February 7, 2006
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, FEBRUARY 7, 2006, AT, 10:00A.M., AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE,
LA. PRESIDENT PYNES CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
ROBERT PYNES JR., PRESIDENT
RICHARD J. "RICKY" REESE, VICE PRESIDENT
JAMES K. ARMES, III
MEL HARRIS
MARK H. SMITH
BETTY WESTERCHIL
GLENNIE FARRIS
W.R. "RANDY" MARTIN
B.R. HARVEY
GAYE MCKEE
M. GENE HAYMON
ABSENT: PHILIP GUNN - MEDICAL
COL. A. WADE WOOLFREY - MILITARY OBLIGATION
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 Gene Haymon.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve
and dispense with the reading of the minutes of February 2, 2006.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board to approve the following resignations:
Keren Phillips, teacher/PES
Clarine Martin, teacher/AHS
Katrina Jackson, custodian/RHS
Scott Comeaux, teacher/RHS
Deborah Lozano/teacher/Evans
Jerry Moreland/custodian/North Polk
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the following requests for a leave without pay:
James Bailey, custodian/RES,medical-1-10-06/6-30-06
Beverly Cobb, LA4 Aide/NPE, medical-12-17-05/5-25-06
April Ronayne, bus driver/Anacoco High, other employment-1-23-06/1-23-07
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the following employee transfers:
Emily Lein,teacher/NPE-I/S trns from SPED to 1st grade-replacing Dana
Johnson(to SPED)
Brenda Darnell,teacher/PES-I/S trns from 4th grade to SPED-replacing Keren
Phillips(resigned)
Dana Johnson, teacher/NPE-I/S trns from 1st grade to SPED-replacing Emily
Lein(to 1st grade)
Marta Palavecino, ESL Aide/PES-trns to SPE(School Change Only-Student Need)
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Glennie Farris, seconded by B.R. Harvey, the Board voted to approve the following list of new employees:
Lorinda Stillwell, teacher/AHS-vacant SPED position
Gabriella Robinson, teacher/LJHS-replacing Mark Freshley(trns to LHS)
Kenny Haymon, teacher/VMS-replacing James Coleman(LWOP)
Dana Johnson, teacher/NPE-replacing Pat Lemmer (extended sick leave)
Dave Montiel, teacher/LHS-replacing Dustin Smith(resigned)
Nancy Nolen, custodian/SPE-replacing Willie Dearmon(resigned)
David Dease, custodian/Evans-replacing Kimble Evans(retired)
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
Mr. Lance Bishop, TAC, gave energy update for South Polk Elementary and reviewed the savings on the cost of water and electricity due to the changes.
Mr. Bill Allen with Louisiana Speaks (FEMA) gave a report on the long-term planning for Vernon Parish. Evacuation routes, shelters, and parish priorities were discussed. The next public meeting for Louisiana Speaks is tentatively set for March 11, 2006.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to advertise for bids for playground equipment for Rosepine Elementary School.
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to advertise for bids for bleachers for the Leesville Jr. High gym.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to advertise for bids for painting and sand blasting the bleachers at Leesville High School football stadium.
Betty Westerchil gave a report from the Curriculum Committee.
Recommendations for the Optional School were discussed and an update will be given after the next meeting. She reported that Mrs. Neugebauer gave a report on the changes of the three year old program and our compliance with state and federal mandates. Ms. Westerchil stated that the GT/Honors enrollment was down and the possibility of sharing teachers and utilizing Lamar Salter was discussed. The sharing of teachers between schools was also discussed for AG/IA classes. Mrs. Westerchil reported that the Louisiana High School ReDesign Commission was meeting today and an update would be given at a later date.
Mr. Tim Ward gave a budget update for the 2006-2007 school year. He reported that our enrollment was down approximately 400 students and that this would indicate at this time about a three million dollar drop in funds for next year.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
In other business, Dr. Gillespie reminded the Board of the Quiz Bowl at Leesville High School on February 9th. Dr. Gillespie also discussed vehicle registration at Fort Polk.
On motion of Mark Smith, 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 sympathy to the family of Norma Morrison, of Leesville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Morrison was the mother of Barbara Zimmerman, paraprofessional at South Polk Elementary School, and the mother-in-law of Rhonda Morrison, teacher at Leesville Jr. High School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Morrison was a long time resident of the Leesville-Vernon Parish area, and 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 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sincere condolences to the family of Mary Foshee, of Merryville, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Foshee was the mother of Evelyn Cart, paraprofessional at Pickering 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 Evelyn Cart and her family at this time of sadness.
On motion of Glennie Farris, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express its hearfelt sympathy to the family of Gerald McBride, of Evans, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McBride was the father of Cindy Smith, a teacher at the Optional School, and Geraldine Mitcham, teacher at Evans High School;and
WHEREAS, Mr. McBride was a long time resident of Evans and will be greatly missed by his family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to his family at this time of sorrow.
There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
____________________________________
ROBERT PYNES JR., BOARD PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
__________________________________________
DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT