March 10, 1998

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION, MARCH 10, 1998, AT 5:00 P.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

B.R. HARVEY

PHILIP L. GUNN

BENARD MCKEE

COL. STEPHEN SHAMBACH

ABSENT: MURPHY O'BANION, DR. APPOINTMENT

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by M. Gene Haymon.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Boy Scouts of America Troop 75.

On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve a change in the dates of a previously approved sabbatical leave for Mrs. Shirley Holt from August 1, 1998 until August 1, 1999 to December 15, 1998 until December 15, 1999.

On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to name Ms. Carolyn Payne, as a new teacher at Hornbeck High School.

Superintendent Schwartz welcomed Mr. Bill Bailey, Executive Director of the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, who announced that the Academic Awards Banquet will be held at the Warrior's Club, Fort Polk, on May 8, 1998. The Vernon Parish School Board and the Chamber of Commerce co-sponsor the annual event.

At this time, Superintendent introduced Mr. Michael W. Faulk, Superintendent of Morehouse Parish Schools and Chairman of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education's Minimum Foundation Committee. Mr. Faulk discussed the MFP's formula for allocating funds to parish school systems followed by a question and answer session.

On motion of  Philip Gunn, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to open bids for 800 cases of copy paper. Bids received are as follows:

BIDDER                                                                                 BID

Aries Paper Company, Lake Charles, LA                         $20.69 per case

Tri-Star Marketing, Inc., Lafayette, LA                            $21.34 per case

Mr. Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent, recommended that the Board accept the low bid that meets specifications with the understanding that Tri-Star has claimed the 7% Louisiana Preference and has the option to meet the low bid of $20.69 per case.

On motion of W. W. Parker, seconded by Gerald Burns, the Board voted to accept Mr. Moss's recommendation.

On motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by Richard Bailes, the Board voted to advertise for bids for the sale of unrepairable computers and monitors from the special education program.

On motion of Kim Reese, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to advertise for bids for the purchase of air conditioning equipment for Leesville High School auditorium.

On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Richard Bailes, the Board voted to advertise for bids for the purchase a walk-in cooler/freezer for Pitkin School.

In other business, Superintendent Schwartz called the board members attention to school maintenance lists which had been submitted by principals. The members will further discuss the lists with the principals.

On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.

On motion of  Philip Gunn, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims as approve by the claims committee.

On motion of Gerald Burns, Alvin C. Dowden, Jr., Richard Bailes, Philip Gunn, Gene Haymon, C.A. Hughes, Kim Reese, Linda West, Betty Westerchil, and Mark Smith, seconded by the entire 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 great grief and sorrow, the death of Mr. Belton Jackson, former school board member; and,

WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson was a well-respected, loyal, and dedicated  member of the Board. He was a lifetime resident of Simpson and he will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and community;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent, along with its sincere condolences, to Mrs. Dicey Ann Jackson and her family at this time of bereavement.

On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:

R E S O L U T I ON

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to convey its condolences to the family of Mr. Sam H. Williams, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and,

WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was a longtime and well-respected member of the Leesville area. He was the father of Ms. Bonnie Blu Williams, former Vernon Parish teacher, and the father-in-law of Ms. Susan Williams, also a former teacher in the Vernon Parish School system.

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

On motion of Willis Farris, 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. Delayne Hendrix, the mother Amber Hendrix Degley, a graduate of Evans High School, and Amy Hendrix, a student at Evans School; and,

WHEREAS, Mrs. Hendrix, a substitute teacher for Evans School, was a well-respected member of her community, and will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her family and friends, and the staff of Evans School;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board wishes to convey its deepest sympathies to Mr. Scotty Hendrix, Amy, and Amber and their family.

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 Board were saddened by the recent death of Mr. Mike Torrans, the husband of Mrs. Ann G. Torrans, a retired Vernon Parish teacher; and,

WHEREAS, Mr. Torrans was a longtime resident of Leesville and a great supporter of our school system and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board wishes to convey its deepest sympathies to Mrs. Torrans and requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to her and her family.

On motion of 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 express its appreciation to Mr. Michael W. Faulk, Superintendent of Morehouse Parish School system, and Chairman of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education's Minimum Foundation Study Committee;

WHEREAS, Mr. Faulk generously gave of his time to come to our parish and share his knowledge and expertise in the field of Minimum Foundation funding with our principals, our central office staff, and with our Board;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this resolution of gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Faulk and requests that a copy be sent to him.

There being no further business, on motion of Benard McKee, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adjourn.

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ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR., PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT