June 8, 1999
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, JUNE 8, 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 Betty Westerchil.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Philip Gunn.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Benard McKee, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of June 8, 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 Mark Smith, seconded by Kim Reese the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Linda West, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfer.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of C.A. Hughes, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHED
Dr. Cindy Gillespie gave a report on parish GEE, LEAP, and IOWA test scores and how well Vernon Parish compared to other parishes.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to commend Dr. Cindy Gillespie, Director of Curriculum, the Supervisors of Instruction and the Curriculum Department staff for their outstanding implementation of the 1999 spring testing; and,
WHEREAS, the Curriculum Department has devoted numerous hours to in-service and instruction directed at preparing teachers and students for testing; and,
WHEREAS, the Curriculum Department, with attention to detail, kept teachers informed of changes, supplied materials and assisted teachers in developing a match between everyday instruction and assessment and the new tests; and
WHEREAS, the Curriculum Department developed guidelines for test security with careful and accurate attention to state and parish guidelines and mandates;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this resolution of commendation and appreciation to Dr. Gillespie and her staff for their professionalism and their untiring efforts to elevate tests scores and to maintain excellence in education in our Vernon Parish School System.
Betty Westerchil, Curriculum Committee Chairperson, reported that the committee had met for the purpose of discussing the needs of the curriculum and technology departments and were prepared to make recommendations to the Board. Following are the results of recommendations concerning the central office media center, kindergarten graduation, high school graduation and the needs of the curriculum and technology departments.
On recommendation of the Curriculum Committee and on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to transfer Alfa Chaney, secretary at the Literacy Center, to central office media center secretary.
On recommendation of the Curriculum Committee a motion was made by Betty Westerchil, seconded by Kim Reese, that kindergarten graduation with caps and gowns be ceased and replaced with a program, should the school desire to recognize the completion of the kindergarten year.
A motion by Willis Farris was seconded by Murphy O'Banion, to amend the motion to leave the decision concerning the use of caps and gowns up to individual schools. A roll call vote was taken as follows:
YEA NAY
Alvin C. Dowden 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 X
Willis Farris X
Murphy O'Banion X
B.R. Harvey X
Philip Gunn X
Benard McKee X
The amendment passed 9-6.
President Parker called for a vote on the original motion including the amendment. The motion passed 11-4. Betty Westerchil, Jane Holton, Kim Reese, and Gene Haymon voted no.
On recommendation of the Curriculum Committee and on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Linda W
est, the Board voted to approve the Curriculum Committee's recommendation that senior students must pass the exit exam and have proper credits before marching in any parish graduation ceremony and that guidelines be drawn for all schools to follow in times and methods of forewarning senior students of possible failure or lack credits. Philip Gunn voted no.
On recommendation of the Curriculum Committee, and on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to approve the following:
1. Kim Nugent to continue in Tech Prep as before, and additionally assign to her supervision of Vocational Education. She will serve as Tech Prep/Vocational Education Coordinator at a 1.5 index.
2. Hire a teacher trainer/programmer as a 12 month teacher position.
3. Hire another technician in place of contracting with Time Trend.
Superintendent Schwartz and the Board recognized teachers and other employees who retired in 1998-99. Each retiree was presented a certificate of appreciation for his or her years of service in Vernon Parish School System.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to name Tom Neubert to Director of Child Welfare/Attendance/Maintenance at the central office.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz, Gene Haymon moved, seconded by Kim Reese to name Barbara Barnickel principal at Leesville Jr. High School. A roll call vote was taken with results as follows:
YEA NAY
Alvin C. Dowden 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 Farris X
Murphy O=Banion X
B.R. Harvey ABSTAINED
Philip Gunn X
Benard McKee ABSTAINED
The motion failed 4-8, with 3 abstaining.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz, Kim Reese moved, seconded by Gene Haymon to name Hubert Jordan principal at Leesville Jr. High School. A roll call vote was taken with results as follows:
YEA NAY
Alvin C. Dowden X
M. Gene Haymon X
Jane Holton ABSTAINED
C.A. Hughes X
Ted Paris X
Kim Reese X
Linda West X
Betty Westerchil X
Mark Smith X
W.W. Parker ABSTAINED
Willis Farris X
Murphy O'Banion X
B.R. Harvey ABSTAINED
Philip Gunn X
Benard McKee ABSTAINED
The motion failed 4-7, with 4 abstaining.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz, Ted Paris moved to name Charles Balthrop principal at Leesville Jr. High School. A roll call vote was taken with results as follows:
YEA NAY
Alvin C. Dowden 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 Farris X
Murphy O'Banion X
B.R. Harvey ABSTAINED
Philip Gunn X
Benard McKee ABSTAINED
The motion passed 10-2 with 3 abstaining.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to name Cassandra Wilson principal at North Polk Elementary School.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to name Barbara Barnickel principal at South Polk Elementary School.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Ted Paris, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to name Virginia Stuckey principal at Simpson High School.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz, C. A. Hughes moved, seconded by Kim Reese, to name Hubert Jordan assistant principal at Leesville High School. A roll call vote was taken with the results as follows:
YEA NAY
Alvin C. Dowden 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 X
Willis Farris X
Murphy O'Banion X
B.R. Harvey ABSTAINED
Philip Gunn X
Benard McKee ABSTAINED
The motion passed 12-1 with 2 abstaining.
On motion of Ted Paris, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to advertise for assistant principals at Leesville High School, North Polk Elementary School, South Polk Elementary School, Leesville Jr. High School, and Simpson High School. Recommendations for all the position will be made at the July 1st board meeting.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to adopt the 1999-2000 Personnel Evaluation Plan.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to adopt the 1999-2000 budget.
Bill Endris discussed garbage collection and stated that bids will be received at the July 1st board meeting. He informed the Board that Enviroclean, the company that currently collects the garbage, is willing to sign a five year contract for garbage collection at the same price, $7,785 per month, they were granted the bid for two years ago, thus eliminating the bid process. Mr. Endris further informed the Board that he had contacted the auditors concerning the matter and was told that nothing prohibits the use of this process. Asa Skinner, the Board's legal council, stated he is not aware of anything that would prohibit this method.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to offer a five year contract to Enviroclean for $7,785 per month. Mark Smith, Linda West, and Murphy O'Banion voted no.
On motion of Mark Smith, 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 records with grief and sadness the death of Dr. John E. Hearn, Jr., former board member and longtime resident of our community;
WHEREAS, Dr. Hearn will be remembered for his many years of dedicated service and his numerous contributions to the children and families of Vernon Parish and he will be sadly missed by his 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. Hearn and her family at this time of sorrow.
On behalf of W.W. Parker, a motion by Philip Gunn was seconded by the Board to adopt the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express its sincere sympathies to the family of Mr. A.J. Wilson, a lifetime resident of the Hornbeck area and retired custodian at Hornbeck High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson, the husband of Mrs. Evon Wilson, custodian at Hornbeck High School, was a loyal and dedicated employee and he will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his family and friends;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of the memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Wilson and her children at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Benard McKee, 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 take this means to express their deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Gracie Craft, former cook at Rosepine High School;
WHEREAS, Mrs. Craft was a loyal and dedicated employee 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 be sent to Mrs. Craft's family at this time of sorrow.
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 takes this means to express its heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. Carroll Richmond, of Pitkin, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Richmond was the father of Mr. Royce Richmond, former teacher at Pitkin High School and the father-in-law of Mrs Elsie Richmond, teacher at Pitkin High School;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Richmond and their family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, 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 express its sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Madroe McCullough, of Pitkin, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McCullough was the father of Mrs. Jeanice Lambright, teacher's aide at Pitkin School, and the grandfather of Mrs. Sabrina Goleman, also a teacher's aide at Pitkin School;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Lambright and Mrs. Goleman and their 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