August 8, 2006
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, AUGUST 8, 2006, AT, 10:00 AM, 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
JOHN C. BURNS
BERYL FORD
W.R. "RANDY" MARTIN
MICHAEL PERKINS
MAXINE GUNN
GAYE MCKEE
COL. DAVID G. SAGE
ABSENT: GENE HAYMON - OUT OF TOWN
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by John Burns.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Maxine Gunn.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of August 3, 2006.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by John Burns, the Board voted to approve the following resignations:
Linda Josey, cook/AHS
Melony Trowbridge, SPED Aide/SPE
Shonda Hillman, SPED Aide/RES
Amy Hensley, teacher/Hornbeck High
Joseph Herron, teacher/LHS
Jerry Inman, bus driver/RHS
Stephanie Peeler, LA4 Aide/NPE
Jennifer Paddy, SPED Aide/ELE
James Rushworth, teacher/LHS
Kish Russell, teacher/NPE
Bruce Austin, bus driver/RHS
Lesa Lawrence, teacher/LHS
Stephanie Cortes, teacher/PHS
Melissa Muro, teacher/PHS
Neil LeBlanc, custodian/PES
Deana Hurt, teacher/LHS
Carolyn Heinhold, teacher/LHS
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Maxine Gunn, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the following sabbatical leave requests:
Tracey Matthews, teacher/Evans-Medical SABB 2006-2007 school year
Henry Leonard, teacher/Optional School-Medical SABB-2006-2007 school year
Beverly Gray, teacher/NPE-Medical SABB 06-07 school year
Mae Ledet, librarian/LHS-Medical SABB 06-07 school year
Joni Robinson, teacher/Pitkin-Medical SABB 06-07 school year
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the following requests for a leave without pay:
Tracy Underwood, custodian/RES-reason other than medical
Kristi Degley, teacher/ELE-Other Employment
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the following employee transfers:
Dana Kreyenbuhl, teacher/NPE-trns to LJHS-replacing Carolyn Heinhold(resigned)
Trina Williams, SPED Aide Specific/ELE-trns to WLE(student promoted to 2nd grade)
Dorane Craft/SPED Aide/NPE-I/S trns to LA4 Aide replacing Stephanie Peeler (Resigned)
Edwin Taylor, teacher/Optional School-trns to LHS-replacing Joan Dahlem(resigned)
Jamie Armbruster, teacher/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(home school change only)
Mike Drouilhet, teacher/LHS-change from 12 month employee to 10 month employee
Bonnie Hicks, teacher/WestPre-School-trns to WLE(home school change only)
Olivia McKee, teacher/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(home school change only)
Lynn Dell Pynes, teacher/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(home school change only)
Debbie Woods, teacher/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(home school change only)
Roxanne Lewis, teacher/West Pre-School-trns to SPE-replacing Jacquelyn Bailey(resigned)
Michele Wilson, teacher/LJHS-trns to Hicks-replacing Fred Sketoe(resigned)
Stephanie Gill, headstart aide/Evans-I/S trns to SPED Aide Specific-replacing Kimberly McBride
Kimberly McBride, SPED Aide Specific/Evans-replacing Mildred Harvey(retired)
Haley Stevens, HS Aide/NPE-trns to ELE as LA4 Aide-replacing Teresa Cleveland (resigned)
Linda Marcantel, teacher/PES-trns to PHS-replacing David Kirkwood(trns to Optional School)
David Kirkwood, teacher/PHS-trns to Optional School-replacing Edwin Taylor(trns to LHS)
Joyce Weeks, bus driver/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Anita Harvey, bus driver/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Janita Mitchell, bus driver/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Faye Johnson, bus aide/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Andrea Behan, bus aide/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Lannis Martin, bus aide/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Paul Dahlman, bus driver/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Elsie Johnson, bus driver/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Brenda Paddy, bus driver/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Judy Johnson, bus aide/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Peggy Jeane, bus aide/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Denise Smith, bus aide/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Tonya Rhodes, teacher/WLE-trns to Hornbeck-replacing Amy Hensley(resigned)
Angelia Gradick, teacher/SPE-trns to NPE-replacing Dana Kreyenbuhl(trns to LJHS
John Westlake, SPED aide/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Amanda Reese, teacher/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Dan Marshall, teacher, West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Brenda Johnson, custodian/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Karen Cox, SPED aide/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Cynthia Allison, SPED aide/West Pre-School-trns to WLE(school change only)
Valerie Howell, teacher/Hicks-I/S trns from 3rd to SPED-replacing Crystal Williams(LWOP)
Heather Holsomback, LA4 teacher/PES-trns to NPE-replacing Kish Russell(resigned)
Dwain Ducote, assistant principal/RHS-I/S trns to teacher-replacing Johnny Cryer(trns to LHS)
Steve Thomas, principal/RHS-I/S trns to asst. principal-replacing Dwain Ducote(trns to teacher)
Courtney Austin, teacher/PES-trns to Evans-replacing Tracy Matthews(SABB 06-07 school year)
David Gibson, teacher/PHS-trns to LHS-replacing Lesa Lawrence(resigned)
Linda Foshee, cook/RES-trns to RHS-replacing Alice Person(retired)
Lisa Hill, cook/RES-I/S trns to assistant manager-replacing Linda Foshee(trns to RHS)
Angela Jimenez, counselor/Hicks-I/S trns from counselor to administrative assistant
Katherine Self, teacher/VMS-trns to Hicks-replacing Angela Jimenez(I/S trns to Adm.Asst.)
Christina Telin, teacher/RHS-trns to LJHS replacing Michelle Wilson(trns to Hicks)
Tory Calhoun, teacher/AES-trns to LJHS-replacing Yvonne McClain(resigned)
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the following list of new employees:
Shannon Mason, teacher/PHS-replacing Heather Miller(resigned)
Jennifer Hackler, teacher/NPE-replacing Cecelia Montiel(trns to ELE)
Kristie Beasley, teacher/WLE-replacing Tonia Rhodes(trns to Hornbeck)
Cindy Colclaysure, teacher/ELE-replacing Michele Anderson(resigned)
Fayola Lavenhouse, teacher/PHS-replacing Ronald Skaggs(resigned)
Lisa Conley, teacher/PHS-replacing Dennis Spires(resigned)
Fred Sketoe, teacher/PHS-replacing Winston Hodge(resigned)
Deborah Lozano, teacher/LHS-replacing Janice Andrews(SABB 1st semester only)
Wendy Chopra, teacher/Evans-replacing Jerome Maricle(trns to AHS)
Brooke Norton, teacher/WLE-replacing Susan Wade(SABB 06-07 school year)
Jackie Zarnesky, LA4 teacher/NPE-replacing Connie Pineda(resigned)
Kim Lorenz, teacher/PES-replacing Linda Marcantel(trsn to PHS)
Kimberly Marker,Office Aide/Optional School-replacing M. Casarez(trns toGates)
Chris Perkins, teacher/PHS-replacing Melissa Muro(resigned)
Bailey Marks, LA4 teacher/NPE-replacing Brooke Psilos(resigned)
Tina Wolford, teacher/PES-replacing Courtney Austin(trns to Evans)
Andrew Gray, teacher/LHS-replacing Deana Hurt(resigned)
Gary Williams, teacher/Simpson-replacing Adrian Eagle (resigned)
Tina Fox, teacher/Evans-replacing Suki Leonard(resigned)
Carol Ann Jeane, bus driver/VMS-replacing Wayne Duke(retired)
Andrea Martin, Executive Director of the Louisiana Principal's Association, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Roger Atkins, teacher at Pickering High School. Mr. Atkins was nominated by Ms. Barbara Barnickel for this scholarship and was chosen from numerous applicants.
Mike Perkins reported that the Curriculum Committee had met and reviewed the following items:
1. Technology Code Of Conduct - Further Study
2. Policy for valedictorian and salutatorian - Further Study
3. Highly Qualified Teachers - Superintendent Gillespie reported that the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires that parents be notified if their child's teacher is not highly qualified. Superintendent Gillespie said that these letters would be sent out within four weeks of the beginning of school.
4. Pupil Progression Plan changes:
LEAP for the 21st Century High Stakes Testing Policy (Grades 4 and 8)
1. A student may not be promoted to the 5th or 9th grade until he or she has scored at or above the Basic achievement level on either the English Language Arts or Mathematics component on the 4th or 5th grade LEAP for the21st Century (LEAP 21) and at the Approaching Basic achievement level on th eother (hereafter referred to as the Basic/Approaching Basic combination).
For promotional purposes; however, a student shall score at or above the Basic/Approaching Basic combination on the English Language Arts and Mathematics components of LEAP 21 only one time.
2. A parent/student/school compact that outlines the responsibilities of each party will be required for students in grades 3, 4, 7, and 8 who have been determined to be at risk of failing to achieve the Basic/Approaching Basic combination on the English Language Arts and Mathematics components of the 4th or 8th grade LEAP 21, as well as for students who were retained in grades 4 or 8.
3. LEAs shall offer a minimum of 50 hours per subject of summer remediation and retest opportunities in English language arts and mathematics at no cost to students who did not take the spring LEAP 21 tests or who scored Approaching Basic and/or Unsatisfactory on the English Language Arts and/or Mathematics component(s) on the spring tests.
* A student who failed to achieve the Basic/Approaching Basic combination is not required to attend the LEA-offered LEAP 21 summer remediation program in order to be eligible for the summer retest.
* All students with disabilities who participate in LEAP 21 should receive services along with regular education students in summer remediation programs, with special supports provided as needed.
* Students with disabilities who participate in LEAP Alternate Assessment, Level 1 (LAA 1), are not eligible to attend the LEAP 21 summer remediation programs.
* Students with disabilities who participate in LEAP Alternate Assessment, Level 2 (LAA 2), are eligible to attend LEAP summer remediation programs.
4. In order to move students toward grade level performance, LEAs shall design and implement additional instructional strategies for those 4th and 8th grade students being retained. The purpose of the additional instructional strategies is to move the students to grade level proficiency by providing the following: (1) focused instruction in the subject area(s) on which they scored at the Approaching Basic and/or Unsatisfactory level on LEAP 21, and (2) ongoing instruction in the core subject areas using curricula based on State-level content standards and the Grade Level Expectations. LEAs are also encouraged to design and implement additional instructional strategies for students in grades 3, 4, 7, and 8 who have been determined to be at risk of failing to achieve the Basic/Approaching Basic combination on LEAP 21.
5. Promotion/Retention Policies
Grade 4
A student may not be promoted to the 5th grade until he or she has scored at or above the Basic achievement level on either the English Language Arts or Mathematics component on the 4th grade LEAP 21 and at the Approaching Basic achievement level on the other.
The decision to retain a student in the 4th grade more than once as a result of his/her failure to achieve the Basic/Approaching Basic combination on the English Language Arts and Mathematics components of LEAP 21 shall be made by the LEA in accordance with the local Pupil Progression Plan which shall include the following:
* A student who has repeated the 4th grade may be promoted to only the 5th grade. A district may apply for a waiver from this part of the policy if their specific plan is presented to the Department of Education, and the State Superintendent of Education approves it.
* However, a student who has repeated the 4th grade and who is 12 years old on or before September 30th may be promoted according to the local Pupil Progression Plan.
After the summer retest, a school system, through its superintendent, may consider granting an appeal on behalf of individual students, provided that all of the following criteria have been met:
* The student's highest score in English Language Arts and/or Mathematics on either the spring or summer LEAP 21 must fall within twenty (20) scaled score points of the cutoff score for Basic.
* The student shall have a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale in the subject(s) for which the appeal is being considered.
* The student must have attended the LEAP 21 summer remediation program.
* The student must have taken the LEAP 21 retest given after the LEAP 21 summer remediation program has been concluded.
* The student must have met State-mandated attendance regulations during the regular school year and any locally mandated regulations during the summer remediation program.
* The principal and the School Building Level Committee (SBLC) must review student work samples and attest that the student exhibits the ability of performing at or above the Basic achievement level in the subject for which the appeal is being considered.
LEAP 21 Testing
* Students retained in the 4th grade shall retake all four components of LEAP 21.
Grade 8
A student may not be promoted to the 9th grade until he or she has scored at or above the Basic achievement level on either the English Language Arts or Mathematics component on the 8th grade LEAP 21 and at the Approaching Basic achievement level on the other.
After the summer retest, a school system, through its superintendent, may consider a waiver for an 8th grade student who has scored at the Approaching Basic level on both the English Language Arts and Mathematics components of LEAP 21. The LEA may grant the waiver in accordance with the local Pupil
Progression Plan provided the following criteria are met:
* The student may be promoted to the 9th grade, provided that he or she has scored at the Approaching Basic level on both the English Language Arts and Mathematics components of LEAP 21, has attended the LEAP 21 summer remediation program offered by the District, and has taken the summer retest administered at the conclusion of the summer program.
* The student must retake the component(s) (English Language Arts and/or Mathematics) of the retest on which a score of Approaching Basic or below was attained on the spring test. At a minimum, the student shall score Approaching Basic on the English Language Arts and the Mathematics component(s) of the summer retest.
* Any student who scores less than Approaching Basic on either component of the summer retest is ineligible for the waiver consideration.
The student who has repeated the 8th grade may be either
* Retained again in the 8th grade.
* Promoted to the 9th grade, provided that the student has scored at the Approaching Basic level on either the English Language Arts or Mathematics component of LEAP 21, has attended the LEAP 21 summer remediation program offered by the District in, at a minimum, the Unsatisfactory subject, and has taken the summer retest administered at the conclusion of the summer program. If promoted with an Unsatisfactory on the English Language Arts or Mathematics component of LEAP 21, the student must enroll in and pass a high school remedial course in the Unsatisfactory subject (English language arts or mathematics) before enrolling in or earning Carnegie credit for English or mathematics, or
* Be placed in the Pre-GED/Skilis Options Program that shall be available to students who meet criteria as outlined in Bulletin 741.. Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, ยง2907.
LEAP 21 Testing
* Students repeating the 8th grade will retake all four components of LEAP 21.
* Students in the Pre-GED/Skills Options Program will take the 9th grade iLEAP.
6. Exceptions to the High Stakes Testing policy may include:
A. Policy Override
The local school system (LEA) may override the State policy for students scoring at the
Unsatisfactory level in English language arts or mathematics, if the student scores at the Mastery or Advanced level in the other, provided that
* the decision is made in accordance with the local Pupil Progression Plan, which may include a referral to the School Building Level Committee(SBLC);
* the student has participated in both the spring and summer administrations of LEAP 21 and has attended the summer remediation program offered by the LEA (the student shall participate in the summer retest only on the subject that he/she scored at the Unsatisfactory achievement level during the spring test administration); and
* parental consent is granted.
B. Students with Disabilities Eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) participate in a in LEAP Alternate Assessments
* Students with disabilities who participate in the LEAP Alternate Assessment, Level 1 (LAA 1), shall have promotion decisions determined by the SBLC.
* Students with disabilities who participate in the LEAP Alternate Assessment, Level 2 (LAA 2), shall have promotion decisions determined by the SBLC.
C. Waiver for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Students
* LEP students shall participate in statewide assessment. The SBLC shall be granted the authority to waive the State's grade promotion policy for a LEP student. A LEP student who was granted a waiver at the 4th grade level is ineligible for a waiver at the 8th grade level.
D. Waiver for Extenuating Circumstances
A school system, through its superintendent, may grant a waiver on behalf of individual students who are unable to participate in LEAP 21 testing or unable to attend LEAP 21 summer remediation because of one or more of the following extenuating circumstances as verified through appropriate documentation:
* a physical illness or injury that is acute or catastrophic in nature.
* chronic physical condition that is in an acute phase.
* court-ordered custody issues.
Documentation:
* Physical illness: Appropriate documentation must include verification that the student is under the medical care of a licensed physician for illness, injury, or a chronic physical condition that is acute or catastrophic in nature. Documentation must include a statement verifying that the illness, injury, or chronic physical condition exists to the extent that the student is unable to participate in testing and/or remediation.
* Custody Issues: Certified copies of the court-ordered custody agreements must be submitted to the LEA at least ten (10) school days prior to summer remediation or retesting.
Student Eligibility/Retest Requirements:
* Students who meet the criteria for extenuating circumstances under the physical illness, chronic physical condition, or court-ordered custody category related to LEAP 21 and
* who are unable to participate in both the spring and the summer administration of LEAP 21, or
* who failed to achieve the Basic/Approaching Basic combination on the spring
administration of LEAP 21 English Language Arts and Mathematics tests and are unable to participate in LEAP 21 summer retest:
* shall take The Iowa Tests for grade placement within ten (10) school days of returning to school, which may include hospital/homebound instruction, in order to ensure the appropriate level of instruction;
* must score at or above the cutoff score on the selected form of The Iowa Tests for grade placement to be promoted to the 5th or 9th grade; and
* are not eligible for a retest. These students may be eligible for the policy override or appeals process in accordance with the local Pupil Progression Plan. (Note: The appeals process is available only to 4th grade students.)
Students who meet the criteria for extenuating circumstances under the physical illness, chronic physical condition, or court-ordered custody category related to LEAP 21 and
* who are unable to participate in the spring testing and/or summer remediation, including the provision of remediation through hospital/home bound instruction, are required to take the LEAP 21 summer retest. These students may be eligible for the policy override or appeals process in accordance with the local Pupil Progression Plan. (Note: The appeals process is available only to 4th grade students.)
E. State-Granted Exceptions:
A local school superintendent, a parent or guardian, or the State Department of Education may initiate a request for a State-granted waiver from the State Superintendent of Education on behalf of individual students who are not eligible for promotion because of LEA error or other unique situations not covered under extenuating circumstances.
The Department of Education will provide a report to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education detailing state-granted waivers.
Documentation:
LEA Error. The LEA superintendent or parent must provide the State Superintendent of Education with school- and student-level documentation detailing the error, how the error occurred, and how the error will be corrected so that it will not occur again in the future.
Other Unique Situations: Documentation must be provided to the State Superintendent of Education detailing the unique situation and justifying why a waiver should be granted.
Testing/Promotion Decisions:
The Department of Education will communicate to the LEAs the means for establishing promotional decisions for those students who have received a State-granted waiver.
7. The promotion policies outlined above will be reviewed in 2008.
c. Vernon Parish Requirements
(1) Kindergarten - In order to be promoted to first grade, students must demonstrate proficiency in kindergarten skills, as defined in state content standards, by meeting the following minimum requirements:
(a) Must demonstrate mastery of kindergarten skills by successfully completing the end-of-year math test with 70% accuracy.
(b) Must demonstrate mastery of kindergarten skills by successfully completing the End-of-year, Reading Test, with 70% accuracy.
(c) Receive the teacher's recommendation for promotion based on classroom performance.
(d) Students who fail to meet one of these requirements should be referred to the Building Level Committee.
(e) Those students who have not attended kindergarten may enter the first grade, if they can meet the requirements listed in parts (a) and (b) above.
(2) Grade 1 - To be promoted, students must demonstrate proficiency in first grade skills, as defined by state content standards, by meeting the following minimum requirements:
(a) Must make a passing grade average in reading and mathematics.
(b) To receive a passing grade, students must earn a minimum of six (6) quality points per year, with at least three (3) quality points earned in the second semester.
(c) Students who fail to meet any of these requirements should be referred to the Building Level Committee.
(3) Grade 2 - To be promoted, students must demonstrate proficiency in second grade skills, as defined by state content standards, by meeting the following minimum requirements:
(a) Must make a passing grade average in reading and mathematics.
3.4 (Revised 2005-2006)
( 2c)
(e) Remedial classes are required for students scoring below 35th Percentile and/or unsatisfactory on either English Language Arts or Mathematics component of the 7th or 9th grade iLEAP.
10) High School Classification
Grades 9-12: Students must successfully complete the following number of
units to be promoted:
7 PERIOD DAY
Grade 9- 5 units
Grade 10- 11 units
Grade 11- 16 units
Grade 12- 23 units
6 PERIOD DAY
Grade 9- 5 units
Grade 10- 11 units
Grade 11- 17 units
Grade 12- 23 units
(11) Vernon Parish Requirements for High School Students
To receive full credit in a full credit course, students must earn a minimum of seven (7) quality points per year with at least four of these quality points earned in the last semester.
For a half credit course, the student must earn a minimum of four (4) quality points.
3.8
(3c) Grade Averaging
Grades One through Six: The six-weeks letter grade will be an average of the students' recorded grades for that period. The session or final grade will be an average of the six six-weeks letter grades.
Grades Seven through Twelve: The mid-term grade shall be computed by averaging the three six-weeks letter grades. Each grade shall count one-third of the total grade. Convert all grades to quality points and
divide by three (total number of grades). Final grades for semester courses will be the average of the three six-weeks grades and the final exam (if appropriate). The final grade shall be computed by using seven grades; the six-weeks grades and the final test. Each grade shall constitute one-seventh of the final grade. Convert all grades to quality points and divide by seven.
The following score should be used to determine mid-term and final averages:
3.51 - 4.0=A
2.51 - 3.5=B
1.51 - 2.5=C
1.0 - 1.5=D
.0 - .9=F
In order to receive credit for a course pursued, students in grades seven through twelve must earn a minimum of seven quality points per year, with at least four of these quality points earned in the second semester.
LVS Grades
Grades for classes taken through Louisiana Virtual School are assigned by
the Virtual School Instructor. Final grade average for Louisiana Virtual
School classes are determined using the following:
3.5 - 4.0 = A
2.5 - 3.49 = B
1.5 - 2.49 = C
1.0 - 1.49 = D
- 1.0 = F
Determining Grade Point Averages, Ranking and Valedictorian/Salutatorian
In determining grade point averages for the purpose of ranking students and determining valedictorian and salutatorian honors, the following procedures should be used. Grade point average is defined as the total quality points divided by the number of credits pursued . Students receiving a high school credit for courses taken in elementary schools are to be awarded an A, B, C, D, or F.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to adopt the changes in the Pupil Progression Plan.
Superintendent Gillespie discussed the Orchard Foundation's proposal for Woodlinks. On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion by Mel Harris, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to adopt a resolution allowing the Orchard Foundation to coordinate the development of coursework for Woodlinks with the intention of starting class in January of 2007.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Orchard Foundation is a local non-profit educational foundation in Central Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the Orchard Foundation supports and generates direct educational services for Vernon Parish and other central Louisiana parishes; and
WHEREAS, the Orchard Foundation has received a grant from wood industry partners to support the WoodLinks program, and
WHEREAS, the WoodLinks program is a modern wood manufacturing educational program developed by the wood industry partners and local school systems, now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board supports the efforts of the Orchard Foundation to begin the process to implement the WoodLinks Program in one Vernon Parish school in January, 2007.
On motion of James Armes, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to receive bids for a used bus for District 1. One bid was received from Ross Bus Sales for $55,000 for a 2005 conventional bus, and on motion of James Armes, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to accept the bid to purchase the bus.
James Armes reported that the Transportation Committee had met and that Mr. Funderburk had given an update on the buses. Mr. Funderburk reported that he will lease at least nine buses to start school.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
On motion of Maxine Gunn, seconded by John Burns, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
In other business, Superintendent Gillespie reminded the Board of the Educational Forum at Fort Polk this evening at 6:00PM and the Back to School meeting at Leesville High School on Thursday, August 10, 2006 at 8:30AM. Superintendent Gillespie also stated that Rapides Foundation was hosting a board member training at Cypress Bend for nine central Louisiana parishes on November 17 & 18, 2006 and urged members to attend.
On motion of Mike Perkins, 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 Jerry Gray who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gray was the father of Laurie Jordan, teacher at Pitkin High School, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gray was a resident of Texas and will be sadly missed by his family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Laurie Jordan and her family at this time of sadness.
On motion of Mike Perkins, 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 Addie LaFrance who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Addie was the granddaughter of Don and Pat Roberts, teachers at Pitkin High School, and the great- granddaughter of Betty Compton, former teacher at Pitkin High School; and
WHEREAS, Addie was the daughter of Tabitha Roberts LaFrance, and will be sadly missed by her family; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to her family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Mike Perkins, 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 Nora Roberts, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Nora Roberts was the sister of Don Roberts, and the sister-in-law of Pat Roberts, teachers at Pitkin High School; and
WHEREAS, Nora Roberts will be sadly missed by her family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Don Roberts and his family at this time of sadness.
On motion of Beryl Ford, 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 condolences to the family of Emma Chaney who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Emma Chaney was the mother-in-law of Alfa Chaney, retired employee of the Vernon Parish School Board; and
WHEREAS, Emma Chaney was a resident of Rosepine, and will be sadly missed by her friends and family; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Alfa Chaney and 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.
____________________________________
ROBERT PYNES JR., BOARD PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
__________________________________________
DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT