October 1, 1998
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, OCTOBER 1, 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 Gene Haymon
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of September 8, 1998.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Richard Bailes, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the attached list of resignations.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to approve the attached request for extended sick leave.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Gerald Burns, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfers.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHMENT
Penny Williams, teacher of the Health Career Academy at Leesville High School, explained that the academy was established for those students who desire a career in health care. The program's main objective is to prepare students for entry level health care positions and technical college or university programs. It is available to students throughout the parish who meet the criteria for acceptance.
Cindy Gillespie presented copies of the Foreign Exchange Student procedures policy to the Board for study. Approval will be requested at the October 6, 1998 board meeting.
Dottie Neugebauer discussed school nurse staffing needs and concerns. She explained that because of new state mandates and the amount of paperwork requirements continuing to grow, additional help is needed in order to provide health needs to students.
She recommended that the board hire two nursing assistants to help with the required paper work.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to hire two assistants with at least LPN credentials to aid the school nurses.
Bobby Moss, Purchasing Agent, reported that no bids were received on two used copiers at Rosepine High School and recommended disposal of the copiers.
On motion of Benard McKee, seconded by Gerald Burns, the Board voted to authorize Bobby Moss and the principal at Rosepine High School, Charles Lewis, to dispose of the two used copiers.
On recommendation of Bobby Moss and on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Gerald Burns, the Board voted to advertise for bids for the purchase of calculators for the parish schools.
On recommendation of Bobby Moss and on motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell two milk coolers at Leesville Jr. High School.
On recommendation of Bobby Moss and on motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell miscellaneous equipment at Head Start.
On motion of Linda West, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to adopt a resolution declaring October as Head Start Awareness month in the Vernon Parish School System.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish Head Start program offers every community in Vernon Parish a publicly funded pre-school class; and
WHEREAS, Head Start is a federally funded program for three and four year old children of low income families; and
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish Head Start Program is committed to offering a quality early childhood program with comprehensive services and a developmentally appropriate practices curriculum; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the program is to impact children, families and communities through partnerships;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Vernon Parish School Board adopts this resolution declaring October, 1998 as Head Start Awareness month.
On recommendation of Bobby Moss and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell a portable building and its contents.
In other business, B.R. Harvey announced a Salary Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, at 9:00 a.m.
Mark Smith announced that the Mayor's Women's Commission has designated October 16 and 17 as clean-up days.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt a resolution urging the parish schools to cooperate with Women's Commission in their clean-up
efforts.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board take pride in the community in which we live, bring up and educate our children;
WHEREAS, the Board realizes the importance of providing a safe and healthy learning environment for all of our children; and
WHEREAS, the Leesville Mayor's Women's Commission has designated October 16 and 17, 1998 as "Clean-up Week" for the city;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this resolution encouraging our schools to cooperate with the Women's Commission in its clean-up efforts.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to name a committee to study the issue of student uniforms in the parish schools. President Dowden appointed Philip Gunn to chair the committee and Gerald Burns and Gene Haymon volunteered to serve with Mr. Gunn.
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 record with grief and sorrow the recent death of Mrs. Linda Stimac, a Leesville High School teacher; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Stimac, a beloved teacher and a loyal and dedicated employee, will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her family, her students and her many friends;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy, along with its deepest sympathies, be sent to Mr. Charles Stimac and his family 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 deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Edmond Smart, of Anacoco, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Smart, a retired Louisiana State Trooper, will be remembered for his many years of law enforcement service dedicated to the safety of the citizens of our community and state;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family of Mr. Smart.
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 wishes to convey its condolences to the family of Mr. Clarence Brumley, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Brumley was a well-respected and active member of his community 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. Sandra Lee Brumley and her family in this time of bereavement.
On motion of Philip Gunn, 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 recent, untimely death of Michael Gill of Leesville; and
WHEREAS, Michael was the son of Mr. Michael Gilbert, custodian at Leesville Jr. High School and 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 heartfelt condolences to Michael's parents and family and requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to them.
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 diligently seeks and explores all available avenues in its efforts to enhance and improve the educational process of all students enrolled in our school system;
WHEREAS, Colonel Stephen Shambach and the members of the Fort Polk School Liaison Board volunteer their time to serve the interests of the families at Fort Polk by listening to and sharing their concerns, ideas and suggestions;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express its appreciation to Colonel Shambach and the members of the Fort Polk School Liaison Board for their cooperative spirit and for the continuing excellent relationship we enjoy as we work together to ensure the best possible educational opportunities for all of our students.
There being no further business, on motion of Benard McKee seconded by Gene Haymon the Board voted to adjourn.
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ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR., PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT