THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION SEPTEMBER 1, 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 Philip Gunn.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Col. A. Wade Woolfrey
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of August 9, 2005.
Superintendent Gillespie and Col. A. Wade Woolfrey recognized and presented awards to the following schools and Fort Polk Units who partnered in the February through May 2005 Adopt-a-School Program: North Polk Elementary and 519th MP BN and LT Melissa Stevenson, South Polk Elementary and Warrior BDE and LTC Michael Jones, East Leesville Elementary and 115th Field Hospital and CPT Kara Escajeda, Vernon Middle and 2/4 INF BN and LTC Sturek, SFC King, PFC Hong, Leesville Jr. High School and 46th ENG BN and LTC Micheal Jones.
Tim Ward explained that the a new MFP formula included a state mandate that one-half of the MFP funds be allocated to teacher pay raises, giving Vernon Parish teachers a $1063.52 per year pay raise. The raise will be included in teachers’ monthly paychecks.
Tom Neubert updated the Board policy changes that had been State mandated during the summer Legislative Session. The minor changes related to: Term of Superintendent contracts, Child Nutrition Program Management, Payment for Meals, Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications, Personnel, Criminal History of Applicants, and Compulsory School Attendance Ages and Suspensions. Board approval will be requested at the Tuesday, September 6th board meeting.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board approved a resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in Hornbeck School District No. 143 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, to authorize the levy of a special tax therein, making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to advertise for a secretary at the central office Maintenance Department.
Mark Smith reported that the Finance Committee had been presented the 2005-06 budget by Tim Ward. All Board members received copies of the budget for review and study before full-board approval is requested at the Tuesday, September 6th board meeting.
Philip Gunn reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the list of all personnel changes that had been made since the August 9th board meeting. The list will be presented to the Board for approval at the Tuesday, September 6th board meeting.
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 its heartfelt condolences to the family of Mrs. Fay Martin, of Aberdeen, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Martin was a retired teacher at Pickering Elementary School and the 2000 Vernon Parish Elementary Teacher-of-the-Year; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Martin will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by her family, friends and former students; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. Herman Martin and the entire family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Gene Haymon, 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 Mr. L.C. Williams, retired Vernon Parish teacher; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams devoted thirty-five years to teaching and serving Vernon Parish students and families; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams, a lifelong resident of the Anacoco area, was the father of Mr. Terry Williams, former Vernon Parish teacher, 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. Williams’ family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board was saddened by the recent death of Jay Weeks, son of Mrs. Joyce Weeks, secretary at the Special Education Department; and
WHEREAS, Jay was brother of Janet Edwards, teacher at Hicks Elementary School, and a lifelong resident of the Simpson community where 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, along with its heartfelt sympathies, be sent to Joyce and Steve Weeks and their family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, 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 Mrs. Vickie Snowden, retired counselor, in the recent death of her mother, Mrs. Frances Word; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Word was a longtime resident of Leesville and a retired teacher. 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. Snowden and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, 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 Mrs. Roberta Fertitta, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Fertitta was the mother of Mrs. Ann Morrow, former teacher at West Leesville Preschool; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Fertitta, a longtime resident of Leesville, was a very active member of many volunteer organizations and boards and she will be fondly remembered for her numerous contributions to the Leesville community; 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, BOARD PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT