September 2, 1999
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, SEPTEMBER 2, 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
COL. THOMAS SITTNICK
ABSENT: BENARD MCKEE, ILLNESS
There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Ted Paris.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by C.A. Hughes.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of August 12, 1999.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of August 17, 1999.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Kim Reese, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee resignations.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Jane Holton, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee transfers.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHED
Mr. Dale Bayard addressed the Board concerning his candidacy for a member of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
At this time, Superintendent Schwartz recognized Colonel Thomas Sittnick, the new Garrison Commander at Fort Polk.. Colonel Sittnick will replace Colonel Stephen Shambach as Fort Polk's representative to the Board.
Jimmy Funderburk recognized State Champion baseball and track teams and coaches. The Pitkin baseball team was honored as winner of the Class B State Championship. Team members were presented certificates along with a plaque to be displayed at the school. Coach Brian Thompson was also presented a plaque. Hicks girl's track team was honored as Class C State Champion. Each member received a certificate and the team was presented a plaque to be displayed at the school. Also receiving a plaque was the team's coach, Vic Ortiz. The Hicks baseball team was recognized as the Class C State Champion. Each member received a certificate and the team was presented a plaque. Also receiving a plaque was the team's coach, Randy Lansdale.
Jimmy Funderburk recognized Pat Buckley, cafeteria manager at Evans School. Mrs. Buckley won first place in the state in the National Breakfast Week Scrapbook competition.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to reject uninsured motorist coverage and to authorize the president of the Board to sign the appropriate forms.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by A.C. Dowden, the Board voted to rescind the motion to reject uninsured motorist coverage and to continue with the $25,000 current coverage.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to grant preliminary approval of up to a $2,000,000.00 loan and to make application to the State Bond Commission, for the purpose of paying the excess cost of school employee's hospitalization insurance to the State of Louisiana Employee's Group Benefits Program.
ATTACHMENT
Tom Neubert introduced a proposed Sexual Harassment Policy for Vernon Parish. Approval will be requested at the September 7, 1999 board meeting.
Jackie Self discussed new sabbatical laws, new extended sick leave laws, and a proposed catastrophic and long-term illness policy.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to adopt the new sabbatical leave policy for Vernon Parish.
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On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to adopt the new extended sick leave policy for Vernon Parish.
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Approval for the proposed catastrophic and long-term illness policy will be requested at the September 7th board meeting.
Dr. Cindy presented and explained a brochure prepared by State Accountability that will be sent home with every student in the state to help parents understand testing procedures.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
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. Cala Hyatt, of Sugartown, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Hyatt was the sister of Mr. Michael Perkins, retired Director of Child Welfare and Attendance for Vernon Parish Schools, the sister-in-law of Mrs. Jan Perkins, central office Educational Diagnostician, and the aunt of Mrs. Connie Britt, a teacher at Pitkin High School;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent, along with its sincere condolences, to the entire family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to convey its sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Joseph Thurman Johnson, of Pitkin, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson was a lifetime resident of Pitkin and a graduate of Pitkin High 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 Mr. Johnson's family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Kim Reese, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
R E SO L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board were saddened by the recent death of Mr. Elbert Miller, of Anacoco, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Miller, a retired custodian at Anacoco School, was a loyal and dedicated employee 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 at this time of bereavement.
On behalf of W.W. Parker, a motion was made by C.A. Hughes, seconded by the Board, 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 deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Vera Joplin, of Anacoco, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Joplin was the mother of Mrs. Debra Landry, custodian at Anacoco Elementary School;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mrs. Landry and her family at this time of sorrow.
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 the family of Mrs. Juanita Cowan, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Cowan was the mother-in-law of Mrs. Lucille Kilgore, teacher at Vernon Middle School;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mrs. Kilgore and the entire family at this time of bereavement.
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 weresaddened by the recent death of Mr. Anthony Scott "Tony" Chamberlain, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Chamberlain, a longtime resident of Leesville and a graduate of Leesville High School, was the nephew of Mr. Murphy O'Banion, Vernon Parish School Board Member. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board takes this means to express its condolences to Mr. Chamberlain's family and requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to them at this time of bereavement.
There being no further business, on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by the Board voted to adjourn.
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W.W. PARKER, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT