September 7, 1999

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, SEPTEMBER 7, 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

MURPHY O'BANION

B.R. HARVEY

PHILIP L. GUNN

LTC DAVE MCNEIL

ABSENT:               WILLIS FARRIS

BENARD MCKEE

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  B.R. Harvey, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of September 2, 1999.             

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to approve the transfer of Betty O'Banion from SPED aide at Vernon Middle School to secretary at West Leesville Elementary to replace Mary Jeane who retired.

Kem Villejoin, Home Economist recognized and presented certificates of achievement to  parish 4-H students for their participation in  District and State competition during the summer. Also recognized was Mitzi Martin, teacher at Rosepine High School, for her award as Outstanding Leader for the State of Louisiana.

Kathy Bass, Evans High School teacher, gave a report on the Louisiana 5^th District Teacher Seminar in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the seminar was to provide teachers with the working knowledge of a congressional office and the workings of our national government. The five-day seminar for which a total of eight teachers could be accepted to attend, was paid for by the Central School-to-Work Alliance.  Mrs. Bass was selected as one of the eight teachers from throughout the Alliance's eight parish region.

Don Gallemore gave a technology update and discussed the Vernon Parish Technology Code of Conduct. He informed the Board of Classroom Based Technology Fund and Technology Literary Challenge Fund grants for equipment and training that have been approved. He gave an overview of the training sessions being conducted in the new Technology Training Center.

Walter Lee, a member of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, addressed the Board concerning such issues as education reform and accountability. He also discussed new standards in all major subject areas and high-stakes testing.

Brenda Bealer, Director of Head Start, discussed Head Start Executive Board training which is scheduled for September 28, 1999, and encouraged board members to participate in the training.

C.A. Hughes moved to adopt the proposed Vernon Parish Sexual Harassment Policy, however, after a brief discussion, withdrew his motion and on motion of Linda West, the issue was tabled until October.

On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to adopt the proposed Catastrophic and Long-term Illness policy.

On recommendation of the Insurance Committee and on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to give employees the option to stay with the current life insurance carrier, Anthem, or to sign up with the state life insurance plan. The Board will continue to pay 50% of the premium for whichever option the employee selects.

On recommendation of the Maintenance Committee and on motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to advertise for one week for a qualified air-conditioning and refrigeration employee for the Maintenance Department.

On motion of Mark Smith, 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 deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. William Joseph "Bill" Rankin, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rankin was the husband of Mrs. Martha Sartor Rankin, teacher at Leesville Jr. High School, the uncle of Mrs. Jamie Simmonelli, secretary at the Vernon Parish Adult Education Department, and the great-uncle of Miss Michelle McLaughlin, teacher at West Leesville Preschool Center;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mrs. Rankin and 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 toexpress their deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Ike Burns, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Burns was the father of Mr. Robert Burns, custodian at East Leesville Elementary School and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does, hereby, adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mr. Robert Burns and his family at this time of sorrow.

There being no further business, on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by the Board the meeting was adjourned.

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W.W. PARKER, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT