December 2, 1999
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, DECEMBER 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
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: A.C. DOWDEN, JR., OUT-OF-TOWN
BENARD MCKEE, ILLNESS
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 Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of November 9, 1999.
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Ted Paris, seconded by C.A. Hughes, the Board voted to approve the attached list of resignations.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Schwartz and on motion of Willis Farris, 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 Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Kim Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHED
Jimmy Funderburk, Director of Athletics, introduced Coaches Gary Anders and Rodney Wells and the Leesville Jr. High School 7th grade football team. The Board presented a plaque to the team and coaches and each team member was presented a certificate in recognition of an undefeated 1999 football season.
On request of Tom Neubert, Director of Child Welfare and Attendance, and on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to enter into executive session to hear a student expulsion appeal. The time was recorded at 10:10 a.m.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to come out of executive session and resume order. The time was 10:45 a.m.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to affirm the findings of Mr. Neubert's office and uphold the student expulsion.
On motion of Murphy O'Banion, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell two used trucks at the Maintenance Department.
Tom Neubert discussed with the Board several policy updates. Included in the update were changes in the Purchasing, Bids and Quotations, Personnel Records, Summer School, Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse Education Program, and Student Alcohol and Drug Use policies.
In other business, Superintendent Schwartz announced that a Finance Committee meeting had been scheduled for Tuesday, December 7th at 3:00 p.m., preceding the Board meeting.
Superintendent Schwartz informed the Board of a $467,187.32 E-Rate refund that was recently received. Mr. Schwartz commended Don Gallemore, Technology Administrator, for his initiative and tenacity in appealing a past E. Rate application which resulted in these additional funds.
The Superintendent also made the Board aware that the Louisiana School Boards Association Convention will be held this year in Orlando, Florida, March 2 - 4, 2000.
Superintendent Schwartz presented to the Board a copy of a letter from Mayor Shapkoff which explained Vernon Parish's intention to construct a memorial honoring Vernon Parish veterans and requested that the Board be represented at the initial committee meeting. Mark Smith and Linda West agreed to represent the Board.
On motion 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 condolences to the family of Mr. Larry Gandy, of Pickering, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gandy was the father of Mrs. Melenie McCrary and the father-in-law of Mr. Dale McCrary, custodians at Pickering High School, 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 be sent to Melenie and Dale McCrary at this time of sorrow.
On motion of C.A. Hughes, 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 were deeply saddened by the recent death of Mrs. Emma V. Cabra, a retired Vernon Parish teacher and the mother of Mr. Edwin Cabra and the mother-in-law of Mrs. Brenda Cabra, former teachers in our school system; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Cabra, a lifetime resident of Leesville and a dedicated teacher, will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her family, her friends and her many former students;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT, the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent, along with its sincere condolences, to Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Cabra and their children at this time of sorrow.
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 express their deepest sympathies to Mrs. Jackie Cryer, Central Office Food Service Specialist, in the recent death of her husband, Mr. John R. Cryer, bus driver at Evans School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cryer was a loyal and dedicated employee who volunteered numerous hours of service and support to the students and employees at Evans School and he will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his family, his friends, and the entire staff and student body at Evans School;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Cryer and her family at this time of sorrow.
There being no further business, on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
_____________________________________
W.W. PARKER, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
______________________________________
RICHARD SCHWARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT