October 7, 2004
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, OCTOBER 7, 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
JAMES K. ARMES, III
MEL HARRIS
ROBERT PYNES, JR.
MARK H. SMITH
BETTY WESTERCHIL
W.R. ”r;RANDY” MARTIN
B.R. HARVEY
GAYE McKEE
ABSENT: WILLIS A. FARRIS, ILLNESS
RICKY REESE, OUT-OF-TOWN
COL. A. WADE WOOLFREY
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Gaye McKee.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by B.R. Harvey.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of September 7, 2004.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to rescind a resolution approved on September 2, 2004 ordering and calling special tax renewal elections for Hornbeck, District No. 143, Orange School District N. 145, Ward One Wardwide School Districts No. 162 and Parish Wide School tax, to be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve a resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the special election held in Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, on Saturday, September 18, 2004, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve a resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the special election held in Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, on Saturday, September 18, 2004, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve a resolution authorizing the superintendent to sign amended Rapides Foundation Grant Agreement for Rosepine and Anacoco Elementary Schools’ playground equipment.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to increase Glenda Lewis’ bus size from 60 to 65 passengers effective at the beginning of the School year 2004.
Tom Neubert presented the following policy changes for the Board’s review: Administrative records, Bids and Quotations, sabbatical leave, sick leave, Holidays, Field Trips and Excursions, Child Abuse, Board Member Compensation and Expenses, and Public School Choice.
A report from the Maintenance Committee was given by Randy Martin, Chairperson for the Committee. Mr. Martin reported that the Committee had discussed advertising an assistant supervisor position at the Maintenance Department and, also, the need for an electrician at that office.
Mark Smith reported that the Personnel/Salary Committee had reviewed the list of personnel changes for October and recommended Board approval on Tuesday, October 12, 2004. Mr. Smith further reported a discussion concerning the proposed salary between the minimum $37,700.00 up to, dependent on final qualifications, the top salary of $40,300.00, for the new assistant maintenance supervisor. The person selected for the position will be named at the November 4, 2004 board meeting.
In other business, Superintendent Gillespie reported that a small house, located between the central office maintenance building and the technology center, was for sale and expressed an interest in the purchase of the house and land for use by the school board.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to authorize Superintendent Gillespie and Bill Endris to obtain the appraisal value and make an offer on the house and land.
Also in other business, on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution thanking the schools staffs, the Maintenance Department, bus drivers and all school employees who assisted in and contributed to the success of the Home Front Celebration.
WHEREAS, the Home Front Celebration, honoring and welcoming home the men and women of the Armed Forces who have served in Iraq, was a tremendously successful event; and
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board is very proud to have had the opportunity to join with other organizations, businesses and citizens of Leesville and Vernon Parish in showing support for and appreciation to these men and women for their sacrifices for our country; and
WHEREAS, the Board recognizes, with pride, the contributions of time and work volunteered by the Maintenance Department, the staffs at Leesville High and Leesville Jr. High Schools, bus drivers and other school staff members: now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Board takes this means to commend and thank all Vernon Parish School personnel for volunteering their time, efforts and talents in this very worthwhile event.
In further business, James Armes voiced his concerns with the traffic situation on the entrance road to Fort Polk. Loretta Nale, visiting representative of Fort Polk’s liaison office, addressed the situation by saying she would take the Board’s concerns back to BG Barbero, commanding general at Fort Polk.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the following memorial resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express its heartfelt condolences to Mr. Curtis Brumley, retired teacher at Leesville High School, in the recent death of his wife, Mrs. Jean Brumley, of Leesville; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Brumley, a longtime resident of Leesville, was a caring and loving person 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. Brumley and his children at this time of sorrow.
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 heartfelt condolences to the family of Mrs. Gladys Ferguson, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Ferguson was the mother of Mrs. Sarah Goins, retired teacher at East Leesville Elementary School, and the mother-in-law of Mr. Don Goins, former Vernon Parish School Board member; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Ferguson, a longtime and very active resident of Leesville, will be remembered for her many contributions to this community through her involvement in church and civic organizations; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Sarah and Don Goins and their family at this time of sorrow.
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 wish to express their sincere sympathies to the family of Mr. Harlan Wayne Wittenhagen, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wittenhagen was a longtime resident of Leesville and the father-in-law of Mrs. Amanda Wittenhagen, teacher at Vernon Middle 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 Mr. Wittenhagen’s family at this time of sorrow.
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