August 5, 2004
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, AUGUST 5, 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.
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
MARK H. SMITH, OUT-OF-TOWN
BETTY WESTERCHIL, OUT-OF-TOWN
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by B.R. Harvey.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by James Armes.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of July 13, 2004.
A press conference by the American Heart Association and the Rapides Foundation was held for the distribution of AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator), to all Vernon Parish Schools. Training for the safe and effective operation of the AED has been provided for designated personnel in each of the schools. In addition to Superintendent Gillespie, on hand to speak were Doug Stannard, Vernon Advisory Board Leader, Len Edwards, Instructor, Joseph Rosier, Jr., president/CEO of the Rapides Foundation, Reginald Seastrunk, the Rapides Foundation Board Trustee, and Dr. Jose Mathew, Medical Director for Vernon Parish.
Superintendent Gillespie and the Board recognized Cheryl Mango, Community Involvement Coordinator and Del Shores, Co-manager at the Leesville Walmart Supercenter for grants in the amount of $250.00 each to all schools in Vernon Parish. that serve K-6 grade students. The grants, totaling $3,500.00, are to be used for the Accelerated Reader Program and were issued during the Leesville Walmart Supercenter’s grand re-opening.
Cleve Weisgerber, CED Agent, introduced Dr. John Barnett, Regional Director with the LSU Ag-center, to the Board. Dr. Barnett commended Vernon Parish schools for their involvement and participation in the 4-H program. He also stated that Vernon Parish leads the state in 4-H.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted, by roll-call vote to name Angel Williams as assistant principal at Leesville Jr. High School. This a one-year only, non-promotional appointment. The results of the roll-call vote as follows: Voting ”r;yes” were Mel Harris, Robert Pynes, Ricky Reese, Willis Farris, Randy Martin, B.R. Harvey, Philip Gunn and Gaye McKee. Voting ”r;no” was James Armes. Mark Smith, Betty Westerchil and Gene Haymon were absent. The recommendation passed 8-1.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted by roll-call vote to name Elizabeth Maricle as assistant principal at South Polk Elementary School. The results of the roll-call vote as follows: Voting ”r;yes” were Mel Harris, Ricky Reese, Willis Farris, Randy Martin, B.R. Harvey, Philip Gunn and Gaye McKee. Voting ”r;no” were James Armes and Robert Pynes. Mark Smith, Betty Westerchil and Gene Haymon were absent. The recommendation passed 7-2.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of James Armes, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to name Florence Endris as Technology Software Facilitator/Technology Trainer.
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to adopt the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire.
Tom Neubert provided copies of and discussed two policy amendments, FILE: JDF, DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, and FILE: JCDAF, BULLYING INTIMIDATION, HARRASMENT, AND HAZING, for the Board’s review. Approval for the amendments will be requested at the Tuesday, August 10th board meeting.
James Armes reported that the Transportation Committee had met for the purpose of discussing a request from the City of Leesville to use Vernon Parish School buses, to provide transportation to and from various sites, to the upcoming Louisiana Home Front Celebration.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to not grant the City’s request because of unique liability of school buses and the inability to provide school bus certified drivers. The Board unanimously agreed to continue to support the City in every way possible including our commitment to provide the use of some of our school facilities to assist with the Celebration.
B.R. Harvey reported that the Personnel/Salary Committee had reviewed the list of personnel changes and would make a recommendation for approval at the Tuesday, August 10th board meeting.
Mr. Harvey further reported that the Personnel/Salary Committee had discussed the Adult Ed budget and then he asked Superintendent Gillespie to address the matter to the Board.
Superintendent Gillespie explained that there was a continuing decline in enrollment and participation in the program along with a change in the method of funding. Initially, funding was based on enrollment, however, now funding is based on the number of those who actually take the test. Superintendent Gillespie said that the decline in enrollment and participation and the reduction in funding had made it necessary to eliminate one part-time position and to reduce the hours and salaries all other part-time employees by one- half. The part-time employee positions will be reduced by attrition. When an employee retires or resigns, that employee will not be replaced.
Randy Martin reported that the Maintenance Committee had discussed a possible process that could be used for the hiring of a new assistant Maintenance Department supervisor who would work with Ricky Kay and learn his job since Mr. Kay is in DROP and will be retiring once DROP is completed.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to request and authorize Tom Neubert, Bill Endris and Superintendent Gillespie, to complete a job description and salary information and bring it to the Maintenance Committee for study.
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to advertise for a secretary/bookkeeper to replace Florence Endris in the Technology Department.
On motion of James Armes, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell some used vehicles at the Maintenance Department.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board records with sadness the recent death of Mr. Orville Harvey, retired teacher, coach, principal and former school board member; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Harvey was the brother of Mr. B.R. Harvey, Ward Five board member, and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Harvey will be respectfully remembered for his thirty-seven years of dedication to the education of Vernon Parish students and for his community involvement; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Harvey served the families of Ward III for nine years as their representative on the Vernon Parish School Board; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution, along with its heartfelt condolences, be sent to Mrs. Elwanda Harvey, Mr. B.R. Harvey and their family, at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Gaye McKee, 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. Claudia Mae Nash, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Nash was the sister of Mrs. Adel Swain, retired bus driver at Rosepine, and the aunt of Mrs. Luauna Cryer, teacher at Rosepine Elementary School. She will be sadly missed by her children, grandchildren, family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Swain and Mrs. Cryer and their family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board takes this means to convey its heartfelt condolences to the family of Jeffrey Allen Martin, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martin was the brother-in-law of Mrs. Mitzi Martin, teacher at Rosepine High School, and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Martin and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt condolences to the family of Mrs. Maffle Todd, of Bell City, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Todd was the mother-in-law of Mrs. Lindy Todd, bus driver at Anacoco 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 Brian and Lindy Todd and their family at this time of bereavement.
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