February 10, 1998
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION, FEBRUARY 10, 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
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
COL. STEPHEN SHAMBACH
There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Gerald Burns.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by C.A. Hughes.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Benard McKee, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHMENT
Bill Endris, Director of Finance and Business Affairs announced a budget seminar which he has planned for Monday, February 23, 1998. The purpose of the workshop is to give insight into budget preparation and the factors which to into budget planning.
Bill Endris, reported that he had received information from the MFP concerning the teacher pay raise. The final figure approved for the raise is $1,221 per teacher per year. Teachers received a $1,000 pay raise in September and will receive a one time check for the additional $221 February 17, 1998 for the total $1,221 allotted.
Jackie Self, Director of Personnel, discussed policies concerning sabbatical leaves for teachers. He explained that Louisiana certified teachers may be granted sabbatical leaves for rest and recuperation or for professional improvement. The teacher in either case must have taught six consecutive semesters to be granted one semester leave or twelve consecutive semesters for two semesters sabbatical leave.
Superintendent Schwartz presented copies of the three year average scores of the lowest 20% scoring schools in the parish.
At this time, the superintendent called on Joe Pope, Curriculum Director, who explained that no schools in Vernon Parish are low achieving. All are above the State level scores in almost every category. He answered questions concerning steps that are being taken to assist those schools that are in the lowest 20%. He stated that among these steps, curriculum guides are being rewritten and each of the schools will be required to write a plan designed to elevate its scores and have the plan in effect by April 1, 1998. All plans must be approved by the Board.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to open bids on 5.7 acres of land at Pitkin. The one bid received was submitted by Fullerton Baptist Church.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to award the bid for the 5.7 acres of land at Pitkin in the amount of $8,700 to Fullerton Baptist Church.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Gerald Burns, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay claims as approved by the claims committee.
Superintendent Schwartz announced that the Louisiana Association of School Superintendent=s at their last meeting had adopted a resolution endorsing and supporting the proposed hydrocarbon processing tax. The resolution details the importance of the tax to education. The tax is expected to be considered by lawmakers at the 1998 Regular Session this spring.
Mark Smith gave an update on his trip to Washington where he represented the Board and the State at the Federal Relations Network of the National School Board Association. Three priority education issues discussed were, (1)defeating voucher proposals; (2) ensuring a strong federal education investment; and (3) creating a real "Partnership for Children's Education."
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 sympathies to the family of Mr. Clarence Bedgood, of Anacoco, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Bedgood was the uncle of Mrs. Patricia Rutherford, Pitkin School librarian, Mrs. Valerie Johnson, Pitkin School bus operator, and Mrs. Rae Strother, Central Office secretary,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy, along with its condolences, be sent to the family.
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, the Vernon Parish School Board was saddened by the recent death of Mr. Harold Mitchell, father of Mrs. Cheryl Tilley, Anacoco Elementary teacher; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Mitchell, a retired Anacoco School bus operator, was a loyal and dedicated employee and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board wishes to convey its condolences to Mr. Mitchell's family and requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to them.
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 Vernon Parish School Board learned with great sorrow of the untimely death of Terrance Hill, a senior student at Pickering High School; and,
WHEREAS, Terrance will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by the administration, faculty, staff, and students at Pickering High School;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent, along with its deepest sympathies, to the family.
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