November 4, 2004
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, NOVEMBER 4. 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
WILLIS A. FARRIS
W.R. ”r;RANDY” MARTIN
B.R. HARVEY
GAYE McKEE
ABSENT: RICKY REESE
COL. A. WADE WOOLFREY, JR.
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Gene Haymon.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by James Armes.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of October 12, 2004.
Crystal Jacobs and Andrew Onellion representing the Pitkin GPA Club presented for Superintendent Gillespie=s signature a proclamation for STD Awareness Day, November 13, 2004.
Curriculum Director, John Farris, representing Adult Education, recognized Elijah Langhorne, recipient of the Robert C. Byrd Scholarship.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Willis Farris, the Board voted to advertise for bids to purchase activity buses at Pickering High School.
On motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve increases in the price of breakfast from $.50 to$.70 and the price of lunch from $.90 to $1.25, effective January 1, 2005.
Mark Smith reported that the Personnel/Salary Committee had reviewed the list of personnel changes submitted by Mr. Self, Personnel Director. The Committee approved a recommendation to present the list to the full Board for approval on Tuesday, November 9, 2004.
Randy Martin reported that the Maintenance Committee had reviewed the list of applicants for Assistant Maintenance Supervisor. Mr. Martin also reported that there was a vacancy for an electrician and a carpenter.
Superintendent Gillespie recommended Keith Bush for the Assistant Maintenance Supervisor. On the motion of Willis Farris, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve Keith Bush as Assistant Maintenance Supervisor. Mark Smith and Robert Pynes, Jr. voted no.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to advertise for bids to purchase a bus for Head Start.
In other business, on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by the Board, the Board approved a resolution of commendation and congratulations for the Leesville High School homecoming celebration.
WHEREAS, Superintendent Cindy Gillespie and the Vernon Parish School Board take this means to commend and congratulate Leesville High School for a very successful, enjoyable and beautiful homecoming; and
WHEREAS, the enthusiasm put forth by the faculty, staff, students and all those involved in the planning and preparation to welcome and host this festive event for the alumni and this community was evident; and
WHEREAS, the pride exhibited during the entire event demonstrates the overall success of Leesville High School; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we adopt this resolution of appreciation to the Leesville High School administration, faculty, staff and student body for another festive and memorable homecoming celebration and for the welcome and hospitality.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to send a letter to the LSU Ag Center requesting a replacement for Todd Sasser, assistant county agent (4-H), who recently resigned to accept a teaching position at Pitkin High School.
On motion of Willis Farris, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board were deeply saddened by the death of Mrs. Elwanda Harvey, wife of deceased, retired educator and former Ward 3 Board member, Mr. Arvil Harvey; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Harvey will be remembered throughout our community for her active involvement in church and civic organizations and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Board takes this means to express its heartfelt sympathies to Mrs. Harvey's family and requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to them at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board takes this means to express its heartfelt sympathies to the family of Tina Marie Winningham, of Savannah, Georgia, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Winningham was the daughter of Mrs. Mary Robertson, custodian at Pickering High School and the sister of Mrs. Theresa Haag, aide specific at Pickering Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Winningham was a native of Leesville and she will be fondly remembered and 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. Robertson, Mrs. Haag and their family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express their deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Robert A. Thompson, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thompson was a lifelong resident of Leesville and the brother-in-law of Mrs. Janet Thompson, cafeteria employee at Pickering High School. 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. Thompson'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