March 12, 1996
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1996 AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA 71446 PRESIDENT SMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
MARK H. SMITH, PRESIDENT
WILLIS 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
W.W. PARKER
MURPHY O'BANION
B.R. HARVEY
BENARD MCKEE
COL. BRADLEY
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, District 1.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Ms. Linda West, District 1.
Superintendent Hinson read the attached Call Notice:
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On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of March 7, 1996.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Farris, the Board voted to accept the attached list resignations:
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On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees:
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On motion of Ms West, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to approve a leave without pay request for Darlene Wright, Title I aide, for March 1, 1996 through May 31, 1996.
Mr. Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent, reported on the copy paper bids, stating that Unisource Company had claimed Louisiana preference, meaning that a company that bids on a product made in Louisiana and is within 7% of the lowest bid received and will consent to matching the lowest bid, will be awarded the bid. Mr. Moss recommended that due to this reason Unisource should be awarded the bid in the amount of $23.20 per case.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to award the copy paper bid to Unisource as listed above.
Mr. Richard Schwartz, Supervisor of Athletics, addressed the Board. Mr. Schwartz reported that presently athletic physicals for students are conducted by the school nursing staff and local doctors during the school day. Presently the time frame for all physicals for students, both spring and fall sports, is six weeks of school time, at a cost in excess of $17,000 per year. Mr. Schwartz stated that he has made a proposal to local medical personnel, to conduct the physicals on a volunteer basis and to set a designated Saturday for the physicals. He stated that by having the physicals on Saturday would not take students away from classroom time during the school day. The physicals would be done at Leesville High School. He further stated that if these plans work out with medical personnel, he will inform the Board.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to authorize Superintendent Hinson and Mr. Schwartz to coordinate the athletic physicals for students to be conducted on a designated Saturday for spring and summer sports with area doctors, school principals and coaches and that transportation for students from the outlying schools would be provided and it is stated that these physicals will be done a volunteer basis by the medical personnel at no cost to the Vernon Parish School Board.
Mr. Mike Perkins, Supervisor of Child Welfare, addressed the Board. Mr. Perkins reviewed LA R.S. 17:416, which deals with students who are in possession of weapons on school property, including vehicles belonging to students parked on school property.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by the Board the Board voted to adopt the following resolution to support the repeal of LA R.S. 17:416 to ensure that all school properties are weapon-free, stating that weapons in vehicles on school grounds is not allowable nor to be allowed in school facilities.
R E S O L U T I O N
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On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to adopt as policy for the Vernon Parish School Board that no weapons are allowed on any school property, whether that property be facility or grounds, not allowing weapons to be in vehicles driven onto school property.
Bill Endris, Director of Finance, addressed the Board discussing the 1996-97 consolidated budget as it relates to impact aid and state funding. Mr. Endris stated that each year the amount of funding received for local school systems is uncertain. A projected budget will be determined and a firm budget proposal will be presented before the end of the fiscal year.
Dr. Larry Monk, Assistant Superintendent, addressed the Board, discussing the Internet. Dr. Monk explained that Dale Sittig, Louisiana Commissioner of Public Works, has negotiated with the Bell South Company and the Cameron Telephone Company to install telephone lines at a nominal costs to the Vernon Parish School Board. Dr. Monk stated that through Tech Prep funds installation will be provided. Each school will pay their monthly fee as a residential fee. WorldNet has negotiated to install a mainframe computer lab at Hornbeck High School that will service area schools and there will be no cost to the Vernon Parish School Board. All Vernon Parish Schools will be on line on-line with the Internet process.
On motion of Mr. Parker, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to express their appreciation to Mr. Dale Sittig for his assistance in the computer installation for Vernon Parish students.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to express their appreciation to the Cameron Telephone Company for their assistance in the computer telephone lines for the Internet use by Vernon Parish students.
Mr. Joe Pope, Curriculum Supervisor, reported that the Progress Profiles (schools report card) has been received from the department of education. Mr. Pope explained the booklet and called attention to the outstanding test scores by Vernon Parish students. He pointed out that Vernon Parish scored above the state and national average in all categories of testing. The profiles will be sent home to all parents by Friday, March 15, 1996.
Dr. Cindy Gillespie, Supervisor of Curriculum, gave a brief report of her duties as an elementary supervisor. Dr. Gillespie also reported on central office goals and objectives. Each member was presented a copy of the information. Superintendent Hinson explained that each school has also presented individual goals and objectives, the central office staff has developed goals and objectives. He also gave the members copies of school board goals and objectives. He stated that the board is invited to review all goals and objectives of the schools and central office.
On motion of Mr. Farris, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board voted to review the goals and objectives and report to the board at a later meeting.
Superintendent Hinson announced that Betty Westerchil has been appointed to the Louisiana School Boards Association Board of Directors.
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
RE S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt sympathies to Mr. and Mrs. B.H. McKee, in the recent death of his father, Mr. Charlie McKee, of Rosepine.
WHEREAS, Mr. McKee is a retired bus operator and Mrs. McKee is presently employed as a bus operator for the Vernon Parish School Board,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does send their condolences to the McKee family.
On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, 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 learned with grief and sadness of the recent death of Rev. Aubrey Boswell. Rev. Boswell was a great supporter of the Vernon Parish School system and he served on the state inspectors board and inspected many of the Vernon Parish Schools.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does take this means to express their condolences to the family of Rev. Boswell.
On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, 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 express their heartfelt sympathies to Mr. T.C. Terrell, retired bus operator, in the recent death of his wife, Mrs. Clytie Terrell,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does take this means to express their sympathies to Mr. Terrell and his family in this time of bereavement.
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 wish to express their condolences to Mrs. Gerelyn Henson, teacher at Leesville High School, in the recent death of her mother, Mrs. Masena Perkins of Pitkin,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Henson and her family in this time of sorrow.
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. O'Banion, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Bailes, 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. Parker, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to adjourn.
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MARK H. SMITH, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SUPERINTENDENT