June 5, 2003
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, JUNE 5, 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
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: JAMES K. ARMES, III, ILLNESS OF FAMILY MEMBER
COL. MARK ROCKE
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Randy Martin.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by B.R. Harvey.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of May 6, 2003.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board to approve the attached resignations.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the attached request for a leave without pay.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfers.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie on and motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employees not named in April but are now eligible for naming.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the attached request to rescind a leave without pay.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
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On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to name Billy Joe Whiddon as of principal at Hornbeck School. This is a one-year only appointment.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to approve budget amendments in relation to personnel changes.
Brenda Bealer recognized and presented certificates of appreciation to the following Vernon Parish Head Start top volunteers: Kayla Bradford, Kandie Beasley, and Malcolm Bolton; Policy Council Officers: Kandie Beasley, Shirley Nunez and Misti Hodges; Teacher and aide with most volunteer hours: Wendy Kreps and Gloria Dowden; Teacher and aide with the greatest percentage increase over the percentage increase over the previous year: Gloria Billings and Gelissa Howard.
John Norris, the Board's insurance consultant, discussed Property & Liability Insurance and requested approval for a Calendar of Events - Competitive Quotes for policies for renewal August 1, 2003.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to adopt the Calendar of Events with the exception of Item 4, a special board meeting to review spreadsheet and vote award.
Andy Addison voiced his concerns regarding Anacoco High School's nine-day suspension policy.
Tim Ward addressed the Board in regards to salary adjustment checks which will be mailed June 20, 2003. The check amounts are as follows: Teachers $1,928.00, Aides $1,455.44, Secretaries $1,531.05, Janitors $1,455.44, Bus Drivers $1,612.33, Cooks $1455.44 and Retirees $356.85.
Randy Martin reported from the Transportation Committee that the Committee had heard a proposal from Rodney Schamerhorn for garbage pickup. The Committee accepted the proposal for study. No action was taken.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve a resolution authorizing the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of Four Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,400,000) of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2003, of Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, authorized at an election held on Saturday, May 3, 2003, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to authorize the following resolution for the purchase of land adjacent to Rosepine Elementary School.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board has need to acquire land
Adjoining Rosepine Elementary School;
WHEREAS, Mr. Alton Randolph Johnson and Mrs. Grace Lee Johnson have agreed to sell to the Vernon Parish School Board, for the sum of $195,000.00, land described as:
Lots 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, and 10 in Block 9, and Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 in Block 10 of the Town of Rosepine, Louisiana, as per plat of the Southwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (SW/4 of NW/4) of Section 3, Township 2 South, Range 9 West, Vernon Parish, Louisiana, recorded in Book L at Page 171 of the records of the Clerk of Court, Vernon Parish, Louisiana, including the adjacent portion of abandoned North Street, together with all buildings and improvements situated thereon, as per plat of survey prepared by Stanley J. Vidrine, Licensed Surveyor, dated February 15, 1993.
AND
Lots 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Block 9 of the Town of Rosepine, Louisiana, being a part of the Southwest Quarter of Northwest Quarter (SW/4 of NW/4) of section 3, Township 2 South, Range 9 West, Vernon Parish Louisiana, together with all buildings and improvements situated thereon.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the revised Food Service Price Quotation Calendar for 2003-04.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to award the low bid on the re-painting of the interior of the old gym at Simpson High School to the lowest bid, subject to USDA specifications.
BIDDER BID
Pat Williams Construction $41,900.00
Mastercraft Construction $34,900.00
Bantam Enterprises $52,260.00
Arrowhead Construction $27,999.00
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to open bids on copier paper for 2003-04. Bids received are as follows:
BIDDER BID
Economical Paper & Janitorial Supply $18.65 per case
XPEDX $19.75 per case
Unisource $18.25 per case
Savien Corporation $18.18 per case
Move by Mark Smith was seconded by the Board to award the lowest bid that meets specifications.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to advertise for milk bids for the 2003-04 school year. Bids will be received on July 10, 2003, at 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to advertise for bread bids for the 2003-04 school year. Bids will be received on July 10, 2003, at 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell miscellaneous used equipment at Vernon Middle School.
In other business, Superintendent Gillespie announced a meeting of the District 1/6 Committee to be held on Tuesday, June 10th, at 3:00 p.m.
Mrs. Westerchil called for a meeting of the Curriculum Committee to be held on July 15th at 4:00 p.m.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, 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 take this means to express their sincere condolences to Mrs. Bonnie Droddy, of Elizabeth, in the recent death of her husband, Mr. Jimmy Droddy; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Droddy, a former teacher at Pitkin High School, was a loyal and dedicated employee 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 Mrs. Droddy and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I ON
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish school Board wish to express their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mrs. Gladys Carroll, longtime resident of Cravens, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Carroll was the grandmother of Mrs. Belinda Newhouse, custodian at Pitkin 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, along with its sincere condolences to Mrs. Newhouse and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Ricky Reese, 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 sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Andrew Dowdle, Jr., of Lockesburg, Arkansas, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dowdle was the father of Mr. Kevin Dowdle, assistant principal at South Polk Elementary School and the father-in-law of Mrs. Shannon Dowdle, teacher at Anacoco Elementary School 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 Mr. and Mrs. Dowdle at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Ricky Reese, 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 sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Eugene Edwards, of Anacoco, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Edwards, a longtime resident of Vernon Parish and great supporter of this school system, was the stepfather-in-law of Mrs. Debbie Smith, teacher at Leesville High School; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. Edwards= family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Stella James, retired teacher at Rosepine Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. James was a dedicated and loyal teacher 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. James= family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Gaye McKee, 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 take this means to express their heartfelt condolences to the family of Mrs. Betty Spence, of Rosepine, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Spence was the sister-in-law of Mr. Jack Spence and Mrs. Clara Spence, retired Vernon Parish teachers, and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Spence and their family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express its sincere sympathies to the family of Mr. Douglas Allardyce, of Rosepine, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allardyce was he father-in-law of Mrs. Tammie Allardyce, secretary at Rosepine High School 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. Allardyce and her family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Gaye McKee, 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. Bobby Grose, of DeRidder, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Grose was the husband of the late Mrs. Mittie Grose, retired teacher at Rosepine High School, and the father of Mrs. Mitzi Martin, teacher at Rosepine High School and Mr. Torry Grose, teacher at Vernon Middle School. 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. Martin and Mr. Grose and their 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