JULY 12, 2007
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., JULY 12, 2007, 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.
MARK SMITH
STEVE WOODS
BERYL FORD
RANDY MARTIN
MICHAEL PERKINS
GAYE MCKEE
COL. DAVID G. SAGE
ABSENT: GENE HAYMON – BUSINESS
VERNON TRAVIS – NSBA CONFERENCE
MEL HARRIS – NSBA CONFERENCE
There was also present Dr. Cynthia A. Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Steve Woods.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Col. David Sage.
On motion of James Armes, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the June 12, 2007 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Representative John Smith presented a legislative update.
Brenda Bealer presented a film on Headstart Policy Council Training.
On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to receive bids for juice and milk for 2007-2008 school year. Bids were received as follows:
Milks Juice
Milk Products LP .34 .24
Foremost Dairy .32.61 .21
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to accept the low bid from Foremost Dairy for milk and juice for 2007-2008.
On motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to receive bids for bread for the 2007-2008 school year. Bids were received as follows:
IBC Sales Bread-$1.64 Buns-$1.69
Flowers Bread $1.79 Buns-$1.86
On motion of James Armes, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to accept the low bid from IBC Sales for bread for 2007-2008.
On motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to receive bids for two 1989 maintenance trucks. One bid was received from Doug Cooley for $50.00 for each truck. On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Mike Perkins, the Board voted to reject this bid and authorize Tim Ward and Superintendent Gillespie to dispose of the trucks.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to receive bids for a 1985 bus at Pickering High School. No bids were received and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to authorize Tim Ward and Superintendent Gillespie to dispose of the bus.
On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to receive bids for propane for Hicks, Simpson, and Evans. Bids were received as follows:
Amerigas $1.57.9 per gallon
Shawson $1.47 per gallon
On motion of James Armes, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to accept the low bid from Shawson Gas for propane for Hicks, Simpson, and Evans.
On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the following resolution for JAG:
VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD RESOLUTION
RESOLVED, on motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Gaye McKee, that the Vernon Parish School Board designated Cynthia A. Gillespie, Superintendent, to initiate, negotiate, and sign for grants between the Louisiana Department of Education and the Vernon Parish School Board.
_________________________
Ricky Reese, Board President
July 12,2007
I hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct extract from the minutes of a regular meeting of the Vernon Parish School Board held on July 12, 2007, at which there was a quorum present and voting.
Attest:________________________, Cynthia A. Gillespie,Secretary
July 12, 2007
On motion of Mike Perkins, seconded by Beryl Ford, the Board voted to advertise for principal at Pitkin High School.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to approve the following resolution for a tenure hearing:
A TENURE HEARING IN ACCORDANCE WITH L.R.S. 17:443
TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT MS. MAURNA KAY THORNTON
SHOULD BE DISMISSED OR DISCIPLINED AS A TEACHER
IN THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM
WHEREAS, L.R.S. 17:443 provides that tenured teachers may be dismissed or disciplined for one or more of the following charges: willful neglect of duty; incompetency; dishonesty; immorality; or being a member of or contributing to any group, organization, movement, or corporation that is prohibited by law or injunction from operating in the State of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent has received information suggesting that Ms. Maurna Kay Thornton may be guilty of willful neglect of duty;
WHEREAS, Ms. Thornton has been provided with notice of the charges against her and has been given the opportunity to respond to the charges brought against her; and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent has considered both the evidence presented to her and the employee's response to same and feels that this Board should call a tenure hearing in accordance with the provisions of L.R.S. 17:443 for the purpose of determining whether Ms. Thornton should be dismissed or otherwise disciplined as a tenured teacher in this school system;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Vernon Parish School Board in regular session duly convened that a tenure hearing be called and held in accordance with L.R.S. 17:443 on Tuesday, August 7, 2007, beginning at 11:00 o'clock a.m., to determine the truth or falsity of such allegations against Ms. Thornton and to determine whether or not such allegations, if true, warrant her dismissal or discipline as a teacher in the Vernon Parish school system.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution signed and certified by the Superintendent of Schools and the President of the Board be forwarded to Ms. Thornton and that the Superintendent advise her in writing that this Board will hold a tenure hearing on August 7, 2007 at the Vernon Parish School Board office in Leesville, Louisiana, beginning at 11:00 o'clock a.m., to consider the aforementioned charges and to determine whether or not she should be dismissed from her employment or otherwise disciplined as a tenured teacher in this school system. Further, the Superintendent is directed by the Board to inform Ms. Thornton in writing that the hearing may be public or private at her option and that she may be represented by legal counsel and may present any witnesses or other evidence that she desires on her behalf, all in accordance with L.R.S. 17:443. The Superintendent is further authorized and directed to advise Ms. Thornton in writing at least twenty (20) days in advance of the hearing of the specific reasons for the charges against her and of the names of witnesses who may be called to testify against her at said hearing.
RESOLUTION OFFERED
BY: Mark Smith
RESOLUTION SECONDED
BY: Robert Pynes
The vote, in open meeting on the within resolution was as follows:
YEAS: 9
NAYS 0
ABSENT:3
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Vernon Parish School Board in regular session duly convened on July 12, 2007 and that same has not been rescinded or repealed.
LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA, this 12th day of July, 2007.
________________________________
CYNTHIA A. GILLESPIE, SECRETARY
VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
_______________________
RICKY REESE, PRESIDENT
VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
On motion of Michael Perkins, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve a resolution to employ Mike Johnson (Alexandria) to serve as tenure hearing officer.
RESOLUTION OF THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
REGARDING EMPLOYMENT OF SPECIAL COUNSEL
FOR TENURE HEARING
WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statutes 42:263 authorizes the retention of special counsel by any school board upon a statement of reasons why such counsel is necessary and upon approval by the Attorney General; and
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board is in need of legal counsel experienced in the issues of school personnel matters, including but not limited to tenure hearings, for the purpose of advising the School Board on legal issues that might arise during an upcoming teacher tenure hearing; and
WHEREAS, the General Counsel of the Vernon Parish School Board has an ethical conflict which requires that he and his office excuse themselves from participation in this tenure hearing; and
WHEREAS, Michael T. Johnson of Alexandria, Louisiana has extensive experience, training and expertise in connection with school personnel matters and administrative hearings connected therewith and has agreed to serve as special counsel to advise the Vernon Parish School Board at the tenure hearing;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED by the Vernon Parish School Board in regular session duly convened that:
Section I – This School Board does hereby employ Michael T. Johnson of Alexandria, Louisiana as special counsel with training, experience, and expertise in the area of school personnel matters for the purpose of advising and consulting with this School Board in connection with a tenure hearing and related aspects of school personnel matters, including compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and any future litigation which might become necessary.
Section II – Michael T. Johnson shall be paid for his services at hourly rates equal to the maximum hourly fee for special counsel published by the Attorney General of the State of Louisiana in effect at the time of the services, subject to a maximum hourly rate of $150, and shall be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses for long distance phone calls, document duplication, expert witness fees, court reporter fees, printing costs, travel expenses and other expenses incurred as a result of the provision of legal services to and for this School Board.
Section III – Michael T. Johnson shall keep itemized time records for presentation to the Superintendent with respect to services rendered at said hourly rates, and the Superintendent is hereby authorized and directed to pay same upon submission and receipt thereof.
Section IV – This employment shall be effective as of this date.
This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
YEAS: 9
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 3
And the resolution was declared adopted on this 12th day of July, 2007.
_______________________ _________________________________
Ricky Reese, President Cynthia A. Gillespie, Secretary-Treasurer
Vernon Parish School Board Vernon Parish School Board
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to advertise for assistant principal at Pickering Elementary School.
On motion of James Armes, seconded by Beryl Ford, the Board voted to advertise for payroll/finance secretary at the central office.
Mr. Pynes reported that the Food Service Committee had met and reviewed the prices for lunch and breakfast. The Food Service Committee recommended that lunch prices increase to $1.50 and breakfast prices increase to .75 (seventy-five cents). On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to accept this recommendation. This increase will apply to regular priced lunches and breakfast only. Reduced lunch and breakfast prices will not change since those prices are set by the federal government.
Mark Smith reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for July 2007 and would make its recommendation to the Board on Tuesday, July 17, 2007. The committee also discussed the shortage of certified teachers in some areas and Mr. Smith reported that Mr. Self and Superintendent Gillespie will look into this matter and report back to the committee in August. Substitute pay was also discussed and Superintendent Gillespie and Mr. Ward will look into this matter further with regard to the minimum wage hike.
In other business, Superintendent Gillespie stated that First Christian Church had sent a letter stating that their church would be praying for the central office staff and Board employees and 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 Vernon Parish School Board has received several notices throughout the year from the First Christian Church of Leesville indicating that the staff, students and school board has been prayed for; and
WHEREAS, the First Christian Church on numerous occasions has held special services to recognize school system employees; and
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board members are appreciative of being thought of in such special ways; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board offers this resolution thanking the First Christian Church for their efforts to support the actions of the school board.
Superintendent Gillespie also recommended the transfer of Cassandra Wilson, principal at North Polk Elementary to principal at Vernon Middle School and the transfer of James Wesley, principal at Vernon Middle School, to principal at North Polk Elementary. On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to approve these transfers.
On motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to advertise for assistant principal at Vernon Middle School.
Beryl Ford requested approval from the Board for the Vernon Parish Police Jury to clear some debris in front of Evans High School. On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by James Armes, the Board approved this request if this land is on school or parish property.
Also, in other business, Superintendent Gillespie requested that the November 6, 2007 meeting be changed to November 7, 2007 at 1:00PM due to the District SACS Accrediation Report.
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 take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Lowell Liles who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Liles was the husband of Judy Summerell Liles, teacher at Hornbeck High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Liles was a longtime resident of Moss Bluff 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 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 Ledia Cooley who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Cooley was the mother of Mary Clark, and the mother-in-law of George Clark, former employees at Rosepine High School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Cooley was a resident of Rosepine 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 would like to express their sympathy to the family of Sean Frazar who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Sean Frazar was the husband of Shelia Frazar, teacher at Rosepine High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Frazer was a longtime resident of Rosepine and will be greatly 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 Sheila Frazar at this time of sadness.
Memorial Resolutions: Bobbie Hickman
There being no further business, on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
_________________________
RICKY REESE, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
________________________________________
CYNTHIA A. GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT