May 11, 2004
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, MAY 11, 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
M. GENE HAYMON, VICE PRESIDENT
MEL HARRIS
ROBERT PYNES, JR.
MARK H. SMITH
BETTY WESTERCHIL
W.R. "RANDY" MARTIN
GAYE McKEE
COL. MARK ROCKE
ABSENT: JAMES K. ARMES, III, ILLNESS
WILLIS A. FARRIS, ILLNESS
RICKY REESE
B.R. HARVEY, ILLNESS
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Gene Haymon.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Philip Gunn.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of May 6, 2004.
Superintendent Gillespie presented Colonel Mark Rocke with a plaque in appreciation of his service to the children of Fort Polk and Vernon Parish while serving as Garrison Commander at Fort Polk and Fort Polk's representative to the Board.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board to approve the attached resignations.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the attached employee termination.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave requests.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by, 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 Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfers.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
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On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
Lonnie Bewley, the Board's bonding attorney, addressed bids received for the refunding of the following school bonds. No bids were received for the refunding of the Ward 6 Wardwide School District No. 161.
RESOLUTION
A resolution providing for the issuance and sale of (i) One Million One Hundred Eighty-Three Thousand Dollars ($1,183,000) of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, Series 2004, of Ward 6 Wardwide School District No. 161 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana; (ii) Seven Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($775,000) of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, Series 2004, of Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana; (iii) Five Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($560,000) of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, Series 2004, of Orange School District No. 145 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana; and Three Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars ($380,000) of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, Series 2004, of Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana; prescribing the form, fixing the details and providing for the rights of the owners thereof; providing for the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds and the application of the proceeds thereof to the refunding of certain bonds of the respective school districts; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to approve the resolution providing for the issuance and sale of the School Bonds with the deletion of Ward 6.
Tom Neubert, Director of School Health Services, recognized the Vernon Parish school nurses in observance of Louisiana School Nurses Day. The nurses were commended and presented certificates of appreciation for their successful program of dedicated service to the health concerns of the students of the parish schools.
Curtis Clay, Supervisor of Curriculum, along with Superintendent Gillespie, board members, principals and other school level personnel, recognized students from East Leesville Elementary School, Anacoco High School, Rosepine High School, Vernon Middle School, Pickering High School and Simpson High School. Each student was recognized individually and presented a certificate commending his or her outstanding accomplishments.
Betty Westerchil, Chairperson for Curriculum/Technology Committee, reported a very good meeting of the Committee which was held prior to the board meeting. No action was taken and there were no recommendations to the Board at this time.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve the 2004-05 Head Start Program Plans.
No bids were received on the old art building at Rosepine High School, therefore, Gaye McKee, board member, and the school administration will make plans for the demolition of the building.
In other business, on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the following resolution was adopted:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to congratulate and commend the Leesville High School Music and Theatre Department for its magnificent production of Annie, and
WHEREAS, the impressive performance of the students from schools throughout the parish delighted and entertained their audiences and, at the same time, provided them an excellent opportunity to enrich and enhance their talents and educational experience; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Mae Ann Ledet and Mr. Mike Drouilhet dedicated many hours of their time, energy, and expertise to insure the success of this outstanding endeavor; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby adopt this resolution of commendation and congratulations to all of those who gave so much of themselves and their time to make this exceptionally entertaining production available to our students throughout the parish and to our community.
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by the Board, the following resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statutes 42:263 authorizes the retention of special counsel by any school board upon a statement of reasons why such counsel is necessary and upon the approval by the Attorney General; and
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board, its Superintendent of Schools and its staff are in need of special counsel with experience, training and expertise in school law issues to participate with other public school boards of the State of Louisiana as a plaintiff in any legal action to be taken against the State of Louisiana relative to the duties imposed on the State by Article 10, Section 29 of the Louisiana Constitution regarding the funding of retirement costs; and
WHEREAS, through its representation of the Louisiana School Boards Association and various school boards throughout the State of Louisiana, the law firm of Hammonds & Sills of Baton Rouge and Monroe, Louisiana, has special experience, training and expertise in those issues of school law; now
THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED by the Vernon Parish School Board in regular session duly convened:
Section I B This School Board does hereby employ the firm of Hammonds & Sills
of Baton Rouge and Monroe, Louisiana as special counsel to file such legal pleadings necessary to participate as a plaintiff with other public school boards relative to the duties imposed upon the State by Article 10, Section 29 of the Louisiana Constitution.
Section II B Said law firm shall be paid for their services at hourly rates equal to the maximum hourly fee schedule for special counsel published by the Attorney General of the State of Louisiana in effect at the time of the services, out-of-pocket expenses for long distance telephone calls, document duplication, expert witness fees, court reporter fees, printing costs and other expenses as a result of legal services to and for this school board to be apportioned by the Louisiana School Boards Association.
Section III B Said law firm shall keep itemized records for presentation to the Louisiana School Boards Association with respect to services rendered at said hourly rates and the expenses incurred, and the Superintendent is hereby authorized and directed to pay same upon submission and receipt thereof from the Louisiana School Boards Association as may be apportioned as agreed by and among the various school boards.
Section IV B This employment shall be effective immediately upon adoption of this resolution.
In further business, Mrs. Westerchil announced two upcoming meetings of the Curriculum/Technology Committee, the date of the first meeting will be June 8th at 3:30 p.m. followed by the second meeting on July 13th at 9:00 a.m.
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 records with sadness the recent death of Mrs. Allene Blackburn, retired teacher at Pickering High School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Blackburn=s entire educational career was devoted to serving students and families in Vernon Parish and was a true credit to the teaching profession;
WHEREAS, Mrs. Blackburn was a longtime resident of the Leesville-Vernon Parish area and she will be sadly missed by her family, her many former students and her friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests that a copy of this memorial resolution, along with its heartfelt condolences, to Mr. Howard Blackburn and his family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Mark Smith, 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 condolences to the family of Mr. Joseph DeGray, of New Iberia, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. DeGray was the father of Mr. Ronald DeGray, Vernon Parish Adult Education and JAG Instructor and the father-in-law of Mrs. Angela DeGray, Social Worker at the Special Education Department; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Ron and Angela DeGray and their family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Mark Smith, 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 was adjourned.
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PHILIP L. GUNN, BOARD PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT