May 6. 2003

 

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, MAY 6, 2003, AT, 5:00 P.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

B.R. HARVEY

GAYE McKEE

M. GENE HAYMON

 

ABSENT:               COL. MARK ROCKE

 

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 Randy Martin.

 

On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of May 1, 2003.

 

On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board to approve the attached resignations.

ATTACHED

 

On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave requests.

ATTACHED

 

On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of, Gene Haymon, seconded by  Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the attached request for a leave without pay.

ATTACHED

 

On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by  Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfers.

ATTACHED

 

On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.

ATTACHED

 

On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve budget amendments in relation to personnel changes.

 

Tom Neubert recognized students from the following schools: South Polk Elementary, Rosepine Elementary, Rosepine High, Leesville Jr. High, Vernon Middle, Pickering Elementary and Pickering High School. Each honored student received a Superintendent's Certificate for his or her outstanding achievement.

 

Superintendent Gillespie and Mr. Ron DeGray recognized and presented diplomas to GATES graduates, Kristy Stanley and Gregory Herbert. Several other students of the GATES program received Lamar Salter Technical College Certificates of Accomplishment.

 

In observance of National School Nurses Day, May 7, 2003, Tom Neubert recognized and presented Certificates of Appreciation to Vernon Parish School Nurses, Dody Wallace, Gina Grant, Tammy Bankston, Sharon Beckcom, Joan Smith, Norma Frisby, Janice Turnage, Shawnee Powell, Donna Ward and Helen Phillips. Cindy Powell was not  present.

 

Mr. Neubert present the attached policy changes and on motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve the policy changes as presented.

ATTACHED

 

Jimmy Funderburk discussed a difficulty explained a difficulty he was experiencing in finding vehicles for use in the Drivers' Education program and explained that the program could not be offered to students until vehicles could be obtained.

 

Betty Westerchil presented  Head Start Program Operation Plans for 2003-04 and offered a motion to accept the plans. The motion was seconded by Philip Gunn and the Board voted to accept the plans as presented.

 

On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve a resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the special election held in Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, on Saturday, May 3, 2003, to authorize the incurring debt and issuance of bonds, thereing.

 

On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to advertise for bids for kitchen equipment for the Vernon Middle School cafeteria.

 

On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to advertise for a forklift for the warehouse.

 

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by B.R. Harvey the Board voted to open bids on paper towels for the 2003-04 school year. Bids received were as follows:

 

                                                BIDDER                                 BID PER UNIT

West Central Wholesale                                                                     $11.75

Five Star Janitorial Supply                                                                  $12.07

S & M Food Service                                                                            $11.50

 

On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to take the bids for paper towels under advisement.

 

In other business, on motion of Mrs. 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 appreciates the dedicated and professional service rendered by all of its teachers and,

                                WHEREAS , the Vernon Parish teachers work tirelessly to improve the quality of life for all Vernon Parish students and,

                                WHEREAS, Vernon Parish teachers continue to provide quality education for our students under sometimes less than adequate circumstances,

                                BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Vernon Parish School Board does adopt this resolution in appreciation of all its teachers in observance of Teacher Appreciation Week.

 

Randy Martin called for a meeting of the Maintenance Committee to be held on Thursday, June 5th at 9:00 a.m.

 

In further business, Superintendent Gillespie announced the central office summer hours as follows:  Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The office will be closed on Thursday, July 3rd in observance of the Fourth of July Holiday. We will resume regular office hours on August 4th.

 

On motion of Robert Pynes, Jr., seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

 

RESOLUTION

 

                                WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish wish to express their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mrs. Shirley Sermons, former cafeteria employee at North Polk Elementary School; and

                                WHEREAS, Mrs. Sermons was a loyal and dedicated employee 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. Sermons' husband, Mr. Tommy Sermons, and her children at this time of sorrow.

 

On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

 

RESOLUTION

 

                                WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Bill Kees, of Natchitoches, who recently passed away; and

                                WHEREAS, Mr. Kees was the father of Mr. Lester Kees, former legal counsel to the Board, and the father-in-law of Mrs. Regina Kees, teacher at Anacoco Elementary School; now

                                BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Lester Kees and their family at this time of bereavement.

 

On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Gaye McKee, 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 adjourned.

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WILLIS A. FARRIS, BOARD PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

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DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT