March 16, 2004

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, MARCH 16, 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:

PHILIP L. GUNN, PRESIDENT

M. GENE HAYMON, VICE PRESIDENT

JAMES K. ARMES, III

MEL HARRIS

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

BETTY WESTERCHIL

RICKY REESE

W.R. "RANDY" MARTIN

B.R. HARVEY

GAYE McKEE

ABSENT:               MARK H. SMITH, OUT-OF-TOWN

COL. MARK ROCKE, TDY

There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.

The meeting was opened in prayer by Don Robinson.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Betty Westerchil.

 On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of March 11, 2004.

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve Elizabeth Greathouse to replace Lavern McElveen who retired as custodian at South Polk Elementary School.

On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.

Superintendent Gillespie, along with Mr.Ron Degray, GATES administrator, and Ms. Ida Darby, teacher, presented GED and JAG Skill Certificates to the following GATES graduates:  Tamar Celestine, GED, Thomas Collura, GED, Blaze Goins, GED and JAG Skill Certificate, Justin Vallery, GED and JAG Skills Certificate, Nathan Groom, GED and JAG Skills Certificate. Not Attending was Earl Cole, GED graduate.

Superintendent Gillespie and Philip Gunn, recognized and presented plaques of appreciation the Cubic Role-play administrators who design and carry out role-play activities at Fort Polk. Role-playing is used as a part of the training of soldiers who will be deployed to Iraq. Those honored were: T.D. Holcomb, Jack Prevatt, Wilson Truitt and Terry Cothran.

Mr. Harvey reported that the Transportation Committee had met at 4:00 p.m. preceding the board meeting to discuss the installation of alarm systems in school buses.

On recommendation of the Transportation Committee and on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board authorized Superintendent Gillespie and her administration, to obtain information from companies or individuals regarding the availability and cost of installation of alarm systems on buses. The information gathered will be brought back to the Transportation Committee.

 In other business, on motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Martin, the Board approved a change order in the amount of $3,895.52 for the Pitkin School construction project.

Also, in other business, Mr. Harvey announced that the 1966 and 2004 Pitkin Boys Championship Basketball teams and coaches will be honored at the First Baptist Church of Pitkin, at 10:00 on March 28, 2004. He extended an invitation Superintendent Gillespie and the Board.

On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Betty Westerchil, 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 was adjourned.

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PHILIP L. GUNN, BOARD PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

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DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT