September 4, 1997
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION SEPTEMBER 4, 1997 AT 10:00 A.M., AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. PRESIDENT FARRIS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
WILLIS FARRIS, PRESIDENT
ALVIN C. "CHUCK" DOWDEN, VICE PRESIDENT
GERALD BURNS
RICHARD W. "DICKIE" BAILES
M. GENE HAYMON
KIM REESE
LINDA WEST
MARK SMITH
BETTY WESTERCHIL
PHILIP L. GUNN
W.W. PARKER
MURPHY O'BANION
B.R. HARVEY
BENARD MCKEE
COL. STEPHEN SHAMBACH
ABSENT: C.A. HUGHES, DEATH IN FAMILY
There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Richard Bailes.
The Pledge of Allegiance was let by Mr. Gene Haymon.
At this time, Superintendent Schwartz introduced Ms. Tisha O'Neill, reporter of the Leesville Daily Leader, who will attend Vernon Parish School Board meetings and provide news coverage.
On motion of Mr. Mark Smith, seconded by Ms. Linda West, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of August 12, 1997.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. Richard Bailes, seconded by Mrs. Kim Reese, 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 Ms. Linda West, seconded by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the attached list of resignations.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. Mark Smith, seconded by Ms. Linda West, the Board voted to approve the attached list of leaves without pay.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mr. Gerald Burns, seconded by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve employee not named in May.
ATTACHMENT
Mr. Jimmy Funderburk introduced coaches and members of three outstanding Vernon Parish baseball teams. Those honored were: Coach Randy Lansdale and the Hicks High School baseball team, Class C Quarterfinalist, Coach Bruce Stewart and the Leesville High School baseball team, Semifinalist in Class AAAA, and Coach Paul Lemieux and the Pitkin High School baseball team, Class B State Champions.
Mrs. Shirley Holt recognized Vernon Parish Teachers of the Year. Selected as Elementary Teacher of the Year was Ms. Patricia Lemmer from North Polk Elementary School; Mrs. Tammy Schamerhorn of Leesville Jr. High School was selected Jr. High School Teacher of the Year; and, Mr. Mark Brown of Rosepine High School, was selected High School Teacher of the Year.
Mr. Tommy Cordova, Director of Louisiana Technical College, Lamar Salter Campus, discussed their many programs offered to students in various areas including: welding, mechanics, business, and nursing. Some courses are available tuition free to high school students. Mr. Cordova emphasized that he and his staff work very closely with the area high schools and local businesses.
On motion of Mr. Alvin C. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Gerald Burns, the Board voted to approve a sub-lease from T. L. James Company for the property on which the Simpson ballpark is located.
Mr. Bill Endris discussed the budget in regards to the student count. Because of a lower student count than was originally anticipated, the school system will receive less money than expected. Mr. Endris is looking for areas in which cutbacks can be initiated, such as substitute aides, cooks, custodians, and in some cases teachers. Another area in which conservation is encouraged is utility use.
Superintendent Schwartz commended Mr. Endris for his efforts to find ways improve the system=s financial situation.
Superintendent Schwartz addressed a proposal concerning public input procedure.
On Motion of Mr. Alvin C. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Mark Smith, the Board voted to authorize Superintendent Schwartz and his administration to design a revision of the Board's policy on public input to present to the Board for approval at the September 16, 1997 board meeting.
On motion of Mr. W.W. Parker, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to reject the bids received for Hornbeck parking lot on August 12, 1997.
On motion of Mr. W.W. Parker, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to readvertise for bids for the Hornbeck parking lot at the October 2, 1997 Board meeting.
On motion of Mr. Benard McKee, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to receive bids on the Rosepine bus.
On motion of Mr. Benard McKee, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to take the bids for the Rosepine bus under advisement.
On motion of Mr. Gene Haymon, seconded by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to receive bids on used lawn mowers at Vernon Middle School and West Leesville Elementary School.
On motion of Mr. Gerald Burns, seconded by Mr. Mark Smith, the Board voted to accept the high bid, submitted by Billy Ray Foley, of $51.00 for the used riding lawn mower and $26.00 for the used push mover at West Leesville Elementary School, and $118.00 for the used riding lawn mower at Vernon Elementary School.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. W.W. Parker, the Board voted to deposit the proceeds derived from the Pitkin timber sales into the Pitkin Chapter of the FFA funds.
In other business, Superintendent Schwartz welcomed Mr. Louis Magee of the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Department. Mr. Magee invited the Board to attend a demonstration of the department's dogs that have been trained in narcotics detection. The demonstration will be held September 5, 1997 at 9:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. W.W. 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 Vernon Parish School Board learned with grief and sadness of the recent death of Mr. Murph Hughes, brother of Mr. C.A. Hughes, School Board Member; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Hughes grew up and was educated in Vernon Parish where he will be remembered and sadly missed by his many friends,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board wishes to convey its condolences to Mr. C.A. Hughes and his family at this time of bereavement.
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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to convey their deepest sympathies to Mrs. Mammie Nolen, Pitkin bus driver, in the recent death of her father-in-law, Mr. Dempsey Nolen,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does take means to express its to Mrs. Nolen and her family in this time of sadness and also requests a copy condolences of this memorial resolution be sent to the family.
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 deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Ruby Johnson who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Johnson was a former employee at Vernon Middle School, and the brother of Mr. Eddie Johnson, Central Office custodian,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does take this means to send its condolences, along with a copy of this memorial resolution to Mrs. Johnson's family.
On motion of Mr. Benard McKee, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to rescind a previous motion to take the Rosepine bus bids under advisement, and authorize Mr. Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent and Mr. Charles Lewis, Rosepine High Principal to accept the lowest bid if all specifications are met.
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. Benard McKee, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to adjourn.
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WILLIS A. FARRIS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT