June 11, 2002
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, JUNE 11, 2002, AT, 10:00 .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
WILLIS A. FARRIS, VICE PRESIDENT
ALVIN C. DOWDEN, JR.
PHILIP L. GUNN
B.R. HARVEY
JANE HOLTON
C.A. HUGHES
GAYE MCKEE
TED PARIS
W.W. PARKER
MARK SMITH
LINDA WEST
BETTY WESTERCHIL
COL. THOMAS SITTNICK
ABSENT: M. GENE HAYMON, WORK CONFLICT
MURPHY O'BANION, MEDICAL APPOINTMENT
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Philip Gunn.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Betty Westerchil.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of June 6, 2002.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board to approve the attached resignation.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Jane Holton, the Board voted to approve the attached request to rescind a resignation.
ATTACHMENT
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of W.W. Parker, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfers.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion Gaye McKee, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHED
On motion of Jane Holton, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the central office employees for 2002-03.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve principals and assistant principals for 2002-03 .
A reception for all 2001-02 retirees of the Vernon Parish School system was held preceding the board meeting and at the meeting each retiree was individually recognized and presented a certificate of appreciation for his or her years of service to Vernon Parish Schools.
Superintendent Gillespie presented a plaque to Colonel Thomas Sittnick, Garrison Commander at Fort Polk, in appreciation for his dedicated service to the students of Vernon Parish Schools while serving as Fort Polk's representative to the Board from 1999 to 2002.
General Jason K. Kamiya addressed the Board regarding issues affecting military dependent students. He provided Superintendent Gillespie and each board member with a prepared informational booklet which outlined each of the issues of concern.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Jane Holton, the Board voted to authorize Superintendent Gillespie to continue with her plans to appoint a committee to study the issues and seek possible solutions.
The Superintendent announced that she will appoint board members, principals, counselors, and central office directors to the committee.
Brenda, Head Start Director, presented a proposal for increased Head Start Funds and on motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve the proposal as presented.
On motion of Alvin C. Dowden, seconded by Linda West, the Board voted to approve a resolution authorizing the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of Five Million
Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($5,500,000) of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2002, of Leesville School District No. 16 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, authorized at an election held on Saturday, May 4, 2002, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Philip Gunn, Board voted to authorize the superintendent to sign amended Rapides Foundation Grant Agreements for the respective schools who have been awarded grants: Anacoco Elementary School, East Leesville Elementary School, Evans High School, Leesville High School, Leesville Jr. High School, North Polk Elementary School, Pickering Elementary School, Pickering High School, Simpson High School, South Polk Elementary School, Vernon Middle School, and West Leesville Elementary School.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the following resolution was adopted:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the Rapides Foundation Grant Program for its insight and concern for the continuing success of our school system and for providing additional educational opportunities for our teachers and students; and
WHEREAS, the area of staff development is a critical need in all Louisiana School Systems; and
WHEREAS, the Rapides Foundation provides substantial funding in the area of staff development to improve teaching and learning; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that this Board commends the Rapides Foundation for continued support of the Vernon Parish School System.
Tim Ward explained that sales tax collections for the year were down 2.78% ($201,233.90) from last year and based on that figure, the amounts of supplemental sales tax checks this year are as follows: teachers $1681.98, aides $1281.17, secretaries $1345.30, janitors 1281.17, bus drivers $1409.43, cooks $1281.17, and retirees $363.31.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
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 the family of Mrs. Carol Anne Weeks, of Rosepine, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Weeks was the grandmother of Mrs. Andrea Barkley,
teacher at North Polk Elementary School, the aunt of Mrs. Lynell Johnson, secretary at the central office, and Mrs. Sharon Richardson cafeteria employee at Rosepine High School, and the sister-in-law of Mr. Reid Weeks, retired Rosepine High School teacher; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Weeks was a long time resident and business owner at Rosepine 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 Mrs. Weeks family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board the meeting was adjourned.
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KIM REESE, BOARD PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT