November 6, 1997
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION NOVEMBER 6, 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. DOWDEN, VICE PRESIDENT
RICHARD W. "DICKIE" BAILES
GERALD BURNS
M. GENE HAYM0N
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
MAJOR BILL JUMP
There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mrs. Betty Westerchil.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Mark Smith.
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 7, 1997.
On motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Ms. Linda West, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee resignations.
ATTACHMENT
On motion Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests.
ATTACHMENT
On motion of Ms. Linda West, seconded by Mr. Gerald Burns, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHMENT
Mr. Allen Offner explained the refunding of outstanding bond issues.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Benard McKee, the Board voted to approve the refunding of the Pitkin School District bond issue.
On motion of Mr. W.W. Parker, seconded by Mr. Gene Haymon, the Board voted to approve the refunding of the Hornbeck School District bond issue.
On motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Mr. B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the refunding of the Pickering School District bond issue.
Ms. Vontrecea Jennings, Facilitator for the Louisiana School-to-Work program, discussed the program and explained its purposes and how it works. The program is designed to provide students the tools necessary to prepare them to make decisions before entering the work force. The program seeks to involve the students, teachers, the school, and the business community.
On motion of Mr. Mark Smith, seconded by Mr. Benard McKee, the Board voted to table the issue on a "Resolution for a Jury Trial" in order to give Superintendent Schwartz an opportunity to consult with Mr. Lester Kees, Attorney for Vernon Parish School Board concerning the resolution. A vote will be taken at the November 18, 1997 board meeting.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to authorize the land exchange between Vernon Parish School Board and the National Forestry Service at Pitkin.
On recommendation of Mr. Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent and on motion of Mr. W.W. Parker, seconded by Mr. C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to accept the low bids on computer software. Bids will kept on file in the office of the purchasing agent.
Mr. Bobby Moss reported that no bids were received on four used buses at Pickering.
On motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Benard McKee, the Board voted to authorize Mr. Bobby Moss, Superintendent Schwartz, and Principal Duane Roberts to dispose of four used buses at Pickering.
On motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Mr. W.W. Parker, the Board voted to open bids on light fixtures at Pickering baseball park.
On motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion seconded by Mr. Benard McKee, the Board voted to take the bids for light fixtures at Pickering baseball park under advisement.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Mark Smith, the Board voted to open bids on light fixtures at Pitkin.
On motion of Mr. B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mr. W.W. Parker, the Board voted to accept lowest bid that meets specifications. Bids as follows: Diamond Electric, $12,180.00, Service Electric Supply Company, $11,200.20, Southern Electric, 11,400.00.
On motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to open bids on a used copier at Pickering.
On motion of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Mr. Benard McKee, the Board voted to award the bid of $100.00 to Leesville Full Gospel Church.
No bids were received on the used equipment at Leesville High School auto shop.
On motion of Mr. Alvin C. Dowden, seconded by Mr. Mark Smith, the Board voted to authorize Mr. Bobby Moss, Superintendent Schwartz, and Principal Tom Neubert to dispose of the used equipment at Leesville High School auto shop.
On motion of Mr. W.W. Parker, seconded by Mr. Richard Bailes, the Board voted to open bids on risograph supplies. Bids submitted as follows:
BIDDER RA MASTERS RA INK GR MASTERS GR INK
Alexandria Bus. Mach. $394.40 $225.70 $347.50 $236.90
Copy and Camera $485.00 $310.00 $623.50 $310.00
LA Graphic Supply $465.00 $360.00 $465.00 $360.00
On motion of Mr. Mark Smith, seconded by Mr. W.W. Parker, the Board voted to award the low bid on risograph supplies to Alexandria Business Machines.
On motion of Mr. C.A. Hughes, seconded by Mrs. Kim Reese, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell miscellaneous used equipment at Leesville high School library.
On motion of Mr. W.W. Parker, seconded by Mr. Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to advertise for bids for 200 Dot Matrix printers.
In other business, Superintendent Schwartz recognized Mr. Bill Bailey of the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce who announced that the Leesville Christmas Parade will be held December 6, 1997 and the Parade of Christmas Trees will be November 29, 1997.
On motion of Mr. A.C. Dowden, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt a resolution commending Vernon Parish cafeteria workers for their outstanding service in observance of National School Lunch Week which was October 13 through 17, 1997.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board recognizes the importance of the school lunch program; and,
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Food Service managers and workers devote many hours to the preparation of nutritious and attractive meals for our students;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board does adopt this resolution of appreciation to all those who serve in its school lunch program.
On motion of Mr. W.W. Parker, 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 wishes to commend the members of the Vernon the Fair Board for their excellent work with the 1997 fair; and,
WHEREAS, the Fair Board has worked diligently throughout the year making improvements on the existing facilities, constructing additional ones and enhancing the appearance and safety of the Vernon Parish Fair grounds;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board does adopt this resolution of sincere appreciation to each member of the Vernon Parish Fair Board.
On motion of Mr. Gene Haymon, seconded by Mr. Richard Bailes, the Board voted to hold the November 18, 1997 board meeting at Pitkin School.
At this time President Willis Farris asked Vice President A.C. Dowden to assume the chair. President Farris then recommended that the Board award Superintendent Richard Schwartz a four year contract.
Mrs. Betty Westerchil reminded the rest of the Board that this item was not on the agenda and read from the Board policy manual that a two-thirds vote was needed in order to place it on the agenda at this time. Mrs. Westerchil also voiced her concern that the position should be advertised.
Mr. Willis Farris, stated that the Board was within its legal limits to award a contract without advertising when, as in this case, there is no vacancy.
A motion was made by Mrs. Betty Westerchil, seconded by Ms. Linda West to amend the motion by Mr. Willis Farris and postpone a vote on the contract until the November 18, 1997 meeting.
Vice President A.C. Dowden called for a roll call vote and upon roll call the amendment was defeated by a twelve to three vote with members Linda West, Betty Westerchil and Benard McKee voting to postpone a vote until November 18, 1997.
On motion of Mr. Willis Farris, seconded by Mr. Gene Haymon and on a roll call vote, the Board voted to place the issue of a four year contract for Superintendent Richard Schwartz on the current agenda. Mrs. Betty Westerchil voted no.
On motion of Mr. Willis Farris, seconded by Mr. Gene Haymon, the Board voted unamimously to award a four year contract to Superintendent Richard Schwartz beginning January, 14, 1998.
On motion of Ms. Linda West, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt a resolution commending the Anacoco High School choir.
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, the Anacoco High School choir has worked tirelessly to attain the successes they have realized; and,
WHEREAS, this choir's outstanding performances uplift and entertain its audiences whenever and wherever they perform,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does adopt this resolution commending and congratulating Director Shirley Sullivan and the Anacoco High School choir.
On motion of Mr. Gerald Burns, 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. Stanley Tipton who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Tipton was the uncle of Mrs. Brenda Bealer, Director of Vernon Parish School's Head Start program;
THEREFORE BE RESOLVED , that the Board does adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mr. Tipton's family.
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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to convey their deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Lona Calhoun, who recently passed away;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that members of the Board do take this means to express their condolences to Mrs. Calhoun's family in this time of bereavement and also request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family.
On motion of Mr. Richard W. 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to convey their deepest sympathies to Ms. Wanda Boswell, cook at Simpson School, in the recent death of her father, Mr. Acie Bond;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Ms. Boswell and her family along with sincere condolences in their time of sorrow.
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 FARRIS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT