June 7, 2007

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON JUNE 7, 2007 AT 10:00 A.M., 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

RANDY MARTIN

MICHAEL PERKINS

VERNON TRAVIS

GAYE MCKEE

GENE HAYMON

COL. DAVID G. SAGE

ABSENT:        BERYL FORD-OUT OF TOWN

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by James Armes.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mark Smith.

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the May 8, 2007 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office introduced School Resource Officers for the following schools:  Pitkin, Evans, Simpson, Hicks, Anacoco, Vernon Middle, Hornbeck, East, and West.

The Board recognized the Simpson High School Baseball Team as 2007 Class B State Champions.

John Farris recognized Teachers of the Year for Vernon Parish as follows:

Frances Gibbs Servello(Pickering High)            High School Teacher of the Year

Cheree Kay- Atkins(Pickering Elementary)       Jr. High School Teacher of the Year

Heidi Welch(East Leesville Elementary)           Elementary School Teacher of the Year

Tom Neubert recognized Support Personnel of the Year as follows:

Carolyn Toney(Leesville High)                          Secretary

James Brewer(Leesville Jr. High)                       Head Custodian

Albert Sweat(South Polk Elementary)              Head Custodian

Brenda Bealer recognized Headstart staff and parents for their achievements during the 2006-2007 school year.

On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to receive bids for printer refills.  Bids were received as follows:

Sterling Computers                                     $91,808.00

Manage Flex Imaging Services               $110,895.00

On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to accept the low bid from Sterling Computers if it meets specifications.

On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to receive bids on networking supplies.  Bids were received as follows:

CXTEC                       DELL               BELL SOUTH

(SEE ATTACHED BIDS)       

On motion of James Armes, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to accept the lowest bid from CXTEC if it meets specifications.                          

On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to advertise to sell two used 1989 maintenance trucks.

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to advertise to sell a 1985 bus at Pickering High School.

On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to advertise for a Headstart clerical position.

On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to advertise for Headstart specialist.

On motion of James Armes, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to adopt the LA Compliance Questionnaire.

On motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to accept bids for bleachers at Vernon Middle School.  Bids were received as follows:

InSight Inc.                   $46,995.00

Hahn Enterprises          $53,891.00

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to accept the low bid from InSight Incorporated in the amount of $46,995.00.

Mark Smith reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for June 2007 and would make its recommendation to the Board at the Tuesday, June 12, 2007 Board meeting.  Mr. Self discussed a request he had received to change the number of sick days that an employee could donate to another employee.  No action was taken on this request.  Mr. Smith also stated that Mr. Self reported that significant progress had been made in the staff reduction program.

Steve Woods reported that the Fort Polk Attendance Zone Committee had met and was recommending the following suggestion for Palmetto Park Housing:

Students moved into Palmetto Park will be able to attend the following schools: Pickering Elementary, Pickering High, North Polk, South Polk, Vernon Middle, Leesville Jr. High, or Leesville High School. 

Buses will be provided.

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board accepted this recommendation for students at Palmetto Park Housing.

Mel Harris gave a report on the National School Board Association Conference held in San Francisco.

In other business, Superintendent Gillespie reminded the Board members of the Retiree Reception to be held on Tuesday afternoon (June 12^th) at 4:00PM before the 5:00PM Board meeting.  A Curriculum Committee meeting was also scheduled for 2:30PM on June 12, 2007.

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 American Legion Auxiliary is the largest patriotic women’s service organization in the world and focuses on three major areas: veterans, young people, and the community; and

            WHEREAS, the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Louisiana administers many volunteer programs both locally and statewide, gives thousands of hours to its communities, and raises thousands of dollars to support its own programs including scholarships and Louisiana Girls State; and

            WHEREAS, Laura J. Clark, Department of Louisiana President for 2006-2007, has successfully led the American Legion Department of Louisiana in its endeavors for the past year; now

            BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express their appreciation and congratulations to Mrs. Laura Clark and the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Louisiana for their outstanding accomplishments this year.

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 express their sympathy to the family of Reid Weeks who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Weeks was a retired teacher from Vernon Parish, and was the father of Sharon Richardson, cook at Rosepine High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Weeks was a longtime 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 sadness.

On motion of Steve Woods, 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 Carolyn Jeane who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Jeane was the mother of Wayne Jeane, substitute employee, the sister of Rickey Kay, maintenance supervisor, Sheila Kay, substitute employee; and Regina Harry, bus driver.

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Jeane was a lifelong resident of Vernon Parish 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 sorrow.

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 Jack Spence who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Spence was the husband of Clara Spence, retired teacher and the uncle of Brenda Bealer, Headstart Supervisor; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Spence was a longtime 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 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 condolences to the family of Ruth Vallee who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Vallee was the sister of Jerri Zills, retired teacher of Vernon Parish; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Vallee was a resident of Houston, Texas 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 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 would like to express their sympathy to the family of Harold ”r;Mickey” Cohen who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Cohen was the husband of Billye Cohen, former employee of the Vernon Parish School Board; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Cohen was a member of the Lions Club for thirty-five years with perfect attendance and was a dedicated member who worked hard for the Crippled Children’s Camp.  Mr. Cohen was a longtime resident of Leesville 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 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 would like to express their condolences to the family of Wesley Crowell who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Crowell was the father of Shirley Orange, retired teacher and Carl Crowell, former employee of the Vernon Parish School Board; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Crowell was a long-time resident of Vernon Parish 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 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 take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Henry ”r;Butch” Leonard who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Leonard was a teacher at the Vernon Parish Optional School and had taught in several schools in Vernon parish; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Leonard was a longtime 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 would like to express their sympathy to the family of Steve Arthur Weeks who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Weeks was the husband of Joyce Weeks, secretary at the Central Office Special Education Department and a bus driver, and the father of Janet Edwards, teacher at Hicks High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Weeks was a longtime resident of Simpson 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.

________________________

Ricky Reese, Board President

Attest:

____________________________

Cynthia A. Gillespie, Superintendent