October 2, 1997
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION OCTOBER 2, 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
C.A. HUGHES
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: M. GENE HAYMON, FAMILY ILLNESS
There was also present 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. Gerald Burns, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of September 16, 1997.
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 motion of Ms. Linda West, seconded by Mr. Richard Bailes, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee resignations.
ATTACHMENT
On motion of Mr. Gerald Burns, seconded by Mrs. Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached request for leave without pay.
ATTACHMENT
On motion of Mrs. Betty Westerchil, seconded by Mr. C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request.
ATTACHMENT
Mr. Bill Endris, Director of Finance and Business Affairs, presented to the Board for approval, a resolution for the refunding of bond issues for Ward 2 (Hornbeck) Ward 4, Ward 5, and Ward 7.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to adopt the resolution for the refunding of the bond issues for Wards 2, 4, 5, and 7.
At this time, Mr. Bill Endris discussed the state classroom supplies fund. Vernon Parish was allocated $135, 028.00 based on the student count from October 1, 1996. The funds will be allotted to the schools based on the official student account as of October 1, 1997. Each school will receive its allotment which will be distributed equally among classroom teachers only. Administrators, counselors, federal program teachers, librarians, and curriculum coordinators are excluded from the count. According to state guidelines, teachers must make the decisions on what materials and supplies to purchase for their classrooms. They may do this individually or collectively. At least 75% of the money must be used to purchase materials and supplies that can be kept in the classroom and used for more than one year. No more than 25% can be used for consumable items. All items purchased become school property and will be kept in the classrooms.
Mrs. Brenda Bealer, Director of Head Start, gave a presentation and update on the Head Start=s regular and its new summer programs. She stressed the importance and the many benefits of the program and thanked the Board for its support and those members who have served on the Head Start Advisory Board along with representatives from every school in the parish. She invited board members to volunteer to serve for the next three years. The program is going through the licensing process. Of the fourteen Vernon Parish schools that have a Head Start program, several have already met all the requirements and have been licensed and those that have not are in the process of completing requirements for licensing. The new summer Head Start program will be offered next summer at any school that has enough families with both parents who work and who meet income guidelines.
No bids were received for sale of a used copier at Pickering Elementary School, therefore, on motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Benard McKee, the Board voted to allow Mr. Bobby Moss to work with the principal on the disposal of the copier.
On motion of Mr. A.C. Dowden, seconded by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell miscellaneous used equipment at Leesville High School's auto shop.
On motion of Mrs. Kim Reese, seconded by Ms. Linda West, the Board voted to advertise for bids for risograph supplies.
On motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Benard McKee, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell a used copier at Pickering Elementary School.
On motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Benard McKee, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell two used buses at Pickering, a 1984 GMC and a 1981 Chevrolet.
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 wishes to convey its deepest sympathies to Mrs. Martha Yarbrough, Vernon Parish Head Start Coordinator, in the recent death of her father, Mr. Jimmy Legg; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Legg was a lifetime member of this community and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent, along with its sincere condolences, to Mrs. Yarbrough and her family.
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 deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Sammye Sweat of Port Neches, Texas, who recently passed away,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Sweat was the sister-in-law of Mrs. Mickey Cooley, Pitkin School aide, and Mrs. Carlene Johnson, Pitkin School cook,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent, along with its sincere condolences, to Mrs. Sweat's 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 Ms. Regina Wells, West Leesville Elementary School teacher, and Mr. Rodney Wells, Leesville Jr. High School teacher, in the recent death of their mother Mrs. Delores Wells,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Wells was a loving and caring person and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Wells' family along with sincere condolences in their time of sorrow.
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, members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to convey their deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Euna Cole McMannus of Leesville, who recently passed away,
WHEREAS, Mrs. McMannus was the grandmother-in-law of Dr. Larry Monk, Assistant Superintendent of Vernon Parish Schools.
WHEREAS, Mrs. McMannus was a very active and beloved member of this community and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does take this time to send its condolences to Mrs. McMannus' family at this time of bereavement.
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 wishes to convey its deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Lizzie Nolen who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Nolen was a retired cook from Hornbeck School and the aunt of Mrs. Nelta Nolen, Hornbeck school bus driver,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent, along with its sincere condolences, to Mrs. Nolen's family.
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 wishes to convey its deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Pearlie Snell of Hornbeck, who recently passed away,
WHEREAS, Mr. Snell was the grandmother-in-law of Mrs. Linda Parker, a Hornbeck School cook, and she was also a beloved, respected, and active member of her community and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mrs. Snell along with sincere condolences in their time of sorrow.
On behalf of President Willis Farris, a motion made by Mr. W.W. Parker was seconded by the Board, and 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 Mr. Frank Ritter, Evans School bus driver, in the recent death of his father, Mr. Robert Ritter,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the Board do take this means to express their condolences to Mr.Ritter's family in this time of bereavement and also request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family.
Mrs. Kim Reese requested that the time for the October 7, 1997 board meeting be changed from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
On motion of Mr. Philip Gunn, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to change the time of the October 7, 1997 board meeting from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
On motion of Mr. Alvin C. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Philip Gunn, the Board voted to appoint Mr. Bobby Moss, Mr. Bill Endris, and Mr. W.W. Parker to a committee to open bids for the Hornbeck parking lot at 10:00 a.m., October 7, 1996.
Mr. Bill Endris provided for each board member a copy of a letter he had written to Mr. Gil Dupre' giving insight on dealing with the transition of changing insurance programs from Foundation Health to Oschner's Health Plan. Mr. Endris will continue to work to see that former claims are taken care of.
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 A. FARRIS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT