July 2, 1998
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, JULY 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. STEPHEN SHAMBACH
There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by W.W. Parker
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Willis Farris
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Richard Bailes, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of June 9, 1998.
On motion of Linda West, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to approve the attached employee resignations:
ATTACHMENT
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached employee termination:
ATTACHMENT
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request:
ATTACHMENT
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to approve the attached sick leave request:
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On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfers:
ATTACHMENT
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve the attached request to rescind a resignation:
ATTACHMENT
On motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Gerald Burns, the Board voted to name the attached list of employees who were not named in May:
ATTACHMENT
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees:
ATTACHMENT
Mr. Tommy Cordova introduced and presented certificates to fifteen High School Rodeo State Finalists contestants. Two of the contestants, Casey Sweat and Ashley Bass, both from Pitkin, qualified for national competition.
Mr. John Norris, Insurance Consultant, addressed the Board concerning quotes on property and liability and Workers Compensation insurance.
On recommendation of Mr. Norris and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Gerald Burns, the Board voted to purchase property and liability insurance from Morris Insurance with the condition that Mr. Norris obtain additional information from the company concerning price and coverage and get back with the superintendent.
On recommendation of Mr. Norris and on motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to renew its workers compensation coverage with Morris Insurance. The TPA will be Mor-Tem.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to appoint Roger Willis to the position of principal at Pitkin School.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to appoint Mickey Goins to the position of assistant principal at the Anacoco Schools. Linda West opposed.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to appoint Mike Kay to the position of assistant principal at Evans School. Linda West opposed.
Dr. Cindy Gillespie presented copies of Vernon Parish's 1998-99 Pupil Progression Plan and changes that have been made. The Board will review the plan and vote on its adoption, Tuesday, July 7, 1998.
Mrs. Anne Smith, Mrs. Tamara Fletcher and Mrs. Sherry Costa described the 1998 Leep Camp which was attended by ninety-eight fifth grade students. They explained the purpose and benefits of the program which is an annual event.
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following resolution to commend LEEP staff.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to convey it sincere appreciation to Mrs. Anne Smith and the entire LEEP Camp staff whose dedication and devotion to the profession of educating the children of our school system was evidenced in the success of the 1998 LEEP Camp; and,
WHEREAS, the opportunities provided to enrich and enhance their educational experience will be a treasured memory for the fifth grade students from throughout the parish who participated;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board does, hereby adopt this resolution of commendation and gratitude to all to of those who gave so much of themselves and their time to make this wonderfully exciting experience possible for our children.
Mrs. Anne Smith presented the Guide for the Implementation of Act 1120 for the Board=s review. Approval will be requested at the July 7, 1998 Board meeting.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve the Strategic Plan presented by the Goals and Objectives Committee.
On motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by Richard Bailes, the Board voted to receive bids on miscellaneous used equipment at South Polk Elementary School. No bids were received.
On motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to authorize Mr. Moss and Mrs. Sammie May, principal at South Polk Elementary School to dispose of the equipment.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Richard Bailes, the Board voted to open bids on miscellaneous used equipment at West Leesville Elementary School. No bids were received.
On motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to authorize Mr. Bobby Moss and Mrs. Liz Cordova, principal at West Leesville Elementary School to dispose of the equipment.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Gerald Burns, the Board voted to open bids for risograph supplies.
On motion of Benard McKee, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to take the bids for risograph supplies under advisement.
On motion of Richard Bailes, seconded by Gerald Burns, the Board voted to open bids for pest control services.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to take the bids for pest control services under advisement.
On motion of Kim Reese, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to open bids for milk and juice for the parish schools. Bids received are as attached:
ATTACHMENT
On motion of Benard McKee, seconded by Gerald Burns, the Board voted to award the low bid for milk and juice to Foremost Dairies.
On motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to open bids for bread for the parish schools. Bids received are as attached:
ATTACHMENT
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to award the low bid for bread for the parish schools to Flowers Evangeline Maid Bread.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to advertise for an assistant principal at Pitkin School. Applications must be submitted by 3:30 p.m., July 31, 1998 and the appointment will be made August 6, 1998.
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 O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to convey their deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Emma Ruth Parker, a retired custodian at Simpson School, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Parker was the mother of Mr. Mark Parker, a former teacher in our school system, and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of the Vernon Parish School Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board records with grief and sadness the recent death of Mr. Russell Jackson, retired assistant superintendent of the Vernon Parish School System; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson was a loyal and dedicated educator and a credit to the educational community. He will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his family and friends;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board takes this means to express its condolences to Mr. Jackson's family in this time of bereavement.
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