March 6, 1997

THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN  REGULAR SESSION THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 1997 AT 10:00 A.M. 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA PRESIDENT FARRIS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:

WILLIS FARRIS, PRESIDENT

ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR., VICE PRESIDENT

RICHARD W. ADICKIE@ BAILES

GERALD BURNS

M. GENE HAYMON

C.A. HUGHES

MARK SMITH

KIM REESE

LINDA WEST

BETTY WESTERCHIL

PHILIP L. GUNN

W.W. PARKER

B.R. HARVEY

BENARD MCKEE

COL. GEOFF PROSCH

There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.

The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Richard Bailes, District 1

The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. M. Gene Haymon, District 1

On motion of Mr. Gerald Burns, seconded by Mr. Benard McKee, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of February 18, 1997.

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. Gunn seconded by Mr. Parker the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignation:

ATTACHED

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. O'Banion seconded by Mr. Hughes the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.

ATTACHED

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mrs. Reese seconded by Mr. Bailes the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee transfers.

ATTACHED

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. Haymon seconded by Ms. West the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests.

ATTACHED

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. Dowden seconded by Mr. Hughes the Board voted to increase the bus size of bus #25, Isaac Nabors, from a  60 passenger to 65 passenger bus.

At this time Mrs. Shirley Holt, Curriculum Supervisor, gave a report on the Parish Librarians' meeting held on February 25, 1997, at the Vernon Parish Library. The Vernon Parish Library is working with the Parish School Librarians in an effort promote the use of the library by students. The librarians will hold quarterly meetings on a rotating basis at various libraries in the parish.  Plans are to conduct workshops and presentations to share, learn and coordinate resources.  This will be beneficial especially at the times when students are doing research papers, social studies fairs and science fairs.

On a motion by Mr. W.W. Parker seconded by Mrs. Kim Reese the Board adopted the following resolution requesting that the City of Anacoco annex 40 acres of land included in the Anacoco School property:

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, the Anacoco City Council requests that the Anacoco School property described as T3NR9W Sec 7 NW/4 of SW/4 of Sec 7 containing 40 acres M/L, be incorporated into the city limits of Anacoco.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Vernon Parish School Board approves this action by the City Council of Anacoco.

On a motion by Mr. Philip Gunn seconded by Mrs. Betty Westerchil the Board voted to open bids received for copy paper.

BIDDER                                                                         BID

Bancroft                                                                 $18.93 per case

Printing Plus                                                           18.29 per case

National Sanitary Supply Company                  16.29 per case

Resource Net                                                          17.75 per case    

Unisource                                                                16.38 per case

On a motion by Mr. Obanion, seconded by Mr. Parker the Board voted to take copy paper bids under advisement.

On motion of Mr. Alvin C. Dowden seconded by Mr. Richard Bailes the Board voted to open bids for risograph supplies.

BIDDER                                                 BID

ABM                                                      RA Masters        $384.40 case                            RA Ink  $115.70 case

GR Masters           337.50 case                            GR Ink    226.90 case           

LA Graphics                                          RA Masters          490.00 case                            RA Ink   410.00 case

GR Masters           550.00 case                            GR Ink    410.00 case

GM Supplies                                         RA Masters          325.00 case                            RA Ink   225.00 case

GR Masters           330.00 case                            GR Ink    225.00 case

Prairie Carbon and Ribbon                 RA Masters          295.00 case                            RA Ink   180.00 case

GR Masters            No bid                                   RA Ink   No bid

FKM Copier Products                         RA Masters          448.30 case                            RA Ink   273.30 case

GR Masters           417.20 case                            GR Ink    273.30 case

On the recommendation of Mr. Moss, Purchasing Agent and on the motion of Ms. West seconded by Mr. Burns the Board voted to take the risograph  bids under advisement.

On the motion of Mr. McKee seconded by Mr. O'Banion the Board voted to advertise for bids for band uniforms for Rosepine High School. The bids will be received on April 3, 1997 at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. Dowden, Chairman of the Insurance Committee asked Mr. Endris, Finance Director to give a report on the March 6, 1997 Insurance Committee meeting. The focus of the meeting was on the health insurance available for employees. Mr. Endris reported that he is currently looking at different options from the surrounding market. Mr. Endris has scheduled a meeting with committee chairs from the schools March 7, 1997. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss proposals he has received. Mr. Dowden will report on the comparisons of these products after receiving employee input.

Superintendent Schwartz announced that the following committee meetings have been scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, 1997. The Goals and Objectives Committee will meet at 3:00 p.m., the Maintenance Committee will meet at 4:00 p.m., the Insurance Committee will meet at 4:30 p.m.

Mr. Joe Pope, Curriculum Coordinator announced the following dates of the SACS reports on Leesville High School, Leesville Jr. High School and Hicks High School. He invited and encouraged the Board to attend. The dates are as follows:

Dates of Visiting Committees                                             School                                    Final report

March 12 - 14, 1997                                              Leesville High School                         March 14 - 3:15 p.m.

March 17 - 18, 1997                                              Leesville Jr. High School                    March 18 - 3:15 p.m.

March 24 - 26, 1997                                              Hick High School                                 March 26 - 2:30 p.m.

At this time Superintendent Schwartz wished Dr. Larry Monk a good trip to the Fort Bragg Information Fair. Dr. Monk is representing Vernon Parish School Board and will be visiting with families who will be registering their children in Vernon Parish Schools. This trip is in conjunction with the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce to welcome soldiers and their families to our area.

Superintendent Schwartz presented all members of the Board with an invitation from South Polk Elementary School for lunch on March 19, 1997 in honor of School lunch week which will be observed March 17 - 21, 1997.  

Superintendent Schwartz presented a proclamation from Governor Mike Foster declaring March 20, 1997 Retired Teachers Day. He announced that a reception has been planned to honor Vernon Parish's retired teacher's March 20, 1997 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Vernon Parish School Board Office.

On motion of Ms. West seconded by the Board, the Board voted to proclaim March 20, 1997 as Vernon Parish Retired Teacher=s Day.

Superintendent Schwartz, recognized Vernon Parish School Board Members, Mrs. Betty Westerchil, Mr. W.W. Parker, Mr. B.R. Harvey and Mr. C.A. Hughes and Mr. Willis Farris as Vernon Parish Retired Teachers.

On motion of Mr. Parker seconded by Mr. Harvey the Board voted to send letters and telegrams of congratulations to principals of Hicks High School and Anacoco High School. Both schools will have teams participating in State Basketball Finals.

On motion of Mr. 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 learned with great sadness of the untimely death of Justin Gillespie, a member of the junior class at Anacoco High School,.

WHEREAS, Justin was deeply loved and highly respected by his classmates, and the faculty and staff of Anacoco High School. He will be remembered as a friend who always had a ready smile, the ability to make others smile,  and a helping hand when it was needed,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Tony Gillespie along with sincere condolences from this Board.

On motion by Mr. Harvey 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 wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. Zelon Johnson, of Pitkin, who recently passed away,

WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson was a brother-in-law of Ms. Nola Faye Johnson, bus operator for the Vernon Parish School System,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mr. Johnson 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 wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Ms. Marilla Willis, of Pitkin, who recently passed away,

WHEREAS, Ms. Willis was the mother of Bonnie Johnson, a bus operator for the Vernon Parish School System, and the aunt of Roger Willis, Assistant Principal of Pitkin High School,

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

There being no further business on motion of Mr. McKee seconded by Mr. Dowden the Board voted to adjourn.

___________________________________

WILLIS FARRIS, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

____________________________________

RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SECRETARY