January 8, 1998
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION JANUARY 8, 1998 AT 10:00 A.M., AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA. PRESIDENT DOWDEN CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
A.C. DOWDEN, JR., PRESIDENT
W.W. PARKER, VICE PRESIDENT
RICHARD W. BAILES
GERALD BURNS
M. GENE HAYMON
C.A. HUGHES
KIM REESE
MARK SMITH
LINDA WEST
BETTY WESTERCHIL
WILLIS A. FARRIS
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 B.R. Harvey.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Murphy O'Banion.
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of December 9, 1997.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee resignations.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Gerald Burns the Board voted to approve the attached request for a leave without pay.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Richard Bailes, seconded by Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee transfers.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHMENT
Lisa Deen, a Leesville High School teacher, gave a demonstration and explained how a project funded through an 8-g grant (Global Approach to the Informational Highway) was being used to advance technology in her classroom at Leesville High School and at Pitkin High School.
Rachal Chance, a junior student at Leesville High School explained ways in which the Internet has helped her in obtaining information and assistance with job applications.
At this time, Jimmy Funderburk, Supervisor, announced that Rachal Chance, a junior at Leesville High School was chosen to represent Louisiana in the U.S. Senate Youth Program. Only two students, one boy and one girl, are chosen and Miss Chance was the only junior winner in the state.
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve a request for a jury trial on Civil Suit Number 60745.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Gerald Burns, the Board voted to open bids on some used equipment at Leesville High School library.
Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent, informed the Board that no bids were received on the used equipment at Leesville High School library.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Dickie Bailes, the Board voted to authorize Bobby Moss, Leesville High School Principal, Tom Neubert, and the school librarian to dispose of the used equipment at Leesville High School library.
On motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to open bids on Accelerated Reading materials. Bids received are attached.
ATTACHMENT
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to take the bids for Accelerated Reading materials under advisement until the Tuesday, January 13, 1998 Board meeting.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell 5.7 acres of land at Pitkin.
Linda West, Chairperson for the School Board Calendar Committee, gave the Committee's recommendation to continue holding the Board meetings on the first Thursday and the following Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m., with quarterly meetings at 5:00 p.m. It was further requested that these dates not be changed for any reason other than emergency.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to accept the recommendation of the School Board Calendar Committee.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to convey its condolences to Ms. Selina Friday, a teacher at Pitkin High School, in the recent death of her aunt, Mrs. Rose Rasberry, of Pitkin; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Rasberry was a longtime resident of the Pitkin area and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mrs. Rasberry's family.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to convey its condolences to the family of Mrs. Jackie Maricle, of Pitkin, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Maricle was the sister-in-law of Mrs. Carlene Johnson, a cook at Pitkin School,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to the family.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board were deeply saddened by the recent death of Mr. A. Roy Rushing, of Leesville; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Rushing was a long-standing and dedicated educator in this school system and a credit to the educational community,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does take this means to express its condolences to Mr. Rushing's family in this time of bereavement.
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board was saddened by the recent death of Reverend Bobby McCullough, father of Mrs. Janell Maricle, Evans School teacher, father-in-law of Mr. Jerome Maricle, also a teacher at Evans School, and the nephew of Mr. W.W. Parker, School Board member; and,
WHEREAS, Reverend McCullough, a lifelong resident of this parish was a beloved and respected pastor and community leader, and he will be sadly missed by his family and his many friends,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent, along with its condolences to the family.
On motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board records with grief and sadness the recent death of Mrs. Virginia ADee of Robertson, retired Vernon Parish teacher and the mother of Mrs. Leah Hughes, Head Start aide at East Leesville Elementary School; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Robertson was a loyal employee who was dedicated to her profession and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does take this means to send its condolences to Mrs. Robertson's family in this time of bereavement.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board were saddened by the recent death of Mr. D.W. Harvey of Leesville; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Harvey was a longtime member of this community and a great supporter of our schools and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does take this means to send its condolences to Mr. Harvey's family in their time of bereavement.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to convey its condolences to the family of Mrs. Nelda Self, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Self was the mother of Mrs. Cala Rabon, former Vernon Parish teacher, and the aunt of Mr. Jackie Self, Personnel Director for the Vernon Parish School System,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does take this means to send its condolences to Mrs. Self's family in their time of bereavement.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to convey their deepest sympathies to Mrs. Cheryl Pollock, teacher at East Leesville Elementary School, in the recent death of her grandmother, Mrs. Euna Dowden; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Dowden 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. Pollock and her family along with sincere condolences in their time of sorrow.
There being no further business, on motion of Benard McKee, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to adjourn.
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ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR., PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT