November 19, 1996
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1996, AT FORT POLK, 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
BENARD MCKEE
COL. GEOFF PROSCH
ABSENT: B.R. HARVEY, ILLNESS
There was also present Mr. Sammy L. Hinson, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Willis Farris, District 3.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. W.W. Parker, District 2.
Superintendent Hinson read the attached call notice:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Parker, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of November 5, 1996.
On motion of Mrs. Reese, seconded by Mrs. West, the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Parker, the Board voted to approve a sabbatical leave request for Opal Haynes, Special Education Supervisor, for rest and recuperation January 1997 through January 1998.
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Bailes, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees:
ATTACHED
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Bailes, the Board voted to transfer Mrs. Louise Henry from custodian at Vernon Elementary to custodian at the Central Office.
Shirley Holt gave a brief report and comparison of the Vernon Parish schools libraries. Mrs. Holt reported that according to state education office information gathered on Vernon Parish libraries, they are above average. (REPORT ATTACHED)
Bill Endris gave a hospitalization insurance report. He informed the Board that two major changes will occur in that Rapides Hospital will no longer be the flag ship hospital and that St. Francis Cabrini will join the Foundation Group. Also he indicated that Beauregard Hospital will no longer be a member of the group.
Bill Endris gave a budget report.
ATTACHED
Mr. Endris stated that an amendment was necessary to approve an amended budget to transfer funds from general fund to the school maintenance accounts.
Distribution of $300,000.00 from general fund money to maintenance funds based on student count is attached.
On motion of Mr. McKee, seconded by Mr. Parker, the Board voted to approve the budget amendment.
NAY VOTES WERE CAST BY:
Mr. Dowden
Mrs. Westerchil
Mr. Burns
Mr. Bailes
Ms. West
On recommendation of Superintendent Hinson, and on motion of Hughes, seconded by Mrs. Reese, the Board voted to advertise for Principal of Leesville Junior High School. Application due by December 3, 1996, 1996 at 4:30 p.m.
On motion of Mrs. Westerchil, seconded by Mrs. Reese, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell used equipment at the Headstart office. Bids due by December 10, 1996.
On motion of Ms. West, seconded by Mr. Haymon, the Board voted to advertise for a general contractor for a science lab at Leesville High School. Bids due by January 9, 1997 at 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Parker, the Board voted to accept the low bid of CYTEK Systems in the amount of $75.00 each for the 132 computer hard drive bids.
Superintendent Hinson reminded the Board that the meetings in December are December 5th and 10th (10th is at 5:00 p.m.).
Also Districts 1/6 will meet at 1:00 p.m. on December 2, 1996.
He announced that all members are invited to his home on December 12th at 6:00 p.m. for the Board Christmas party.
On motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to request that Congressman Jim McCrery be contacted in reference to troop assignments to be issued before the start of a school year asking the Congressman to act on behalf of the Board in relating to the U.S. Army the importance of school children beginning a school year in August. The members stressed that due to teacher allotment funding being issued according to enrollment taken on October 1st each year, that it is of utmost importance for military children to be counted before that date.
On motion of Mr. Farris, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to contact Congressman McCrery and invite him to Vernon Parish so that he can take a first hand look and assessment of the need to ensure that Fort Polk remains a full operating post.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to thank Col Prosch and his staff for the day of touring the JRTC and Fort Polk.
There was some confusion relative to cook personnel changes in Districts 1/6 as to who the actual employees were to be named for employment or status of employment. Superintendent Hinson stated that at this time he nor Mr. Ward knew the names of the employees. However, there was a motion by Ms. West, seconded by Mr. Burns, to make the following changes:
MARY COLLINS, PART TIME TO FULL TIME AT WEST LEESVILLE
BRENDA HILTON, NEW EMPLOYEE AT LEESVILLE JUNIOR HIGH
KATHLEEN WILLIS, NEW EMPLOYEE AT LEESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Superintendent Hinson stated that he and James Ward had planned to discuss this matter at the December 2, 1996 Districts 1/6 meeting, however, if the members requested that the cook personnel changes be made he would make that recommendation.
The motion passed.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by the Board the Board voted to request that Representatives Kay Iles and John Smith be contacted to request that a traffic light be installed on Hwy 171 at the Pickering Schools.
On motion of Mr. Parker, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to request that Representatives Kay Iles and John Smith be contacted to request that a caution light be installed on Hwy 171 and Holy Grove Road in Anacoco.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolutions:
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 Mr. Lee Eisman, long time resident of Vernon Parish and great supporter of this school system,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Eisman and her family in this time of bereavement 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 Mr. David Wentzel, teacher at Pickering Junior High School, in the recent death of his mother, Mrs. Betty Wentzel,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Wentzel and her family have been great supporters of this school system and especially the Pickering Schools,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to her husband, Mr. Homer Wentzel and David along with sincere sorrows from this Board.
On motion of Mr. Alvin C. Dowden, Jr., 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 heartfelt sympthies to Mr. Bruce Standly, bus operator for District 1, in the recent death of his mother, Mrs. Yvonne Stanley,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Stanley was also the mother-in-law of Mrs. Barbara Standly, aide at West Leesville Elementary School,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does take this means to send thier condolences to the Stanley family in this time of bereavement along with a copy of this memorial resolution from the Vernon Parish School Board.
On motion of Mr. Farris, seconded by Mr. Bailes, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Mr. Gunn, seconded by Mr. Parker, 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 Mrs. Reese, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board voted to adjourn.
_____________________________________
MARK H. SMITH, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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SAMMY L. HINSON, SUPERINTENDENT