APRIL 11, 2006
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, ON APRIL 11, 2006, AT, 10:00 A.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
MARK H. SMITH
BETTY WESTERCHIL
GLENNIE FARRIS
W.R. "RANDY" MARTIN
MAXINE GUNN
GAYE MCKEE
M. GENE HAYMON
COL. A. WADE WOOLFREY
ABSENT: MEL HARRIS - OUT OF TOWN
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Ricky Reese.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Bailey's Headstart class from East Leesville.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of April 6, 2006.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the following resignations:
Jennifer Flaherty, LA4 Teacher, ELE
Ashley Bridges, LA 4 Teacher, ELE
Janet Thompson, Cook, PHS
B.R. Harvey, Board Member, District 5
Wendy Libich, Teacher, WLE
Tresa Abramson, Counselor, LHS
Cheryl Turner, Teacher, ELE
Adrian Eagle, Teacher/Simpson
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to approve the following sabbatical leave requests:
Freddy Stafford, Teacher, VMS-Professional Sabbatical, 2006-2007 School Year
Paige Miller, Teacher, LJHS-Medical Sabbatical, 1st Semester 2006-07 School Year
Jennifer Dowden, Teacher/ELE-Professional Sabbatical, 2006-2007 School Year
Ginger Wisnoski, Teacher/PES-Professional Sabbatical, 2006-2007 School Year
Cathy Ambler, Teacher/NPE-Medical Sabbatical, 2006-2007 School Year
Janice Andrews, Teacher/LHS-Medical Sabbatical, 1st Semester 2006-07 School Year
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the following requests for a leave without pay:
Faye Johnson, Bus Aide/WLE-Medical 3-9-06/6-1-06
Cetrice Acey, SPED Aide/ELE-Medical 3-1-06/3-1-07
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Glennie Farris, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the following employee transfers:
Kandi Roshong, Teacher, Hicks-trns to WLE-replacing Wendy Libich(Resigned)-effective 8/06
Paul Poe, Principal, Optional School-trns to GATES-effective 7-1-06
Cynthia Smith,Teacher Opt. School-trns to LHS-replacing Lawanda Sexson(sabb)-effective 8/06
Maria Casarez, Secretary, Opt. School-trns to GATES-effective 8/06
Rubin Solon, Teacher/PHS-trns to PES-replacing Vickie Sketoe(trsn to PHS)-effective 8/06
Vickie Sketoe, Teacher, PES-trns to PHS-replacing Rubin Solon(trns to PES)-effective 8/06
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the following new employee:
Donna Smith, Cook/PHS-replacing Janet Thompson(resigned)
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
The Board recognized the Anacoco High School Boy's Basketball Team for State Runner-Up and they were presented certificates by Mr. Ricky Reese and Mr. Norman Beason for their achievement.
Mr. James Johnson, Tax Assessor for Vernon Parish, addressed the Board and requested a resolution in support for a pro-rata share of the legal expenses that will be incurred by the appeals filed by BPR Energy, Inc. and Merit Energy.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve a resolution in support for a pro-rata share of the legal expenses that will be incurred by the appeals filed by BPR Energy, Inc. and Merit Energy. These legal expenses will be taken from the affected taxing districts.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board has the responsibility of educating the students who reside in Vernon Parish; and
WHEREAS, property taxes mileages are used to support maintenance funds for various districts within our school system; and
WHEREAS, maintaining local schools is the responsibility of the local communities; and
WHEREAS, BPR Energy, Inc. and Merit Energy are property owners in our districts; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board joins with the Vernon Parish Police Jury and the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office in support of legal action and will pay a pro rata share of the legal expenses incurred.
Ms. Barbara Barnickel presented Superintendent Gillespie with the Louisiana ADK Excellence In Education Award. Superintendent Gillespie will now advance to the regional competition.
Jackie Self presented the 2006-2007 school calendar for approval and on motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to approve the 2006-2007 school calendar.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of James Armes, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to name employees for the 2006-2007 school year.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Betty Westerchil, the Board voted to receive bids for the JROTC Pavilion at Leesville High School. Three bids were received as follows: Philip Mayo Construction in the amount of $45,697, Pat Williams Construction in the amount of $46,700, and Master Craft Construction in the amount of $66,500. On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to take these bids under advisement.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by James Armes the Board voted to receive bids for smoke detectors at Leesville Jr. High and for smoke detectors and intercom systems at Leesville High School. Two bids were received as follows: Custom Lighting and Electric in the amount of $162,042.24 and Commercial Electric in the amount of $251,577.00. On motion of James Armes, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to take these bids under advisement.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to receive bids to sell a used activity bus at Pickering High School. No bids were received and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to allow Mr. Funderburk and Mr. Ward to dispose of the bus.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to reject the bid from Pat Williams Construction Company in the amount of $145,000 for painting/sandblasting the bleachers at Leesville High School.
On motion of Betty Westerchil, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to re-bid for painting/sandblasting the bleachers at Leesville High School.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to reject the bid for playground equipment for Rosepine Elementary School in the amount of $36,167 from Planet Recess.
Superintendent Gillespie and the Board recognized Colonel Woolfrey for all his support, dedication, and hard work during his stay at Fort Polk. Superintendent Gillespie presented Colonel Woolfrey with a plaque to show the Board's appreciation and she also thanked Mrs. Woolfrey for her support.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Glennie Farris, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to enter into executive session for a period of thirty minutes to discuss a personnel matter. The time was recorded at 10:57 A.M.
On motion of James Armes, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to come out of executive session and resume order. The time was recorded at 11:26 A.M.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Glennie Farris, the Board voted to place the employee on leave without pay effective April 11, 2006 until the end of the school year with the option of leaving his bus on route with maintenance pay.
In other business, Colonel and Mrs. Woolfrey expressed their appreciation to the Board for their support of all of the students in Vernon Parish and for their kindness shown to them during their stay at Fort Polk.
Betty Westerchil gave a report from the Curriculum Committee meeting and stated that all Board members had hand-outs in their folders regarding performance scores and accountability results.
There were no memorial resolutions at this time.
There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meting was adjourned.
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ROBERT PYNES JR., BOARD PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT