April 7, 1998
THE PARISH BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION, APRIL 7, 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
LORETTA NALE
There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Kim Reese.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Linda West.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of April 2, 1998.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to approve the attached employee resignations.
ATTACHMENT
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee transfers.
ATTACHMENT
On motion of Richard Bailes, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to approve the new employee on the attached list. C.A. Hughes opposed.
ATTACHMENT
On motion of Benard McKee, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to add to the agenda the two sick leave requests on the attached list.
ATTACHMENT
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the attached sick leave requests.
ATTACHMENT
Jackie Self, Director of Personnel, discussed a proposed sick leave day donation which would allow employees to donate some of their accumulated sick leave days to another employee.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to add to the proposed policy concerning sick leave day donation, a provision that would limit the number of days an employee can donate to three per fiscal year, and with the provision added, approve the attached policy.
ATTACHMENT
W.W. Parker gave an update from the Technology Committee. He explained that when the new technology program is in place, all schools in the parish will be equipped with compatible systems and an NT server which will link each school with the central office. Each individual school's use of the Internet will be monitored by its administration and technology coordinator. The technology equipment that has been installed in the schools thus far has been funded by a $490,000 grant from the state, accounting for 80% of the total cost. The remaining 20% will be funded either by a special grant or by the general fund.
Bill Endris, Director of Finance discussed a proposal he had previously submitted to the Board concerning the technology program. He proposed that we reduce the number of student workers, cancel our contract with Time Trend Computers, and hire two computer technician/repairmen for the central office. He further explained that the net effect of these actions would greatly enhance our technology service to the system as well as produce a savings of approximately $80,200.00.
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to adopt the proposal with the stipulation that the Board advertise for the two new technology positions.
Superintendent Schwartz presented, for the Board's approval, the following resolution requesting that our legislators develop a policy that would be equitable for all support personnel.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board has a concern for the interests of all its employees; and,
WHEREAS, State law concerning employee sick leave includes a provision for teachers and bus operators, when they are absent after all of their sick leave has been exhausted, that allows only the daily rate of substitute pay to be deducted from the employee's salary, and allows the teacher or bus operator to be paid the remainder of the employee's salary for that day; and,
WHEREAS, this provision does not include support personnel other than bus operators;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the Vernon Parish School Board requests that our legislators develop a policy that would be equitable for all support personnel.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the resolution.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to advertise for bids for the purchase of an activity bus for Simpson High School.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to authorize Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent, and Special Education Department personnel to dispose of the unrepairable computers and monitors at the Special Education Department, since no bids for their sale were received.
On recommendation of Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent, and on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to award the low bid for two units of air conditioning equipment, in the amount of $46,775 per unit, for the Leesville High School Auditorium, to The Trane Company.
On motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Richard Bailes, the Board voted to advertise for bids for light fixtures for Leesville High School's football and softball fields.
On recommendation of Bobby Moss and on motion of Benard McKee, seconded by Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to award the low bid for two units of air conditioning equipment for Rosepine Elementary School gym, to The Trane company in the amount of $4,275.00 per unit.
Mrs. Loretta Nale, Executive Officer for the Garrison Commander of Fort Polk, announced that April 23, 1998 is designated as Take Daughters and Sons to Work Day at Fort Polk. She requested the Board's support of the program.
Mike Perkins, Director of Child Welfare and Attendance, stated that the Take Daughters and Sons to Work Day can be considered an extension of the class room and that case, with documentation, a student who participates in the program would be considered in school for that day.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Gerald Burns, the Board voted to support the Take Daughters and Sons Work Day.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt a resolution of appreciation to Cameron Communication of Sulphur, LA for their donation of $1,000.00 to the Pitkin track program:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board strongly promotes the activities of all academic and athletic programs in our school system;
WHEREAS, the Board deeply appreciates the interest and support of our community and surrounding area;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Vernon Parish School Board does, hereby, adopt this resolution of appreciation to Cameron Communications for its contribution of $1,000.00 to the track program at Pitkin High School.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt a resolution opposing the use of state funds to reimburse parents for the costs of sending their children to private schools:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board strongly believes that public education is the only guarantee of equal educational opportunities for all students in our state and parish; and,
WHEREAS, our lawmakers have created a voucher program that will allow state tax funds to be used to reimburse parents for the costs of sending their children to private schools and day care centers; and,
WHEREAS, our lawmakers have further included a provision to expand the Tuition Opportunity Program which increased the cost of the program by adding home-schooled students, graduates of non-approved private schools and graduates of out-of-state high schools;
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board firmly opposes any action by our lawmakers that allows state tax funds to be used to fund private education and that state tax funds should be designated for the support of public education to insure that the quality of education in Louisiana schools can be maintained, and further insure equal educational opportunities for all citizens of our state;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the Vernon Parish School Board strongly urge our legislators to exert all efforts to reverse any decision to use our state education funds to support private education.
Betty Westerchil announced that Curriculum Committee meetings will be held on April 23, and 24, 1998 for the purpose of having principals present their school improvement plans to the Committee for study before submitting them to the Board for approval.
Gene Haymon announced that the Insurance Committee will meet on April 27, 1998.
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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 convey their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. Danny Magee, of St. Francisville, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Magee was the father of Mrs. Beryl Ford, Evans High School counselor;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy, along with its sincere condolences, to Mrs. Ford and her family in this time of sorrow.
On motion of Gerald Burns, 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 the family of Mrs. Jewel Britt, of Leesville, who recently passed away;
WHEREAS, Mrs. Britt, a longtime resident of Leesville and retired Vernon Parish Registrar of Voters, was the aunt of Mr. Creighton Owen, retired Superintendent of Vernon Parish School;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to the family.
On motion of Richard Bailes, 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 condolences to the family of Mr. James S. Shapkoff, Sr., who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Shapkoff was a longtime resident and businessman of Leesville, and the father of Mayor Jim Shapkoff. He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family and his many friends;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent, along with its heartfelt sympathies, to Mayor Shapkoff and his family in their time of bereavement.
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 were saddened by the death of Nicholas James Turner, infant son of Calvin and Lee Turner, of Leesville; and,
WHEREAS, Nicholas James was the grandson of Mr. Jim Kitts, retired Vernon Parish School administrator;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Turner and their family in their time of sorrow.
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 wish to convey their condolences to the family of Mr. James Welch of Leesville, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Welch was a former bus operator for the Pickering School District and a great supporter of our school system.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to the family.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Mark Smith, 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 C.A. Hughes, 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