APRIL 6, 2006
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION DATE AT 10:00 A.M. AT THE FORT POLK EDUCATION CENTER, FORT POLK, LOUISIANA. PRESIDENT PYNES CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
ROBERT PYNES, JR., PRESIDENT
JAMES K. ARMES
MEL HARRIS
BETTY WESTERCHIL
MARK SMITH
GLENNIE FARRIS
W.R. ”r;RANDY” MARTIN
GAYE MCKEE
MAXINE GUNN
M. GENE HAYMON
COL. A. WADE WOOLFREY
ABSENT: RICKY REESE- BUSINESS
There was also present Dr. Cynthia A. Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Betty Westerchil.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Colonel A. Wade Woolfrey.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of March 7, 2006.
BG (P) Michael D. Barbero, Commanding General Fort Polk, welcomed the Board and guests, and thanked the Board members for their support. He gave a brief update on the number of deployed soldiers and also expressed his condolences to Mrs. Maxine Gunn.
”r;Adopt A School” participants were recognized by the Board and Fort Polk. Plaques were given to each school and each military unit to show appreciation for their support.
(See Attached)
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to advertise for bids for paper towels for the 2006-2007 school year.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell used welding machines at Hornbeck High School.
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell a used 1987 GMC Bluebird Bus at Rosepine High School.
On motion of Glennie Farris, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to advertise for bids for trash bags for the 2006-2007 school year.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to advertise for bids for copier paper for the 2006-2007 school year.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by the Board, the Board voted for Michael Perkins to fill the unexpired term of B.R. Harvey, District Five Board Member.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the Headstart Proposal.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to authorize Insurance Consultant, John Norris, to take competitive quotes for excess workman’s compensation and workman’s compensation claims administrative services.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to advertise for bids for improvements for Hicks High School.
Mark Smith reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had reviewed the personnel changes for April and would make its recommendation to the Board at the Tuesday, April 11, 2006 Board Meeting.
In other business, Dr. Gillespie welcomed Mrs. Beryl Ford to the meeting and congratulated her on the recent election.
Colonel Woolfrey expressed his appreciation to the military units and schools for their participation in the ”r;Adopt A School” Program.
A Curriculum Committee meeting will be held Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 9:00AM.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, teachers in Louisiana are doing an exceptional job raising student standards; and
WHEREAS, accountability results indicate tremendous growth in student achievement; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana teachers are still being paid below the Southern Regional average; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board supports Governor Kathleen Blanco’s request for $1500 teacher pay raise.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of James Armes, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the successful operation of a school system requires the services of many persons in addition to certified personnel; and
WHEREAS, many of the support personnel in Louisiana School Systems are being paid near the poverty level; and
WHEREAS, many support personnel are depending on food stamps and other programs to support their families; and
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests the governor and legislators consider our request to provide a pay raise for all support personnel.
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 wish to express their sincere condolences to the family of Mr. David Addington, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, David Addington was the brother-in-law of Betty Westerchil, Ward One Board Member; and
WHEREAS, David Addington was a resident of Zachary, Louisiana, and 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 Betty Westerchil and her family at this time of sadness.
On motion of Betty Westerchil for Ricky Reese, 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 sympathy to the family of Reverand Buford Cain who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Cain was the father of Karen Drouilhet, teacher at Anacoco Elementary School, and the father-in-law of Mike Drouilhet, teacher at Leesville High School; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Cain was a long time resident of Vernon Parish, and 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 Karen Drouilhet 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 U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Clyde LeBleu who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. LeBleu was the brother-in-law of Mr. George Clark, bus driver and custodian at the Rosepine Schools; and
WHEREAS, Mr. LeBleu was a resident of Sulphur Louisiana and 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. Clark and his 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 U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board takes this means to express their sympathy to the family of Ruth O’Quinn Deggs who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Deggs was the mother of Peggy Churchman, teacher at Rosepine Elementary, the grandmother of Shannon Breaux, teacher at Rosepine Elementary, and mother-in-law of William ”r;Bill” Churchman, bus driver at the Rosepine Schools; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Deggs was a long-time resident of Rosepine and a dedicated volunteer at Rosepine Elementary 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 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 U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Ruth D. Perkins who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Perkins was the mother of LaVena Higginbotham, bus driver at the Rosepine Schools; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Perkins was a resident of Rosepine 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.
There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
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ROBERT PYNES, BOARD PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT