November 3, 2005
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, NOVEMBER 3, 2005, AT, 10:00 A.M., AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA.VICE- PRESIDENT PYNES CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
ROBERT PYNES, JR., VICE-PRESIDENT
JAMES K. ARMES, III
MEL HARRIS
MARK H. SMITH
BETTY WESTERCHIL
W.R. ”r;RANDY” MARTIN
PHILIP L. GUNN
B.R. HARVEY
GAYE McKEE
COL. A. WADE WOOLFREY
ABSENT: RICKY REESE
M. GENE HAYMON, DEATH IN FAMILY
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mel Harris.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mark Smith.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to dispense with the reading and approve the minutes of October 11, 2005.
Colonel A. Wade Woolfrey gave a brief update on Fort Polk. It is expected that 4500 soldiers will deploy around the end of the year, however, their families are being encouraged to remain at Fort Polk. Support programs are in place and the housing construction projects are continuing. Many other means of support for Fort Polk families have been sought and put in place in preparation for the deployment.
Mark Smith reported from the Salary/Personnel Committee that the list of changes had be reviewed and recommendations will be made to the full board on Tuesday, November 8th.
Betty Westerchil, Curriculum Committee chairperson and John Farris, Director of Secondary Curriculum gave a report from the Curriculum Committee meeting. Mr. Farris said the following three items and changes were discussed: 1) the increased number of students enrolled in Honors/AP classes, High Stakes Testing, and a decision to follow last year’s testing requirements.
On recommendation of the Curriculum Committee and on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve Pupil Progression Plan changes.
Superintendent Gillespie discussed the Rapides Foundation High School Summit, which she, several board members, and community leaders recently attended. At the summit, the High School Redesign Committee addressed subjects such as, dropouts, and plans to look at the 9th grade and creating a catch-up program to help students with their transition to high school. The Committee also mentioned raising requirement for graduation. Superintendent expressed her excitement about community involvement and reported good representation at the summit. The Vernon Parish School Board’s Curriculum Committee will meet before the end of December to further study and discuss the items addressed at the summit.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to name Quinda Bennett to the position of Secretary to the Superintendent/Board Recorder. Mrs. Bennett will replace Dona Dowden who will retire on December 16, 2005.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to name Mr. James Wesley as principal at Vernon Middle School. Mr. Wesley will replace Mrs. Sammie May who is retiring.
In other business, Superintendent Gillespie announced that the Board has 10 days to appoint someone to temporarily fill the un-expired term of District 3 board member, Willis Farris, who passed away on November 2, 2005. A special election will be held to elect a person to officially fill the remainder of the un-expired term. The qualifying period will be February 8 – 10, 2006, with the primary election held on April 1, 2006, and in the event of a run-off, the general election will be held on April 29th.
Superintendent Gillespie, also in other business, announced the need to advertise for an assistant principal at West Leesville Elementary School to replace James Wesley and an assistant principal at Leesville High School to replace Hub Jordan who retired.
In further business, John Farris handed out copies and discussed school performance scores.
On motion of Philip Gunn, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board records with grief and sadness the recent death of Mr. Willis A. Farris, District Three board member; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Farris was the father of Mrs. Sherry Costa, teacher at Anacoco High School and the brother of Mrs. Laverne McElveen, retired custodian at South Polk Elementary, School and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Farris was a longtime educator and after teaching elsewhere for a short time returned to Vernon Parish where he, over the years, enjoyed great success in his career as a teacher, coach, counselor, principal, central office supervisor, and assistant superintendent. After his retirement, Mr. Farris continued his involvement in education. He has served since 1995 as board member, remaining a true credit to the educational profession; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that this Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent, along with its heartfelt condolences, to Mrs. Glennie Farris, Mrs. Sherry Costa, and the rest of the family at this time of sorrow.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board was saddened by the recent death of Mr. Harry Sims, of Rolla, Missouri, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sims was the father-in-law of Mr. M. Gene Haymon, District Eight board member, 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. and Mrs. Haymon and their family at this time of bereavement.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express its heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. Raymond Goins, of Rosepine, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Goins was the husband of Mrs. Margaret Goins, retired aide at Rosepine Elementary School, the brother of Mr. Rufus Goins, retired principal at Rosepine Elementary School, the father-in-law of Mrs. Charlotte Goins, Rosepine Elementary School teacher, and the uncle of Mrs. Darla Solinsky, teacher at Rosepine Elementary School; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mr. Goins’ 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:
__________________________________________
DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT
I, Cynthia A. Gillespie, do hereby certify
that the above is a true and exact copy
of the Vernon Parish School Board minutes
of the November 3, 2005 meeting.
_____________________________________ __________________
CYNTHIA A. GILLESPIE, Ed.D DATE
SUPERINTENDENT
_______________________________________
NOTARY PUBLIC