JANUARY 16, 2007

January 16, 2007

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, ON JANUARY 16, 2007, AT, 10:00AM, AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA.

PRESIDENT REESE CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:

RICKY REESE, PRESIDENT

JAMES ARMES, VICE PRESIDENT

ROBERT PYNES JR.

MEL HARRIS

MARK H. SMITH

STEVE WOODS

BERYL FORD

RANDY MARTIN

MICHAEL PERKINS

VERNON TRAVIS

GAYE MCKEE

M. GENE HAYMON

ABSENT: COL. DAVID SAGE - 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 Robert Pynes.

On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 11, 2007 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Superintendent Gillespie recognized Ramona Bennett and Renita Davis as LAP Assistant Principals of The Year. Mrs. Bennett was awarded this honor in 2004 and Mrs. Davis in 2006. Superintendent Gillespie congratulated them on this achievement and thanked them for their dedication and support of their

schools.

On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board to approve the following resignations:

Grover Holaway, bus driver/WLE

Brenda Darnell, teacher, Pickering Elem.

Misty Austin, teacher/VMS

Miranda Welch, teacher/WLE

Audra Hukins, teacher/Pitkin

Janice Andrews, teacher/LHS

On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to approve the following sabbatical leave requests:

Betty Hicks, teacher/LHS-Professional SABB 1-16-07/5-25-07

Kathleen Haymon, teacher/ELE-MED SABB 1-16-07/5-25-07

On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the following request for a leave without pay:

Cassandra Landry, Sped Aide/ELE-medical LWOP 12-1-06/12-1-07

On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve the following list of new employees:

Leadeth Paddy, cook/LHS-replacing Sandra McClain(workman's comp settlement)

Mary Ellard, teacher/VMS-replacing Misty Austin(resigned)

Priscilla Kratzer, headstart aide/AES-replacing JaiLynn Dauzart(resigned)

Elizabeth Nunn, headstart aide/NPE-replacing Haley Stevens(trns to ELE)

Melissa Palmer, headstart aide/NPE-replacing Belinda Thompson(resigned)

Beth Wilcox, headstart aide/ELE-replacing Ivy Adams(terminated)

Tiearney Marze, headstart aide/ELE-replacing Tiffany Rhoten(resigned)

Tami Griffin, teacher/Hornbeck-replacing Maurna Thornton(SABB-1 semester)

Christie Kemp, teacher/RES-new position due to overcrowding

Ronda Gillam, teacher/PES-replacing Brenda Darnell(resigned)

Antonette Zapata, SPED Aide/NPE-replacing Julie Wineland(resigned)

Gena Adams, SPED Aide/NPE-replacing Dawn Collins(trns to Simpson)

Henry Lacking, teacher/LHS-replacing Betty Hicks(SABB 2nd semester)

Melissa DeSantiago, SPED Aide/SPE-replacing Margaret Frusha(retired)

Zenobia Wilson, receptionist/central office-retiree return to work

Brian Thompson, teacher/Pitkin-replacing Audra Hukins(resigned)

Lori Cromp, custodian/RES-new position due to increased enrollment

On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the following employee transfers:

Stacy Booth, bus driver/Hornbeck-trns to Anacoco-replacing Agatha Brown(resigned)

Dawn Collins, SPED Aide/NPE-trns to Simpson-replacing Terry Adams(deceased)

Gena Adams, SPED Aide/NPE-I/S trns from SPED to LA4-replacing Ester Stephens(to SPED)

Esther Stephens, LA4 Aide/NPE-I/S trns from LA4 to SPED-replacing Gena Adams(to LA4)

William Dowden, bus driver/VMS-trns to Evans-replacing Robbie Jordan(retired)

James Seaman, bus driver/VMS-trns to WLE-replacing Glenda Lewis(trns to VMS)

Glenda Lewis, bus driver/WLE-trns to VMS-replacing James Seaman(trns to WLE)

Tom Neubert discussed the following policy changes, and on recommendation of Ricky Reese, and on motion by Mark Smith, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to take these changes under advisement.

REDUCTION IN STAFF PERSONNEL

The Vernon Parish School Board shall make provisions for a reduction in the number of employees of the school district, which may be made for reasons of program elimination, declining enrollment, insufficient funds, or other reasons as approved by the Board. All reductions of employees shall be in accordance with requirements contained in state statutes and Board policy. Normal attrition, voluntary retirements, and voluntary leaves of absence shall be considered prior to any staff reduction.

Prior to any reduction in personnel under the provisions stated here, the Board, as employer, shall formally adopt a plan specifying how positions to be reduced in various personnel categories shall be determined. The plan shall include, but not be limited to the following minimum standards to be used in the determination:

1. Certification, if applicable

2. Seniority in the system

3. Tenure of employees

4. Academic preparation, if applicable, in the employee's field

5. a. The right of an employee notified of an action which results from implementation of a reduction in force policy to request in writing a review of such action and to receive notice of the results of such review.

b. The right of an employee to pursue the matter through the Board's grievance procedure.

The Board delegates to the Superintendent and his/her administrative staff the responsibility for preparing all pertinent procedures for implementing this policy. The procedures developed shall also include provisions for recall of qualified personnel within a specified time period.

Revised: December, 1995

Recoded: November, 2006

RECRUITMENT OF SUPERINTENDENT

When an opening in the Superintendency occurs, the Vernon Parish School Board shall aggressively recruit in an effort to fill the position with the most capable person available. The Board shall consider only those candidates who meet both state and local qualifications and who display the ability to successfully carry out the duties of the Superintendent.

The School Board shall advertise and solicit applications from qualified members of the staff and may list the vacancy with placement offices at selected educational institutions in Louisiana and in neighboring states with other educational placement agencies at its discretion. Prior to filling a vacancy, the School Board, at a minimum, shall publish a notice of the vacancy together with a request for the submission of applications to fill the position of Superintendent in accordance with all of the following:

a) On two (2) separate days at least one week apart in the official journal of the School Board.

b) Once in a daily newspaper published in the metropolitan area in the state having a population in excess of one hundred thousand persons that is nearest to the School Board offices, if such newspaper is not the official journal of the School Board.

All publication requirements stated above shall be completed at least thirty (30) days prior to action by the School Board to fill the position of Superintendent.

When filling a vacancy of the Superintendent, the School Board or any agent acting on behalf of the School Board shall not utilize only oral contacts and interviews of applicants considered, or use any other means to

circumvent statutory provisions. Nothing, however, shall prohibit oral contact prior to a person becoming an applicant or shall prohibit oral contact which may result in a written application or other documents.

DISCLOSURE OF APPLICANT'S RECORDS

The name of each applicant for Superintendent, the qualifications of each applicant, and any relevant employment history or experience of each applicant shall be available for public inspection, examination, copying, or reproduction as provided for in the statutory provisions governing public records.

Revised: November, 2006

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:54, 17:81, 23:291, 44:12.1, 44:31, 44:31.1, 44:32, 44:33, 44:34.

BIDS AND QUOTATIONS

PUBLIC WORKS

The Vernon Parish School Board shall advertise and let by contract, except in cases of emergencies as provided below, all public work exceeding $100,000 or such sum as allowed by law, including labor, materials, equipment, and administrative overhead not to exceed fifteen percent (15%). The contract shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder who has bid according to the contract, plans, and specifications advertised. Public works which are estimated to cost less than the contract limit may be undertaken by the Board with its own employees.

As an evidence of good faith of the bidder, the Board shall require bidders for construction, improvement, repair, or other work to attach to the bid submitted, a bid bond, certified check, or cashier's check for not more than five percent (5%) of the contract work to be done. The Board may require a bid bond or certified or cashier's check of not more than five percent (5%) of the estimated price on bids taken for supplies and materials.

When any bid is accepted for construction or doing any public works, a written contract shall be entered into by the successful bidder and the School Board, and the successful bidder shall furnish a bond in an amount not less than one-half of the amount of the contract, for the faithful performance of his or her duties.

Under no circumstances shall there be a division or separation of any public work project into smaller projects, which division or separation would have the effect of avoiding the requirement that public work be advertised and let by contract to the lowest responsible bidder in accordance with statutory provisions.

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES

All purchases of materials or supplies exceeding the sum of $20,000 to be paid out of public funds shall be advertised and let by contract to the lowest responsible bidder who has bid according to the specifications as advertised. In addition, purchases of materials or supplies of at least $10,000, but not more than $20,000, shall be made by obtaining not less than three (3) telephone or facsimile quotations. A written confirmation of the accepted offer shall be obtained and made a part of the purchase file. The Board may require a written contract or bond when purchasing the materials or supplies. If quotations are received that are lower than the quote accepted, a notation shall be entered into the file as to the reasons for rejection of the lower quotes.

Purchases cannot be divided by departments or by a school if the effect is to evade the state's public bid law. Purchases of commodities that are bought in small but recurring amounts through the year shall be bid on an annual basis.

EMERGENCIES

In cases of an emergency or extreme emergency when time is not sufficient to advertise for bids for public works or purchase of materials, the Board or designee is permitted by law to declare that a public emergency or extreme public emergency exists and extend a contract for more than the sums mentioned without going out to bid; however, in such cases every effort shall be made by the administration to secure competitive quotations through negotiations. State law permits a person designated by the Board to declare the existence of an extreme public emergency. Notices of an emergency or extreme emergency shall be published in the Board's official journal within ten (10) days of the emergency being certified by the School Board or designee.

USE OF STATE CONTRACT

The School Board may make use of valid contracts put in place by the State of Louisiana Office of State Purchasing. The Board may also piggyback, or purchase materials and supplies on valid contracts of other political subdivisions.

BID ADVERTISEMENTS

All advertisements for bids for public works shall appear in the newspaper selected as the official journal for the School Board, except in emergencies as may be declared by the Board. Any advertisement for any contract for public works, when published, shall appear once a week for three (3) different weeks in a newspaper in the locality and the first advertisement shall appear at least twenty-five (25) days before the opening of bids. Any advertisement for any contract or purchase of materials or supplies shall be

published two (2) times in a newspaper in the locality, the first advertisement appearing at least fifteen (15) days prior to the opening of bids.

In addition to newspaper advertisements, the School Board may also publish advertisements and accept bids by electronic media available to the general public in accordance with uniform standards promulgated by the state. In any advertisement, the first publication shall not occur on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

If the School Board issues or causes to be issued on a public work exceeding the contract limit set by state law, any addendum modifying plans and specifications within a period of seven (7) days prior to the advertised time for opening of bids, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and any other legal holidays, the School Board shall transmit a copy of the addendum to all prime bidders who have requested bid documents. The transmission shall be completed within twenty-four (24) hours of the issuance of the addendum, and may be delivered by either facsimile transmission (fax), e-mail, other electronic means, or by hand provided the prime bidder has supplied the fax number or e-mail address to the Board. In addition, a copy of the addendum shall be sent by regular mail. If the addendum cannot be transmitted by fax, e-mail, other electronic means, or hand delivered, the Board shall be required to postpone the bid opening by at least seven (7) days.

The School Board shall not issue or cause to be issued any addendum modifying plans and specifications within a period of seventy-two (72) hours prior to the advertised time for the opening of bids, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and any other legal holidays; however, if the necessity arises to issue an addendum modifying plans and specifications within the seventy-two hour period prior to the advertised time for the opening of bids, then the opening of bids shall be extended at least seven (7), but not more than twenty-one (21) working days, without the requirement of readvertising. The addendum shall state the revised time and date for the opening of bids.

OPENING OF BIDS

All bids shall be opened in public in the presence of one or more witnesses, at the time and place designated in the invitation for bids. Each bid, together with the name of the bidder, shall be recorded and open to public inspection. However, the School Board shall not accept or take any bids including receiving any hand delivered bids, on days which are recognized as holidays by the United States Postal Service. The Superintendent and/or other appropriate administrators shall review, summarize and report bids to

the Board with recommendations for final action.

If the School Board proposes to disqualify any bidder, the School Board shall:

(1) Give written notice of the proposed disqualification to such bidder, and include in the written notice all reasons for the proposed disqualification; and

(2) Give such bidder, who is proposed to be disqualified, the opportunity to be heard at an informal hearing, at which such bidder is afforded the opportunity to refute the reasons for the disqualification.

Revised: December, 1991

Revised: December, 1992

Revised: November, 1993

Revised: December, 1995

Revised: October, 1997

Revised: November, 1999

Revised: November, 2001

Revised: June, 2002

Revised: August, 2003

Revised: November, 2003

Revised: September, 2004

Revised: November, 2006

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§38:2211, 38:2212, 38:2212.1, 38:2214,38:2218, 38:2251, 39:1551 et seq.; Board minutes, 12-4-03, 10-12-04.

PERSONNEL RECORDS

The Vernon Parish School Board shall require the maintenance of a uniform system of personnel records for all employees. It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent or designee to keep the records updated and complete in accordance with statutory provisions. A School Board member or any other person authorized pursuant to this policy shall be permitted to examine any and all records of the school system, except school employee records relative to evaluations, observations, formal complaints, and grievances. However, the Board, upon a majority vote of the total Board membership, shall have the right to examine any and all records of the school system, including personnel records. (Moved to paragraph 4)

A personnel file shall be accurately maintained in the central administrative office for each present and former employee. These files shall contain applications for employment, references, and records relative

to compensation, payroll deductions, evaluations, and such other matters as may be considered pertinent to the proper maintenance of all personnel records. It is the duty of the employee to furnish the personnel office with certificates, transcripts, statements of degrees, and other educational experience related documentation.

The Superintendent shall be designated as custodian of all personnel files and shall have the overall responsibility for maintaining and preserving the confidentiality of the files. The Superintendent may, however, designate another official to perform the duties of records management on the understanding that this official is to be held responsible for granting or denying access to records on the basis of these guidelines.

GENERAL ACCESS TO AN EMPLOYEE'S PERSONNEL FILE

No school employee shall be denied access to his/her personnel file. Any school employee requesting to see his/her personnel file shall be given access to his/her entire personnel file, including but not limited to all documents placed in the employee's file on or before September 1, 1987. The contents of a school employee's personnel file shall not be divulged to third parties without the express written consent of the school employee, except when ordered by a court or by subpoena, or in accordance with this policy. No school system employee other than the personnel file custodian or the Superintendent for the system, or the designee of either, who shall be a school system employee, shall be allowed access to a school employee's personnel file without the school employee's expressed written consent, unless that employee is charged with the duty of supervising that particular school employee's performance. A School Board member or any other person authorized pursuant to this policy shall be permitted to examine any and all records of the school system, except school employee records relative to evaluations, observations, formal complaints, and grievances. However, in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:81, the Board, upon a majority vote of the total Board membership, shall have the right to examine any and all records of the school system, including personnel records. (Moved from Paragraph 1)

In case a personnel file should be accessed by the Board or anyone else, the employee whose file was so accessed shall receive written notice of the fact and the name and title of the person who was permitted access. All persons permitted access shall maintain the confidentiality of those documents in the file that are not matters of public record.

If an employee wishes to review and/or obtain a copy of his/her personnel file, the employee must make a written request to the Superintendent or his/her designee not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the date the file will be reviewed.

REQUESTS FOR ACCESS AND INSPECTION

Additions to Personnel File

No complaint, commendation, suggestion, or evaluation may be placed in the evaluation file unless it meets the following requirements:

1. Each document concerning a school employee shall be placed in the employee's personnel file within a reasonable time and no document, except those resulting from routine recordkeeping, shall be placed in a school employee's personnel file by any school system employee, unless and until that school employee is presented with the original document and a copy thereof prior to its filing.

2. Upon receipt of the original document and copy of the same, the school employee shall sign the original document as an acknowledgement of the receipt of the copy of the document. Such signature shall not be construed as an agreement to the contents of the document.

Rebuttal and Response

Each school employee shall be given the opportunity to rebut and to respond to a document placed in his/her personnel file including but not limited to any document placed in such file on or before September 1, 1987.

1. The rebuttal and response must be in written form and once filed shall be attached to the document to which the response and rebuttal applies, and thus become a permanent part of the school employee's personnel file as long as the document remains a part of the personnel file.

2. No document or copy thereof, to which a response and rebuttal has been filed, shall be used for any purpose whatsoever unless the rebuttal and response or copy thereof is attached to the document or copy sought to be used.

3. A school employee shall have the right to receive proof of any allegations and statements contained in a document placed in his/her file that the school employee believes to be inaccurate, invalid, ormisrepresented. If such proof is not presented, the document containing the allegations and statement shall be removed from the school employee's personnel file and destroyed.

If, at any time, the School Board takes any personnel action against an employee based upon any document that was placed in the employee's file on or before September 1, 1987, the employee shall be given the opportunity to rebut and respond to such document.

Procedure for Filing of Rebuttal and Response

1. Any rebuttal and response to a document placed in a school employee's personnel file shall be filed by the employee within fifteen (15) school days from the date on which the school employee signs the document acknowledging its receipt.

2. The school employee may be granted an additional ten (10) school days for the filing of the rebuttal and response, provided the school employee requests such an extension in writing addressed to the personnel file custodian within the original fifteen-day period. The personnel file custodian's consent to the ten-day extension of time shall not be unreasonably withheld.

3. The rebuttal and response shall be deemed filed by the delivery of the original and one copy of the rebuttal and response to the personnel file custodian. The personnel file custodian shall then sign anddate the original rebuttal and response and file the same into the school employee's personnel file. The personnel file custodian shall also sign and date a copy of the rebuttal and response and return the same to the school employee.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

Certain items in the personnel records of School Board employees shall be confidential, including:

1. The home telephone number of the employee where such employee has chosen to have a private or unlisted home telephone number because of the nature of his/her occupation with such body.

2. The home telephone number of the employee where such employee has requested that the number be confidential.

3. The home address of the employee where such employee has requested that the address be confidential, except it shall be made available to recognized educational groups.

4. The social security number and financial institution direct deposit information as contained in the personnel records of an employee of the School Board. However, when the employee's social security number or financial institution direct deposit information is required to be disclosed pursuant to any other provision of law, including such purposes as child support enforcement, health insurance, retirement reporting, or to officials or employees of the school, School Board, Louisiana Department of Education, or Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), in the performance of duties or responsibilities of the official or employee, the social security number or financial institution direct deposit information of the employee shall be disclosed pursuant to such provision of law.

5. The name and account number of any financial institution to which the public employee's wages or salary is directly deposited by an electronic direct deposit payroll system or other direct deposit system.

The above information shall not be divulged to third parties.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL RECORDS

In the matter of health and medical records, the laws applicable to that shall apply and the following items found in personnel records have been deemed confidential and should not be released for examination: An

employee's health and medical records are deemed confidential and shall be maintained in a separate file apart from the employee's general personnel file. Such records will include:

1. Medical/health records, claim forms, life insurance application, requests for payment of benefits, and all other health records of an employee and his/her dependents except as may be permitted by statelaw enrolled in the Vernon Parish School Board adopted insurance plan.

2. All medical records of an employee, all records of payment of compensation to an employee or his/her dependent and other records which would ascertain the identity of the injured employee or his/her dependent in a Worker's Compensation action.

3. Medical information obtained as a result of an employee's request for a reasonable work accommodation due to a disability.

There may be instances where an employee's medical information will need to be made available to certain supervisory personnel, such as where a request for a reasonable accommodation has been granted, to inform a supervisor of necessary work duties or restrictions due to an on-the-job injury, emergency

treatment required by the employee, or if specific procedures are needed to aid the employee in case of fire or other evacuations. Supervisors, however, shall not have unlimited access to an employee's medical file or to information about an employee's medical condition which is unnecessary to the performance of the employee's job.

Medical information may also be made available to third parties as required by law or business necessity. For example, the School Board may be required to release such information to government officials investigating the School Board's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, to state

worker's compensation offices in accordance with Louisiana worker's compensation laws, or to insurance companies where the insurer requires a medical examination before providing health or life insurance to employees.

RELEASE OF PERSONNEL RECORDS PERMITTED

There are conditions under which personnel records of employees may be released. These conditions are:

1. Personnel records may be released to persons other than the affected employee with the written consent of the employee or as required by law or the courts.

2. Information relating to dependents and beneficiaries of deceased employees. Requests for such information may be required to be in writing.

3. In all cases, an employee shall have unlimited access to any and all information contained in or pertaining to his/her own health record.

DEFINITIONS

Document means any written or otherwise tangible material intended to be or actually used as a part of or any evidence of the work history of any employee including but not limited to any and all reports, comments, reprimands, correspondence, memoranda, evaluations, observations, and grievances relative to a particular employee.

Personnel file means those file(s) which contain the cumulative collection of any and all documents maintained by the school system with respect to each individual employee.

Personnel file custodians (file custodians) means those persons employed by the school system charged with the duty of maintaining and preserving the personnel files.

Third party means any person or entity not regularly employed, or employed under a contract by the school system in which the employee is employed.

Revised: October, 2001

Revised: November, 2003

Revised: November, 2006

Ref: 5 U.S.C.A. §552 (Privacy Act of 1974); La. Rev. Stat. Ann.§§17:81, 17:440, 17:1231 et seq., 23:1127, 23:1131, 23:1293, 44:1, 44:2, 44.4, 44:11, 44:12; Board mi

STAFF RECRUITMENT

The Vernon Parish School Board shall require the selection and appointment of professional employees to be made on the basis of qualifications determined by professionally trained school personnel rather than political consideration. The responsibility of school officials shall be to secure the services of the best people available with primary consideration being given to professional competency. The Superintendent shall be granted full authority and responsibility for evaluating and recommending prospective

professional employees, based on a careful study by the Superintendent and/or his/her designated staff members of the experience, training, professional qualifications, and human relations skills of the applicants. Except for extra-ordinary circumstances, a personal interview by the Superintendent or his/her designated staff shall be a part of the selection process.

When filling vacancies in positions of authority or those with policymaking duties, the School Board or any agent acting on behalf of the School Board shall not utilize only oral contacts and interviews of applicants

considered, or use any other means to circumvent the provisions of this statute. Nothing, however, shall prohibit oral contact prior to a person becoming an applicant or shall prohibit oral contact which may result in a written application or other documents.

DISCLOSURE OF APPLICANT'S RECORDS

The name of each applicant for certain positions of authority or those with policymaking duties, the qualifications of such an applicant, and any relevant employment history or experience of such an applicant shall be available for public inspection, examination, copying, or reproduction as provided for in the statutory provisions governing public works.

Revised: November, 2006

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:24.2, 17:81,17:83, 23:291, 44:12.1, 44:31, 44:31.1, 44:32, 44:33, 44:34.

EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE

The Vernon Parish School Board, in accordance with state law, shall have authority to discipline employees in any manner, including oral or written reprimand, suspension, or termination, when an employee's behavior warrants such action. When not otherwise provided for by state law or Board policy, any disciplinary action to be considered by the Board shall be based on the recommendation of the Superintendent.

The School Board shall employ a progressive discipline approach when disciplining employees. Progressive discipline means that penalties for poor job performance or broken rules become increasingly harsh as similar or related conditions continue or infractions are repeated. Such progressive discipline, however, shall not inhibit the Superintendent and/or Board's authority to discipline, suspend, or terminate an employee based on the circumstances of any single event. Documentation of employee behavior,

performance, and disciplinary action taken shall be properly and thoroughly recorded.

Should any disciplinary measure become necessary, any documentation shall be considered confidential information and treated in accordance with statutory provisions and Board policy.

If, at any time, the School Board takes any personnel action against an employee based upon any document that was placed in the employee's personnel file on or before September 1, 1987, the employee shall be given the opportunity to rebut and respond to such document.

The Vernon Parish School Board may suspend any person in its employment when the Superintendent has reason to believe that cause exists for such suspension when the interests of the school district so dictate.

The Superintendent shall have the authority to temporarily suspend school personnel when, in his/her opinion, the circumstances necessitate immediate action. The salary of a suspended teacher shall cease as of the date the Board sustains the suspension. If sufficient grounds for termination or suspension are subsequently not found, the teacher shall be reinstated without loss of compensation.

The Superintendent may suspend an employee as provided for in this policy until the next regular meeting of the Board. The Superintendent shall notify the Board of his/her action and shall refer the matter to the Board.

Recoded: November, 2006

SUSPENSION

Recoded: November, 2006

On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the low bid from Bell South for internet access at 12 Meg DS3/$3,710.00/month and long distance all sites .025 per minute - all other E-Rate services for year ten will be procured through the 470 filed by the State of Louisiana other than those being "sole source".

On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.

On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

In other business, Superintendent Gillespie reminded the Board that pictures would be taken on February 1, 2007 before the board meeting and urged all members to attend.

Mr. Mel Harris reported that the Transportation Committee had met and reviewed the bus situation. On motion of James Armes, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following resolutions:

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board is responsible for providing safe and timely transportation for students to and from school; and

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board has experienced increased costs for transportation due to rising fuel prices, insurance costs, and other maintenance/personnel related costs; and

WHEREAS, in the past the Vernon Parish School Board has relied on contract bus drivers who own their buses to provide transportation for our students; and

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board has experienced great difficulty in finding personnel who are willing to get certified to drive a bus; and

WHEREAS, those who get certified are many times unwilling or unable to purchase a bus; now

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests that BESE, Governor Kathleen Blanco, and the Louisiana Legislature pursue avenues for increased funding to assist with transportation costs.

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board is responsible for providing safe and timely transportation for students to and from school; and

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board has experienced increased costs for transportation due to rising fuel prices, insurance costs, and other maintenance/personnel related costs; and

WHEREAS, in the past the Vernon Parish School Board has relied on contract bus drivers who own their buses to provide transportation for our students; and

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board has experienced great difficulty in finding personnel who are willing to get certified to drive a bus; and

WHEREAS, those who get certified are many times unwilling or unable to purchase a bus; now

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests that the School Employees Retirement System, of which our bus drivers are a part, allow retired bus drivers to return to work, like those in the teacher's Retirement System, without penalizing their retirement pay.

Mel Harris also noted that the Transportation Committee also noted that a letter should be sent to all representatives and senators asking for their assistance with the bus situation.

A Transportation Committee meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at 8:30AM.

On motion of James Armes, seconded by the Board, the Board also adopted the following resolution:

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Vernon Parish has an exemplary school system; and

WHEREAS, the support personnel are an integral part of the success of the Vernon Parish School Board; and

WHEREAS, many of our support personnel make little more than minimum wage; and

WHEREAS, the employee costs for health insurance and other personal expenses have risen more rapidly than support pay; now

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests that Governor Blanco, BESE, and the Louisiana Legislature pursue funding options to provide a significant pay raise for support personnel.

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 take this means to express their condolences to the family of Lounette Nolen who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Nolen was a former Vernon Parish School Board member and also worked with the Headstart Program; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Nolen was the wife of the late Walter Nolen, who was also a member of the Vernon Parish School Board; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Nolen was a longtime resident of the Pitkin area and she 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 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 sympathy to the family of Ralph Polson who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Polson was the uncle of Pat Roberts, teacher at Pitkin and the brother of Betty Sue Compton, retired teacher of Vernon Parish; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Polson was a longtime resident of Pitkin and he 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 his family at this time of sadness.

On motion of Gene Haymon, 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 take this means to express their condolences to the family of Joyce Hillman who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Hillman was the mother of Gail Basco, bus driver at Simpson High School; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Hillman was a lifelong resident of the Leesville/Vernon Parish area and 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 Gail Basco and her family at this time of sadness.

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 would like to express their sympathy to the family of Daniel Calhoun who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Calhoun was the father of Linda Calhoun, librarian at Rosepine Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Calhoun was a longtime resident of the Rosepine area and he 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 his family at thistime of sadness.

There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.

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RICKY REESE, BOARD PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

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DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT