MARCH 6, 2008
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. PRESIDENT FORD CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
BERYL FORD, PRESIDENT
STEVE WOODS, VICE-PRESIDENT
ROBERT PYNES JR.
MEL HARRIS
MARK SMITH
JOHN C. BURNS
RICKY REESE
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 Steve Woods.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ricky Reese.
President Ford welcomed all visitors and congratulated the Vernon Parish Schools for the ranking of 3rd in the State in District Performance Scores.
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2008 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Denise Dowell, Learn and Serve Program, presented the Lieutenant Governor’s Award to Lori Partridge for her outstanding work at the Gates Program. Lori was congratulated by the Board for her dedication.
Kim Nugent presented the 2008 Vernon Parish Students of the Year as follows:
Elementary Students
Noelle Brooks Anacoco Elementary School
Dawson Jeane Evans High School
Copeland Corley Hicks High School
Kennedy Saaristo Hornbeck High School
Annabelle Smith Vernon Middle School
Bryan Blanco Pickering Elementary School
*Joshua Miller Pitkin High School
Madisen Smith Rosepine Elementary School
Miranda Fulks Simpson High School
Zachary Cecil Anacoco High School
Alexis Hillman Evans High School
Kaleb Bennett Hicks High School
Haley Brister Hornbeck High School
*Gabriel Pinnell Leesville Junior High School
Stephanie Lowry Pickering High School
Alison Merchant Pitkin High School
Kaitlin Anselmo Rosepine Jr./Sr. High School
Laiken Taylor Simpson High School
*Robyn Briscoe Anacoco High School
Chase Harvey Evans High School
Traci Wellman Hicks High School
Treasure Stringer Hornbeck High School
Devin Costa Leesville High School
Andrea Jackson Pickering High School
Charley Martin Pitkin High School
Kaitlin Thomas Rosepine Jr. / Sr. High School
Brittny Cain Simpson High School
*Denotes Parish Winners
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board adopted a resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the special election held in Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, on Saturday, February 9, 2008, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bond.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board adopted a resolution authorizing the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of Two Million Two Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($2,225,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2008, of Ward Three Wardwide School District No.160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, authorized at an election held on Saturday, February 9, 2008; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to receive bids to sell library equipment at South Polk Elementary School. One bid was received from MiMi Ellis for the three card catalog units for twenty-five dollars each ($75.00). On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board accepted the bid for $75.00 for the three card catalog units. No bids were received for the television and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by the Board, the Board agreed for Mr. Ward and Mr. Balthrop to dispose of the television.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to advertise for bids for LCD projectors.
Steve Woods reported that the Curriculum Committee had met on Monday, March 3, 2008. The meeting lasted about four hours and was an informative meeting only. Mr. Woods commended the supervisors on their detail of the reports given.
Mr. Haymon reported that the Insurance Committee had met at 8:00AM on this date with Mr. John Norris and that the Committee recommended advertising for property/casualty insurance quotes from Snowden Insurance, Morris Insurance, and R.J. Fertitta Insurance. On motion of Mike Perkins, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to accept this recommendation to advertise for property/casualty insurance quotes from the above three independent agents.
Mark Smith reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for March and would make its recommendation to the Board at the March 11, 2008 Board meeting. Mr. Smith also reported that the proposal for certification incentives was discussed and that the proposal will be modified with a few changes before being presented to the Board for approval on Tuesday, March 11, 2008.
In other business, several Board members expressed concerns regarding the school calendar proposals. Calendar ”r;A” will be on the agenda March 11, 2008 for approval/disapproval.
On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to request Superintendent Gillespie send letters to our representatives and senator regarding Governor Jindal’s executive budget not including raises for support personnel.
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 Vernon Parish School Board ranked 3rd in the State on District Performance Scores which were released on March 3, 2008; and
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish District Performance Score rose .5 of a point over last years scores; and
WHEREAS, the State Accountability Program is about growth and growth has occurred every year in Vernon Parish; and
WHEREAS, Mr. John Farris, Mrs. Anne Smith, and the central office supervisory staff dedicate many hours to developing an instructional program that is aligned with our required tests, supplying materials and resources to assist teachers with meeting the needs of individual students, and training personnel in testing procedures; and
WHEREAS, our teachers incorporate the information and materials made available to them into their lesson plans and utilize every opportunity afforded them to prepare their students for testing; and
WHEREAS, our students continue to excel and work hard to reach expectations set for them; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Board adopts this resolution to commend the teamwork of the administration, teachers, support personnel, parents, and students in accomplishing these results.
Vernon Travis reminded the Board members of the Goals and Objectives Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 11th at 3:30PM and urged all Board members to attend. Ricky Reese reminded the Board members of the Uniform/Dress Code Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 11th at 2:30PM and also urged all Board members to attend.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt a resolution for the Vernon Parish Police Jury to repair and maintain a bus turn-around on 254 Lynn Thompson Road in District Seven.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt two resolutions for the Vernon Parish Police Jury to repair and maintain a bus turn-arounds on 368 James Road and 433 Highway 465 in District Eight.
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 take this means to express their condolences to the family of Judge Chris Smith III who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Judge Smith was the husband of Shirley Smith, retired teacher of Vernon Parish; and
WHEREAS, Judge Smith was a resident of Leesville, a graduate of Leesville High School, Louisiana State University and Loyola Law School, and he will be sadly missed by his friends and family; 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 Lydia Douglass who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Douglass was the sister-in-law of Robert Santana, retired bus driver; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Douglass was a longtime resident of Leesville, co-manager of Las Margaritas Restaurant, and she 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 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 Claudia Martin who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Martin was a retired school bus driver for Vernon Parish; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Martin was a lifelong resident of this area and she will be greatly missed by her 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 sorrow.
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 Lena McRae who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McRae was the mother of Glenda Coburn, retired teacher of Vernon Parish; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McRae was a lifelong resident of Vernon Parish and she will be greatly missed by her 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 sympathy to the family of Wanda Delp who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Delp was the mother of Susan Teegardin, teacher at West Leesville Elementary School and the aunt of Kim Reese, former Vernon Parish School Board member; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Delp was a lifelong resident of Vernon Parish and she will be greatly 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 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 sympathy to the family of Edith Bolton who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bolton was the grandmother of Tim Ward, Finance Director at the central office and the mother of Jerry Bolton, retired bus driver; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bolton was a lifelong resident of Leesville 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 Mike Perkins, 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 Gill who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gill was the brother of Ramona Tuck and Mary Johnson, secretaries at the central office; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gill was a graduate of Pitkin High School, and a resident of Vinton, 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 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 condolences to the family of Robert Bates who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bates was the son of Lenda Bates, retired teacher in Vernon Parish; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bates was a resident of Rosepine and he 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 his family at this time of sadness.
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 Vernon Parish School Board Members wish to express their sympathy to the family of Lana Norton who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Norton was a bus driver at South Polk Elementary School, the mother of Robbie Shackelford, bus driver, the mother-in-law of Amanda Shackelford, paraprofessional, and Melissa Shackelford, bus driver; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Norton was a longtime resident of Vernon Parish 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 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 Fred Lewis who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lewis was the father of Charles Lewis, principal at Rosepine High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lewis was a resident of Rosepine and he will be greatly missed by his friends and family; 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 Vernon Parish School Board members take this means to express their condolences to the family of Mitchell Perkins who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Perkins was the uncle of Lavena Higginbotham, bus driver at Rosepine High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Perkins was a resident of Rosepine and he will be greatly missed by his friends and family; 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 Vernon Parish School Board members wish to express their sympathy to the family of Ralph McRae who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McRae was the husband of Dr. Billie McRae, retired employee of the Vernon Parish School Board and the grandfather of Millie Ballagh, teacher at West Leesville Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McRae was a longtime resident of Vernon Parish, very active in community affairs, and he will be sadly missed by his friends and family; 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 Bill Doyle who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Doyle was a longtime substitute employee for the Vernon Parish School System; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Doyle was a resident of Anacoco and he will be sadly missed by his friends and family; 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 Beryl Ford, 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 Grace Sellers who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Sellers was the mother of Carney Jean Midkiff; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Sellers was a lifelong resident of Pickering and she will be greatly missed by hr 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 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 Theresa Harlow, teacher at Pickering Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Harlow has lost her maternal grandfather, Robert Hansel Keel, her maternal grandmother, Bertha Whiddon, and her mother, ”r;Irene” Causey in the recent weeks; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Harlow has been a teacher at Pickering for several years and many thoughts and prayers are with her at this time; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to Mrs. Harlow at this time of sadness.
There being no further business and on motion by Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
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BERYL FORD, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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CYNTHIA A. GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT