September 6, 2007

SEPTEMBER 6, 2007

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., SEPTEMBER 6, 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 James Armes.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Gene Haymon.

On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the August 7, 2007 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Mr. Steve Ezell, Operation Lifesaver, addressed the Board concerning safety at railroad crossings.

On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board postponed a resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, to authorize the incurring debt and issuance of bonds, making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to authorize the sale and issuance of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, Series 2007, of Ward Three.

On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to receive bids for a 1988 bus at Simpson High School. No bids were received for this bus. Mr. Jimmy Funderburk stated that he had a request from the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office that the bus be donated to them for training purposes for the School Resource Officers. On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to donate the 1988 bus at Simpson High School to the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office.

On motion of Mike Perkins, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to receive bids for a security system at Pitkin High School. One bid was received from Lightening Media Consulting of Leesville for $21,895.12. On motion of Mike Perkins, seconded by Beryl Ford, the Board voted to accept the bid from Lightening Media Consulting.

On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to advertise for a Health Nutrition Specialist for Headstart.

On motion of Mike Perkins, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to table the following policy changes until more clarification is received:

SUSPENSION

The Vernon Parish School Board recognizes its authority to maintain good order and discipline within the schools of the school district. Therefore, the Board recognizes the principal's authority to suspend a pupil for a specified period of time in accordance with statutory provisions. The term of suspension may carry over into the next school year, when necessary, unless otherwise provided for in state statutes.

In each case of suspension, the school principal, or his or her designee, prior to any suspension, shall advise the student of the particular misconduct of which he/she is accused as well as the basis for such accusation, and the pupil shall be given an opportunity at that time to explain his/her version of the facts. The principal/designee shall contact the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of the pupil to notify them of the suspension, and establish a date and time for a conference with the principal or designee as a requirement for readmitting the pupil. Notice shall be given by contacting the parent, tutor, or legal guardian by telephone at the telephone number shown on the pupil's registration card, or by sending a certified letter to the address shown on the pupil's registration card. The principal shall promptly advise the Superintendent or designee of all such suspensions, stating the reasons for the suspensions.

No suspended pupil shall be allowed to leave the school premises during the school day until the parent, guardian, or other proper authorities assume responsibility for him/her, unless immediate removal from school due to danger or threat of disruption to academic process is warranted.

If the parent, tutor, or legal guardian fails to attend the required conference within five (5) school days of notification, the truancy laws shall be effective. On not more than one occasion each school year when the parent, tutor, or legal guardian refuses to respond to the notice, the principal may determine whether readmitting the pupil is in the best interest of the pupil. On any subsequent occasions in the same school year, the pupil shall not be readmitted unless the parent, tutor, or legal guardian, court, or other appointed representative responds.

In any case where a teacher, principal, or other school employee is authorized to require the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a pupil to attend a conference or meeting regarding the pupil's behavior and after notice, the parent, tutor, or legal guardian willfully refuses to attend, the principal or his/her designee shall file a complaint, in accordance with statutory provisions, with a court exercising juvenile jurisdiction.

When a pupil is suspended for a second time within one school year, the principal may require a counseling session be held with the parent and pupil by the school counselor. If no counselor is available, the conference may be held with all the pupil's teachers and the principal or other administrator.

Any student, after being suspended on three (3) occasions for committing any suspendable offenses involving a firearm, knife or other dangerous instrumentality, or drugs, narcotics or other controlled dangerous substances during the same school year, shall upon committing the fourth offense, be expelled from all the public schools of the system until the beginning of the next regular school year, and the pupil's reinstatement shall be subject to the review and approval of the Board.

The principal and other appropriate personnel shall be required to file written documentation of all suspensions. Said documentation shall include the circumstances surrounding any suspension, the reason for suspension, and any other pertinent facts concerning the disciplinary action. The principal shall file copies of his/her report with the Superintendent, other appropriate personnel and the parent or guardian and retain a copy for his/her records.

Any parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a pupil suspended shall have the right to appeal to the Superintendent or his/her designee, who shall conduct a hearing on the merits. If the parent or legal guardian is not present for the hearing after having been properly notified, the hearing may proceed and the results of the hearing shall be mailed to the parent or legal guardian within three (3) school days by certified mail, return receipt requested.

The decision of the Superintendent on the merits of the case, as well as the term of suspension, shall be final, reserving to the Superintendent the right to remit any portion of the time of suspension.

Except for in-school suspensions, any pupil suspended shall receive no credit for school work missed while suspended.

Upon the seizure by any teacher, principal, school security guard, or other school administrator of any firearm, knife, or other dangerous implement which could be used as a weapon or inflict injury, the principal or his or her designee shall be required to report the confiscation to appropriate law enforcement officials.

MANDATORY SUSPENSION

The principal shall be required to suspend a pupil who:

1. is found carrying or possessing a firearm or a knife with a blade two (2) inches or longer, or another dangerous instrumentality, except as provided below under the section entitled Suspension Not Applicable; or

2. possesses, distributes, sells, gives, or loans any controlled dangerous substance governed by state law, in any form.

Additionally, the principal shall immediately recommend the pupil's expulsion to the Superintendent, for the above offenses, except in the case of a student less than eleven (11) years of age in pre-kindergarten through grade 5 who is found carrying or possessing a knife with a blade two (2) inches or longer, the principal may, but shall not be required to recommend the student's expulsion. A student found carrying or possessing a knife with a blade less than two (2) inches in length may be suspended by the school principal, but, in appropriate cases, at a minimum, shall be placed in in-school suspension.

Suspension Not Applicable

Suspension of a student shall not apply to the following:

1. A student carrying or possessing a firearm or knife for purposes of involvement in a school class, course, or school approved co-curricular or extracurricular activity or any other activity approved by appropriate school officials.

2. A student possessing any controlled dangerous substance that has been obtained directly or due to a valid prescription or order from a licensed physician. However, such student shall carry evidence of that prescription or physician's order on his/her person at all times when in possession of any controlled dangerous substance which shall be subject to verification.

In addition, school officials, in accordance with statutory provisions, shall have total discretion and shall exercise such discretion in imposing on a pupil any disciplinary actions authorized by state law for possession by a pupil of a firearm or knife on school property when such firearm or knife is stored in a motor vehicle and there is no evidence of the pupil's intent to use the firearm or knife in a criminal manner.

Assault or Battery of School Employees

Whenever a pupil is formally accused of violating state law or school disciplinary regulations, or both, by committing assault or battery on any school employee, the principal shall suspend the pupil from school immediately and the pupil shall be removed immediately from the school premises without the benefit of required procedures, provided, however, that such procedures shall follow as soon as practicable. The student shall not be readmitted to the school to which the employee is assigned until all hearings and appeals associated with the alleged violation have been exhausted.

RECUSAL OF ADMINISTRATOR IN DISCIPLINE MATTERS

Any school administrator or administrator's designee who is required to make a recommendation, decide an issue, or take action in a matter involving the discipline of a student shall recuse himself/herself whenever a member of the immediate family of the administrator or administrator's designee is involved in any manner in the discipline matter. In case of recusal, the action to be taken shall be done so by the Superintendent or an impartial designee of the Superintendent.

Immediate family means the individual's children, brothers, sisters, parents, and spouse and the children, brothers, sisters, and parents of the spouse.

SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Suspension of students with disabilities shall be in accordance with applicable state or federal law and regulations.

Revised: December, 1992

Revised: August, 1994

Revised: December, 1995

Revised: July, 1996

Revised: September, 1997

Revised: August, 1999

Revised: August, 2003

Revised: August, 2005

Revised: September, 2006

Revised: August, 2007

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:223, 17:416, 17:416.1, 17:416.2, 17:416.3; Goss v. Lopez, 95 S.Ct. 729 (1973); Regulations for Implementation of the Exceptional Children's Act, Bulletin 1706, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 9-4-03, 9-6-05, 10-10-06.

EXPULSION

The Vernon Parish School Board may expel a pupil from school if an offense committed by the pupil is serious enough to warrant such action or is in violation of state law. Upon the recommendation for expulsion of a pupil by the principal, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall conduct a hearing to determine the facts of the case and make a finding of whether or not the student is guilty of conduct warranting a recommendation of expulsion. Notification of the time, date, and place of the expulsion hearing shall be mailed to the parents. Following the hearing, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall notify the parents of the decision rendered.

At the hearing, the principal and/or teacher concerned may be represented by any person appointed by the Superintendent and the concerned teacher shall be permitted to attend and present any relevant information. Until the hearing, the pupil shall remain suspended.

Upon the conclusion of the hearing and upon finding the student guilty of conduct warranting expulsion, the Superintendent shall determine whether such student shall be expelled and the specified period of expulsion, or if other disciplinary action shall be taken. Unless otherwise stipulated by state statutes, the period of expulsion shall not be less than one school semester and may carry over into the next school year, if necessary. During an expulsion, except for students expelled for offenses involving a firearm, knife or other dangerous weapon or instrumentality, or drugs, narcotics or other controlled dangerous substances, the School Board shall place the student in an alternative school or in an alternative school setting unless the Board is exempt as provided by law from providing such alternative school setting.

The parent or tutor of the pupil may, within five (5) days after the decision to expel has been rendered, request the Board to review the findings of the Superintendent or designee at a time set by the Board. After reviewing the findings of the Superintendent or designee, the School Board may affirm, modify, or reverse the action of the Superintendent or designee.

Any pupil who is expelled shall receive no credit for school work missed while he/she is expelled.

MANDATORY EXPULSION INVOLVING FIREARMS

State law requires the Superintendent to expel a pupil for minimum periods of time if found guilty of certain offenses, as follows:

A. Any student, regardless of age sixteen (16) or older, or under sixteen (16) and in grades six (6) through twelve (12), who is found guilty of being in possession of a firearm on school property, on a school bus or in actual possession at a school-sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing, shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of twelve (12) calendar months four (4) complete school semesters and shall be referred to the district attorney for appropriate action.

Any student in kindergarten through grade five (5) who is found guilty of being in possession of a firearm on school property, on a school bus, or in actual possession at a school-sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing, shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of two (2) complete school semesters and shall be referred to the district attorney for appropriate action.

The Superintendent, however, may modify the length of the minimum expulsion required in the above paragraphs on a case-by-case basis, provided such modification is in writing.

EXPULSION INVOLVING DRUGS

B. Any student, sixteen (16) years of age or older, found guilty of possession of, or knowledge of and intentional distribution of or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property, on a school bus or at a school-sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing, shall be expelled from school for a minimum of twenty-four (24) calendar months unless such student has agreed to participate and participates full-time in a juvenile drug court program operated by a court in Louisiana as required by the Board. Such student may be placed by the School Board in an alternative education program for suspended and expelled students approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) period of four (4) complete school semesters.

C. Any student who is under sixteen (16) years of age and in grades six (6) through twelve (12) and who is found guilty of possession of, or knowledge of and intentional distribution of or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event pursuant to a hearing shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of twelve (12)

calendar months unless such student has agreed to participate and participates full-time in a juvenile drug court program operated by a court in Louisiana as required by the Board. Such student may be placed by the School Board in an alternative education program for suspended and expelled students approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) two (2) complete school semesters.

D. Any case involving a student in kindergarten through grade five (5) found guilty of possession of, or knowledge of and intentional distribution of or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property, on a school bus, or at a school- sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing, shall be referred to the Board through a recommendation for action from the Superintendent.

E. (Information regarding fourth suspension moved below)

ADDITIONAL REASONS FOR EXPULSION

Pupils may also be expelled for any of the following reasons:

1. Any pupil, after being suspended for committing violations of any discipline policies or other rule infractions, depending on the severity of the behavior, may be expelled upon recommendation to the Superintendent by the principal and after an appropriate hearing is held by the Superintendent or designee.

2. Any student who is found carrying or possessing a knife with a blade which equals or exceeds two (2) inches in length.

3. In accordance with federal regulations, a pupil determined to have brought a weapon to a school under the Board's jurisdiction shall be expelled for a minimum of one calendar year. The Superintendent may modify the expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis. A weapon, in accordance with federal statutes, means a firearm or any device which is designed to expel a projectile or any destructive device, which in turn means any explosive, incendiary or poison gas, bomb, grenade, rocket, missile, mine or similar device.

4. Any student, after being suspended on three (3) occasions for committing offenses involving a firearm, knife or other dangerous instrumentality, or drugs, narcotics or other controlled dangerous substances during the same school year, shall, on upon committing the fourth offense, be expelled from all the public schools of the system until the beginning of the next regular school year, and the pupil's reinstatement shall be subject to the review and approval of the Board.

45. The conviction of any pupil of a felony or the incarceration of any pupil in a juvenile institution for an act which had it been committed by an adult, would have constituted a felony, may be cause for expulsion of the pupil for a period of time as determined by the Board; such expulsions shall require the vote of two-thirds of the elected members of the Board.

EXPULSION NOT APPLICABLE

Expulsion shall not apply to the following:

READMITTANCE FOLLOWING EXPULSION

Required Parent Conference

In each case of expulsion, the school principal, or his or her designee, shall contact the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of the pupil to notify them of the expulsion, and establish a date and time for a conference with the principal or designee as a requirement for readmitting the pupil.

Notice shall be given by sending a certified letter to the address shown on the pupil's registration card. Also, additional notification may be made by contacting the parent, tutor, or legal guardian by telephone at the telephone number shown on the pupil's registration card.

If the parent, tutor, or legal guardian fails to attend the required conference within five (5) school days of notification, the student may be considered a truant and dealt with according to all applicable statutory provisions. On not more than one occasion each school year when the parents, tutor, or legal guardian refuses to respond, the principal may determine whether readmitting the pupil is in the best interest of the pupil. On any subsequent occasions in the same school year, the pupil shall not be readmitted unless the parent, tutor, or legal guardian, court, or other appointed representative responds.

In any case where a teacher, principal, or other school employee is authorized to require the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a pupil to attend a conference or meeting regarding the pupil's behavior and after notice, the parent, tutor, or legal guardian willfully refuses to attend, the principal or his or her designee shall file a complaint, in accordance

with statutory provisions, with a court exercising juvenile jurisdiction.

Readmittance After All Expulsions

Any pupil expelled from school for items A, B, C, or D under Mandatory Expulsions above may be readmitted to school on a probationary basis at any time during the expulsion period on such terms and conditions as may be stipulated by the School Board. Readmission to school on a probationary basis shall be contingent on the pupil and legal guardian or custodian agreeing in writing to the conditions stipulated. Any such agreement shall contain a provision for immediate removal of the pupil from school premises without benefit of a hearing or other procedure upon the principal or Superintendent determining the pupil has violated any condition agreed to. Immediately thereafter, the principal or designee shall provide proper notification in writing of the determination and reasons for removal to the Superintendent and the pupil's parent or legal guardian.

Readmittance After Expulsion for Firearms, Knives, Weapons, or Drugs

In addition to the readmittance provisions for all expulsions stated above, a pupil that has been expelled from any school in or out of state for possessing on school property or on a bus, a firearm, knife, or other dangerous weapon, or possessing or possession with intent to distribute or distributing, selling, giving, or loaning while on school property or a school bus any controlled dangerous substance shall not be enrolled or readmitted to any such school on a probationary basis prior to the completion of the period of expulsion until the pupil has enrolled and participated or is participating in an appropriate rehabilitation or counseling program related to the reason(s) for the expulsion. The rehabilitation or counseling programs shall be provided by such programs approved by the juvenile or family court having jurisdiction, if applicable, or by the School Board. The requirement for enrollment and participation in a rehabilitation or counseling program shall be waived only upon the pupil attesting in writing that no appropriate program is available in the area or that the pupil cannot enroll or participate due to financial hardship.

Review of Records

A pupil who has been expelled from any school in or out of state shall not be admitted to a school in the school system except upon the review and approval of the School Board following the request for admission. To facilitate the review and approval for readmittance, the pupil shall provide to the Board information on the dates of any expulsions and the reasons therefor. Additionally, the transfer of pupil records to any school or system shall include information on the dates of any expulsions and the reasons therefor.

RECUSAL OF ADMINISTRATOR IN DISCIPLINE MATTERS

Immediate family means the individual's children, brothers, sisters, parents, and spouse and the children, brothers, sisters, and parents of the spouse.

EXPULSION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Expulsion of students with disabilities shall be in accordance with policy JDF, Discipline of Students with Disabilities applicable state or federal law and regulations.

Revised: October, 1995

Revised: July, 1996

Revised: September, 1997

Revised: August, 1999

Revised: August, 2003

Revised: August, 2007

Ref: 18 USC 921 (Firearms - Definitions); 20 USC 7151 (Gun-Free Schools Act); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:416, 17:416.2, 17:2092; Goss v. Lopez, 95. S. Ct. 729 (1973); Board minutes, 9-4-03.

On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following resolution for the Rapides Systemic Initiative:

VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD R E S O L U T I O N

SYSTEMIC INITIATIVE

RESOLVED, on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by the Board, that the Vernon Parish School Board designated Cynthia A. Gillespie, Superintendent, to initiate, negotiate, and sign for grants for the Systemic Initiative Grant Agreement with Rapides Foundation and the Vernon Parish School Board.

______________________________

Ricky Reese, Board President

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 September 6, 2007, at which there was a quorum present and voting.

Attest: _______________________,

Cynthia A. Gillespie, Secretary

September 6, 2007

Mark Smith reported that the Finance Committee had met and that a public hearing was held in regard to the 2007-2008 budget and the final 2006-2007 budget. These budgets will be presented to the Board on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 for approval.

Mark Smith reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for September 2007 and would make its recommendation to the Board on Tuesday, September 11, 2007. Mr. Smith stated that Mr. Self discussed staff reductions and that the Board would continue with reductions until alignment is reached.

In other business, Superintendent Gillespie reminded the Board that the meeting on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 would be at 5:00PM, and that the Board meeting on November 7, 2007 would be at 1:00PM due to the SACS exit meeting. Superintendent Gillespie also noted that tentative Board meeting dates for 2008 were in the Board folders and asked the Board members to review these for approval in November.

Superintendent Gillespie also reminded the Board of the decreasing student enrollment and that the MFP Student Membership Count was included with information in their folders.

On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to adopt a resolution for the Vernon Parish Police Jury to improve and maintain a bus turn-around at 296 Jo Davis Road in District Three.

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by James Armes, the Board voted to adopt a resolution for the Vernon Parish Police Jury to improve and maintain a bus turn-around on Walker Road in District Four.

Beryl Ford called a Curriculum Committee meeting for Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at 3:30PM and Randy Martin called for a Maintenance Committee meeting for Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at 4:45PM.

Colonel David Sage reminded the Board of the Education Forum on September 20, 2007, the Grand Opening of Palmetto Housing on September 14, 2007, the Palmetto Open House on September 19, 2007, Heritage Day on November 3, 2007, and Deployment Farewell on November 9, 2007. Colonel Sage extended an invitation to everyone.

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 condolences to the family of Barbara Leboeuf who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Leboeuf was the sister of Ron Roy, assistant principal at Simpson High School, and the sister-in-law of Naomi Roy, aide at Hicks High School; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. LeBoeuf was a resident of Pineville 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 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 sympathy to the family of William Allen Martin who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Martin was the husband of Sherril Martin, cook at Leesville Jr. High School and the brother of Loretta Poe, retired employee of the Vernon Parish School Board; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Martin was a former employee of the Vernon Parish School Board, a lifetime resident of Anacoco, 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 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 Barbara Gauthier who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Barbara was the sister-in-law of Ron Roy, assistant principal at Simpson High School and Naomi Roy, aide at Hicks High School; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Gauthier was a longtime resident of Hicks 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.

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