March 7, 2002
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, MARCH 7, 2002, AT 10:00 A.M., AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA. PRESIDENT REESE CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
KIM REESE, PRESIDENT
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR.
PHILIP GUNN
M. GENE HAYMON
JANE HOLTON
C.A. HUGHES
GAYE MCKEE
MURPHY O’BANION
W.W. PARKER
TED PARIS
MARK SMITH
LINDA WEST
BETTY WESTERCHIL
ABSENT: B.R. HARVEY, DEATH IN FAMILY
WILLIS FARRIS, ILLNESS
COL. THOMAS SITTNICK (DON ROBINSON REPRESENTED)
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Murphy O’Banion.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by C.A. Hughes.
On motion of Murphy O’Banion, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of February 26, 2002.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Ted Paris, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employee resignations.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Jane Holton, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees .
ATTACHMENT
Curtis Clay recognized the Pickering High School Quiz Bowl team as Vernon Parish’s 2002 Quiz Bowl winner. A plaque acknowledging the accomplishment was presented to
Mrs. Barbara Barnickel, principal and certificates of accomplishment were presented to Mrs. Melanie Trahan, Quiz Bowl coach and to each team member.
At this time, Mr. Clay recognized the Simpson High School Class C Cross Country Runner-up team. Mr. David Lewis, the team’s coach, received a plaque honoring the team and each team member was presented a certificate acknowledging the accomplishment.
Senator James David Cain and Representative John Smith were in attendance to present the following grants for school repairs: Anacoco High School received a $5,000.00 grant, Hicks Elementary received $5,000.00 and Hornbeck High School received $2,200.00.
Senator Cain and Representative Smith also announced that they through their joint efforts had been able to secure funds to construct an outdoor covered basketball court at each of the following schools: Anacoco, Evans, Hicks, Hornbeck, Pitkin, and Simpson. Each school was represented at the meeting by the principal and the boys and girls basketball coaches.
On motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution of appreciation:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Vernon parish School Board is extremely proud of the improvements that continue to be realized at all Vernon Parish Schools making the school facilities more conducive to learning and more attractive for the students and staffs; and
WHEREAS, Senator James David Cain and Representative John Smith have joined together over the past several years in an effort to secure grants and other avenues of funding for school repairs and improvements; and
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish Police Jure has shown excellent cooperation and support in all matters concerning the families and students of our parish; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this resolutionof appreciation to Senator Cain, Representative Smith and the Vernon Parish Police Jury for their interest and concern for Vernon Parish youth and for their cooperation and assistance in our efforts to provide the best educational opportunities for the families we represent.
Brenda Bealer, Director of Head Start, gave a report to the Board regarding the upcoming federal monitoring review. Mrs. Bealer provided a copy of the following for each board member: Self Assessment, Strategic Action Plan, and a proposed budget for 2002, along with the regular monthly policy council minutes for the Board’s awareness.
Mrs. Bealer also presented the following proposed policy for recruitment and selection of staff for the Board’s consideration:
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
PURPOSE: The policies governing the recruitment and selection of staff must provide for a probationary period for all new employees that allows time to monitor employee performance and to examine and act on the results of the criminal record checks discussed in paragraph 1301.31 b (1) (Subpart D-Personnel and General Administration)
POLICY: The Vernon Parish Schools Head Start requires a 30 day working probationary period after the initial assignment to a position. The policy council would recommend the new employee to be approved by the executive board (school board). After approval the proposed new employee would be placed in the position at the center and would be considered a substitute employee for the first 30 days the substitute works. At the end of the probationary period if the substitute receives a satisfactory evaluation from the appropriate staff member (which includes teachers, director and/or center director) and a successful criminal check, the substitute is eligible to be hired as an employee. If the evaluation is not successful then the position will be declared vacant.
At the time of permanent employment, assurances would be received for all requirements listed under 1301.31-Personnel Policies/Staff Requirement and Selection Procedures (b-e) section d noting requirement of probationary period.
On motion of A. C. Dowden, seconded by Ted Paris, the Board voted to approve the policy for recruitment and selection of Head Start staff.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by Betty Westerchil the Board voted to approve a resolution requesting a jury trial for Claim No. 9720002566-001.
President Reese announced that there was no report from the Salary Committee at thistime.
Ted Paris, District 1/6 Chairperson, reported that the focus of the District 1/6 Committee meeting was the upcoming bond election which will be on the May 4th ballot. He also reported very positive feedback from the public.
In other Business, Superintendent Gillespie announced that at the Awards Ceremony in Alexandria on March 5th, a total of $116,000.00 was awarded to Vernon Parish schools. The schools will decide how to spend the money for improvements.
Also in other business, Betty Westerchil announced that a Curriculum Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12th, at 4:00 p.m.
On motion of W.W. Parker, 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 heartfelt sympathies to Mr. Murphy O’Banion, District 4 board member, in the recent death of his brother, Mr. Clayton O’Banion; and
WHEREAS, Mr. O’Banion was a native of the Leesville area and a longtime resident of Lake Charles and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby adopt this memorial resolution and requests that a copy be sent to Mr. Murphy O’Banion, along with its sincere condolences to the entire family, at this time of sorrow.
On joint motion of Linda West and Jane Holton, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board were saddened by the recent death of Ms. Henrietta Cavanaugh, retired counselor at Leesville Jr. High School and the mother of Ms. Lois Spurgeon, teacher at Leesville Jr. High School; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Cavanaugh devoted many years of dedicated instruction and service to the students of Vernon Parish and was a credit to the profession of educating young people. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board takes this means to express its heartfelt condolences to Ms. Cavanaugh’s daughters and their family and requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to them at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, 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 heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. W.H. ”r;Dub” Funderburk, of Slagle, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Funderburk was the father of Mr. Jimmy Funderburk, Director of Transportation and Food Services, and the father-in-law of Mrs. Sonja Funderburk, Title I Supervisor, at the central office; and
Mr. Funderburk was a very active and truly beloved member of his community and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Jimmy and Sonja Funderburk and their family at this time of sorrow.
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 its sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Leon Dowden, of Slagle, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dowden was the grandfather of Ms. Cheryl Pollock, teacher, and the grandfather-in-law of Ms. Melissa Gill, aide, at East LeesvilleElementary School. He was a native and lifelong resident of Vernon Parish and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Pollock and Mrs. Gill and their family at this time of sorrow.
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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt condolences to Mr. Philip Gunn, District 6 board member, in the recent death of his brother, Mr. Jesse C. Gunn, of New Castle, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gunn was a retired detective for the city of New Castle, and he also had an illustrious football career. He will be sadly missed by his family, his friends and his community; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby adopts this memorial resolution and requests that copies be sent to Mr. Philip Gunn, and to Mrs. Elizabeth Gunn, wife of Mr. Jesse Gunn, and her children 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 heartfelt condolences to Mr. Jerry Howard, custodian at Leesville High School, and Mr. Bruce Howard, custodian at East Leesville Elementary School, in the recent death of their sister, Ms. Brenda Reedy, of Leesville; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Reedy was a lifelong resident of Leesville and a substitute employee of the Vernon Parish School Board. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Jerry and Bruce Howard and their entire 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 condolences to Mr. Jerry Howard, custodian at Leesville High School, and Mr. Bruce Howard, custodian at East Leesville Elementary School, in the recent death of their aunt, Mrs. Ora Lee Jorden, of Leesville; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Jorden was a longtime and beloved member of this community and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Jerry and Bruce Howard and their family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of A.C. Dowden, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Jimmy Stewart, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Stewart was the father of Mrs. Kresskala Stewart Harris, former teacher at Leesville Jr. High School and the Vernon Parish Optional School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Stewart served for several years in the town of New Llano’s public offices and was very active in various civic organizations. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. Stewart’s family at this time of sorrow.
There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
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KIM REESE, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT