May 11, 1999
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, MAY 11, 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
BENARD MCKEE
COL. STEPHEN SHAMBACH
ABSENT: PHILIP GUNN, OUT-OF-TOWN
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 Jane Holton.
On motion of Ted Paris, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of May 6, 1999.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz, and on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached resignation.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz, and on motion of Ted Paris, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave requests.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz, and on motion of Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee transfers.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz, and on motion of C. A. Hughes, seconded by Jane Holton, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz, and on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to name the attached list of current employees who were not named in April.
ATTACHED
Sandra Whitlock introduced Mr. Ron Gibbs, Walmart representative, who presented the Walmart Teacher-of-the-Year award and a $500.00 grant check to be used in her classroom, to Mrs. Virginia Butler.
Sandra Whitlock directed the recognition of students from nine Vernon Parish Schools including Pickering High School, Leesville Jr. High School, Vernon Middle School, Anacoco Elementary, Anacoco High School, Simpson School, Rosepine Elementary, Rosepine High School, and Pitkin High School. Each student was recognized individually and presented certificates for his or her various accomplishments during the 1998-99 school year.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to recess for lunch.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to resume order and continue with the business of the Board.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board by roll call vote, voted not to fill the position of Supervisor of Instruction, Level II, and to allow the Curriculum Committee for further review the needs of the Curriculum and Technology Departments before making recommendations concerning new personnel. Results of the roll call vote are as follows:
YEA NAY
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR. X
M. GENE HAYMON X
JANE HOLTON X
C.A. HUGHES X
TED PARIS X
KIM REESE X
LINDA WEST X
BETTY WESTERCHIL X
MARK SMITH X
W.W. PARKER ABSTAINED
WILLIS A. FARRIS X
MURPHY O'BANION X
B.R. HARVEY X
PHILIP GUNN ABSENT
BENARD MCKEE X
The motion passed 9-4.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz, and on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to transfer Duane Roberts to the position of assistant principal at Anacoco Elementary School. Betty Westerchil, Jane Holton, and Linda West voted no.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to advertise for principals at Leesville Jr. High School, Simpson High School, Anacoco High School, South Polk Elementary School, Hicks High School, North Polk Elementary School, and Pickering High School.
On motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to advertise for an assistant principal at Leesville High School.
On motion of Kim Reese, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to advertise for a Director of Child Welfare/Attendance, and Maintenance.
Mark Smith reported that because of new rate increases received for the parish's present group insurance, it became necessary for the Insurance Committee to request quotes from other companies. The quotes were received on May 10th and based on rates and benefits, the Committee recommended Patients Choice Insurance.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve Patients Choice Insurance as Vernon Parish School System's group coverage insurance, effective June 1, 1999. Murphy O'Banion had to leave the meeting to attend a funeral and, therefore was absent at the time of the vote.
Mike Perkins presented the following statement concerning school violence for the Board's approval:
SCHOOL VIOLENCE
Students who threaten or commit serious acts of violence may be suspended from school, recommended for expulsion, and/or referred to the proper law enforcement officials.
Incidents of hazing, bullying and attempts at intimidation of students shall be dealt with severely.
On motion of Benard McKee, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to adopt the statement as policy.
On recommendation of Asa Skinner, Vernon Parish School Board's legal counsel, and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by B. R. Harvey, the Board voted to authorize Superintendent Schwartz to contact a legal consultant to begin a study on reapportionment.
On motion of Linda West, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to authorize Bill Endris to accept the low bid that meets specifications for general supplies.
On motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to refer the bids for kitchen equipment for parish schools to Bill Endris, Ricky Kay and Jimmy Funderburk. The committee will compile the bid information and report the results at the June 3rd board meeting.
On motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
Jackie Self reported very good test scores resulted for the IOWA test administered to grades 3, 5, 6 and 7 throughout the parish.
On motion of Ted Paris, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to send letters of commendation to the schools that teach the grade levels that were tested.
On motion of Willis Farris, 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 deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Garland Calvin Shaw, who recently passed away; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Shaw was a native of Vernon Parish and the father of Ms. Willie Mae Brown, retired cook at Evans School;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Ms. Brown and her family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Willis Farris, on behalf 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 Mrs. Melonee Cryer, cafeteria manager at North Polk Elementary School, in the recent death of her husband, Mr. Kenneth Cryer; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cryer was a native of Vernon Parish and a great supporter of this school system;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mrs. Cryer and her 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to convey their deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Opal Smith of Sterlington, Louisiana, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith was the mother of Mrs. Leslie Fowler, retired teacher at Leesville High School, and she will be 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. Fowler and her 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