January 13, 1998

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION JANUARY 13, 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.

ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR. PRESIDENT

W.W. PARKER, VICE PRESIDENT

RICHARD W. BAILES

GERALD BURNS

M. GENE HAYMON

KIM REESE

MARK SMITH

LINDA WEST

BETTY WESTERCHIL

C.A. HUGHES

WILLIS A. FARRIS

MURPHY O'BANION

B.R. HARVEY

BENARD MCKEE

COL. STEPHEN SHAMBACH

ABSENT: PHILIP L. GUNN, DEATH IN FAMILY

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by Col. Stephen Shambach.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Benard McKee.

On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of January 8, 1998.

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request.

ATTACHMENT

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Murphy O=Banion, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.

ATTACHMENT

Dr. Cindy Gillespie, Curriculum Director, introduced Marsha Ades, a representative of the Kisatchie Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who recognized and presented Good Citizen certificates and pins to parish seniors who were  winners of an essay contest. Joy Sullivan of Anacoco High School was the overall winner and her essay has been forwarded to the District level competition.

Jimmy Funderburk, Supervisor of Athletics, recognized the members and coaches of  Leesville Jr. High School seventh and eighth grade football teams. Both teams were undefeated in the 1997 season.

Dr. Cindy Gillespie recognized the principals of parish schools that received Outstanding Achievement and Growth Awards, based on LEAP test results. The following schools received both Scholastic Achievement and Growth Awards: Anacoco High, East Leesville Elementary, Pickering Elementary, Pitkin, South Polk Elementary, West Leesville Elementary, and Anacoco Elementary and Vernon Middle School. Schools receiving  the Scholastic Achievement Award were: Evans, Simpson, and  Rosepine Elementary.

At this time, Mike Perkins who supervisors the school nurses program, discussed the possibility of hiring an additional nurse. He explained that the program now employs four nurses and how, with increased state mandates, it is difficult to provide the necessary services to all of the parish schools.

On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to authorize the hiring of one additional school nurse.

Mike Perkins, presented copies of a proclamation signed by Governor Mike Foster proclaiming January 28, 1998 as School Nurse Day.

On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt a proclamation proclaiming January 28, 1998 as Vernon Parish School Nurse Day.

PROCLAMATION ATTACHED

Upon recommendation by the School Board Calendar Committee and on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve Board meeting dates as attached.

ATTACHMENT

On recommendation of Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent, and on motion Gerald Burns, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to award the low bid on Accelerated Reading materials to Econo Clad Books.

On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to open bids on instructional supplies for K-3 Initiative grant. Bids received were as follows:

BIDDER                                                                 BID

Beckley Cardy                                                      30% discount off catalog prices

J. L. Hammett                                                        25% discount off catalog prices

On recommendation of Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent, and on motion of Benard McKee seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to take the bids for instructional supplies for the K-3 Initiative grant under advisement.

Superintendent Schwartz discussed State law and Vernon Parish Board Policy concerning liability insurance coverage.

On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to refer questions or concerns to the Board=s insurance committee for study.

On motion of Murphy O'Banion, 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 were saddened by the recent death of Mr. Winford Morris of Leesville; and,

WHEREAS, Mr. Morris, a well-respected and longtime member of this community, was 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. Morris' family in their time of bereavement.

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 wishes to convey its deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Addis Weldon, of Pitkin, who recently passed away; and,

WHEREAS, Mrs. Weldon was the mother of Mrs. Ruby Smith, counselor at Pitkin School and the aunt of Mrs. Kay Daigle, a Pitkin School custodian;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent, along with its sincere condolences, to Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Daigle and their family at this time of bereavement.

 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 wishes to convey its condolences to the family of Mrs. Lottie James of Pitkin, who recently passed away; and,

WHEREAS, Mrs. James was the mother of  Mrs. Ocie Lea Maricle, a former cook at Pitkin School, and her husband, Mr. Jim James and her son, Mr. Willard James, were retired Pitkin School bus operators;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mrs. Ocie Lea Maricle and her family.

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 wishes to convey its condolences to the family of Mr. John Anderson of Pitkin, who recently passed away; and,

WHEREAS, Mr. Anderson was the cousin of Mrs. Delores Nelson, teacher at Pitkin School, and he was a great supporter of Pitkin School and our school system,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board takes this means to send its sympathies to the family and also requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Nelson and her family.

On motion of C.A. Hughes, 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 record with  grief and sadness the recent death of Steven Anthony Gunn, son of Mr. Philip L. Gunn, District Six school board member, and Mrs. Maxine Gunn, retired Vernon Parish teacher.

WHEREAS, Mr. Gunn grew up in this community and was educated in the Leesville schools. He was an outstanding and respected young man who will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family, former teachers and classmates, and his many friends.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent, along with its heartfelt sympathies, to Mrs. Sharon Gunn and her son, Steven Anthony Gunn, II, and to Mr. and Mrs. Philip Gunn and their family.  

On motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:

R E S O L UTION

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board was saddened by the recent death of Mr. Moses "Mose" Tinsley; and,

WHEREAS, Mr. Tinsley was a longtime and highly respected member of this community and a great supporter of this school system. He will be sadly missed by his family and his many friends;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does take this means to express their condolences to Mrs. Katherine Tinsley and her family in this time of sorrow and also request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family.

On motion of 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 do hereby wish to convey their heartfelt sorrows to Mrs. Willie Mae Calcote in the recent death of her husband, Mr. Collin Calcote; and,

WHEREAS, Mr. Calcote, a retired bus operator for the Rosepine Schools,  was a loyal and dedicated employee and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mrs. Calcote and her family.

On motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.

On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Richard Bailes, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay claims as approved by the claims committee.

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:

______________________________________

RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT