August 4, 2005
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, AUGUST 4, 2005 AT 10:00 A.M., AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, 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
WILLIS A. FARRIS
W.R. ”r;RANDY” MARTIN
PHILIP L. GUNN
B.R. HARVEY
GAYE McKEE
COL. A. WADE WOOLFREY
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 B.R. Harvey.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of July 12, 2005
Julie Sauer addressed the Board concerning LA 4 tuition. LA 4 is a new program being introduced into Vernon Parish Schools for the first time this fall. LA 4 is funded by the State and Federal Governments for four year olds who are at risk. To be eligible to enroll and participate in LA 4 classes, a family must meet income guidelines that qualify the child for the free or reduced priced lunch program. If space is available for additional students who do not meet the income guidelines established by the State and Federal governments, the Vernon Parish School System will allow parents to enroll their students and pay a tuition fee. A sliding scale has been implemented based on family income. No other funds are received for this additional enrollment.
Bill Endris, Director of Finance, presented the following millage rates for 2006:
Parish Wide School Special 7.17 mils
Ward 1 Maintenance Regular 13.03 mils
Ward 2 Hornbeck Maintenance Regular 13.32 mils
Ward 2 Orange Maintenance Regular 13.24 mils
Ward 4 Maintenance Regular 13.98 mils
Ward 5 Maintenance Regular 14.53 mils
Ward 6 Maintenance Regular 12.59 mils
Ward 8 Maintenance Regular 13.48 mils
Leesville Sinking Fund 11.84 mils
Orange Sinking Fund 34.03 mils
Hornbeck Sinking Fund 64.42 mils
Ward 3 Sinking Fund 11.47 mils
Pickering Sinking Fund 45.42 mils
Ward 5 Sinking Fund 25.61 mils
Ward 6 Sinking Fund 46.57 mils
Ward 7 Sinking Fund 45.02 mils
Ward 8 Sinking Fund 68.78 mils
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to levy millage rates on all taxable property shown on the official assessment roll for the year 2006, and when collected, the revenues from said taxes shall be used for the specific purposes for which said taxes have been levied.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve a resolution authorizing the superintendent to sign amended Rapides Foundation grant agreements for the following schools that have been awarded grants: Anacoco Elementary, North Polk Elementary, Pickering High, Simpson High, South Polk Elementary, and Vernon Middle.
James Armes, chairperson, for the Transportation Committee, reported that the Committee had met to discuss liability insurance deductible on school buses. On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, the Committee will conduct further study on the issue and bring its findings back before the full board with recommendations.
Philip Gunn, Salary/Personnel Committee chairperson, reported that the Committee had reviewed all personnel changes submitted for August and recommended the Board approve the list as submitted. The Committee also addressed the costs paid by the Board for substitute applications. The Fee per applicant to cover required fingerprinting and FBI background check, has risen to $50.00. On Committee recommendation and on motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to require applicants to pay one-half of the costs ($25.00) at the time of application.
In other business, Superintendent Gillespie announced a meeting of principals and assistant principals scheduled for Friday, August 5th, 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., at the First Baptist Church Christian Life Center in Leesville.
The superintendent also extended an invitation to board members to attend the annual Fall Teachers’ meeting at Leesville High School auditorium on August 11th.
On motion of B.R. Harvey, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board takes this means to express its sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Bertie Mae Thompson, Of Pitkin, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Thompson was a retired custodian at Pitkin High School and a lifelong resident of the Pitkin area 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 Mrs. Thompson’s family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Hugh L. Jeane Jr., of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jeane, a native a lifelong resident of the Leesville area, was the nephew of Mrs. Linda Mitchell, secretary at Pickering High School and the cousin of Mrs. Kelli LaBata, also a secretary 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. Jeane’s family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. J.D. White, of Pickering, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. White was the husband of Mrs. Carolyn Sue White, deceased retired cafeteria employee at Pickering Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. White was well-known in the Pickering/Leesville 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 the 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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M. GENE HAYMON
ATTEST:
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DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT