MAY 6, 2008
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, MAY 6, 2008, 10:00AM, AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA. PRESIDENT FORD CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
BERYL FORD, PRESIDENT
STEVE WOODS, VICE PRESIDENT
JOHN C. BURNS
ROBERT PYNES JR.
MEL HARRIS
MARK H. SMITH
RICKY REESE
RANDY MARTIN
MICHAEL PERKINS
VERNON TRAVIS
GAYE MCKEE
ABSENT: GENE HAYMON - BUSINESS OBLIGATION
COL. DAVID G. SAGE - MILITARY OBLIGATION
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Gaye McKee.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ricky Reese.
On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve the addition of Agenda 9A to receive bids for projector bulb lamps.
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of May 1, 2008.
Students from the following schools were recognized and congratulated by the Board for their achievements:
Vernon Middle, Pitkin High, Leesville High, Anacoco High, Hornbeck High, Evans High, Pickering Elementary, Pickering High, Rosepine High, Hicks High, and Simpson High School
Tom Neubert recognized the school nurses for Nurse's Week and thanked them all for their hard work.
The following employees were recognized as Support Persons of the Year:
East Leesville Elementary - Donna Hoffpauir - secretary
Simpson High School - Charolette Delacerda - secretary
Leesville High School - Robert Jones - custodian
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board to approve the following resignations:
Wendy Chopra, teacher/Evans
Helen Fazio, teacher/RES
Sherrie Sterling, teacher/LJHS
Brenda Richardson, teacher/NPE
Barbara Vidacovich, teacher/SPE
Iris Bruce, teacher/RES
Gretchen Blakeney, teacher/SPE
Lillian Olazagasti, teacher/SPE
Brenda Darnell, teacher/SPE
Elizabeth Kochis, teacher/PES
Emily Lein, teacher/NPE
Chelsea Ward, teacher/VMS
Heather MacMillen, teacher/PES
Lynda Graham, teacher/SPE
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to approve the following sabbatical leave requests:
Amy Kinard, teacher/NPE-MED SABB 8-5-08/1-2-09
Rebecca Spurgeon, counselor/NPE-MED SABB 8-5-08/5-22-09
Sandra Spurgeon, librarian/NPE MED SABB 8-5-08/5-22-09
Donna Nolen, teacher/RES MED SABB 8-5-08/5-22-09
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the following request for a leave without pay:
Florence McWilliams, teacher/RES-LWOP-Medical 5-12-08/5-29-08
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the following list of new employees:
Wanda Wright, personnel coordinator/central office-Retiree Return To Work
Kathleen Haymon, teacher/Evans-Retiree Return to Work
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to approve the following employee transfers:
Jennifer Odle, teacher/PES-trns to LJHS-replacing Rose Bailes(extended sick leave)
Diana Kampfer, Sped Aide/PHS-I/S trns to gen fund aide-replacing Kelly LeBato(LWOP)
Marvina Melton,cook/PHS-I/S trns to SPED Aide-replacing Diana Kampfer(I/S trns to gen.fund aide)
Tara Henry, SPED Aide/WLE-add as bus aide -special needs child on bus
On motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to receive bids for projector bulb lamps. Bids were received as follows:
Troxell CPX305 $264.00 each
CPX305 $262.00 each
Sage & Ryder CPX305 $307.00 each
CPX305 $307.00 each
Scott Electric CPX305 $314.74 each
CPX305 $314.74 each
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to accept the low bid from Troxell.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to reject the bids for two buses and one tractor at Rosepine High School.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to accept the low bid from Sterling Computer Products for $92,890.00 for printer cartridges.
On motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by John Burns, the Board voted to accept the low bid from S & M for $17.69 per case for .80 mils and the low bid from West Central Wholesale for $18.50 per case for .55 mils trash bags.
On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Robert Pynes , the Board adopted the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
Whereas, there is a significant problem in trying to find both bus drivers and substitute bus drivers, and
Whereas, last year legislation was passed that made it possible for certain bus drivers to retire and return to work similar to teachers and other employees in the Louisiana Teachers Retirement System, and
Whereas, House Bill No. 1215 has amended such legislation and repeals the sunset date of 6/1/10 and extends its provisions indefinitely,
Therefore, the Vernon Parish School Board supports House Bill 1215 and requests a copy of this be sent to the Vernon Parish Delegation in the House of Representatives.
On motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to name school employees for the 2008-2009 school year.
Vernon Travis reported that the Goals and Objectives Committee had met and recommended that the Goals and Objectives for the Vernon Parish School System be submitted to Superintendent Gillespie. Superintendent Gillespie will meet with directors and supervisors regarding any changes and/or The next Goals and Objectives Committee meeting will be at 7:30AM on Thursday, June 5, 2008.
Mike Perkins reported that the Curriculum Committee had met and recommended that the Optional School be moved to the Headstart building and that Headstart be moved to the former West Pre-School building. Mr. Perkins stated that approval from the Headstart Office in Dallas would be required for this change. On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve this move when approval is received from the Dallas Office. Mr. Perkins also reported that the committee reviewed the comprehensive curriculum and on motion of Mike Perkins, seconded by John Burns, the Board voted to adopt the comprehensive curriculum. Mr. Perkins stated that summer
school was discussed and will begin on May 30, 2008.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
In other business, Superintendent Gillespie stated that the last day for teachers to transfer to another school is June 12, 2008. This information will be provided to the schools.
Superintendent Gillespie also informed the Board of her retirement effective December 31, 2008. On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to advertise for the position of superintendent until July 8, 2008. Applications must be submitted by noon on July 8, 2008 and presentations to the Board will be on July 15, 2008 at the regular board meeting.
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 Bonnie Faye Bush Williams who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Williams was the wife of Billy Fish Williams, retired bus driver, and the mother of April Ronayne, bus driver; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Williams was a lifelong resident of Anacoco and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board request 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 condolences to the family of Reverend James Johnson who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Johnson was the husband of Faye Johnson, the father of JoAnn Doyal, the brother of Travis Johnson, the brother-in-law of Elsie Johnson, and uncle of Sherry Jeter, James Johnson, and Connie Johnson;
and
WHEREAS, Reverend Johnson was a longtime resident of Pitkin 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.
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BERYL FORD, BOARD PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT