THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, JULY 13, 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
RICKY REESE
WILLIS A. FARRIS
W.R. ”r;RANDY” MARTIN
B.R. HARVEY
GAYE McKEE
COL. A. WADE WOOLFREY, JR.
ABSENT: M. GENE HAYMON, OUT-OF-TOWN
BETTY WESTERCHIL, OUT-0F-TOWN
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Robert Pynes.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ricky Reese.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of July 8, 2004.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board to approve the attached list of resignations.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to approve the attached sabbatical leave request.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Mel Harris, 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 Robert Pynes, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfers.
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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 list of new employees.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board vote to approve the transfer of Duane Ducote, assistant principal at Hornbeck High School to assistant principal, Pickering High School.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the transfer of Kevin Dowdle, assistant principal at South Polk Elementary to assistant principal at Hornbeck High School.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to advertise for an assistant principal at South Polk Elementary School.
On motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to advertise for an assistant principal at Leesville Jr. High School, a one-year non-promotional position.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to advertise for bids for additional construction at Pitkin High School.
Mel Harris, reported a very enlightening and impressive technology update given by Don Gallemore at the Curriculum/Technology Committee meeting. Great strides are being made in technology in Vernon Parish schools with upgrading current systems, the addition of new computers, wireless computers, and new hardware/software.
Also, the Curriculum/Technology Committee announced the need to hire an additional technician to help with the installation, upgrading and maintenance of equipment because of the increasing growth in technology. Additionally, a software facilitator will be needed. There was also a recommendation from the Curriculum/Technology Committee to transfer Ron DeGray from JAG instructor to GATES administrator.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and the Technology Committee and on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to advertise for the two new positions and to approve the transfer of Ron DeGray.
In other business, Superintendent Gillespie informed the Board that reimbursement for board member travel expenses has been reinstated by the State.
Bill Endris, Director of Finance, informed the Board that the employer’s portion of retirement costs has been reduced.
In further business, Randy Martin announced a meeting of the Maintenance Committee will be held on August 5th at 8:30 a.m.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board take this means to express their heartfelt condolences to the family of Mrs. Maxine Gandy Crawley, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Crawley was the sister of Mrs. Carolyn Williams, former Ward 2 board member, and the sister-in-law of Mrs. Faye Gandy, retired receptionist at Evans High 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 Mrs. Crawley’s family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Lonie B. Dowden, of Anacoco, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Dowden, a native of Vernon Parish and longtime resident of Anacoco, was the mother-in-law of Mrs. Dona Dowden, secretary at the central office 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. Dowden’s family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Robert Pynes, Jr., seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board were deeply saddened by the recent death of Mr. Joe Cal Gilbert, custodian at Leesville High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gilbert was the husband of Mrs. Polinette Gilbert, aide at East Leesville Elementary School and the brother of Mr. Michael Gilbert, retired custodian at Leesville Jr.High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gilbert contributed 28 years of loyal and dedicated service as an employee of the Vernon Parish School System and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends and the administration, faculty, staff and students at Leesville High School; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Polinette Gilbert and Mr. Michael Gilbert, along with its sincere sympathies for the entire family, at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
There being no further business, on motion of seconded by the Board voted to adjourn.
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PHILIP L. GUNN, BOARD PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT