April 7, 2005

 

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, APRIL 7, 2005 AT 10:00 A.M., AT THE FORT POLK EDUCATION CENTER, FORT POLK, LA PRESIDENT HAYMON CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:

 

M. GENE HAYMON, PRESIDENT

ROBERT PYNES, JR., VICE -PRESIDENT

JAMES K. ARMES, III

MEL HARRIS

MARK H. SMITH

BETTY WESTERCHIL

RICKY REESE

W.R. "RANDY" MARTIN

PHILIP L. GUNN

GAYE McKEE

 

ABSENT:        WILLIS FARRIS, ILLNESS

                        B.R. HARVEY, ILLNESS

                        COL. A.WADE WOOLFREY, TDY

 

There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.

 

The meeting was opened in prayer by Philip Gunn.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mark Smith.

 

 On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of March 8, 2005.

 

Superintendent Gillespie welcomed and introduced special guests, Mr. Cecil Picard, State Superintendent of Education, BG Michael Barbero, Commander, Fort Polk and Dr. Ken Tewel, representative of Rapides Foundation.

 

Superintendent Picard spoke enthusiastically about the great educational accomplishments being realized and recognized in the State and in Vernon Parish.

 

BG Michael Barbero recognized the Board, Debbie Clark, principal at East Leesville Elementary School, Roger Rolon, Principal at Leesville Jr. High School, and James Williams, principal at Leesville High School for their participation and support given to the Louisiana Home Front Celebration. General Barbero presented a Department of the Army Certificate of Appreciation for Patriotic Civilian Service to the Board and to each of the principals.

 

General Barbero also gave a brief Fort Polk update. Topics of the update included a Fort Polk Overview, Education, Highway 28 and Barracks for soldiers training at Fort Polk.

 

He also spoke briefly about efforts being made to begin a JROTC program at Pickering High School.

 

Dr. Ken Tewell, of the Rapides Foundation, gave an interesting and informative presentation addressing the results of the Foundation efforts. The Rapides Foundation is the second largest foundation in the South. Dr. Tewel discussed the positive relationship that exists between the foundation and school systems in central Louisiana.

 

Jackie Self, Director of Personnel, gave a positive report from Vernon Parish School Board’s efforts to attract certified teachers by offering a monetary incentive. Mr. Self requested approval for the continuation, with no changes, of the $2,500.00 incentive for 2006-06.

 

On motion of James Armes, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve the continuation of a $2,500.00 hiring incentive for certified teachers.

 

On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the 2005-06 Head Start Start Proposal. There were no significant changes from the 2004-05 program.

 

Philip Gunn, in his report from the Salary/Personnel Committee, said the list of employee changes would be presented to the Board for approval at the Tuesday, April12th  board meeting. Mr. Gunn also reported that the Committee approved a recommendation to add a new Special Education Department position. The recommendation will be presented for Board approval on April 12th.

 

In other business, on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to sponsor the Vernon Parish Community Orchestra, under the direction of Mrs. Karen Gordy, for four concerts a year at Leesville High School.

 

Also in other business, James Armes announced a Transportation Committee Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 12th at 8:00 a.m.

 

On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

 

R E S O L U T I O N

 

                        WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board was deeply saddened by the recent death of Mr. Donley Roberts, retired custodian at East Leesville Elementary School; and

                        WHEREAS, Mr. Roberts was a loyal and dedicated employee who served 31 years and following his retirement, continued to work as a substitute when called upon; now

                        BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution, along with its heartfelt sympathies, be sent to Mr. Roberts’ family at this time of sorrow.

 

On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

 

R E S O L U T I O N

 

                        WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board was saddened by the recent death of Mrs. Ida Belle McCrery, of Leesville; and

                        WHEREAS, Mrs. McCrery, a longtime resident of Leesville, was actively involved in community and church organizations and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends; and

                        WHEREAS, Mrs. McCrery was the mother of James O. ”r;Jim’ McCrery, III, United State Congressman serving our district; now

                        BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent, along with its sincere condolences, to Congressman McCrery and his family.

 

 On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to approve the following memorial resolution:

 

R E S O L U T I O N

 

            WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board take this means to express their heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Paul Vinson, Sr., of Leesville, who recently passed away; and

                        WHEREAS, Mr. Vinson was the father-in-law of Mr. Sammy Hinson, former Superintendent of Vernon Parish School System, Mrs. Peggy Vinson and Mrs. Annette Vinson, bus drivers at Pickering, the grandfather of Mr. Sammy L. ”r;Bo” Hinson, Jr., teacher at Rosepine High School and the grandfather-in-law of Mrs. Chris Hinson, teacher at Rosepine Elementary School, and Mrs. Deanna Vinson, teacher at Pickering Elementary School; and

                        WHEREAS, Mr. Vinson was a well-known businessman who also served on the Vernon Parish Police Jury and the Ward Four Water Commission 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 Mr. Vinson’s family at this time of bereavement.

 

There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.

____________________________________

M. GENE HAYMON PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

__________________________________________

DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT