November 4, 1999

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, NOVEMBER 4, 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.

WILLIS FARRIS

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

COL. THOMAS SITTNICK

ABSENT:               BENARD MCKEE, ILLNESS

There was also present Richard Schwartz, Secretary of the Board.

The meeting was opened in prayer by Linda West. 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jane Holton.

On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of October 19, 1999.

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Ted Paris, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to approve the attached employee resignations.

ATTACHED

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave requests.

ATTACHED

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Jane Holton, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee transfers.

ATTACHED

On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by A.C. Dowden, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.

ATTACHED        

Dr. Cindy Gillespie recognized and presented plaques of appreciation to Mr. Paul Roussel  and Mr. Jim Harris, coordinators of the Forestry Awareness Education Program. The program gives sixth graders from throughout the parish an opportunity to spend a day at Little Cypress Pond, and participate in the program designed to make them aware of the recreational and occupational benefits provided by the forest. Mrs. Laura Clark, curriculum supervisor, was also recognized for the excellent job she did with the planning and coordination of the program for our sixth graders.

Mr. Paul Herring, representative of ICON Technology gave a presentation concerning a low risk program developed by Lucent Technology that gives a school board the capability of moving technology five years ahead. Mr. Herring will prepare a proposal of available options for the Board's consideration.                                                                                                                                               

Dr. Cindy Gillespie presented and discussed the proposed 1999-00 Pupil Progression Plan. Adoption will be requested at the November 9, 1999 board meeting.

On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Murphy O'Banion, the Board voted to authorize Superintendent Schwartz, Jimmy Funderburk, Director of Transportation, and the Transportation Committee to dispose of a bus at Evans School since no bids were received.

In other business, Philip Gunn read a prepared statement concerning two football coaches at Leesville High School.

On motion of A.C. Dowden, 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 condolences to the family of Rev. Ralph Stephens, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Stephens, the father of Mr. Lanny Larche, music director at North Polk Elementary School, devoted many years of service to our community through his ministry and social work;

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

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 wishes to convey  its heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mrs. Carrie Jeanette Heard, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Heard, a lifetime resident of the Leesville area, was the mother of Mrs. Mary Sue Welch, retired teacher at West Leesville Elementary School, and the grandmother of Miss Heidi Welch, teacher at the West Leesville Preschool Center, 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. Mary Sue Welch and Miss Heidi Welch and their family at this time of sorrow.

On motion of Willis Farris, on behalf of W.W. Parker, seconded by the entire 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 its heartfelt sympathies to Mrs. Robbie Bush, retired cafeteria employee at Anacoco School,  in the recent death of her husband, Mr. M.C. Bush;

WHEREAS, Mr. Bush was a lifetime resident of the Anacoco area 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 Mrs. Bush, her children and her grandchildren at this time of bereavement.

At this time, Philip Gunn read a statement he had prepared concerning an incident that occurred at the Leesville High School homecoming football game.

The being no further business, on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.

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W.W. PARKER, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

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RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT