August 10, 2004
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, AUGUST 10, 2004, AT, 10:00 A.M., AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA. WILLIS FARRIS, PRESIDING IN THE ABSENCE OF PRESIDENT GUNN, CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
JAMES K. ARMES, III
MEL HARRIS
ROBERT PYNES, JR.
BETTY WESTERCHIL
RICKY REESE
WILLIS A. FARRIS
W.R. ”r;RANDY” MARTIN
B.R. HARVEY
GAYE McKEE
ABSENT: PHILIP L. GUNN
M. GENE HAYMON, OUT-OF-STATE
MARK H. SMITH, OUT-OF-TOWN
COL A. WADE WOOLFREY, JR.
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Willis Farris.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Randy Martin.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of July 13, 2004.
Superintendent Gillespie presented a plaque of appreciation from the Board to Don Robinson, out-going Fort Polk Liaison Officer, for his dedicated service to the students and families of Vernon Parish.
Superintendent Gillespie recognized Sheriff Sam Craft who introduced three new School Resource officers who are funded through the sales tax passed by Vernon Parish residents. Officer Keith James is assigned to Pickering High School, Officer Russell Warren to Leesville Jr. High and Officer Mario Parris to Leesville High School. Resource officers will be placed in other parish schools once officers are recruited and trained.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by James Armes, the Board to approve the attached resignations.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of James Armes, seconded by Mel Harris, 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 Randy Martin, 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 Ricky Reese, 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 James Armes, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to name Barry Toothman as the new computer technician.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve the policy amendments concerning discipline of students with disabilities and policies concerning bullying, intimidation, harassment and hazing.
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On motion Ricky Reese, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the 2004-05 Pupil Progression Plan.
On motion of James Armes, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to advertise for a secretary/bookkeeper at the Technology Department.
On motion of James Armes, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell used buses at Leesville High School. Bids will be opened on September 2nd at 10:00 a.m.
In other business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to advertise for bids to buy an activity bus at Rosepine High School. Bids will be opened on September 2nd at 10:00 a.m.
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 sympathies to the family of Mrs. Katie Moses Whitaker, of DeRidder, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Whitaker was the mother of Mrs. Vickie Wilson, counselor at Vernon Middle School, and the mother-in-law of Mr. Wallace, principal at Pickering Elementary School, and Mrs. Darlene Moses, secretary at Evans High School; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Vickie and Wallace Wilson and Darlene and Mike Moses and their family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board records with sadness the recent death of Mr. Byron ”r;Bo” Farris, former board member; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Farris represented the students and families of Ward Two for thirteen years during which time he maintained a perfect board meeting attendance record. He was strongly committed and dedicated to the service of board member and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the members of the Board request a copy of this memorial resolution be sent, along with their heartfelt condolences, to Mrs. Kathleen Farris and her family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Gaye McKee, on behalf of Gene Haymon, 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 Mr. Riley C. Wellman, of LaCamp, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wellman was the father of Mrs. Shandra Hood, counselor at Hicks High School, Mrs. Glenda Lewis, bus driver at West Leesville Elementary, and Mr. Wendell Wellman, former Vernon Parish teacher; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wellman was a lifelong resident of LaCamp and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests copies of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Hood, Mrs. Lewis and Mr. Wellman and their family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board takes this means to express its deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Giles Hollis, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hollis was the stepfather-in-law of Mrs. Doris Werner, teacher at Evans 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. Werner and her family at this time of bereavement.
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 was adjourned.
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PHILIP L. GUNN BOARD PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT