January 13, 2004
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, JANUARY 13, 2004, AT, 5:00 P.M., AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA. PRESIDENT GUNN 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, TDY
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by James Armes.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mel Harris.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of January 8, 2004.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve a request for leave without pay, January 12, 2004 B January 25, 2005, for Shirley Parrott, assistant cafeteria manager at Hornbeck High School.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
Mr. Darrell Wilson, representative of the Coca-Cola Company, recognized Traci Standifer, senior at Simpson High School and Aviance McLauren, senior at Leesville High School for being chosen to compete in the 2003-04 Coca-Cola Student-of-the Year
Scholarship Program. The selection of students to compete at the Regional and National levels is based on academics, citizenship and Leadership abilities.
Mr. Ron DeGray, representing the GATES program, presented a GED and a JAG Certificate of Mastery to Brandon Nolen. Superintendent Gillespie and the Board praised Brandon for his accomplishments.
Superintendent Gillespie presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Sam Fulton, Marketing Director, and Roger LeDoux, Chief Executive Officer, at Byrd Regional Hospital for assisting Vernon Parish School employees with flu shots.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board enjoys an excellent relationship with the businesses and organizations in Leesville and throughout the parish; and
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board realized that the health of our employees and families is a high priority and it is definitely in the best interest of our school children to have quality medical services; and
WHEREAS, Byrd Regional continues improve and expand its facilities and staff to better meet the needs of our community; and
WHEREAS, through the efforts of Mr. Sam Fulton, Marketing Director, and Mr. Roger LeDoux, Chief Executive Officer, Byrd Regional Hospital made flu vaccinations available for purchase to all Vernon Parish School employees; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board adopts this resolution of appreciation to Mr. Fulton, Mr. LeDoux and the staff at Byrd Regional Hospital for their continued support of the Vernon Parish School System.
In other business, Ricky Reese announced an Insurance Committee meeting scheduled for February 5th at 1:00 p.m.
Mrs. Westerchil announced that the Curriculum/Technology Committee will meet on February 10th at 3:00 p.m.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board were saddened by the recent, untimely death of Mrs. Melissa Hardwick, of Clarksville, Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Hardwick was a native of the Leesville area and the daughter of Mr. Robert Carter, teacher at Leesville Jr. High School. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that he Board takes this means to express its heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Hardwick=s family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Mark Smith, 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 Mrs. Rosella Montiville, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Montiville was the mother of Mrs. Mary Robertson, custodian at Pickering High School. She was a longtime resident of the Leesville-Vernon Parish area 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. Robertson and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay claims.
There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board the meeting adjourned
January 13, 2004
PHILIP L. GUNN, BOARD PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT
January 13, 2004