School Board Upholds
Decision To Expel Students
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The Claiborne Parish School
Board voted unanimously to uphold the decision to expel ten students at their regular
meeting last Thursday. Nine students were suspended pending a hearing for
fighting on the campus of Homer Junior High School before school started on
Monday, August 28. Parents of eight Homer Jr. High students and one Homer High
student requested hearings be held in open session.
Mike Blackwelder,
Hearing Officer for the School Board, gave an overview of the incident which many staff
members described as a “riot”. He said, “This was no ordinary fight, rather a
riot of sorts, as described by the staff that were
present.” Some even described it as an ongoing feud between families.
At disciplinary hearings,
Clifton Lewis and Blackwelder listened to testimony
from students and faculty in an effort to get a clear understanding of what
took place, but quickly realized they would never be able to determine the
absolute truth of why and how it started.
Staff members from the Homer
Jr. High, Homer High, the Alternative School and Option 3, as well as Homer
Police officers became involved. Students were struggling with staff members
and police officers. One staff member was even taken to the hospital for
x-rays. It was described by some adult witnesses as “total chaos.” Police had
to physically remove several students from the campus.
Blackwelder said, “It was an event that
put the safety of students and staff at risk, and, at the same time, was an
embarrassment to the school and the entire community.”
All suspended students admitted
to being involved and none denied their guilt or involvement.
“I’ve been accused in the past
that I am too quick to expel students and don’t care about kids. Nothing could
be further from the truth,” said Blackwelder. “I am
an advocate for students—all students.”
His main concern, and the
concern of the Board, is to provide safe schools in Claiborne Parish, an
environment conducive to learning, whereby all children can come to school and
feel safe.
He reminded the board members,
“Some communities in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin don’t have the luxury of
feeling safe anymore.”
None of us in this room can
guarantee violent events will not occur, but if providing a safe environment
for the majority means the removal of some, he said it was his duty to do so.
The committee decided to expel
these nine students for the remainder of the first semester. The
did so for 3 reasons: 1) Safety. This situation had to cool down. We
could not in good conscience put them back in school. They felt strongly the
incident would blow back up again. 2) Consistency. In past year, the Board has expected our
committee to treat graphic violent events with stern consequences, such as
expulsion. No choice but to be as consistent as we have in the past. 3) No
alternative. Our alternative school was, and is full. The committee was in no
position to make another decision.
The Committee would, however,
not be opposed to instructing Blackwelder to alter
the Alternative School to a half day schedule, which will allow them to double the
number of students.
Students can serve their
expulsion at alternative school and continue their education. At the same time,
they will participate in anger management counseling that the Board will
provide on site through a grant obtained last year through the Office of Mental
Health that allowed them to contract with Success Insight, a counseling service
out of Shreveport. Some of these students were
already on the list to receive counseling but couldn’t stay in school long
enough.
If there are any flare ups by
these involved or any violation of alternative school rules, students will be
immediately sent home to complete their expulsion out of school. Mike did have
discretion or leeway in regard to their absences to this point.
“My main concern is that all
these students understand that this type behavior will not be tolerated by school
administration and this board,” said Blackwelder. “I
will continue, as in the past, to treat such occurrences with severe
consequences.”
President Will Maddox said he
was tired of getting phone calls at home at night from parents who were afraid
their kids were not safe at school.
All but two of the students had
been suspended for fighting in the past, however,
several had been on the honor roll. Stewart Griffin said, “You have the
capacity to learn, so why not use it?” Several students expressed regret for
fighting and felt they should be given a second chance.
“Whatever goes on your record
will follow you the rest of your life,” Griffin told the students. “Your
record is so important to you.” If you decide one day to do the right thing,
live a better life, make a good citizen, and be productive, what you did in
school may affect your chances of getting a good job. He urged them to stay out
of trouble and off drugs, saying it would not work in their favor. He added,
“Learn how to resolve conflict. Report it to your principal. Report to your
parents, police, any authority to prevent conflict.”
A. D. Williams said somewhere
in your Bible and Sunday School book it teaches you,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are called children of God. When you get angry, think about being the peacemaker, not the peace
breaker.” Williams said, “We are
all God’s children, We don’t have to fight, cut,
shoot, and kill to prove anything. You grow strong when you love one another.”
The alternative school is full
with 21 students. Blackwelder suggested the Board
alter the schedule to half days to accommodate the additional students.
The Board voted unanimously to
uphold the decision to expel the students for the remainder of first semester
and allow them to attend alternative school.
In other action, the Board
voted to enter into an agreement to lease the junior high building, the old
principal’s house, the home ec building, and grounds
on the south side of Pearl Street to The Claiborne Boys &
Girls Club.
PBS Winners at Homer High School
for the first six weeks received various awards including T-shirts, game
tickets, and many other prizes. Students and sponsors receiving PBS awards were
(front, l-r.) Mrs. Nichols, Latisha Green, J’Keila Curry, Adreanna Hartwell,
Shawn Hardy, (2nd row) Jessica Tinsley, Tasha
Calloway, Bianca Ramey, April Hartwell, Tiffany Combs, (3rd row) Mr. Lewis,
John Paranuk, Lee Patton, Roderick Wade, (4th row)
Mrs. Capers, Jeremy Willis, Demingo Harris, Charles
Roberson, Coach Sampson, (5th row) Richie Casey,
Kevin Ford, Abc’
Turner, Ebony Walker, Charvonne Roberson, and Gary
Aubrey. PBS or “Positive Behavior
Support” is a program mandated by the La. Department of Education to help
improve relations between students, teachers and administration in public
schools. Students who have no disciplinary actions reported to the office each
six weeks will be eligible to be selected at random for the PBS award. Teachers
are also eligible for awards.
Lance
Cpl. Jon Eric Bowman was the first soldier from Claiborne
Parish killed in the Iraq
war. He married Dawn Farley on February
19, 2005, one week before his first deployment.
Local Soldier Killed In Iraq
Lance Corporal Jon Eric Bowman,
21, of Summerfield died about 10 AM Monday morning, October 9, 2006 (6 PM Iraqi time) in Iraq, the apparent victim of an
IED, improvised explosive device, that was detonated
near his patrol Humvee. Of more than 2,750 military
men and women who have died in Iraq since March 2003, more than
650 were Marines and approximately 60 were from Louisiana
According to the Operation
Iraqi Freedom website (http://www.mnf-iraq.com), three Marines assigned to 1st
Brigade, 1st Armored Division died Monday from enemy action while operating in
Al Anbar Province. Bowman was serving his second
deployment to Iraq in the United States Marine Corps, a member of Charlie
Company in the 1/6 Marines and is the first Claiborne Parish casualty of the
Iraq war.
Bowman was a 2004 graduate of Summerfield High School, the same school attended by
his wife of less than two years, Dawn Farley Bowman. The two were married February 19, 2005, just one week before his first deployment to Iraq. Shortly after returning home
last year, the two renewed their wedding vows in a ceremony held October 28, 2005 at the Church of Christ in Homer.
Bowman’s widow, Dawn, was in Texas working when Marines from
Bravo Company in Bossier City delivered the news to her
family’s home in Summerfield. She has since returned home to prepare funeral
arrangements for her husband.
Jon was the son of Johnny Wayne
Bowman of Monroe and Jill Puckett of Lincoln Parish, formerly of Lisbon.
He was described by his
mother-in-law, Paula Farley of Summerfield, as a good and thoughtful young man,
one who loved her daughter dearly.
Congressman Jim McCrery To
Stop In Homer October 17
U.S. Congressman Jim McCrery
will be at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex in Homer at 10:45
AM for
a brief stop on Tuesday, October 17, Tuesday, to visit with friends and
officials. He will then be the guest
speaker at the Haynesville Lions Club at noon. Richard Wright,
representative for Congressman McCrery, will be in Homer at the Jury Comple on the first Tuesday of each month, from 10-11
AM.
Claiborne Parish Police
Jury Purchases Motor Graders
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The Claiborne Parish Police
Jury voted to accept the high bid of $92,562.55 on the 2001 120-H
Caterpillar Motor Grader by B&D with the second high bid by Dixie Surplus
of $86,378.00; the bid of $1,157 for the 1989 Ford F-250 by Jan-Mar Oil Co.;
and the bid of $401 by Charles E. Thurmon for the
1994 Ford 350-XL. The Jury voted to authorize selling the 1990 Dodge 350 van
and the 1994 Ford bus as scrap once all needed parts have been removed.
Dr. Alice Stewart reported that
she and Gene Coleman serve on the Sparta Aquifer Conservation Commission and were seeking the annual contribution from the Police Jury. to help pay the U.S. Geological Survey to monitor
wells in the Sparta Aquifer. Coleman said they have about 140 wells, 12-14 in
Claiborne Parish at a cost of $30,000-$40,000 per year. Monitoring has shown
improvement in the Junction City area due to conservation efforts in Arkansas.
“The best thing we can do in
Claiborne Parish beside personal behavior is to improve our water systems
efficiency,” Stewart said, “Leakage in the Sparta area is about 30 percent
before it gets to the customer.” The Jury approved amending the 2007 budget to
include $2,000 for the Sparta Aquifer Commission.
Jurors adopted a resolution
providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the special
election held September 30, where 1,413 voted in favor and 902 against the 1/8
percent sales tax proposition for the Claiborne Watershed District, and to
authorize levy of that tax.
Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne
Woodard informed the Jury the deadline to apply for capital outlay requests is
November 1 for the 2007-2008 years. Two years ago, the Jury requested funding
for Spigener Road, Lewis Way Road, and State Line Road. These will be included in the
upcoming bill. The project for this year is the Homer Bypass. Woodard is
working with CDC to submit a request for the 20 percent match on the $14
million project. Another grant through the Louisiana Local Road Safety Grant
Program for $141,000 will be used to replace faded road signs throughout the
parish. Lavelle Penix said
the Jury would need to decide what heavy duty equipment to purchase with the
$100,000 grant. ….more
Haynesville Man Arrested For
Indecent
Behavior With Juveniles
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Homer Police Chief Russell
Mills responded to a call at Homer High School on Wednesday, October 4
regarding a package containing money that was left at the school for two female
students. Mills and Officer J. D. Faulkner investigated the incident. Once the
man had been identified and questioned, officers arrested James D. Mitchell,
61, of Haynesville and charged him with two counts of indecent behavior with
juveniles with bond set at $10,000 each and 2 counts of contributing to the
delinquency of juveniles with bond set at $5,000 each.
In a separate incident, Officer
Ken Wood attempted to pull over a vehicle on Monday, October 2 for running the
stop sign on East 2nd Street beside First Guaranty Bank.
The car pulled off North Main to the right on East 3rd Street, stopping where it dead ends
at the railroad track. The man jumped out of the car and ran about 40 yards,
falling down an embankment on the other side of the track. Officer Wood,
assisted by Chief Mills, Mario Thomas, and John Bailey, managed to apprehend
the fleeing suspect on East 4th Street.
Two females and several
children were left in the vehicle. Jonathan J. Drake, 19, of Homer was charged
with disobeying a stop sign, no child restraint, driving under suspension,
resisting an officer, resisting an officer by flight, no driver’s license, and
child endangerment. His bond was set at
$7,750.
Homer Town Council
Approves Pay Raises
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The Homer Town Council met in
special session on Monday, October 9 to discuss personnel actions and approve
pay raises that were tabled at the regular meeting held October 2nd.
Without discussion, the Homer
Town Council voted unanimously to approve the revised proposal for salary
increases as follows:
Public Works Department
Lee Wells, $10.00 to $12.00
Derrick Burns, $8.80 to $9.25
Loyd T. Henderson, $8.03 to $9.25
Walter Young, $9.22 to $9.25
Business Office
Rita Mitchell, $10.76 to $11.00
Shenovia Harris, $10.76 to $11.00
June McClure, $7.50 to $9.00
Some discussion followed about
whether town employees were required to pay any portion of their health
insurance premium. There was no discussion on what areas would be cut in the
budget to offset the pay increase as recommended by members of the Finance
Committee.
Homer Police Chief Russell Mills
holds one of four in-car video systems that will be installed in patrol units
this week.
Homer Police Purchases
Video Systems For Patrol Cars
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Homer Police Chief Russell
Mills received four Gemini Plus II digital tape in-car
video systems this week. The Homer Town Council approved the purchase at their
meeting in July. The cost for the four units was approximately $14,500, plus
installation.
This system, which produces
90-135 minutes of high-resolution recordings, combines improved tape clarity
with enhanced audio quality, which is an industry benchmark in evidentiary
documenting recordings. The systems will be installed overhead in police units
as soon as possible. Systems will automatically activate when patrol lights are
turned on, but they can also be turned on manually. Mills said, “These video
systems will be an asset to the department. They will provide an accurate
account of any situation facing officers.”
Map Of Proposed Revisions to
Preferred Alternative for I-69.
Claiborne Parish To Get Three I-69 Interchanges
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Two public meetings were held
last week, one in Haynesville and one in Minden, to present the proposed
revisions to the preferred alternative for Interstate Highway 69 between US
Hwy. 82 near El Dorado, Arkansas and I-20 near Haughton. Interested persons
will have until Monday, October 16 to submit comments on these revisions.
Several suggested revisions
received through public comments in May 2005 are currently being evaluated and
several of those are listed in the proposed revisions. These proposed revisions
include an interchange on La. 159 for Alternative 4 and Option 3, an
interchange on La. Alt. 2 in Haynesville with service roads north to US 79, and
a modification of Alt. 4 in the area of Goodwill Road and Fuller Road in Webster Parish to reduce
residential impacts and noise effects.
Other revisions to be
considered in the design phase include an additional interchange between US 79
and US 82 in Arkansas near Tram Road and a slight western movement
of I-69 Option 3 at La. 2 to avoid interference with Edmonds Road and the residence located
there.
Proposed changes in Claiborne
Parish include the following:
• road closure of Flat Lick
Road with frontage road added to the east side of I-69, connecting Flat Lick
Road to La. 2 interchange.
• overpass
at Spur La. 534
• road
closure of Winn Bottom Road with frontage road added to
east side of I-69.
• added
interchange on La. 2 west of Haynesville
• road
closures open with cross overs on Dykesville Road, La. 615, and La. 808.
• road closures on Parish Roads
103, 7, 268, and 286; and P. D. Worley Road, Mercantile Road, Salter Road, Rabb Road, Clarence Ivory Road, Pine Lane, Oil Center Road,
Ward Chapel Road, Oilfield Road, and 3 unnamed roads.
The Louisiana Department of
Transportation and Development (LDOTD) has requested
that Bossier, Webster, and Claiborne Parish police juries approve the proposed
road closures.
Written comments on the
proposed revisions to the preferred alternative must be postmarked by Monday, October 16, 2006 and mailed to: I-69 SIU 14
Project Management Team, 3500 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite
900,
Metairie, LA 70002. Comments may also be submitted
on-line at www.i69arkla.com.
The 2006 Claiborne Academy Homecoming Queen and Her Court
are, from left, Freshman Maid Shea Reeder, daughter
of Kevin & Anita Reeder of Haynesville, Sophomore Maid Gina Rushing, daughter
of Mac & Karen Rushing of Homer, Junior Maid Morgan Simpson, daughter of
Brett & Jennifer Simpson of Homer, Senior Maid Sarah Clements, daughter of
Jerry and Daphne Clements of Homer, Football Sweetheart Bonnie Wilder, daughter
of Wood and Tracie Wilder of Homer, Spirit Sweetheart Chelsea Newell, daughter
of David Newell of Homer and Ruby Newell of Athens, and Homecoming Queen, Lindy Lee, daughter of Butch and Karen Lee of Homer.
Pre-game activities begin at 6:15 PM. The Homecoming court
will be presented at halftime. The Rebels will play Porter’s Chapel. Game Time
is 7 PM.
