August 7, 2003
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, AUGUST 7, 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
B.R. HARVEY
GAYE McKEE
M. GENE HAYMON
COL. MARK ROCKE
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.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of July 15, 2003.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board to approve the attached resignations.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave requests.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by James Armes, 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 Randy Martin seconded by Ricky Reese, 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 Gaye McKee, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfers.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve employees not named in April.
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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.
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On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve budget amendments in relation to personnel changes.
Superintendent Gillespie welcomed Mr. Dale Bayard, State BESE member. Mr. Bayard discussed some issues on which his attention is focused and encouraged the Board to call him to discuss any issues or concerns they may have.
BG Jason K. Kamiya addressed the Board regarding Fort Polk's town hall meeting. He presented items of concern that the residents of Fort Polk would like the Board to address.
Dr. Gillespie presented the 2003-04 Personnel Evaluation Plan for the Board's approval and on motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the plan as presented.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board approved a resolution for the opening of the sealed bids received for the purchase of Four Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,400,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2003, of Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish Louisiana, approving the Official Notice of Bond Sale and Preliminary Official Statement in connection therewith, and authorizing the President and Secretary to sign copies thereof as evidence of the approval thereof.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve a resolution accepting the bid of Morgan Keegan at 4.339170%, for the purchase of Four Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,400,000) of General Obligation Bonds of Ward Seven.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board approved a resolution authorizing the incurring of debt and issuance of Four Million Four Thousand Dollars ($4,400,000) of General Obligation Bonds of Ward Seven School District.
On recommendation of Mr. Lonnie Bewley and on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to award the low bid for Pitkin School Bonds, submitted jointly by Hancock Bank of Louisiana (Jackson, Mississippi) and Merchants and Farmers Bank (Leesville, LA), with a net interest cost of 4.584210%.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to authorize the issuance of the bonds for the Pitkin School District.
On recommendation of Bill Endris, Director of Finance, and on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to levy millage rates on all taxable property shown on the official assessment roll for the year 2003, and, when collected, the revenues from said taxes shall be used for the specific purposes for which said taxes have been levied; said millage rates are as follows:
Parish Wide School Regular 3.70 mils
Parish Wide School Special 7.17 mils
Ward 1 Maintenance Regular 13.03 mils
Ward 2 Hornbeck Maintenance Regular 13.32 mils
Ward 2 Orange Maintenance Regular 13.24 mils
Ward 3 Maintenance Regular 13.14 mils
Ward 4 Maintenance Regular 13.98 mils
Ward 5 Maintenance Regular 14.53 mils
Ward 6 Maintenance Regular 12.59 mils
Ward 7 Maintenance Regular 13.00 mils
Ward 8 Maintenance Regular 13.48 mils
Leesville Sinking Fund 14.00 mils
Orange Sinking Fund 40.00 mils
Hornbeck Sinking Fund 98.00 mils
Ward 3 Sinking Fund 8.28 mils
Pickering Sinking Fund 31.00 mils
Ward 5 Sinking Fund 14.22 mils
Ward 6 Sinking Fund 63.07 mils
Ward 7 Sinking Fund 57.00 mils
Ward 8 Sinking Fund 60.00 mils
Mr. Endris presented a new travel policy pertaining to travel reimbursement guidelines for board members, effective July 1, 2003.
Mr. Endris requested approval of a resolution calling for an election on November 15, 2003 to levee special taxes in Wards 4, 5, 6 and 8. On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the resolution.
Mark Smith reported the following results from the Insurance Committee meeting held on July 31st. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss competitive quotes for Property and Liability Insurance for 2003 and by previous board authorization, accept a quote.
John Norris, insurance consultant, presented and explained quotes from three carriers,
Morris Insurance - PCAL, Fertitta B Coregis, and Snowden B Royal Surplus.
On recommendation of Mr. Norris and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Committee voted to accept Morris B PCAL for Property and Liability insurance coverage for the year effective August 1, 2003.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to receive bids for miscellaneous used items at Leesville High School. Since no bids were submitted, on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board authorized Tim Ward and James Williams, principal, to dispose of the items.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to receive bids on an activity bus at Leesville High School. Ross Bus Sales submitted the one bid that was received and the amount of the bid was $30,987.00.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to take the bid under advisement.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell a used van at the Maintenance Department.
August 7, 2003
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 wish to express their sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Charleen James, retired bus driver at Pitkin School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. James devoted many years of dedicated service to the students and families of the Pitkin 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 Mrs. James' 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 O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board takes this means to express its sympathies to the family of Mr. Leonard Bass of Pitkin, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bass, a longtime and active resident of Pitkin, was the father of Mr. Jack Bass, chairman of the Pitkin School building committee 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. Nola Faye Bass and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Gene Haymon, 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 Mrs. Imogene Lewis of LaCamp, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Lewis, a longtime resident of the LaCamp-Vernon Parish area and a former custodian at Hicks High School, 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 Mrs. Lewis= family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Gene Haymon, 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 the family of Mr. Keith Bennett, of Simpson, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bennett will be remembered for his many years of community involvement and his serving Simpson as mayor. 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. Bonnie Bennett and her 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 take this means to express its condolences to the family of Mr. Pinton Thomas, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thomas was a longtime resident of the Leesville-Vernon Parish area and the father of Ms. Teresa Thomas, former bus driver at Pickering Elementary School; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Thomas and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Robert Pynes, Jr., 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 condolences to the family of Mr. William "Bill" Brooks, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Brooks was a longtime resident of the Leesville-Vernon Parish 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 Mrs. Janell Brooks and her family at this time of bereavement.
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 Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express its heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mrs. Imogene Carver, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Carver, a lifelong resident of Leesville, was the mother of Ms. Cecelia Carver, retired Vernon Parish teacher, and the grandmother of Mrs. Tamara Krenek, assistant principal at West Leesville Elementary School; NOW
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Ms. Carver and Mrs. Krenek and their family 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 Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Margie Abbott, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Abbott, a lifelong resident of Vernon Parish, was the mother of Mr. Hub Jordan, assistant principal and grandmother of Mr. David Jordan, teacher, at Leesville High School. 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. Hub Jordan, Mr. David Jordan and their 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 Mr. Freddie Ray Spence, of Rosepine, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Spence was a longtime resident of the DeRidder area and the brother of Mr. Jack Spence, retired Vernon Parish teacher.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests a copy of this memorial be sent to Jack and Clara Spence and their 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 Vernon Parish School Board takes this means to convey its heartfelt condolences to the family of Mrs. Ima Thompson, of Rosepine, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Thompson was the mother-in-law of Mr. Pershing Loftin, bus drive at Rosepine School 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 Pershing and Hazel Loftin 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 takes this means to convey its condolences to the family of Mrs. Emma Weeks, of Rosepine, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Weeks was a longtime resident of Rosepine and the sister-in-law of Mr. Reid Weeks, retired Rosepine teacher, and Mrs. Adel Cryer Swain, retired bus driver, the aunt of Mrs. Lynell Johnson, secretary at the central office, Mrs. Sharon Richardson, cafeteria employee at Rosepine High School, Ms. Lettie Owens, teacher at Rosepine Elementary School, Mrs. Jean Wunderlich, retired custodian at Rosepine Elementary School, Mr. Harvey Lowery, custodian at Rosepine Elementary School, Mrs. Andrea Barkley, teacher at North Polk Elementary School, Ms. Lisa Tucker, teacher at Rosepine Elementary School and the grandmother of Doris Carver, retired cafeteria employee at Rosepine Elementary School.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Weeks' family at this time of bereavement.
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