September 7, 2004
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, SEPTEMBER 7, 2004, AT, 5:00 P.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. ”r;RANDY” MARTIN
GAYE McKEE
COL. A. WADE WOOLFREY, JR.
ABSENT: M. GENE HAYMON, OUT OF TOWN
B.R. HARVEY
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 Betty Westerchil.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board approved deleting items 12 and 13 from the agenda and placing the items on the agenda for a future board meeting.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of September 7, 2004.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board to approve the attached resignations.
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On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the attached termination.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Gaye McKee, 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 Ricky Reese, the Board voted to approve the attached request to rescind a leave without pay.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the attached employee transfers.
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On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve the attached list of new employees.
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On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve the attached list of employees who were not named in April and are now eligible to be named by the Board.
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On motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
Mandi Mitchell, regional manager, presented a BellSouth Teacher Mini-Grant in the amount of $500.00 to Natalie Welch, teacher at Pickering Elementary School.
Kem Villejoin, Extension Agent gave the LSU Agriculture Center Annual report. She recognized and presented certificates to outstanding 4-H and Woodman’s Skills students who participated in State competition and those who were State winners.
Randy Martin reported that the Maintenance Committee had received a copy of the job description for an assistant maintenance supervisor position. No action was taken at the Committee meeting.
September 7, 2004
Robert Pynes, Jr. reported that the Food Services Committee had met to discuss the price of school lunches. The Committee will take no action until further study can be conducted.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to grant a bid, in the amount of $78,969.00, to Ross Bus Sales for the purchase of an activity bus at Rosepine High School.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to open bids on two used buses at Leesville High School. No bids were received and, therefore, on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to authorize Jackie Self and Tim Ward to dispose of the buses.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to advertise bids for a 72 passenger activity bus at Rosepine High School.
Superintendent Gillespie introduced the commanding general of Fort Polk, BG Michael D. Barbero and his wife, Linda, to the Board. The superintendent invited General and Mrs. Barbero to stay for a while after the meeting for individual introductions and visitation.
On motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board take this means to express their heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Angel Williams, assistant principal at Leesville Jr. High School, in the recent death of her father-in-law, Mr. Alton Gray Williams, of Leesville; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams, a longtime resident of Leesville and a great supporter of this school system, 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. Angel Williams and her family at this time of sorrow.
A move by Randy Martin, on behalf of Gene Haymon, was seconded by the Board to adopt the following memorial resolution:
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board takes this means to express its heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mrs. Eula Jeter, retired custodian at Hicks High School, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Jeter, a longtime resident of Hicks, was a loyal and dedicated employee 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 Mr. Clint Jeter and his family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their deepest sympathies to Mr. Henry ”r;Butch” Leonard, teacher at Leesville Optional School, in the recent death of his sister, Mrs. Glenda McKee; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McKee was a lifelong resident of Anacoco and a deputy with the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Department. 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 Mr. Leonard, along with its condolences to the entire family, at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Robert M. Powell, of Hornbeck, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Powell was the stepfather of Mrs. Jan Perkins, retired educational diagnostician at the Special Education Department, and the stepfather-in-law of Mr. Michael Perkins, retired Director of Child Welfare and Attendance at the central office; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Powell was a longtime resident of the Hornbeck area 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 Mr. and Mrs. Perkins and their family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Ricky Reese, 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