February 5, 1998
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH, LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION FEBRUARY 5, 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
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 C.A. Hughes.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Colonel Stephen Shambach.
On motion of Benard McKee, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of January 13, 1998.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Kim Reese, seconded by Richard Bailes, the Board voted to approve the attached request for a leave without pay.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Linda West, seconded by Richard Bailes, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee resignations.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee transfers.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to name The Leesville Daily Leader as the official journal for the Board for 1998.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to approve the District 1/6 meeting dates as attached.
ATTACHMENT
Superintendent Schwartz introduced Kem Villejoin, Home Economist, who presented certificates to 4-H members who had attended a Sci-Tech camp in Pollock.
Mike Perkins, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance discussed and presented for adoption copies of new policies including school admissions, attendance, grade alterations, curriculum, and the student health program.
On motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to adopt the new policies as presented by Mr. Perkins.
Superintendent Schwartz presented a copy of the Board committees, attached, for 1998 for approval.
ATTACHMENT
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Benard, the Board voted to approved the list of Board committees for 1998.
Superintendent Schwartz gave a report on the Minimum Foundation Commission. He attended a Commission meeting on January 15, 1998, at which time the Commission's attorney gave an overview of previous judicial rulings. It was the opinion of several Commission members that some of the present level of state funding, which has increased over the past six years, can be directly tied to our law suit. The Commission voted unanimously to continue with the suit. The Appeals Court is scheduled to hear briefs this month. Mr. Schwartz will continue to keep the Board updated.
At this time, Superintendent Schwartz, discussed the District's Accountability responsibilities. BESE has asked that the lowest scoring 20% of schools, based on the CAT and LEAP scores, be identified to receive additional assistance. Superintendent Schwartz recommended that a three year average be taken and asked for approval to use raw test scores to identify the parish's lower 20% who will receive additional assistance.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve Superintendent Schwartz's recommendation.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to advertise for bids to purchase 800 cases of copy paper.
On recommendation of Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent, and on motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to award the bid for instructional supplies for the K-3 Initiative Grant to Beckley-Cardy at 30% off their catalog prices for supplies.
Bobby Moss reported that no bids had been received for the sale of five used copiers at Vernon Middle School.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to authorize Bobby Moss and the principal, Barney Wilson to dispose of the five used copiers at Vernon Middle School.
Superintendent Schwartz gave an update on the use of substitute teachers. He reported that he had told the principals to call substitute teachers when teachers are absent. He said, also, that no substitute should be called for cooks and custodians if just one employee is out or for just one day or a short period of time.
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 wish to convey their deepest sympathies to Mrs. Charlene Tilley in the recent death of her aunt, Mrs. Lavern St. John of Pitkin; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. St. John 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 adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent along with its sincerely condolences to Mrs. Tilley and her family in 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 deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Melvie Busby, a retired custodian at Hicks School, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Busby was the mother of Mrs. Dorothy Underwood, Hicks School, custodian, and Mrs. Kathy Beard, South Polk Elementary School cook, and the mother-in-law of Lowell Tarver, Assistant Supervisor in the Central Office maintenance department,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family along with its sincere condolences in their time of sorrow.
On motion of Kim Reese, 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 deeply saddened by the death of Mr. Joseph Kreyenbuhl, the father of Mrs. Janice Hildebrand, Central Office payroll clerk, and the father-in-law of Mrs. Dechelle Kreyenbuhl, North Polk Elementary teacher; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Kreyenbuhl was a caring and loving person and he will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by his family and friends,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Hildebrand and Mrs. Kreyenbuhl, along with its sincere condolences to them and their entire family in this time of sorrow.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, 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 Mrs. Jacqueline Gallia, retired Vernon Parish teacher, in the recent death of her husband, Mr. James Gallia, of Leesville; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Gallia was a caring person and a great supporter of this school system, and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent, along with its condolences, to Mrs. Gallia 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 Vernon Parish School Board wishes to convey its deepest sympathies to Mr. Johnny Cryer, Leesville High School teacher, and to Mr. Joseph Cryer, West Leesville Elementary bus operator, in the recent death of their grandmother, Mrs. Thelma Cryer;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent, along with its sincere condolences, to the family at this time of bereavement.
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 deeply saddened by the untimely death of Bart Jeane, a 1996 graduate of Pickering High School.
WHEREAS, Bart was loved and respected by the administration, faculty, staff, and student body at Pickering High School. He will fondly remembered and sadly missed by his family and his many friends;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent, along with its sincere condolences, to Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Jeane at this time of sorrow.
There being no further business, on motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to adjourn.
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ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR., PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT