April 6, 2004
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, APRIL 6, 2004, AT, 10:00 A.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
JAMES K. ARMES, III
MEL HARRIS
ROBERT PYNES, JR.
MARK H. SMITH
BETTY WESTERCHIL
RICKY REESE
WILLIS A. FARRIS
W.R. "RANDY" MARTIN
B.R. HARVEY
GAYE McKEE
ABSENT: M. GENE HAYMON, VICE PRESIDENT
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 Gaye McKee, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of April 1, 2004.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve the attached resignations.
ATTACHED
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request.
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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 list of new employees.
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On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
Superintendent Gillespie, Mr. Ron DeGray and the Board recognized the following three GATES graduates. Darren Robinson, Leesville High School, Bryan Fowler, Pickering High School, and Jakovon Perkins, Leesville High School. Each graduate was presented his GED certificate and was individually commended for successfully completing the program and attaining his diploma.
Superintendent Gillespie introduced Mr. Kenneth Hayes, teacher at Leesville Jr. High School, who recently attained National Teacher Certification. The superintendent presented him a plaque on behalf of the Board, congratulating and commending him for his outstanding accomplishment.
Betty Westerchil reported a very beneficial Curriculum/Technology Committee meeting. No recommendations were presented to the Board at this time, however, the following issues were discussed and will be recommended to the Board for approval after further study. Those items discussed were Honors/Gifted/AP/and LVS classes, 10 point grading scale and attendance issues.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to advertise for a principal at Pickering Elementary School for the 2004-05 school year.
In other business, a motion was offered by Gaye McKee, seconded by B.R. Harvey, and approved by the Board, to advertise for bids to sell the old art building at Rosepine High School.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sincere sympathies to the family of Mrs. Jo Mae Johnson, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Johnson, was the mother of Mrs. Jolene Lawrence, secretary at Pickering Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Johnson was a native and lifelong resident of the Providence-Vernon Parish area 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 Mrs. Lawrence and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Randy Martin, 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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PHILIP L. GUNN, BOARD PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT