April 4, 1996
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 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 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. GEOF PROSCH
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Philip L. Gunn, District 6.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, District 1.
On motion of Mr. Parker, seconded by Mr. Bailes, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of March 12, 1996.
On motion of Mr. Farris, seconded by Mrs. West, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Parker, the Board voted to approve the attached list of Sabbatical Leave requests:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Ms. West, the Board voted to approve the attached list of leave without pay request:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. O=Banion, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees:
ATTACHED
At this time the Superintendent and Board recognized the students of the year from each and presented each one with a Superintendent's Certificate. The Parish winners were honored with a plaque from the Board. (Names attached).
At this time the Superintendent and the Board recognized the Assistant Principals of the Year.
JEFF LAUGHLIN, HIGH SCHOOL
HIRL HAYNES, JUNIOR HIGH
VERNA JONES, ELEMENTARY
Miss Georgia Thomas, teacher at Anacoco Elementary, addressed the Board. Miss Thomas is the sponsor of the Anacoco Schools= Newsletter. She reviewed the processes of publishing a school news letter taught to the students who are on the staff. Four of the staff members addressed the Board and made requests that would enhance the newsletter program.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Haymon, the Board voted to open the following bids:
ROOFING CONTRACTOR, SIMPSON HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM
BIDDER BID
ARROWHEAD CONTRACTORS $47,974.00
PAT WILLIAMS CONSTRUCTION $49,076.27
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Haymon, the Board voted to take the roofing contractor bids under advisement.
AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT FOR LEESIVLLE JUNIOR HIGH
BIDDER BID
SERVICE AIR AND ELECTRICAL $7,032.68 PER UNIT
THE TRANE CO 5,437.00 PER UNIT
SOLAR SUPPLY 6,585.17 PER UNIT
WALTERS SHEET METAL 7,999.50 PER UNIT
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Reese, the Board voted to accept the low bid of the Trane Company, if specifications are met and approved.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to advertise for ceiling tile, outlets and insulation for West Leesville Elementary. Bids to be received May 2, 1996, at 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Ms. West, seconded by Mr. Haymon, the Board voted to advertise for a roofing contractor for re-roofing the Simpson High School auditorium. Bids to be received May 7, 1996, at 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Ms. West, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to advertise for general supplies. Bids to be received Tuesday, May 7, 1996 at 10:00 a.m.
Superintendent Hinson reported that on the contract for the Self-funded Workers Compensation Program through Morris Insurance Agency. Agreement attached.
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by the entire Board, the Board voted to adopt the attached resolution concerning pay raises for all school employees:
R E S O L U T I O N
(Attached)
Superintendent Hinson reported the recent Minimum Foundation Program meeting. He stated that he and Mr. Farris have met with area legislators and they are in full support of complete funding of the MFP. Mrs. Westerchil, a member of the MFP Commission, urged all members to contact legislators and encourage them to continue to strive for equalization in the MFP. On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by the Board voted to accept the MFP Commission report which will be presented to the Governor and legislators.
On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by the Board , the Board voted to support continued independent funding of the state vocational schools, noting that the vo-tech schools are vital to the over all educational programs.
Superintendent Hinson and Dr. Monk discussed the decrease in student membership and how it affects teacher allotment. Dr. Monk explained the projected teacher allotment throughout the parish, stating that student enrollment on October 1st of each year determines the number of teachers for each local school system. At this time it was reported that Vernon Parish is anticipating the need to reduce present numbers of employees to meet the state allotment for funding. Superintendent Hinson stated that a hiring freeze could be ben necessary due to the decrease in student enrollment. It was stated that certified teachers would be hired in all areas if at possible.
Motion was made by Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Hughes, that the Board authorize the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent to administratively hire or not hire employees according to prescribed allotment.
Mr. Farris stated that he felt that Board action was not necessary, that Superintendent Hinson and Dr. Monk should make the hiring decisions.
Mr. Harvey withdrew his motion.
Mr. Hughes withdrew his second.
Superintendent Hinson stated that he wanted the Board to be aware of the situation.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to thank all retired teachers for their dedication to the teaching profession. Superintendent Hinson stated that a proclamation to proclaim retired teacher day in March was received after the March school board meetings.
Superintendent Hinson reported that the state superintendent's meeting has been scheduled for June 6, 1996, therefore he requested that the meeting for June 6th be changed to June 4, 1996 at 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. Harvey, the Board voted to set the first board meeting date in June for June 4, 1996 at 10:00 a.m.
Brenda Bealer reported on the Headstart Programs. Mrs. Bealer outlined all programs in her department and presented the proposed budget for Headstart.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson and on motion of Mr. Farris, seconded by Mrs. Reese, the Board voted to approve the budget presented by Mrs. Bealer for Headstart (COPY ATTACHED).
Mrs. Bealer stated that the proposal submitted to the Headstart federal office for the purchase of the Art of Beauty College building is still pending and being reviewed by that office. If approved, this building would be used for a Headstart Center.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson and on motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to advertise for a contractor to supply work and materials to connect the Pickering Schools to the Cooper Church/Brown Lane Road sewage treatment.
Superintendent Hinson announced that there will be a Maintenance Committee meeting Tuesday, April 16, 1996 at 9:00 a.m.
Mr. Ward announced that the Department of Transportation received bids on March 28, 1996 for the turn-lane at North Polk Elementary. The Board will be notified of the bid at a later date.
On motion of Mr. Bill Parker, 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 express their sincere condolences to Mrs. Ima Roberts in the recent death of her husband, Mr. Franklin Roberts, retired custodian at Hornbeck High School,
WHEREAS, Mr. Roberts was a life long resident of the Hornbeck community and he was a dedicated employee and he was loved and respected by everyone at Hornbeck School. Mr. Roberts was a conscientious worker and he will be sadly missed by his many friends at Hornbeck School.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does take this means to express sympathy to Mr. Roberts' family, Dean Trotti, teacher's aide, Mary Roberts, custodian, and Alton Gentry, custodian and to request that a copy of this resolution be sent to Mrs. Roberts and her family.
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 convey their sympathy to Mrs. Sybil McCullough in the recent death of her father-in-law, Mr. M. L. McCullough,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. McCullough and her family along with sincere condolences from this Board.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to adjourn until Tuesday, April 16, 1996 at 10:00 a.m.
__________________________________
MARK H. SMITH, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY