MARCH 6, 2007
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, MARCH 6, 2007, AT, 5:00PM, AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA. 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
M. GENE HAYMON
BERYL FORD
RANDY MARTIN
MICHAEL PERKINS
VERNON TRAVIS
GAYE MCKEE
ABSENT: COL. DAVID SAGE – MILITARY OBLIGATION
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Gaye McKee.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Robert Pynes.
On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the March 1, 2007 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board to approve the following resignations:
Jennifer Tipton, teacher/Simpson
Claudia Hatch, ESL Aide/ELE
Sandra Cooley, bus driver/ELE
Katie Alexander, teacher/LJHS
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:
Janice Martinez, teacher/RHS-Medical SABB 2-21-07/5-25-07
Mitzi Eason, teacher/LHS-Professional SABB 3-5-07/5-25-07
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the following requests for a leave without pay:
Lila Vandine, secretary/LHS-Medical LWOP 3-7-07/6-30-07
Tracy Underwood, custodian/RES-Other LWOP 2-1-07/12-31-07
Kimberley Mitchell, SPED Aide/Evans-Medical LWOP 2-14-07/5-25-07
Juanita Hawkins, custodian/LJHS-Medical LWOP 1-10-07/4-1-07
Margaret Upshaw, SPED Aide/LHS-Medical LWOP 2-8-07/3-28-07
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the following list of new employees:
Belinda McKenzie, teacher/Simpson-replacing Jennifer Tipton(resigned)
Rita Jeter, cook/ELE-replacing Johnnie Dubose(retired)
Daisy Jackson, cook/LJHS-replacing Norma Kelly(deceased)
Kathleen Conner, teacher/PES-replacing Iris Bruce(sick leave)
Patricia Bergeron, teacher/VMS-replacing Patricia Williams(Extended Sick Leave)
Mr. Jackie Self discussed the calendar for the 2007-2008 school year, and on motion of Mike Perkins, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board adopted the school calendar for 2007-2008. SEE ATTACHED
Don Gallemore gave a technology update. He discussed the following items:
1. Change internet providers to Bell South(lowest bid)
2. Upgrading Network Connections to all schools
3. Upgrading Switches in all schools
4. Changing Long Distance Provider to Bell South(lowest bid)
5. Continuing Parent Command Center/parent Call System
6. Continuing JGradebook home access for teacher
7. Reviewing cost of Video Conferencing in all schools
8. Begin upgrading Network Wiring in 3 schools that currently have
60 & 70% E-Rate Discounts
9. Considering moving to ”r;LDAP” (similar to Active Directory) type
logins throughout the system-increased security
John Farris presented the District Accountability Scores and noted that Vernon Parish ranked fourth in the state.
Tim Ward presented results from the audit and the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
Mel Harris reported that the Transportation Committee had met at 3:00PM on this date and the following items were discussed:
1. Mr. Steve Newsome from Beauregard Parish presented information on Board owned fleets of buses.
2. Mr. Carl Corley from Ross Bus Sales presented information on lease-purchase plans.
3. Mr. Tuck, Vernon Parish Police Jury, spoke in regard to bus turnarounds and the procedures involved.
No action was taken on this date and another meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at 1:30PM. It was noted that proposals are due on April 2, 2007 and also that Mr. Funderburk would survey the bus drivers to see how many would be willing to drive leased buses. Mr. Funderburk did give the Board Members a copy of the fuel adjustment scale used to determine the gas/diesel supplement for bus drivers.
On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims
In other business, Superintendent Gillespie reminded the Board that the April 5, 2007 Board meeting would be at Fort Polk.
On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the State Accountability Program has changed due to the iLEAP test replacing the ITBS, ITED in grades 3,5,6,7, and 9; and
WHEREAS, it is difficult to do a comparison to last year based on these changes and the exclusion of hurricane affected parishes; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the Vernon Parish School Board, our administration, our teachers, and our students is to do the best we can; and
WHEREAS, Vernon Parish ranked fourth in the state in District Accountability for the 2005-2006 school year and remained a three star system with a rating of 100.8; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we congratulate our students, teachers, parents, administration, and the Curriculum Department for their efforts to continue to grow through the accountability process.
Mark Smith reported on the High School Redesign Meeting and encouraged those Board members attending the conference in New Orleans to attend break-out sessions on this topic.
Randy Martin discussed the possibility of improving a bus turnaround and it was decided that advice from Mr. Asa Skinner, Board attorney would be necessary on this matter. On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by James Armes, the Board adopted a resolution to improve a bus turnaround at 367 Cryer Road, Leesville, Louisiana pending legal approval.
There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
__________________________
RICKY REESE, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
__________________________________________
DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT