FEBRUARY 7, 2008

                                                                                   

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M. FEBRUARY 7, 2008 AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA.  PRESIDENT FORD CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.

 

WILLIE DEON ADMINISTERED THE OATH OF OFFICE TO MR. JOHN C. BURNS, DISTRICT 1 BOARD MEMBER.

 

ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:

 

BERYL FORD, PRESIDENT

STEVE WOODS, VICE-PRESIDENT

JOHN C. BURNS

ROBERT PYNES JR.

MEL HARRIS

MARK SMITH

RICKY REESE

RANDY MARTIN

VERNON TRAVIS

GAYE MCKEE

GENE HAYMON

COL. DAVID G. SAGE

 

ABSENT:        MIKE PERKINS – OUT OF STATE

 

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by Robert Pynes.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mark Smith.

 

On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 15, 2008 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 25, 2008 special called meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Gloria Holland, Fort Polk School Liaison, introduced Charlotte Butler, Social Worker from Fort Polk who is assigned to the Vernon Parish Schools.

 

On motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to hold the April 3, 2008 Board meeting at Fort Polk.

 

On motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell library equipment at South Polk Elementary School.

 

Gene Haymon reported that the Insurance Committee had met this morning at 8:00AM in regard to auto/bus insurance rates and it was decided that an Insurance Committee meeting will be held at 8:00AM on March 6, 2008 with our insurance consultant to further discuss this matter before a decision is made.

 

Mark Smith reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for February and would make its recommendation to the Board at the February 12, 2008 Board meeting.  Mr. Smith also reported that there was a motion to increase teacher and aide pay for summer school and that motion was defeated.  Mr. Self discussed the certification incentive and will have additional information for the March meeting.  Mr. Smith also reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 to discuss retirees returning to work.  No action was taken and on motion of Mike Perkins, seconded by Beryl Ford, the Committee recommended to have no discussion on this issue for one year.  On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to have no discussion on this matter for one year effective on this date.

 

In other business, Colonel Sage invited the Board members to attend the Army-Community Heritage Partnership Program on Thursday, February 21st from 5:30 to 7:00 at the Pearl Creek Events Center.

 

Mr. Asa Skinner, Assistant District Attorney, stated that he or a representative from the district attorney’s office would be attending the Board meetings.  Mr. Skinner also requested that if the Board had legal questions that they call before the meeting to allow sufficient time to research the matter.

 

Mr. Vernon Travis, Chairperson of the Goals and Objectives Committee, scheduled a Goals and Objectives Committee meeting on March 11, 2008 at 3:30PM.  Mr. Travis invited all Board members to attend.

 

Superintendent Gillespie reminded the Board members of LSBA in Shreveport, the Quiz Bowl, graduation dates for 2008, and that the Board would be going to Rosepine on Tuesday after the Board meeting for lunch and to visit the schools.  She also reminded the Board of the special session of the legislature regarding ethics and to contact their representative and/or senator if they have any questions.

 

On motion of Robert Pynes, 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 Ava Claire Augustine who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ava Claire was the granddaughter of Karen Skinner, teacher at Leesville High School, and Asa Skinner, Attorney for the Board; and

            WHEREAS, Ava Claire was the daughter of Colleen Skinner and Jamie Augustine of Lake Charles and she will be greatly missed by all; 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 Randy Martin, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt 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 Lela Iona McKee Eddlemon who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Eddlemon was a retired bus driver from Vernon Parish; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Eddlemon was a lifelong resident of the Leesville area and will be sadly missed by her many friends and family; 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 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 take this means to express their condolences to the family of Perry Lynn Johnson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson was a dedicated supporter of the Vernon Parish Schools

 System; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson was a longtime resident of the Leesville area 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 take this means to express their sympathy to the family of James David Odom Sr. who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Odom was very active in the 4-H Program in the Vernon Parish; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Odom was a longtime resident of the Leesville area and he will be sadly missed by his family and many 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 would like to express their sympathy to the family of Ruthie Johnson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Johnson was the mother of Betty Simmons, teacher at Hicks High School, and Martha Hillman, teacher at North Polk Elementary School; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Johnson was a lifelong resident of Simpson 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.

__________________

Beryl Ford, President

 

Attest:

______________________________

Cynthia, A. Gillespie, Superintendent