October 7, 1997

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION OCTOBER 7, 1997, AT 1:00 P.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. DOWDEN, JR., VICE PRESIDENT

RICHARD W. BAILES

GERALD BURNS

M. GENE HAYMON

C.A. HUGHES

KIM REESE

LINDA WEST

MARK SMITH

BETTY WESTERCHIL

W.W. PARKER

MURPHY O'BANION

B.R. HARVEY

PHILIP L. GUNN

BENARD MCKEE

COL. STEPHEN SHAMBACH

There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.

The meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Mark Smith.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ms. Linda West.

On motion of Mr. W.W. Parker, seconded by Mr. Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of October 2, 1997.

On motion of Mr. Philip Gunn, seconded by Mr. W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfer.

ATTACHMENT

On motion of Mr. Richard Bailes, seconded by Mr. Benard McKee, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee resignations.

ATTACHMENT

Superintendent Schwartz introduced Mr. James Britt, Pitkin High School teacher, to the Board. Mr. Britt, a Vernon Instructional Grants in Learning recipient, shared with the Board how the $500.00 grant had been used to purchase materials for the classrooms which will be available to all students.

Mr. Mike Perkins provided copies of new legislative laws concerning discipline, suspension, and expulsion and explained the policies and changes that had been made.

ATTACHMENT

On motion of Ms. Linda West, seconded by Mrs. Kim Reese, the Board voted to adopt the provisions of the disciplinary program.

Mr. Mike Perkins reported that on October 1, 1997, the student count was 10,306, which is approximately 400 students fewer than the October 1, 1996 student count.

Mr. Bobby Moss reported on the Hornbeck School parking lot bid.

On motion of Mr. W.W. Parker, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to reject all bids received on the Hornbeck parking lot.

On motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Mr. W.W. Parker, the Board voted to advertise to sell two used buses at Pickering.

On motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to advertise for bids for lighting fixtures for the Pickering High School baseball field.

In other business, Board President, Willis Farris, provided copies of an agreement and contract submitted by Mr. Sammy Hinson, who is on sabbatical leave from his position as superintendent of Vernon Parish schools. The agreement and contract states in lieu of returning to his position as Superintendent of the Vernon Parish School Board effective January 14, 1998, that he will accept a position as Level 2 Supervisor with the Vernon Parish School Board, January 14, 1998, at the end of his sabbatical leave.

On motion of Mr. A.C. Dowden, Jr., seconded by Mr. Benard McKee, the Board voted to authorize Board President Willis Farris to, on behalf of the Board, enter into the contract with Mr. Sammy Hinson and that the deadline for signing the contract be set for no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 10, 1997.

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