MARCH 1, 2007
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M. MARCH 1, 2007 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 SMITH
STEVE WOODS
BERYL FORD
RANDY MARTIN
MICHAEL PERKINS
VERNON TRAVIS
GAYE MCKEE
GENE HAYMON
COL. DAVID G. SAGE
ABSENT: NONE
There was also present Dr. Cynthia A. Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Gene Haymon.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mel Harris.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2007 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board, voted to name Angela Jimenez as Assistant Principal at Hicks High School.
On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to advertise for principal at Evans High School.
Superintendent Gillespie gave an update on the progress toward District SACS accreditation.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of the Board, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution for State Superintendent Cecil Picard:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Cecil J. Picard was the State of Louisiana Superintendent for eleven years; and
WHEREAS, during Superintendent Picard’s tenure significant gains occurred in student achievement and in the quality of educators; and
WHEREAS, Superintendent Picard made several visits to Vernon Parish to visit schools and to support us as we worked to improve relationships with the personnel at Fort Polk; and
WHEREAS, Superintendent Picard made it possible for the Vernon Parish School Board to acquire funding for LA4 and assisted us in decreasing the length of time required to place transferring students in special education programs and in programs for the gifted; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Picard believed that education is not the only avenue but the answer to problems in our communities and in our state; and
WHEREAS, Superintendent Picard certainly left the state of education in Louisiana in a much better condition that he found it; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the Vernon Parish School Board honors State Superintendent Picard for his dedicated service to the students of Louisiana. His contributions will never be forgotten.
Mark Smith reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for March, 2007 and would make its recommendation to the Board at the Tuesday, March 6, 2007 meeting.
Beryl Ford reported that the Curriculum Committee had met on Tuesday, February 20, 2007. Topics discussed were High School Re-Design, graduation requirements, valedictorian/salutatorian, pre-school plans, and the transition from Headstart to LA4. No action was taken and another Curriculum meeting will be scheduled at a later date.
Mark Smith reported that the Finance Committee had met on Thursday, February 22, 2007. Topics discussed were the new minimum wage, and Mr. Ward discussed budget options and the fact that student enrollment was still decreasing.
In other business, Mr. Reese reported that the Hornbeck Girl’s basketball team represented their school and parish very well at the semi-final round in the top twenty-eight play-offs. On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board take this means to express their tremendous sense of pride in the Hornbeck Lady Hornets Basketball Team and their coaches Tim Parker and Todd Thornton; and
WHEREAS, through their determination, talent, teamwork, and strong leadership, the Lady Hornets advanced to the semi-final round in the sweet sixteen state tournament; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board adopts this resolution commending and congratulating the Hornbeck Lady Hornets and their coaches for a very exciting and successful 2006-2007 basketball season.
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, retired educators have not received a cost-of-living adjustment during the 2002, 2004, and 2005 fiscal years, and
WHEREAS, retired educators have suffered losses in their purchasing power and standard of living during this period, and
WHEREAS, the average benefit paid to retired educators by the Teacher’s Retirement System of Louisiana during the 2006 fiscal year was $19,380 ($1615 monthly before taxes), and less than that amount during the previous fiscal years, and
WHEREAS, 40.8% of retirees, beneficiaries and survivors of members are receiving a benefit from the Teacher’s Retirement System of Louisiana that is less than $13,690.00, which is the poverty level established by the federal government for a family of two for the 2007 calendar year, and
WHEREAS, the State of Louisiana has enjoyed a surplus of funds during the 2006 fiscal year, now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Legislature and the Governor are requested to consider and support a cost of living adjustment at the rate of 1 per cent per annum for retired educators for the 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 fiscal years,
RESOLVED, that this cost-of-living adjustment be in addition to the proposed cost-of-living adjustment that will be payable from the Employee Experience Account held at the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana on July 1, 2007.
AND, FURTHER RESOLVED that a separate account be established at the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana to fund this cumulative 4 per cent cost-of-living adjustment during 2007 to be provided educators who retired prior to July 1, 2001, and who would otherwise have been eligible to receive a cost-of-living adjustment during any of the 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 fiscal years.
Also in other business, Colonel Sage gave the Board members information on the April 5, 2007 board meeting which is to be held at Fort Polk.
Superintendent Gillespie reminded the Board that the March 6, 2007 meeting would be at 5:00PM with the Transportation Committee meeting at 3:00.
On motion of Robert Pynes, 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 Leonel Casarez who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Leonel was the son of Maria Casarez, secretary at the Gates Program; and
WHEREAS, Leonel was a former resident of Leesville and a graduate of Leesville High School 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 Mrs. Casarez 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 wish to take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Geoffrey ”r;Jeff” Tate who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Tate was the husband of Marilyn Tate, paraprofessional at Rosepine High School and the brother-in-law of retired teacher, Dorene Shirley; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Tate was a longtime resident of Rosepine 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 his family at this time of sorrow.
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 Rosetta Jones who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Jones was the mother of Patricia Buckley, Food Service Assistant at the Central Office; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Jones was a lifelong resident of the Anacoco/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 Patricia Buckley and her family at this time of sadness.
On motion of James Armes, 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 Betty Jo James who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. James was the mother of Pam Robertson, secretary at Leesville Jr. High School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. James was a resident of the Leesville 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 Pam Robertson and her 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 express their sympathy to the family of Dorothy Monk who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Monk was the mother of Naomi Roy, paraprofessional at Hicks High School and Viva Grant and Sharon Mock- Bailey, former employees of the Vernon Parish School Board; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Monk was a longtime resident of LaCamp 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 his family at this time of sadness.
MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS:
CLINT JETER
SAM HICKS LUCILLE MARTIN
FREDERICK SEAMAN
HERMAN MCLAREN
AVIS MIDKIFF ALSUP
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 A. GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT