October 11, 2005
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, OCTOBER 11, 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
W.R. ”r;RANDY” MARTIN
PHILIP L. GUNN
B.R. HARVEY
GAYE McKEE
COL. A.WADE WOOLFREY
ABSENT: WILLIS A. FARRIS, IN REHABILITATION
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Robert Pynes, Jr..
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ricky Reese.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of October 6, 2005.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board to approve the following resignations.
Stacy Telano, teacher/Pickering Elementary
Walter Collins, custodian/Evans
Ilene Shapiro, teacher/Pickering Elementary
Bryan Churchman, teacher/Rosepine High
Betty Harper, teacher (retiree)/Pickering High
Jefferson Wade Merchant, teacher/Hicks
Wesley Grimes, bus driver Pickering Elementary
Clark Zills, bus driver/Rosepine High
Sheila Fair, cook, Anacoco High
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to approve the following sabbatical leave requests.
Jerome Maricle, teacher/Evans, medical, 9/19/05 – 12/29/05
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the following employee transfers.
Robin Shuler, SPED aide/West Preschool to West Elem. (restructuring)
David Jordan, tch/West Preschool to tch/West Elem. (restructuring)
Martha Welch, SPED tch/West Preschool to to SPED tch/East Elementary (restructuring)
Michelle Parker, tch/Evans to Vernon Middle
Amanda Reese, speech therapist/LJHS to speech therapist/West Preschool
Jamie Armbruster, (HI) tch/Rosepine Elem. to HI tch/West Preschool
Stephanie Wilson, Family Specialist/C.O. to Center Specialist/N. Polk (new position)
Dolly Owens, Head Start aide/East Elem. to Head Start aide/Hicks (Sonja Squyres-trans. to Head Start tcher/East Elem)
Sonja Squyres, Head Start aide/ Hicks to Head Start tch./East Elem. (new position)
Joan Menard, cook/Pickering Elem. to assistant manager (had no assistant manager)
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve the following list of new employees.
Larry Davis, custodian/LHS (replacing Danny James – resigned)
James Jeane, bus driver/Pickering Elem. (replacing Peggy Vinson – resigned)
Stacy Booth, bus driver/Hornbeck (replacing Charles LeBlanc –trans. to AHS)
Linda Cryer, bookkeeper/C.O. (retiree return to work)
Kimberly McBride, custodian/Evans (replacing Walter Collins – resigned)
Scott Comeaux, tch/Rosepine HS (replacing Bryan Churchman – resigned)
Mandy Brown, bus driver/Rosepine HS (replacing Glenon McKee – sick leave, will not return)
Tshombe Martin, cook/LJHS (replacing Leadeth Paddy – resigned)
Fred Sketoe, tch./Hicks H.S. (replacing Jefferson Wade Merchant – resigned)
Vickie Sketoe, tch./Pickering Elem. (replacing Ilene Shapiro – resigned)
Frances Servello, tch./Pickering High (replacing Betty Harper – resigned)
Thomas Martin, SPED aide/LHS (new SPED position- increased student load in para unit)
Jai Lyn Dauzart, Head Start aide/Anacoco Elem. (replacing Kandi Beasley – resigned)
Deborah Lozano, tch/Evans (replacing Jerome Maricle – sabb. 9/19/05 – 12-29-05)
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
Ron DeGray, GATES administrator, and Superintendent Gillespie recognized Melissa Twiggs and presented her GED certificate. Miss Twiggs future plans include continuing her education by attending college.
Mr. DeGray reported continued success of the GATES program. So far this year 5 students have completed the program.
On motion of James Armes, seconded by Philip Gunn, the Board voted to advertise for a position at the Head Start office. The position will be filled at the November 3rd board meeting.
In other business, on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to send letters to the area universities making them aware of the great need for speech therapists. The letter will include, also, a request that the university offer courses for completion of a degree and certification in speech therapy.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
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 take this means to express their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. Troy Hines, Sr., of the Pickering area, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hines was the husband of the late Mrs. Marie Hines, former teacher’s aide at Pickering Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Hines were great supporters of the Pickering School and will be sadly missed by their family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. Hines’ family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board take this means to express their sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Mable Beason, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Beason was the mother of Mr. Norman Beason, principal at Anacoco High School 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. Beason and his family at this time of bereavement.
There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board the meeting adjourned.
____________________________________
M. GENE HAYMON, BOARD PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
__________________________________________
DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT