THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION DECEMBER 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
GLENNIE FARRIS
W.R. RANDY MARTIN
B.R. HARVEY
GAYE McKEE
ABSENT: PHILIP L. GUNN, ILLNESS
COL. A. WADE WOOLFREY, MILITARY SCHEDULE
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Betty Westerchil.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Randy Martin
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of November 8, 2005.
Ricky Reese recognized the Hornbeck High School Civics students who were in attendance for the purpose of observing a board meeting as a part of their classroom curriculum. Mr. Reese also welcomed new Ward 3 Board Member, Mrs. Glennie Farris to the Board.
Robert J. Harris, USDA Area Director, addressed the Board regarding the Hicks bond issue funding and explained that they are waiting on the funds.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to enter into executive session for a period of 30 minutes to discuss a personnel matter. The time was recorded at 10:15 a.m.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to come out of executive session and resume order. The time was recorded at 10:42 a.m.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of James Armes, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to suspend the employee for 3 days without pay.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve a resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the special election held in Hornbeck School District No. 143 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, to authorize the levy of a special tax therein.
Randy Martin reported that the Maintenance Committee had approved the hiring of two employees to fill vacancies at the Maintenance Department, therefore, on recommendation of the Maintenance Committee and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to hire Danny Singletary and Joe Sandell for the positions. Mr. Martin also reported that plans are to review the pay scale of maintenance employees regarding years of experience.
Mark Smith reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had reviewed the personnel changes for December and would make its recommendation to the Board at the Tuesday, December 6th board meeting.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to name Mary Lynn Johnson to fill a secretary position in the Curriculum Department.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Gay McKee, the Board voted to advertise for a clerical position at the Head Start Department.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to advertise for bids for Hornbeck High School bleachers.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell two used buses at Rosepine High School.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to name Mark Freshley as assistant principal at Leesville High School.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to name Elsee Ashworth as assistant principal at West Leesville Elementary School.
In other business, on recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of James Armes, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to transfer Elsee Ashworth, assistant principal at West Leesville Elementary, to assistant principal at South Polk Elementary School.
Also in other business, on recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to transfer Edwin Koenck, assistant principal at Vernon Middle School, to assistant principal at West Leesville Elementary School.
In further business, on recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to transfer Elizabeth Maricle, assistant principal at South Polk Elementary, to assistant principal at Vernon Middle School.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to transfer Ron DeGray, GATES administrator, to Administrative Assistant at Leesville High School. James Armes and Randy Martin opposed.
On motion of Gaye McKee, 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 takes this means to express its sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Gladys Barmore, of Rosepine, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Barmore was the grandmother of Mrs. Sharon Richardson, cafeteria employee at Rosepine High School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Barmore was a longtime resident of the Vernon Parish 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. Richardson and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L T U I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Louis Square, of Zachary, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Square was the father of Mrs. Susie Davis, teacher at Rosepine Elementary School, and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVEE that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Davis and her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Randy Martin, 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 wishes to express its heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mrs. Mary Robertson, head custodian at Pickering High School, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Robertson was the mother of Ms. Theresa Haag, aide at Pickering Elementary School, and Ms. Tonia Day, custodian at Pickering High School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Robertson was a loyal and dedicated employee 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 Ms. Haag and Ms. Day and their 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