April 16, 1996
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION ON TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 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. Willis, Farris, District Three.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Philip L. Gunn, District Six.
Superintendent Hinson read the attached Call Notice:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of April 4, 1996.
On motion of Ms West, seconded by Mrs. Westerchil, the Board voted to accept the attached resignation:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. Burns, the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests:
ATTACHED
Superintendent Hinson reported that due to the fact that Tina Wheeler, aide, at South Polk Elementary, has violated the Vernon Parish School Board Drug Free Policy and has abandoned her job, at this time he recommends her suspension as teacher's aide, without pay and that at the May 2, 1996 school board meeting he will recommend her termination of employment.
On motion of Mr. Farris, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to accept the Superintendent's recommendation to suspend, without pay, Tina Wheeler, as teacher's aide at South Polk Elementary for the reasons listed by Superintendent Hinson.
At this time the Superintendent and Board recognized the following groups of students:
Anacoco students of the year
Louisiana Public Broadcasters Outstanding Student
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. McKee, the Board voted to approve to continue to apply for JTPA funding where applicable and to authorize Superintendent Sammy L. Hinson to sign for funding applications.
Mr. Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent, reported that he had reviewed the bids received for a roofing contractor for the Simpson High School gymnasium. The low bid meeting specifications is Arrowhead Contractors Inc., of Simpson, LA. On motion of Mr. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Gunn, the Board voted to accept the low bid of Arrowhead Contractors, Inc. , in the amount of $47,974.00 for the gym roof at Simpson High School.
Mr. Richard Schwartz, Supervisor, reported to the Board a recent law passed dealing with the drivers' education program. Mr. Schwartz stated that the law now allows fourteen year olds to enroll in the program and to drive behind the wheel with a certified instructor in the vehicle. He further stated that due to the shortage of certified instructors and available cars, that the fourteen year olds would be enrolled on a "first come, first serve" basis. It was further noted that fifteen year olds have priority to enroll since they are candidates to get a drivers license at this age, and that there is a possibility that no fourteen year olds will be allowed to enroll due to shortage of instructors and cars. Mr. Schwartz stated that all Principals will be notified by letter of this new law.
Superintendent Hinson stated that the schools' and the central office goals and objectives had been presented to the Board at a recent meeting. It was discussed that the Board should set goals and objectives and that a committee be appointed to draw up Board goals and objectives. On motion of Mr. Farris, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board voted to authorize the President to appoint a five member Goals and Objectives Committee. Superintendent Hinson stated that the goals and objectives presented by the staff and schools would be in compliance with the Board.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Farris, the Board voted to appoint Gene Haymon chairman of the Goals and Objectives Committee.
Superintendent Hinson stated the members are invited to a hospitalization insurance meeting on April 22, 1996 at 2:00 p.m.
Superintendent Hinson invited the Board to a fish fry hosted by Northwestern State University to honor retiring president, Dr. Bobby Alost. The fish fry is May 3, 1996 at 5:00 p.m. at the Leesville/Fort Polk campus.
Superintendent Hinson announced that Vernon Parish Elementary Student of the Year, Reba Clemons, won the regional contest and will be in the state finals on April 24, 1996 in Baton Rouge. Gene Haymon asked that Mr. Eugene Cavanaugh be invited a Board meeting to discuss the revenues on land assessment for oil and mineral drilling. Mr. Ward explained the Mineral Board bids for school land leasing. He stated that some school districts have received land lease payments. Superintendent Hinson stated that he would invite Mr. Cavanuagh for a meeting.
Mr. Dowden asked for a MFP update. Superintendent Hinson stated that the legislature is now in special session and the MFP will not be addressed at this time. Mrs. Westerchil, who serves on Board of Directors of the LSBA, announced that a MFP meeting will be held on April 26th in Baton Rouge and encouraged the members to attend. The Board expressed that it is time that the state be forced to implement the full MFP as directed by law in 1990. Many members stated that they would attend the MFP meeting in Baton Rouge. Superintendent Hinson stated that area legislators are in full support of the MFP funding.
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 heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. Ellis Busby, father-in-law of Mrs. Jeanie Busby, bus driver for Hicks High School,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the Busby family along with sincere condolences from this Board.
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 the family of Mrs. Eunice Spears, grandmother of Randy Strother, teacher at Pitkin, and mother of former bus driver, Tommy Spears,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution and along with sincere condolences from this Board.
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 sympathies to Mrs. Theresa West, teacher at Pitkin High School, in the recent death of her husband, Mr. Ben D. West,
WHEREAS, Mr. West was also the father of Bonita Inman, Headstart teacher at Pitkin High School,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mr. West, along with sincere condolences from this Board.
On motion of Mr. Murphy O=Banion, 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 Mr. Duane Roberts, Principal of Pickering High School, in the recent death of his father, Mr. Orrie D. Roberts,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. Roberts and his family along with sincere condolences from this Board.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. McKee, 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. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Dowden, the Board voted to adjourn.
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MARK H. SMITH, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SECRETARY