April 6, 1999
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, APRIL 6, 1999 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 Gene Haymon.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Kim Reese.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Benard McKee , the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of March 9, 1999.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz, and on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to approve the attached list of resignations.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz, and on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached list of sabbatical leave requests.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz, and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by A.C. Dowden, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHED
Sharon Hardwick and Deborah Murray, art teachers at Leesville High School, recognized art students who participated in state competition. Only six pieces of art could be taken and five of the six placed.
Jimmy Funderburk recognized basketball teams and coaches from three Vernon Parish Schools. Simpson boys made it to the semi-finals and their coach, Mike Charrier was named the 1999 Class C Boys Coach of the Year.
Simpson girls won Class C State Championship and their coach, Jay White was named 1999 Class C Girls Coach of the Year.
Class B Pitkin boys basket ball team and Coach Danny Fletcher were recognized as quarter finalists, and the Pitkin girls team and Coach Selina Friday were recognized as the 1999 Class B State Runner-up.
The Anacoco girls team was recognized as the 1999 Class B State Girls Basketball Champion. Their coach, Hub Jordan was named 1999 Class B Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.
Vernon Parish realized an outstanding year in basketball with five Vernon Parish teams making it to the quarter finals or better.
Danny McIver, representative of Alexander and Alexander Risk Management Firm, and Safety Consultant for Vernon Parish School system, discussed the benefits of accident prevention. His responsibility is to inspect and make recommendations that help to provide a safe workplace. He visits schools and discusses issues of concern with principals and then sends a report to the central office. He reported excellent cooperation from the administration of all the schools he has visited.
On motion of Linda West, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to approve the following resolution for continuing the consolidated application for program funding for Titles I, II, IV, and VI for 1999-2000.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, application for program funding may be made under Titles I, II, IV, VI, and LEARN as amended, and
WHEREAS, a program is now proceeding under these titles, now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Vernon Parish School Board in Regular Session on this 6th day of April, 1999 again authorizes the Superintendent to proceed with a consolidated application for continued funding of this project and to employ the necessary personnel and sign the required documents.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the following resolution supporting full funding of the MFP was adopted.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Article VIII Section 13(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana requires the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education annually to develop and adopt a formula which shall be used to determine the cost of a minimum foundation program of education in all public elementary and secondary schools as well as to equitably allocate the funds to parish and city school systems; and
WHEREAS, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted a formula for the 1999-2000 school year for full funding of the final year of a multi-year implementation of the minimum foundation program, and
WHEREAS, the Legislature and the Governor committed last year to the final payment for full funding of the formula in school year 1999-2000, and
WHEREAS, the formula is designed to provide local school systems with monies to pay for the cost of a minimum foundation, which included numerous unfunded state and federal mandates, and
WHEREAS, new monies to the formula in the past three years have been dedicated by the state in part to teacher salaries, and
WHEREAS, additional state funding has been provided by the state for the K-3 Reading and Mathematics, Accountability, and Technology initiatives, and
WHEREAS, the K-3 Reading and Mathematics Initiative provides essential services to improve the reading and computing skills of students in kindergarten through third grade, including prevention and intervention, staff development, materials, and parent education, and
WHEREAS, the state's technology initiative provides for educators and students to have access to technologies that are effective in improving student achievement, and
WHEREAS, the State's new Accountability System provides for higher standards, rigorous tests, elimination of social promotion, remediation, school performance, scores, school growth targets, and corrective actions, and
WHEREAS, mandates of the State's new Accountability System require systems to provide remediation and summer school for students scoring below a certain level on the state's new LEAP 21 test, and
WHEREAS, the state funding provided for Accountability provides only a portion of the funding for these services, and minimum foundation funds will be necessary to provide these services,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Vernon Parish School Board urges and requests the Louisiana Legislature and the Governor to fully fund the minimum foundation program for 1999-2000, and to ensure that these new monies be unrestricted so that the school system can meet the requirements of Accountability and the specific needs of the school system, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Vernon Parish School Board urges and requests that the Governor and Louisiana Legislature continue to support and fund the K-3 Reading and Mathematics, Accountability, and Technology Initiative as provide in the Executive Budget.
On motion of Linda West, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to table the 1999-2000 school calendar adoption until Tuesday, April 13, 1999.
Gene Haymon reported that the Technology Committee had met with Don Gallemore, newly appointed Technology Administrator, and the members of the committee feel that the Vernon Parish Technology Plan is going to be realized.
Don Gallemore reported that he has met with the school-level technology coordinators and the Technology Committee and will within the next three to four weeks meet with each principal and faculty. He commented that he is well pleased with the preparatory work that has been done toward the full implementation of Vernon Parish's Technology Plan.
Linda West reported that the Finance Committee met at 8:30 a.m., April 6th and that the Finance Committee along with the Food Services, will meet again Tuesday, April 13th at 8:30 a.m.
B.R. Harvey presented a salary index proposal from the Salary Committee. The Board will consider the proposal and vote on its adoption on Tuesday, April 13th.
On recommendation of Bill Endris, and on motion of Benard McKee, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to advertise for bids for general supplies. Bids will be received Thursday, May 6th at 1:00 p.m.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to receive bids on two trucks for the maintenance department.
Superintendent Schwartz explained that because of holiday mailing practices and the central office being closed, and given the fact that holiday mail would not be delivered before board meeting time, he recommended that any bids received in Tuesday's mail which is postmarked before April 6th, should be accepted as being received prior to the designated bid receiving time.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz, and on motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to postpone opening bids on the two maintenance trucks until Tuesday, April 13th, at 10:00 a.m.
In other business, Superintendent Schwartz, recognized Tonya Jackson, reporter for the Leesville Daily Leader.
Superintendent Schwartz briefly discussed a review of recently compiled information by Forethought Consulting, Inc., on certain unfunded mandates affecting school boards.
The Superintendent reported an outstanding visit to Fort Polk on Fort Polk Visitors Day, March 25th.
On motion of Philip Gunn, 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 enjoys an exceptional relationship with the Fort Polk community and a true spirit of cooperation exists between our communities; and
WHEREAS, the Board appreciates the invitation to participate in Fort Polk's Visitors Day Program and the opportunity to observe and visualize the vital missions performed by Fort Polk soldiers;
WHEREAS, the activities and demonstrations that we were privileged to witness were extremely interesting and educational;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board adopts the resolution commending General Samuel Thompson and his entire staff for a well-organized, and very enjoyable day at Fort Polk.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, 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 deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Ona Murray, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Murray was the mother of Mrs. Billie Boyd, retired bus operator, Mrs. Sharon Dye, former bus operator, and Mrs. Bobbie Holder, bus operator at Pickering School; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Murray was a native and lifelong resident of Vernon Parish and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to the family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, 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 Mrs. Rissa Ayers who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Ayers was the wife of Mr. Dewight Ayers, former principal at Pitkin High School, the aunt of Mrs. Betty Sue Compton, teacher at Pitkin School, and the great-aunt of Mrs. Patricia Roberts, also a teacher at Pitkin School;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to the family.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, 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 deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. J.B. Strother, of Pitkin, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Strother was a long-time resident of the Pitkin area and the father-in-law of Mrs. Rae Strother, central office secretary, and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the Board do, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and request that a copy be sent to the family at this time of bereavement.
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 Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express its condolences to the family of Mrs. Clara Bennet, retired cafeteria worker at Simpson School, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bennett, a native of Simpson, was a loyal and dedicated employee 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 be sent to Mrs. Bennett's family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of W.W. Parker, 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 express its deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Gladys McConathy, of Anacoco, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McConathy, a lifelong resident of Anacoco and retired cafeteria worker at Anacoco High School, was the grandmother of Mrs. Janell Maricle, teacher at Evans School;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution, along with its sincere condolences, be sent to the family at this time of bereavement.
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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their deepest sympathies to Mrs. Belinda Thomas, assistant coordinator for the Vernon Parish Safe and Drug Free Schools program, in the recent death of her mother, Mrs. Caledonia Walker; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Walker was a longtime resident of Leesville and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Thomas and her family at this time of sorrow.
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