March 11, 1997
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION MARCH 11, 1997 AT 5:00 P.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. "DICKIE" 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 Mrs. Kim Reese, District 1
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Richard Bailes District 1
On motion of Mr. W.W. Parker, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of March 6, 1997.
Superintendent Schwartz introduced Miss Randi Schameron to the Board and presented her with a certificate recognizing her for being named Top Middle Level Student Volunteer in Louisiana in The 1997 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. Superintendent Schwartz commended Randi for her involvement with fund raisers for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Superintendent Schwartz introduced Mr. Howard Coy of the Vernon Parish Library.
Mr. Coy explained some of the programs that the Parish Library and Vernon Parish School's Library are currently involved with in a joint effort to promote students' use of libraries. Mr. Coy discussed various services which are offered free of charge to the public. Mr. Coy requested the support of the Vernon Parish School Board in the upcoming Library Tax renewal.
At this time Superintendent Schwartz welcomed Mr. Frank Leach from the Vernon Sheltered Workshop. Mr. Leach displayed two of the products that were constructed by the employees of the Sheltered Workshop. He discussed the workmanship and materials used in the construction of all of their products. He explained that all of the employees are disabled individuals. The operation of the Workshop is not state funded and their products can be purchased on a non-bid basis. The prices are determined by the Fair Market Pricing System and are set to cover expenses of construction only.
On a motion by Mr. Philip Gunn, seconded by Ms. Linda West, the Board voted to have Superintendent Schwartz direct Mr. Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent for the Vernon Parish School Board, to evaluate the furniture in our schools and look to the Vernon Sheltered Workshop first when new furniture is needed.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mrs. Kim Reese seconded by Mr. Richard Bailes the Board voted to accept the attached list of resignations.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. C.A. Hughes seconded by Mr. Gerald Burns the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. W.W. Parker seconded by Mr. Murphy O=Banion the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee transfers.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. Richard Bailes seconded by Mrs. Betty Westerchil the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leaves.
ATTACHMENT
At this time Dr. Larry Monk, Assistant Superintendent, reported that his trip to the Fort Bragg Information Fair was very productive. He met the troops who will be coming here with their families by Fall, 1997. Dr. Monk was given an opportunity to speak on our school system. He answered questions and was able to dispel misconceptions held by many of the families. As a result the troops and families are looking forward to coming to our area. Dr. Monk provided the families with pre-registration packets for their school-age children. He brought back with him completed packets for 57 students who will enter Vernon Parish Schools this fall. These students will live in Post Housing and approximately one half of the pre-registered students will attend North Polk Elementary School. We can expect an estimated 300 new students to enroll in Vernon Parish Schools for the 1997-98 school year.
On motion of Mr. Bill Parker seconded by the Board, the Board voted to send a letter of appreciation to Mr. Ralph D. McRae, Jr. for providing transportation for Dr. Larry Monk to the Fort Bragg Information Fair.
Dr. Monk gave a report on Vernon Parish ACT scores. The report was based on a three year comparison of ACT scores of Vernon Parish students with State and National scores. Vernon Parish has experienced a .3 increase over the last two years bringing our average
up with the Louisiana average.
Dr. Monk reported the results of the Calendar Committee Meeting. The Committee established two tentative calendars which were sent out to all employees for selection.
The overwhelming majority of the employees who voted selected plan B as attached.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion by Mr. Gene Haymon seconded by Mr. Murphy O=Banion the Board voted to approve the School Calender for 1997-98 as selected by the Calendar Committee and school employees.
Mr. Bill Endris, Director of Finance presented the audit report to the Board and was available to answer questions.
On recommendation of Mr. Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent for Vernon Parish School System and on motion of Mrs. Kim Reese seconded by Mr. Richard Bailes, the Board voted to award the bid for copy paper in the amount of $16.38 per case to Unisource of Baton Rouge, LA. The low bid of $16.29 per case by National Sanitary Supply was not awarded due to Louisiana Preference Law.
On recommendation of Mr. Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent for Vernon Parish School system and on motion of Ms. Linda West seconded by Mr. Richard Bailes, the Board voted to award the bid for risograph supplies to Alexandria Business Machines as attached.
ATTACHMENT
At this time Mr. Gene Haymon, Goals and Objectives Committee Chairperson gave a report on the March 11, 1997 Goals and Objectives Committee Meeting. He reported that the Committee had decided to involve everyone in the System by inviting representatives from all areas of school service, i.e. teacher, custodian, cook to sit in on meetings and help write goals and objectives.
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Mr. Murphy O'Banion, Maintenance Committee Chairperson gave a report of the March 11, 1997 Maintenance Committee Meeting. He reported that it was decided that Mr. Ricky Kay would research problems and report back at which time another committee meeting would be called.
Mr. Alvin C. Dowden, Insurance Committee Chairman reported that the Insurance Committee had met on March 11, 1997. He then asked Mr. Bill Endris, Director of Finance to give an update on the selection process for a Health Insurance Provider for employees of the Vernon Parish School Board. Mr. Endris stated that Health Plans from Advantage, Foundation Health, and Ochners Insurance Companies had been presented to the Insurance Committees for comparison purposes. After making comparisons the School Committee and the School Board Committee both preferred Ochners Health Plan.
On recommendation of the School Board Insurance Committee and on the motion of Mr. Alvin C. Dowden seconded by Mr. Gerald Burns the Board voted to adopt Oshners Health Plan as Vernon Parish School Board's Health Care provider. Ochners Insurance will become effective June 1, 1997
Mr. Willis Farris, President of the Vernon Parish School Board discussed information from Representative John Smith concerning the land lease of the Kisatchie Forest Lands.
On motion of Mrs. Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board the Board voted to adopt the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board is charged with the responsibility of maintaining and providing the best possible education for school children in this parish,
WHEREAS, due to the recent oil and gas drilling in this area, it has come to the attention of the Board that potential revenues from Kisatchie National Forest land leases could highly enhance funding for education public school children by allowing the oil companies to bid for the use of our lands in Vernon Parish,
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Land Management has considered extending the contract for land exploration use by the oil companies which would not require these companies to compensate this parish for the fair market value of our land,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Vernon Parish School Board unanimously voted on March 11, 1997 in Special Session to request that the Kisatchie National Forest land used in Vernon Parish for oil and gas exploration be leased on a competitive basis so that this school system will realize what is rightfully due for school children.
Superintendent Schwartz reminded the Board of three events, Lunch at South Polk Elementary School March 19, 1997 in observance of Louisiana School Lunch Week, the Retirees Reception which is planned for Thursday, March 20, 1997 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., and the foul weather make-up day March 27, 1997.
The Board was given their individual employee list. Employees for 1997-98 will be named at the May 1, 1997 Board Meeting.
Mr. Gene Haymon announced the next Goals and Objectives Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 3, 1997 at 9:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. Benard McKee seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion the Board voted to advertise for bids on metal roofing materials for Rosepine Elementary School.
On motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion seconded by Mr. Gene Haymon the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Mr. O'Banion seconded by Mr. Benard McKee 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. Kim Reese seconded by Mr. Richard Bailes the Board voted to adjourn.
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WILLIS FARRIS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SECRETARY