APRIL 5, 2007     

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., AT THE FORT POLK EDUCATION CENTER, FORT POLK 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

STEVE WOODS

BERYL FORD

MICHAEL PERKINS

VERNON TRAVIS

GAYE MCKEE

GENE HAYMON

COL. DAVID G. SAGE

ABSENT:        MARK SMITH – OUT OF TOWN

                        RANDY MARTIN – BUSINESS OBLIGATION

There was also present Dr. Cynthia A. Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.

The meeting was opened in prayer by Mel Harris.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Colonel Sage.

On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the March 6, 2007 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Mr. Bob Lewis was not in attendance at the Board meeting.  The Board members were invited on a tour of the military housing after the meeting and an update was given at that time.

On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to advertise for bids for paper towels for the 2007-2008 school year.

On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to advertise for bids for trash bags for the 2007-2008 school year.

On motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to advertise for bids for copier paper for the 2007-2008 school year.

On motion of James Armes, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the Anacoco Playground Grant for Rapides Foundation.

On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Beryl Ford, the Board voted to advertise for Headstart Coordinator. Also on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by the Board, the Board wishes to express their appreciation to Mrs. Bealer for a job well done.

On motion of James Armes, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the Headstart Proposal.

On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to name Jimmy Maricle as principal at Evans High School.

Mel Harris reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for April, 2007 and would make its recommendation to the Board at the Tuesday, April 17, 2007 Board meeting.  The Staff Reduction Policy was discussed and will be presented for approval at the April 17, 2007 Board meeting.

Mel Harris reported that the Transportation Committee had met on March 13, 2007 to discuss bus issues.  A Transportation Meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 17, 2007.  Mr. Funderburk has received proposals and the surveys of bus drivers and these will be presented at the meeting.

Colonel David G. Sage gave a PowerPoint Education Brief.

In other business Superintendent Gillespie and Mr. Reese thanked Colonel Sage for the hospitality and everything they have done for Vernon Parish.  Superintendent Gillespie reminded the Board of the Transportation Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 8:30AM and urged all Board members to attend.  Superintendent Gillespie also noted that employee lists were in the Board folders as well as the revised school calendar for 2007-2008.

Mr. Vernon Travis discussed the Success Seminar that was held recently at Leesville Jr. High, and on motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution:

RESOLUTION FOR NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN/BEAUREGARD-VERNON

On motion of Robert Pynes for Randy Martin, 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 William Koenck who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Koenck was the father of Edwin Koenck, Assistant Principal at West Leesville Elementary School and the father-in-law of Leslie Koenck, Elementary Supervisor at the Central Office; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Koenck was a longtime resident of Vernon Parish and will be sadly missed by his family and friends; now

            BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to his family at this time of sadness.

On motion of Ricky Reese, 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 Evie Stokes who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Stokes was the mother of Don Stokes, and the mother-in-law of Diane Stokes, retired employees of the Vernon Parish School Board; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Stokes was a lifelong resident of Anacoco 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 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 take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Robert Maddox who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Robert Maddox was the son of Melba Maddox, retired employee from the Vernon Parish School System; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Maddox was a lifelong resident of Vernon Parish 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 sorrow.

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 Hazel Cedars who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Cedars was the mother of Danny Cedars and the mother-in-law of Wendy Cedars, bus driver for Vernon Parish; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Cedars was a resident of Kurthwood 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 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 take this means to express their sympathy to the family of George Richardson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Richardson was the grandfather of Lisa Haymon, teacher at Rosepine High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Richardson was a resident of Leesville 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.

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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CYNTHIA A. GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT