April 2, 1998
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, APRIL 2, 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. BILL JUMP
There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Richard Bailes.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Kim Reese
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of March 10, 1998.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Kim Reese, 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 W.W. Parker, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Gerald Burns, the Board voted to approve the attached requests for leave without pay.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached sick leave request.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Gerald Burns, the Board voted to name the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHMENT
Mr. Joe Pope, Curriculum Director, recognized and presented certificates to the Students of the Year participants from each school in the parish. Parish winners are Philip Brooks, Pickering Elementary, Ashley Fletcher, Leesville Jr. High, and Emily Morrow, Leesville High School.
Mr. Philip Gunn recognized Carla Gohr, a junior at Anacoco High School, who was the winner of the American Legion National High School Oratorical contest.
At this time Mr. Pope called on Mrs. Sharon Hardwick and Mrs. Deborah Murray, art teachers at Leesville High School, who recognized the students who participated in the Youth Arts Council of America competition which was held recently in Alexandria. Mrs. Hardwick explained that she was allowed to take only eighteen students to the competition and that out of the eighteen, there were six fifth place chapter winners and two second place chapter winners. Also recognized were Nicole Jeane, outgoing State treasurer, and Diwang Valdez, outgoing State vice president. Newly elected State officers recognized were Gerard Wellman, State reporter, and Katie Cannon, State president.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to congratulate Mrs. Sharon Hardwick and Mrs. Deborah Murray, art teachers, and the Leesville High School students who participated in the Youth Arts Council of America competition their outstanding accomplishments; and,
WHEREAS, the many hours of planning, hard work, and pride are evidenced in the numerous art work displays and in the success of their program,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board adopts the resolution of congratulations and appreciation to the teachers and student members of the Leesville High School art department.
Mr. Joe Pope discussed State published Progress Profiles with the Board and provided for members, copies of the 1996-97 edition of the publication, which is referred to as the school report card, and includes information such as test scores, suspensions, and faculty degrees.
Rev. Neal Early discussed community programs sponsored by the Louisiana Arts Council and entertained the Board by telling a story.
Mr. Jackie Self discussed proposed guidelines for employee sick day donation. He explained that the guidelines are not required by State law and that the donation of sick leave days is strictly voluntary.
President Dowden recommended that the issue concerning employee sick day donation be tabled until the April 7, 1998 Board meeting.
Mr. Jackie Self presented the proposed 1998-99 school calendar to the Board for approval.
On recommendation of Mr. Self and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the 1998-99 school calendar.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve the following resolution for continuing the consolidated application for program funding for Titles I, II, IV, and VI for 1998-99.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, application for program funding may be made under Titles I, II, IV, VI, and LEARN as amended, and
WHEREAS, a program is now proceeding under these titles, now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Vernon Parish School Board in Regular Session on this the 2nd day of April, 1998 again authorizes the Superintendent to proceed with a consolidated application for continued funding of this project and to employ the necessary personnel and sign the required documents.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded Benard McKee, the Board voted to advertise for bids to re-surface the track at Pickering High School.
Mr. Bill Endris, Director of Finance, gave a report from the Technology Committee. He stated that the goal of the Committee is to develop a technology program that will meet the needs of our system. He mentioned that Mr. Robert Rose had offered a proposal of a one-year contract that would include assessing what we have now and what we need in the system. Mr. Endris will consult with other technology consultants and report to the Board at its meeting on Tuesday, April 7, 1998.
On motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by Richard Bailes, the Board voted to advertise for bids for general supplies.
On motion of W. W. Parker, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to receive bids for the sale of timber at Anacoco. The following bids were received.
BIDDER BID
Advantage Timber Company $40,318.00
Forestry South Incorporated $40,211.00
Harralson Tie and Lumber Company $45,074.50
Timber Mart $38,384.00
Walsh Timber Company $37,304.28
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to take the bids for the sale of timber at Anacoco under advisement.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to receive bids on a walk-in cooler/freezer at Pitkin School. Bids received are as follows:
BIDDER BID
Buckelews $22,919
Louisiana Food Service Equipment Company $23,544
Scardina Restaurant Equipment and Sales $25,998
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to accept the lowest bid that meets specifications.
On motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to receive bids on air conditioning equipment for Leesville High School auditorium. Bids received are as follows:
BIDDER BASE BID ALTERNATE BID
The Trane Company $44,750.00 (1 -"75 ton" ) $46,775.00 (2 - "40 ton")
Nutemp $75,000.00
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to take the bids for air conditioning equipment for Leesville High School auditorium under advisement.
On motion of Benard McKee, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to receive bids on air conditioning equipment for Rosepine Elementary School's gym. Bids received as follows were taken under advisement on motion of Benard McKee, seconded by Willis Farris and approved by the Board.
BIDDER BID ALTERNATE BID
Diamond Electric Supply $4,365.00 per unit
Solar Supply $4,889.84 per unit
Service Air and Electric Company $5,050.00 per unit $6,060 per unit
Trane Company $4,275.00 per unit
Walter Sheet Metal $6,458.00 per unit
On a motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to rescind previous motion to take Anacoco timber bids under advisement and award the high bid of $45,074.50 to Harralson Tie and Lumber Company.
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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board were deeply saddened by the untimely death of Larisa Keen, a seventh grade student at Evans School; and,
WHEREAS, Larisa's beautiful personality, her courage, her faith, and her determination have endeared her to many. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her family, the faculty and staff at Evans School, her classmates, and her many friends;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and takes this means to send its sincere sympathies to Larisa's mother, Mrs. Marisa Tousha 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 sympathies to the family of Mrs. Doris Hagan, of Hicks, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Hagan was the mother of Mrs. Linda Woodham, a bus driver at South Polk Elementary School, the sister of Mrs. Faye Littleton, a cook at
Pickering Elementary School, and the grandmother of Mrs. Jamie Busby, a teacher at East Leesville Elementary School, Mrs. Belinda McKenzie, a Hicks School teacher, and Mrs. Paula Bennett, a South Polk Elementary School custodian;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does adopt this memorial resolution and requests that copies be sent, along with its condolences, to Mrs. Hagan's family.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by 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. Arlie Johnson, father-in-law of Mrs. Landa Johnson, teacher's aide at Pitkin School, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson was a lifetime resident of Cravens, a very active member of his community 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 adopts this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to the family, along with its sincere condolences in their time of bereavement.
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 wishes to convey its sympathies to the family of Mr. Roy Mitchell, Sr., of Anacoco, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Mitchell, was a lifetime resident of Vernon Parish and the father of Mrs. Judith Dowden, secretary at Anacoco High School. He was 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 requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Dowden and her family, along with its sincere condolences at this time of sorrow.
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 wishes to convey its sympathies to the family of Mr. Willard Horton, of Anacoco, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Horton, the father of Mrs. Nelda Frost, Anacoco Elementary School counselor, was a longtime resident of Anacoco, and a retired Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office deputy;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mrs. Frost and her family in 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathies to the family of Mr. Charles Crawford, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Crawford was the father of Mr. Billy Crawford, a former principal at Leesville High School, and the father-in-law of Mrs. Pat Crawford, Central Office supervisor;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy, along with its sincere condolences be sent to the family.
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 wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies to Mrs. Renee' Wilson, Maintenance Department secretary, in the recent death of her father, Mr. Charles E. Bonnette, of Leesville; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Bonnette was a longtime resident of Leesville, a deacon of the First Baptist Church of Leesville, and a very active member of this community and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board does adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mrs. Wilson along with sincere condolences to the entire 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