March 9, 1999
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION, MARCH 9, 1999, AT 5:00 P.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
COL. STEPHEN SHAMBACH
There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by A.C. Dowden, Jr.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ted Paris.
Superintendent Schwartz read the attached call notice.
ATTACHED
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of March 2, 1999.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Murphy O'Banion, 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 B.R. Harvey, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfer.
ATTACHED
Jackie Self, Personnel Director, gave a brief description of the recently conducted Vernon Parish Administrator's Academy. He explained that the purpose of the academy was to increase the number and enhance the quality of potential candidates for principalships. The program consisted of fifteen sessions of instruction from active school administrators, parish supervisors, and college faculty. In addition, participants were given leave time for three days to "Job Shadow" administrators in Vernon Parish. A plaque was presented to the following participants who completed the academy: Brenda Cabra, Towanda Willrodt, Joan Simmons, Ann Smith, Renita Davis, James Wesley, Fred Ross, Stanley Fletcher, Barbara Wentzel, David Wentzel, Rebecca Spurgeon, Katherine Best, Beth Thomas, Sadia Cryer, and Ramona Bennett.
Kim Nugent presented the results of the recent Parent Opinion Survey. Overall most parents were satisfied in the areas specified on the questionnaire. Mrs. Nugent feels that the information gathered from the survey gives good baseline data to work with. 10,350 surveys were sent home by students and in general, the response was good.
Bill Endris, Director of Finance, presented the following Sales Tax Resolution for approval:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Louisiana grants local governments the right to levy and collect local sales and use taxes; and
WHEREAS, sales and use tax revenues for the Parish of Vernon represents approximately 72% of our tax revenues; and
WHEREAS, local administration and collection of sales and use taxes are the best means to protect our most important revenue source; and
WHEREAS, local governments do not wish to be dependent on outside agencies to manage this critical function; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry is proposing to have the State of Louisiana collect local sales and use taxes;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and members of the Vernon Parish School Board urge and request every member of the Vernon Parish Legislative delegation to vigorously support local administration and collection of sales and use taxes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution will be sent to the Vernon Parish Legislative delegation so that they will be made aware of our position on this matter.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the Sales Tax Resolution.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to approve Don Gallemore for the position of technology administrator for the parish.
Philip Gunn reported that the Optional School Study Committee, in light of increased enrollment, feels it necessary to add one teacher to the staff, on a temporary basis.
On recommendation of the Optional School Study Committee and on motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the addition of one teacher on a temporary basis.
In other business, Superintendent Schwartz reminded the Board of the Retired Teachers' Day reception which is planned for Thursday, March 18th, Fort Polk's Visitation Day on Thursday, March 25th, and also shared information from LSBA concerning proposed legislation related to tobacco settlement proceeds.
A.C. Dowden, Jr. requested that Mr. Gallemore, Technology Administrator, be asked to submit to the Board a quarterly report on where we are now with technology, where he wants us to go and costs involved. Mr. Dowden added that he feels we now have an opportunity to move Vernon Parish to the top with regard to technology.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of Vernon Parish School Board take this means to express their tremendous sense of pride in our basketball teams and coaches for an outstanding season; and,
WHEREAS, three of our parish girls' basketball teams qualified for participation in the Sweet Sixteen tournament at which the Simpson Lady Bronco's won the Class C State Championship, the Pitkin Lady Tigers earned the Class B Runner-up and the Anacoco Lady Indians, the Class B State Championship; and,
WHEREAS, the Pitkin boys' basketball team is the Class B State Quarter-Finalist and Simpson boy's basketball team, the Class C State Semi-Finalist;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this resolution commending and congratulating all of our parish teams and coaches for a very exciting and successful 1998-99 basketball season.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded Ted Paris, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay claims.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, 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 express their sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Lucy G. Moore, of Shreveport, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Moore, a longtime resident of the Shreveport area, was the grandmother of Congressman Jim McCrery and she will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her family and friends;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to the family at this time of bereavement.
There being no further business, on motion of Benard McKee, seconded by the Board the meeting was adjourned.
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W.W. PARKER, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT