March 13, 2003
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, MARCH 13, 2003, AT 10:00 A.M., AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA. PRESIDENT FARRIS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
WILLIS A. FARRIS, PRESIDENT
PHILIP L. GUNN, VICE PRESIDENT
JAMES K. ARMES, III
MEL HARRIS
ROBERT PYNES, JR.
MARK H. SMITH
BETTY WESTERCHIL
RICKY REESE
W.R. "RANDY" MARTIN
GAYE McKEE
M. GENE HAYMON
COL. MARK ROCKE
ABSENT: B.R. HARVEY, ILLNESS
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mel Harris.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Robert Pynes, Jr.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of February 11, 2003.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board to approve the attached list of resignations.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave requests.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the attached requests for a leave without pay.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfers
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
ATTACHED
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve budget amendments in relation to personnel changes.
Ron DeGray and Superintendent Gillespie recognized and presented diplomas to GATES graduates, Amanda Doyle, Jordan Jeane and Marcus Burr.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the following resolution commending the GATES program was adopted:
WHEREAS, a Pre-GED/Skills Option Program/School is by definition a
program/school that is an alternative to regular education; and
WHEREAS, a student who pursues this option will, if successful, receive a Louisiana Equivalency Diploma and/or a Skills Certificate and not a standard Louisiana High School Diploma; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of this Exit Option for Louisiana high school students is to provide a successful path for those over-aged students who cannot earn a regular high school diploma within the standard four-year period typically allotted students to graduate from high school; and
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish GATES program addresses the needs of these students; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board wishes to commend the employees of the GATES program for the dedicated and devoted service they provide to our students.
Curtis Clay and Dr. Gillespie recognized Leesville High School's First Place Quiz Bowl Team and their coach, Courtland French and assistant coach, Kathleen Cole.
Shandra Kennedy-Simmons, representative of Volunteers of America, gave an informative overview of the programs and services which the organization provides free to families in Vernon Parish and Fort Polk. Ms. Simmons invited the Board to share with her office any concerns in their districts.
John Crook and Doug Stannard, representatives of the Vernon Tourism Commission addressed the Board concerning the upcoming bicentennial celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. They presented a check to Superintendent Gillespie in the amount of $750.00 from grant money awarded to the Tourism Commission for the Bicentennial celebration.
The $750.00 will be divided equally among schools and used to decorate a booth in the agriculture building at the fair in the theme of the Louisiana Purchase and the Neutral Strip as related to Vernon Parish.
Don Robinson presented a video on the Transition Counselor Institute Conference which was held recently. The purpose of the conference was to bring representatives of the military, schools and civilian communities together in an effort to promote and provide assistance to the military dependent students and families in their transition from one military base to another.
Tom Neubert presented the following policy changes and new policies for adoption:
Smoking, chewing, or otherwise consuming any tobacco or tobacco product in any elementary or secondary school building shall be strictly prohibited.
Smoking, carrying a lighted cigar or cigarette, pipe or any other form of smoking object or device shall be prohibited on the grounds of any public or private elementary or secondary school property, except in areas specifically designed as smoking areas. Such areas shall be clearly marked as smoking areas. Violators may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action by the Board.
Smoking shall be prohibited on any school bus transporting children attending any public elementary or secondary school.
The Vernon Parish School Board recognizes that the inability to speak and understand the English language limits the student's effective participation in the
educational programs of the school district. Students whose primary languages are languages other than English shall be provided special assistance, in conformity with applicable Federal and State statutes and regulations, until they are able to use English in a manner that allows effective, relevant participation in regular classroom instruction.
Parents shall be notified of their children's eligibility for the limited English proficiency program no later than thirty (30) days after the start of school. Notification shall include their child's level of proficiency and how it is assessed, program components and expectations, parental rights, and other information required by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. All written communications to parents shall be in a uniform format that is comprehensible to families and in a language the parents can understand.
The Vernon Parish School Board recognizes the rights of parental access to certain information regarding their children and the importance of notifying parents of children enrolled in the district's schools of these rights.
At least annually at the beginning of each school year, parents of each child enrolled in the public schools of Vernon Parish shall be notified of:
Their right to view any instructional material used in the curriculum for the student
Their right to view any 3rd party surveys (including evaluations) before they are administered to their child, and to opt out of participation for surveys that delve into sensitive subjects identified by the Protection of Children's Rights of the No child left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)
The collection or use of any personal information for the purpose of marketing the information (except for the development of educational products or services) and their right to opt their child out of participation
The administration of any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening otherwise not permitted or required by state law, including those without parental notification, and their right to opt their child out of participation
In addition, the School Board shall encourage each public school and require those schools receiving federal Title I funds under the jurisdiction of the Vernon Parish School Board to notify parents:
Whether their child's teacher has met state licensing criteria for the grade level and subject taught
Whether their child's teacher is teaching under emergency or provisional status whereby state licensing criteria have been waived
The undergraduate degree major of their child's teacher and any graduation certification or degree and field of discipline
Qualifications of any paraprofessional providing services to their child
That their child has been taught for four (4) or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not highly qualified as defined by the NCLB
The achievement level of their child on each of the state academic assessments
The identification of their child's school as needing improvement, corrective action, or restructuring
Availability for services for students in schools failing to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
Contents of programs such as safe and drug-free schools funded by federal funds
Right to request that their child's name, address, and telephone number not be released
The School Board shall also follow NCLB guidelines regarding rights of parents
of homeless students and children identified as Limited English Proficiency.
No provision in this or any other Vernon Parish School Board policy shall be interpreted to impede the immediate or continued enrollment of homeless youth, as addressed in policy JBCBB, Homeless Students.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
The Vernon Parish School Board, recognizing the importance of worthwhile organizations in the school, encourages all students to participate in student organizations and club activities. Students shall have the right to form organizations within the school for cultural, social, athletic, and other authorized purposes which shall enrich and extend their education. Such groups shall follow administrative regulations and procedures developed and maintained by the Superintendent and staff governing the creation and operation of student organizations and clubs in accordance with School Board Policy.
Student organizations or clubs shall not deny membership to any student because of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, or disability.
Principals shall be responsible for approving or authorizing any student activity and/or organization and shall also be responsible for the operation and oversight of all student activities or organizations to assure compliance with administrative regulations.
As provided by the Federal Equal Access Act, any school which allows non-curriculum related groups access to school facilities during non-instructional time must adhere to the following criteria:
1. Equal access will not be denied on the basis of religious, political, philosophical or other content of such meetings or organizations;
2. The meetings are voluntary and student-initiated;
3. There is no sponsorship of the meetings by the school, the government, or its agents or employees;
4. Employees or agents of the school or government are present at religious meetings only in a non-participatory capacity;
5. The meetings do not materially and substantially interfere with the orderly conduct of educational activities within the school;
6. Non-school persons may not direct, conduct, control, or regularly attend activities of student groups; and
7. If access is given to school media such as bulletin boards, newspapers, or public address systems, it must be given to all non-curriculum related clubs on an equal basis.
All schools with language minority students shall be obligated to provide written
or verbal communications with these students and parents or guardians in a language they best understand.
In accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, schools shall honor the
requests of military recruiters for names, addresses and phone numbers of high school students, unless parents have specified that such information not be released to such recruiters.
The Vernon Parish School Board shall allow military recruiters the same access to secondary students as offered to postsecondary institutions and prospective employers. Military recruiters shall also have access to names, addresses and phone numbers of secondary students except in the case of a student whose parent has requested the information not be released.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the policies as presented.
In other business, James Armes requested that meeting of the Transportation Committee be scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at 3:30 p.m., and Betty Westerchil announced a Curriculum Committee meeting following at 4:00 p.m. Mr. Gunn reported that the Food Services Committee will meet on April 3, 2003 before the board meeting.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. William Sylvester Danage, of Tallulah, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Danage was the father of Mrs. Ora Lee Miller, teacher at Pitkin School, at 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 Mrs. Miller and her entire family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Wingate, along with its heartfelt condolences to the entire family, at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Zandra Smith, teacher at Pickering Elementary School, in the recent death of her father, Mr. Thomas Haymon, of Leesville; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Haymon, a lifelong resident of Leesville-Vernon Parish area and a well known and highly respected businessman, 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 Mrs. Smith and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. John Harris who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Harris was the brother of Ms. Lillie LaBostrie, central office secretary, and Ms. Dianetta Smith, secretary at Vernon Middle School, and the nephew of Mr. Willie Edwards, custodian at the central office; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Harris was well-known throughout this area 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 Ms. LaBostrie, Ms. Smith, Mr. Edwards and their family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Eddie Lee Hinson, of DeRidder, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hinson was the father of Mr. Sammie Hinson, former superintendent of the Vernon Parish School System, the grandfather of Mr. Sammie "Bo" Hinson, teacher at Rosepine High School, and Mrs. Chris Hinson, teacher at Rosepine Elementary School, now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Sammie Hinson and Mr. and Mrs. Bo Hinson and their family, at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Charles a Schuler, of Rosepine, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Schuler was a longtime resident of Rosepine and the uncle of Mr. Steve Thomas, assistant principal at Rosepine High School. 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. Thomas and his family at this time of bereavement.
On motion Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mrs. Josephine Fazio, of Alexandria, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Fazio was the mother-in-law of Mrs. Helen Fazio, retired teacher at Rosepine Elementary School, and the grandmother of Ms. Sheila Fazio, former teacher at Rosepine Elementary School, 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. Fazio's family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt sympathies to Mrs. Faye Littleton, cook at Pickering Elementary School, in the recent death of her husband, Rev. John Littleton, retired Vernon Parish teacher and bus driver; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Littleton, a native and lifelong resident of the Pickering area, was a dedicated and loyal educator and he will be fondly remembered and 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 Mrs. Faye Littleton and her 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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WILLIS A. FARRIS, BOARD PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT