November 10, 1998

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION, NOVEMBER 10, 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

WILLIS A. FARRIS

MURPHY O'BANION

B.R. HARVEY

BENARD MCKEE

LORETTA NALE

ABSENT:  PHILIP GUNN, DOCTOR APPOINTMENT

                  BETTY WESTERCHIL, GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION

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.

Superintendent Schwartz read the attached call notice.

ATTACHED

On motion of Benard McKee, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of November 5, 1998.              

John Farris recognized Mrs. Leona Wedgeworth, FHA sponsor and the FHA students who participated and placed fourth at the FHA National Conference. Students receiving recognition and certificates were Daniel Strickland, Ben Calhoun, Charlie Draughn, Blake Fredrick, Louise Strickland, Luke Andis and Jonathan Nash. Also receiving the honor was Alison Strickland, who graduated in May, 1998.

At this time Mrs. Wedgeworth introduced Daniel Strickland, past Regional FHA president, and Keely Cabra, State FHA president, who gave a presentation on their community service project, organ donation. They explained that the purpose of their efforts is to educate the young and old about the need for organ donation. Their chapter has formed a partnership with LOPA and plan to go parish and state wide with the project

On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to endorse the project.

On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt a resolution commending Mrs. Wedgeworth and the Anacoco High School FHA.

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to thank the Anacoco High School Parliamentary Team members and their sponsor, Mrs. Leona Wedgeworth, for their presentation and to commend the group for their well-groomed appearance at our November 5, 1998 meeting; and,

WHEREAS, the team members devoted numerous hours of hard work and sacrificed many of their evenings in preparation for their participation at the National FHA Conference where they earned fourth place; and,

WHEREAS, State FHA President, Keely Cabra and past Regional President, Daniel Strickland gave an outstanding presentation and emphasized the importance of their organization's community service project, "Joy Jubilee Youth Organ Donation Awareness Program"; 

WHEREAS, Mrs. Wedgeworth's untiring efforts, leadership and dedication encouraged the students to do their best; 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does adopt this resolution of congratulations and commendation to Mrs. Wedgeworth the Anacoco High School FHA Chapter and Parliamentary Team.

On motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve a rule regarding confrontation with coaches which reads:

"No person (parent or otherwise) shall confront a coach after an athletic contest concerning a player or a coaching decision. The person must make an appointment with the coach through the principal the next school day or the next available day to discuss any concerns.

If this rule is violated, the person and/or player in question will be suspended from the next game or games depending on the severity of the confrontation.

Coaches are to report all violations to the principal.

A copy of this ruling will be taken home by student athletes for parents to sign and return to the coach and principal."

On motion of Linda West, Christmas Committee Chairperson, the Board voted to use the Christmas funds from personal contributions by the Board, for a holiday buffet for the central office staff.

On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to open bids on calculators for the parish schools. Bids are as follows:

BIDDER                                                 BASIC             SCIENTIFIC       GRAPHING

Calculators, Inc.                                   $3.95                     $11.87                  $84.40

D&H                                                         3.75                      11.55                    83.16

Eric Armin, Inc.                                      3.69                       11.33                    81.86

Scan Tex                                                  3.91                      11.39                    82.71

Taylor Electric                                        4.00                      11.90                    85.50

Wholesale Electric Supply                   3.68                      11.28                    82.24

On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to take the bids on calculators for the parish schools under advisement.

On motion of Richard Bailes, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to open bids to sell  a portable building and its contents. Since no bids were received, on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Richard Bailes, the Board voted to authorize the superintendent, Bobby Moss, and Bill Endris to dispose of the building and contents.

On motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to open bids on two used milk coolers at Leesville Jr. High School. Since no bids were received, on motion of

Gerald Burns, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to authorize Bobby Moss, Bill Endris, Hirl Haynes, principal and Superintendent Schwartz to dispose of the milk coolers.

On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Richard Bailes, the Board voted to open bids to sell miscellaneous used equipment at Head Start. No bids were received, therefore, on  motion of Kim Reese, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to authorize Bobby Moss, Bill Endris and the Superintendent Schwartz to dispose of the equipment.

In other business, Superintendent Schwartz announced that employee's Christmas checks will be issued before Thanksgiving.

On motion of Benard McKee, 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 express its deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. LeRoy Keel, of DeRidder, who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Keel was the father of Mrs. J. Norma Brown, Rosepine High School secretary and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;

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 Mrs. Brown and her family.

On motion of Benard McKee, 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 Mrs. Dorothy Holliday who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Holliday was the mother of Ms. Beth Thomas, teacher at Rosepine Elementary School and Ms. Dorothy Gill, teacher at Rosepine Jr. High School;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the 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 express its deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Gertie Haymon, of Anacoco, who recently passed away;

WHEREAS, Mrs. Haymon, the mother of retired principal at Hornbeck School, Mr. Dempsey Haymon, was a longtime resident of the Anacoco community and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the Board request that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. Haymon and the entire family 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 express its deepest sympathies to Mr. Alton Norris in the recent death of his wife, Mrs. Donna Norris, of Anacoco, who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Norris was the mother of Mrs. Tamela Edwards, of Simpson, the step-mother of Mrs. Mamie Zerr, bus operator at Pickering Elementary School, and the step-mother of Mr. William Norris, former teacher in Vernon Parish;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of  this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. Norris, Mrs. Edwards, and the entire family in their time of sorrow.

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 Vernon Parish School Board wishes to convey it deepest sympathies to Mrs. Ann Cavanaugh, teacher at Simpson School, in the recent death of her mother, Mrs. Myrtice Allen, of Winnfield, Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Allen was a longtime resident of Winnfield and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this memorial resolution and requests that a copy, along with its sincere condolences, be sent to Mrs. Cavanaugh and her family.

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

_____________________________________

ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR., PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

_______________________________________

RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT