December 8, 1998
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION, DECEMBER 8, 1998 AT 5:00 P.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 Mark Smith
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Betty Westerchil
Superintendent Schwartz read the attached call notice.
ATTACHED
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of December 3, 1998.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee resignations.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Richard Bailes, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee transfers.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by Kim Reese the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHED
Superintendent Schwartz introduced Teresa Chelette, teacher at Simpson High School, who gave a presentation about a classroom grant she received. The grant will be used to fund a Learn and Serve Program at Simpson School targeting at-risk students in grades three through eight.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by W.W. Parker, the Board voted to enter into executive session for a period of twenty minutes to discuss an appeal of a student's expulsion.
President Dowden announced that the Executive Session would be from 5:20 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to come out of executive session and resume order.
President Dowden announced the was 5:40 p.m.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to reconvene into executive session. Time announced by President Dowden was 5:43 p.m.
On motion of Gerald Burns, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to terminate the executive session.
President Dowden announced the time was 5:55 p.m.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted unanimously to deny the appeal for the student's expulsion.
At this time, Superintendent Schwartz expressed his appreciation to out-going Board President Alvin C. Dowden for his outstanding service while serving as the 1998 board president and presented to him a plaque from the Board.
Superintendent Schwartz then recognized and presented plaques to out-going board members Gerald Burns and Richard W. "Dickie" Bailes in appreciation for their years of dedicated service to the students and families of Vernon Parish.
President Dowden opened the floor for nominations for President of the Board for 1999. C.A. Hughes nominated W.W. Parker, seconded by Philip Gunn.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to cease nominations and declare by acclamation W.W. Parker as President of the Board for 1999.
The motion passed.
President Dowden asked for nominations for Vice President of the Board for 1999. Philip Gunn nominated Linda West, seconded by Benard McKee.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by C.A. Hughes the Board voted to cease nominations for the office of Board Vice-President and declare by acclamation Linda West Vice-President of the Board for 1999.
The motion passed.
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 Vernon Parish School Board realizes the importance of technology in today's classroom and the vital role it will play in our students' future; and,
WHEREAS, the Board appreciates Mr. Ricky Kay and the maintenance crew for their cooperation and the time they devoted to preparing the frame relay network necessary to bring internet access to our schools;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the members of the Board take this means to convey their sincere appreciation to Mr. Kay and the maintenance crew for all their untiring efforts, their cooperative attitude and the timely manner in which they completed this project.
On motion of Gene Haymon, 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 has a sincere interest in all activities of the students of this school system; and,
WHEREAS, the Vernon Middle School band and choir have worked tirelessly to attain the successess they have realized; and,
WHEREAS, this band and choir's outstanding performance prior the 1998 Christmas parade uplifted and entertained their audience;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does adopt this resolution commending and congratulating Director Gene Davis and the Vernon Middle School Band and Choir.
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 Mrs. Evelyn Brooks, of Sulphur, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Brooks was the mother of Mrs. Shirley Parrott, cook at Hornbeck School and she will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her family and friends;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution, along with its sincere condolences, be sent to Mrs. Parrott and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to resolve itself into a claims committee and approve the claims.
On motion of Richard Bailes, 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 Benard McKee, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to adjourn.
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ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR., PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT