April 3, 1997
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON 201 BELVIEW BOARD, 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
MURPHY O'BANION
B.R. HARVEY
BENARD MCKEE
COL. GEOFF PROSCH
There was also present Mr. Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Ms. Linda West
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mrs. Kim Reese
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 11, 1997.
The Board recognized the individual school winners and the three parish winners of the Student of the Year Award. The three parish winners were Le Deana Jeane, Evans High School, Randi Schamerhorn, Leesville Jr. High School, and Autumn Costa, Vernon Elementary School.
The Board recognized Heather Squyres, Hicks Elementary Student who won third place in the State in the Title I Young Authors Essay contest.
The Board recognized Coach Hub Jordan and the Anacoco High School Girls Basketball team who won the 1997 State Championship in Class Double A Girls Basketball.
The Board recognized Coach Vic Ortiz and Hicks High School Girls Basketball team who won the 1997 State Championship in Class C Girls Basketball.
At this time, Mr. John Norris, Insurance Consultant gave a report of Vernon Parish School Board's 1997 Property and Liability Insurance.
On motion of Mr. Gene Haymon, seconded by Mr. Alvin C. Dowden the Board voted to accept Mr. Norris' recommendation to extend coverage for our General Liability and Workmans Compensation policies so that both policies would expire as of August 1, 1998. Bids will be taken for both of these policies before the expiration date. the same for all insurances.
On motion of Mr. Alvin C. Dowden, 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 has a sincere concern for the health and safety of all its employees,
WHEREAS, the employees of our school system display a dedicated effort to maintain a healthy and safe working environment and to take the necessary precautions to prevent personal injury or injury to others,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board does adopt this resolution in appreciation and support of all its employees.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. W.W. Parker, seconded by Mr. Mark Smith, 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 Mrs. Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfer.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. Philip Gunn, seconded by Mrs. Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr.C.A. Hughes, seconded by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, the Board voted approve the attached list of employee resignations.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. Alvin C. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion the Board voted to advertise for a Supervisor of Instruction.
On motion of Mr. Benard McKee, seconded by Mr. W.W. Parker, the Board voted to open bids for band uniforms for Rosepine High School.
On motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to take the bids for band uniforms for Rosepine High School under advisement
On motion of Mr. Benard McKee, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to open bids for metal roofing materials for Rosepine Elementary School.
On motion of Mr. Benard McKee, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion the Board voted to take the bids for metal roofing materials for Rosepine Elementary School under advisement.
On motion of Ms. Linda West, seconded by Mrs. Kim Reese, the Board voted to advertise for bids for Evans School building materials.
On motion of Mr. Gerald Burns, seconded by Ms. Linda West, the Board voted to advertise for bids for general supplies.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Benard McKee the Board voted to advertise for the sale of used equipment at Pitkin High School.
On motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to advertise for sale of used centrifuges at the Central Office Nurses Station.
At this time, Superintendent Schwartz announced the 1997 Southern Region School Boards Association Conference will be held July 13-16. Registration forms were made available to the Board.
Superintendent Schwartz discussed the Parish-wide Driver's Education Program. The program is available to students of all schools. If a school has no instructor, those students can attend classes at Leesville High School and the use of a car for the program will be made available on a rotating basis at each school. An effort is being made to hold costs down and plan a budget which will make the program more affordable to all students. Fewer people will be employed to administer the program. There will be one administrator and fewer clerical workers than in the past. This will help to reduce the cost of the course from $150 per student to $130 per student.
On motion of Mr. Benard McKee, seconded by Mr. Gerald Burns, the Board voted to reduce the cost of the driver's education course from $150 per student to $130 per student.
Superintendent Schwartz announced the Board's school visitation schedule for Tuesday, April 8, 1997. The remainder of school visits will be announced at the Tuesday, April 8 Board Meeting.
Superintendent Schwartz announced that Ms. Linda Odom and Mrs. Marjorie Pollard with Job Service will hold a Recognition Ceremony at Leesville High School, April 4, 1997, to honor students who have completed "Experience the Future at LHS" program.
Mr. Gene Haymon gave the schedule for Committee Meetings for Tuesday, April 8, 1997.
On motion of Mr. Philip Gunn, 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 sorrows to the family of Mr. Russell Bailes, a resident of Leesville and a strong supporter of Vernon Parish Schools,
WHEREAS, Mr. Bailes was the father of Zoe Parker, Teacher at Rosepine High School, Thad Bailes, Dare Officer, the father-in-law of Robbie Bailes, Teacher at Anacoco High School, Rose Bailes, Teacher at Leesville Jr. High School, and grandfather of Laura Turner, Teacher at Leesville Jr. High School and Katie Segura, Teacher at East Leesville Elementary School. Mr. Bailes was also the uncle of Richard "Dickie" Bailes, Board Member, and Patsy Bailes, Bus Operator,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does take this means to express their sincere condolences and request that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Bailes family members.
On motion of Mrs. Betty Westerchil, 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 Vernon Parish School Board wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. Elson O. Smith who recently passed away,
WHEREAS, Mr. Smith was a longtime resident of Vernon Parish and a great supporter of our school system,
WHEREAS, Mr. Smith was the father of Mark Smith, Board Member, John Smith, State Representative, Frances Haynes, Former Teacher at Leesville High School and the father-in law of Mrs. Anne Smith, Principal of East Leesville Elementary School and Mrs. Pam Smith, Vernon Parish Homebound Teacher,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mr. Smith along with sincere condolences from this Board.
On motion of Mr. Richard Bailes, 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 Vernon Parish School Board wishes to convey its condolences to the family of Mr. P.W. Hilton who recently passed away,
WHEREAS, Mr. Hilton will be remembered for his many years of law enforcement service dedicated to the safety of the families of our parish and state,
WHEREAS, Mr. Hilton was the uncle of Martha Yarbrough, Coordinator of Vernon Parish's Head Start Program,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mr. Hilton.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. Alvin C. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Kim Reese, the Board voted to adjourn.
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WILLIS FARRIS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SECRETARY