ATTACHED

On motion of Mr. Bums, seconded by Mr. Harvey, the Board voted to authorize the Superintendent and Title I Director to apply for an Even Start Grant.

Superintendent Hinson gave a report and update on the Minimum Foundation Program. He explained that the MFP is funding from the state to local school systems generated by enrollments and that equalization of monies to parishes has not been accomplished at this date.

Superintendent Hinson reported that a proposal has been offered by the Merchants and Farmers Bank for the School Board to purchase the Art of Beauty College Building for the Head start Center. The purchase price is approximately $130,000.00. The federal government would provide seventy five percent of the funding and the school system would be responsible for twenty five percent.

The Board will tour the building today.

Superintendent Hinson announced that goals and objectives would be on the agenda for Tuesday, March 12, 1996. He asked that the members bring the information that had previously been presented to them for discussion on Tuesday.

Mrs. Ginger Stuckey, teacher at Simpson High School, was introduced by Mr. Pope. Mrs. Stuckey is on sabbatical leave and she working on her masters degree in education. One of her requirements is to attend an official school board meeting.

Superintendent Hinson announced that the Progress Profiles will be presented to the Board on Tuesday, March 12th. He stated that in this school report card one of the items listed reveals that one-third of Vernon Parish teachers have a masters degree or higher.

Mr. B.R Harvey, Chairman of the Salary Committee, called for a meeting of the committee on Tuesday, March 12, 1996 at 9:30 a.m. The members of the Committee are: MR HARVEY, MR BURNS, MR HUGHES, MS. WEST, MR GUNN, MR. DOWDEN, THE PRESIDENT AND THE VICE PRESIDENT.

Superintendent Hinson announced that the LSBA Scholarship applications have been turned in for review. On motion of Mr. Farris, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to ask the Chamber of Commerce Education Committee to review the applications and to select a winner. Mr. Fan-is will serve on this committee.

Mr. Gunn opposed.

Mr. Parker opposed.

Mr. Gunn and Mr. Parker stated that they would like for educators from local schools to make the elections.

On motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt sympathies to Mrs. Elsie Johnson and her family in the recent death of her father-in-law, Mr. Irving Johnson,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that their heartfelt sorrows be sent to the family of Mr. Johnson.

On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board learned with grief and sorrow of the recent death of Mrs. Darlene Hickman, cook at Pickering High School,

WHEREAS, Mrs. Hickman was a dedicated and loyal employee. She was a kind a loving person and will be sadly missed by her school family.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. Hickman and her family in this time of sorrow.

On motion of Mr. Parker, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express theft heartfelt sympathies to John Farris, Assistant Principal of South Polk Elementary School and James Farris, Counselor at Anacoco Elementary School, in the recent death of their father, Mr. J.K. Farris. Mr. Farris was also the brother of Mr. Bo Farris, former school board member from Anacoco,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mr. Farris along with sincere condolences.

On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board learned with grief and sadness of the recent death of Mrs. Calis Estes, retired teacher,

WHEREAS, Mrs. Estes taught at Leesville High School for more than thirty years. She was an exemplary educator and a loyal and dedicated employee. She will be sadly missed by her many friends in this community.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mrs. Estes along with sincere condolences from this Board.

On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to convey their sympathies to Felicia Cavanaugh in the recent death of her grandmother, Mrs. Anders. Mrs. Anders was also the mother-in-law of Mayor Jim Shapkoff.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent the family of Mrs. Anders along with sincere condolences from this Board.

On motion of Mr. Parker, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to adjourn.

MARK H. SMITH, PRESIDENT ATTEST:

SUPERINTENDENT