December 4, 1997
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION DECEMBER 4, 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. BAILES
GERALD BURNS
M. GENE HAYMON
C.A. HUGHES
KIM REESE
MARK SMITH
LINDA WEST
BETTY WESTERCHIL
W.W. PARKER
MURPHY O'BANION
B.R. HARVEY
PHILIP L. GUNN
BENARD MCKEE
LORETTA NALE
There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by W.W. Parker.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Philip L. Gunn.
On motion of Murphy O=Banion, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of November 18, 1997.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Philip L. Gunn, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to approve the attached list of resignations.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Alvin C. Dowden, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to rescind the attached leave without pay.
ATTACHMENT
At this time Jimmy Funderburk, Social Studies Supervisor recognized and presented a certificate to Rachal Chance, a junior at Leesville High School, for being Vernon Parish's U.S. Senate Youth finalist. Miss Chance, who is now a state finalist, is the only junior in the State chosen for the U.S. Senate Youth program.
Abby Cryer, teacher of special education at Leesville High School, discussed the Community Training Program and the Annual Christmas Bazaar. Several of Mrs. Cryer's students who accompanied her, wished the Board and guests a merry Christmas and invited them to the bazaar.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, it is the goal of this Board to provide the best educational opportunities possible for all students in Vernon Parish; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Abby Cryer, Special Education teacher at Leesville High School, is dedicated to meeting the needs of all the special students in her class; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Tom Neubert, principal at Leesville High School supports the Special Education program by giving assistance whenever it is needed;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to heartily commend Mrs. Cryer for all the energy, time, and she dedication she so willingly devotes to the education and training of the exceptional students placed under her supervision.
Jim Dorton, Director of Finance of Lafayette City/Parish presented Willis Farris, Board President, a Certificate of Excellence for Financial Reporting. The ASBO and GFOA award reflects professionalism, committee, dedication and leadership in financial reporting.
John C. Burns also presented GFOA and ASBO awards to Bill Endris for excellence in reporting.
On motion of Mrs. Betty Westerchil, 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 congratulate and commend Mr. Bill Endris, Director of Finance and Business Affairs upon receiving the Governmental Finance Officer Association and the Association of School Business Officers Certificates of Excellence for Financial Reporting;
WHEREAS, Mr. Endris and his office staff work diligently to insure accuracy in all aspects of the accounting of the financial affairs of this school system;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board takes this opportunity to express its sincere gratitude and congratulations to Mr. Endris and his office staff for the outstanding operation of the Vernon Parish School system=s business office.
At this time, Superintendent Schwartz welcomed Michael Reese, Student Representative to the College Board of Regents. Michael, who is also president of the Student Government Association at Northeast State University, shared with the Board some of the work the Board of Regents does and some of its accomplishments.
Bill Endris, Director of Finance, gave a report on the Board's Conservation Plan. He stated that since the plan has been in place, an overall savings of 4% has been realized. Individual school's will receive a report explaining that school's progress.
On recommendation of Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent, and on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to advertise to sell five used copiers at Vernon Middle School.
On recommendation of Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent, and on motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to advertise for bids for Accelerated Reading materials.
On motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to open bids on 200 Dot Matrix printers.
On motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to appoint Bobby Moss, Jeff Shifflett, and Pat Crawford to a committee to study the bids received and make recommendations to the Board.
President Farris opened for discussion the possibility of the Board=s not attending the National School Boards Convention which will be held in April, and the Louisiana School Boards Convention to be held in March.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Gerald Burns, the Board voted to not pay any expenses for the National School Board Convention nor the Louisiana School Boards Convention.
W. W. Parker moved to send the superintendent and board president to the National and the Louisiana School Boards Conventions, however, his motion failed due to the lack of a second.
Murphy O'Banion withdrew his motion to not pay expenses for the Board to attend the National and Louisiana School Boards Conventions.
On motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to rescind all motions on paying the expenses for the Board to attend the National and Louisiana School Boards Conventions and delay any action until the December 9th meeting.
Superintendent Schwartz reminded the Board that it is time to establish the 1998 board meeting calendar. He discussed the possibility of changing the meetings from the first Thursday and the following Tuesday to the first and second Thursdays.
On motion of Alvin C. Dowden, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to appoint Linda West, Gene Haymon, B.R. Harvey, Murphy O'Banion, and Gerald Burns to a committee to study meeting dates and make recommendations to the Board at the December 9, 1997 meeting.
On motion of 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 was saddened by the recent death of Mrs. Ruby Polson, retired teacher at Pitkin School; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Polson was the mother of Mrs. Betty Sue Compton and the grandmother of Patricia Roberts, teachers at Pitkin School; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Polson was a dedicated and loyal employee and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Polson's family along with sincere condolences from this Board.
On motion of 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 are saddened by the recent death of Shannon Blasingame, son of Mrs. Sharon Blasingame, teacher in the Adult Education department; and,
WHEREAS, Shannon was a caring and loving young man and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Blasingame, along with sincere condolences from this Board.
On motion of 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, members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to convey their deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Norman Ballard of Anacoco, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Ballard was the stepfather of Mrs. Tandy Schwartz, central office secretary, the stepfather-in-law of Superintendent Richard Schwartz, and the brother-in-law of Mrs. Alice Lack, central office secretary, and Mr. Aubrey Lack, central office maintenance department employee; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Ballard was a very active and beloved member of this community and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution, along with its sincere condolences, be sent to Mrs. Lydia Ballard and her family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Mark Smith, 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 wish to convey their sincere condolences to Mrs. Jackie Curtis, central office Special Education supervisor, in the recent death of her husband, Mr. Willis Ray Curtis; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis, a retired Vernon Parish teacher, was a loyal and dedicated employee and a great supporter of this school system;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution, be sent to Mrs. Curtis and her children, along with its deepest sympathies in this time of grief and sadness.
There being no further business, on motion of Benard McKee, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to adjourn.
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WILLIS FARRIS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT