May 1, 1997
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION MAY 1, 1997 AT 10:00 A.M. AT 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
BETTY WESTERCHIL
PHILIP L. GUNN
W.W. PARKER
B.R. HARVEY
BENARD MCKEE
MURPHY O'BANION
COL. GEOFF PROSCH
ABSENT: LINDA WEST, DEATH IN FAMILY
There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. W.W. Parker.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mrs. Betty Westerchil
On motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Benard McKee, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of April 8, 1997.
Superintendent Schwartz called on Mr. Joe Pope to introduce principals and board members who recognized Vernon Parish students for their participation in various Parish, District, and State competitions. Three hundred students were presented certificates for their achievements.
Superintendent Schwartz presented a plaque to Colonel Geoffrey Prosch in appreciation for his representation of Fort Polk to the Vernon Parish School Board May 5, 1995 to May 5, 1997.
Mr. Joe Pope called to the Board's attention a schedule of summer workshops which will be made available to Vernon Parish teachers. The workshops were organized by the Curriculum Coordinators and Supervisors and are offered on a voluntary basis for all Vernon Parish Teachers.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. C.A. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Richard Bailes, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mrs. Kim Reese, seconded by Mr. Gene Haymon, the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. C.A. Hughes, seconded by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to rescind the resignation of Antoinette Tomany-Harris.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. W.W. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee resignations.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. Alvin C. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Gerald Burns, the Board voted to appoint Mr. Jimmy Funderburk to the position of Supervisor of Instruction for the period of June 2, 1997 through January 13, 1998. Mr. Gunn voted no.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. Philip Gunn, seconded by Mr. Benard McKee, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employees for 1997-98. (List kept on file in Personnel Office)
On motion of Mr. Alvin C. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the resolution for continuing the consolidated application for program funding for Titles I, II, IV, and VI for 1997-98.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, application for program funding may be made under Titles I, II, IV, VI and LEARN as amended, and
WHEREAS, a program is now proceeding under these titles, now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Vernon Parish School Board in Regular Session on this the 1st day of May 1997 again authorizes the Superintendent to proceed with a consolidated application for continued funding of this project and to employ the necessary personnel and sign the required documents.
At this time, Mrs. Dottie Neugebauer presented the Special Education Federal Budget to the Board.
On motion of Mr. Philip Gunn, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to approve the Special Education Federal Budget for 1997-98.
On motion of Mr. Gene Haymon, seconded by Mr. Richard Bailes, the Board voted to advertise for Food Services 1998-98 Price Quotation Calendar.
ATTACHMENT
On motion of Mr. W.W. Parker, seconded by Mr. Philip Gunn the Board voted to open bids on Evans School building materials.
BIDDER AMOUNT
McCoy Building Supply $2,621.62
Stine Lumber Company $6,037.64
Flynn Building Specialties $2,455.60
C. Hugh Tarver $5,880.00
On motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Mr. W.W. Parker, the Board voted to take the bids for Evans School Building materials under advisement.
On motion of Mr. Gerald Burns, seconded by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to advertise for metal reroofing materials at Leesville High School.
On motion of Mr. C.A. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Gerald Burns, the Board voted to advertise for a principal for Simpson High School. Applications will be accepted May 2, 1997 through May 30, 1997.
At this time, Superintendent Schwartz discussed the rally for State pay raise which was held in Baton Rouge, April 30, 1997. Professional leave was offered to teachers and support personnel who attended.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following resolution in support of the state pay raise.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board appreciates the dedicated service rendered by its teachers and support personnel,
WHEREAS, Vernon Parish teachers and support personnel render valuable services in diverse leadership roles to their communities and institutions: and,
WHEREAS, Vernon Parish School Employees toil ceaselessly to improve the quality of life for all students, too often in less than adequate circumstances and for less than adequate pay,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Vernon Parish School Board does adopt this resolution in support of the State pay raise for teachers and support personnel and requests that a copy be sent to our area legislators.
On motion of Mr. Gerald Burns, Finance Committee Chairperson, seconded by Mr. Gene Haymon, the Board voted to void the November 19, 1996 vote to distribute $300,000 to the individual maintenance accounts as attached.
On motion by Mr. Gerald Burns, Finance Committee Chairperson, seconded by Mrs. Kim Reese the Board voted to distribute $29,225.06 to Ward 2 Anacoco maintenance fund, $9,741.69 to Ward 8 maintenance fund, and $13, 320.90 to Ward 2 Hornbeck maintenance fund as attached.
ATTACHMENT
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 wishes to convey their sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Donald O. McCain who recently passed away,
WHEREAS, Mr. McCain was the stepfather of Mrs. Patsy Bailes, bus operator, the stepfather-in-law of Richard W. Bailes, Board Member, and the father-in-law of Mr. Wendell Smith, custodian at Evans School,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mr. McCain.
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 Vernon Parish School Board wishes to convey its heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. William Danage who recently passed away and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Danage was the brother of Ms. Ora Miller, a teacher at Pitkin School,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does adopt this resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Ms. Miller.
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 Vernon Parish School Board wishes to convey its sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Myrtle Duffell who recently passed away and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Duffell, was the mother of Mrs. Vada Ruth Fowler, a former cook at Pitkin School,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this Board does adopt this resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mrs. Fowler.
On motion of Mr. Alvin C. Dowden, 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 learned with grief and sadness of the recent death of Mrs. Idel Waltmon, a retired Vernon Parish teacher and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Waltmon devoted many years of dedicated service to educating the youth of our parish and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Waltmon was deeply loved by her students and her community,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mrs. Waltmon along with sincere condolences from this board.
On motion of Mr. Alvin C. Dowden, 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 was saddened to learn of the death of Miss Alma Moses of Leesville and,
WHEREAS, Miss Moses was the sister of Miss Jeanette Moses, a retired supervisor of the Vernon Parish School System, and the aunt of Debbie Woods, a Vernon Parish teacher, and the sister-in-law of Mrs. Salvinia Moses, a retired Vernon Parish teacher,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does adopt this memorial resolution and requests that copies be sent to the family of Miss Moses.
On motion of Mr. W.W. Parker, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to advertise for bids for metal cat walk at Anacoco High School.
On motion of Mr. Benard McKee, 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 learned with great sadness of the recent death of Mr. Johnny Hall and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Hall was the mayor of Rosepine, Louisiana and the father of Mr. Johnny Wayne Hall, a custodian at Rosepine Elementary School,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mr. Hall's family in their time of sorrow.
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 Vernon Parish School Board wishes to convey its heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Lester Davis who recently passed away and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Davis was the uncle of Mr. Gerald Burns, Board Member,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent be sent to the family of Mr. Davis at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following resolution commending Vernon Parish's softball and baseball teams.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board has a sincere interest in all activities of the students of this school system and,
WHEREAS, our parish baseball and softball teams and coaches have worked tirelessly to attain the successes they have realized,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this resolution commending and congratulating all of its baseball and softball teams and coaches for an outstanding 1996-97 season.
There being no further business on motion of Mr. Benard McKee, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to adjourn.
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WILLIS FARRIS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SECRETARY