January 12, 1999
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION, AT 10:00 A.M., AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA. PRESIDENT PARKER CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
W.W. PARKER, PRESIDENT
LINDA WEST, VICE PRESIDENT
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR.
M. GENE HAYMON
JANE HOLTON
C.A. HUGHES
TED PARIS
KIM REESE
MARK SMITH
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 Philip Gunn.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Willis Farris.
Superintendent Schwartz read the attached call notice.
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On motion of Linda West, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of January 7, 1999.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Ted Paris, seconded by A.C. Dowden, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee resignations.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by A.C. Dowden, the Board voted to approve the attached request to rescind a sabbatical leave.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee transfers.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Kim Reese, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
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Dr. Cindy Gillespie introduced Ms. Marcia Ades, and Ms. Ann Berry, representatives of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who recognized winners of the Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest. Eight students from throughout the parish received pins and certificates for their winning essays.
Mona Bennett and Jennifer Coriell gave an interesting and informative presentation on K-3 Reading Institutes. The topic of their The program involves K-3 teachers throughout the parish and is funded by local and regional K-3 Initiative grants.
Dr. Cindy Gillespie gave an update on Louisiana Education Reform. In addition, she showed a video to further explain what the State is doing to improve education in Louisiana Schools.
On recommendation of the District 1/6 Committee and on motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to authorize Lester Kees, attorney for the Board, to negotiate with the attorneys for Southern Electric for an agreement on a fair and legal amount that would satisfy the lawsuit Southern Electric filed against the Board and to adopt the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
BE IT RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board herein represented by Richard Schwartz, is hereby authorized and directed to execute a warrant for the arrest of Dale and Linda Behan of Lindal, Inc., for violation of R.S. 14:202
Mrs. Westerchil reported that the Curriculum Committee met at 8:30 a.m., preceding the board meeting. The committee discussed information received from BESE concerning its test security policy for the school board office and the schools. A draft of the policy was given to each board member and approval will be requested in March. Mrs. Westerchil further informed the Board that the calculators which had previously been approved and ordered are now coming in. She also reported that Sandra Whitlock, Curriculum Supervisor, has designed a method of housing novels at the school board office to be checked out by teachers. With this method, students will have access to a greater number of novels.
Gene Haymon reported that in the Technology Committee members feel that technology in the system has been brought to the point that a trained, knowledgeable individual is needed to oversee the program.
On recommendation of the Technology Committee and on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to advertise for applications for the position of technology administrator.
In other business, Superintendent Schwartz reminded the Board that the Louisiana School Boards Association convention will be held in Alexandria, March 4-6.
The superintendent also informed the Board that Mr. James Soileau, LSBA Executive Director, had volunteered to conduct a three-hour inservice for the Board on Wednesday, February 10, 1999, toward meeting the six-hour inservice requirement for certification by the State.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to develop a policy requiring all bid contracts be reviewed by the Board's legal counsel, Lester Kees, for technicalities and to insure that the Board is in compliance with laws concerning contracts.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted 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. Jerome Brown, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Brown, a former custodian at Vernon Middle School, was the stepfather of Mrs. Rosland Williams, teacher's aide at West Leesville Preschool Center. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mr. Brown's family in their time of sorrow.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted 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 sympathies to the family of Mr. George Andrews, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Andrews, was the father-in-law of Mrs. Janice Andrews, retired teacher at Simpson School, and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to the family in their time of sorrow.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted 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 condolences to the family of Mr. Leland Wright, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Wright was the stepfather of Mrs. Shirley Ward, Title I Supervisor at the central office and the father-in-law of Mrs. Darlene Wright, teacher's aide at East Leesville Elementary School;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mr. Wright's family.
There being no further business, on motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
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W.W. PARKER, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT