JULY 15, 2008
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION JULY 15, 2008 AT 10:00AM, 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
M. GENE HAYMON
COL. DAVID G. SAGE
ABSENT:
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Steve Woods.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vernon Travis.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of July 10, 2008.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by John Burns, the Board to approve the following resignations:
Fayola Lavenhouse, teacher/PHS
Kelly Stone, teacher/RES
Sharon Droddy, custodian/RES
Donnis Poe, teacher/LHS
Khira Davis, teacher/SPE
Sharon Brandon, general fund aide/AHS
Lanny Larche, teacher/NPE
William Head, teacher/LHS
Katy Westerhaus, teacher/NPE
Anita Cain, teacher/Simpson
Rolanda Reynolds, custodian/Hornbeck
Ryan Stark, teacher/Evans
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to approve the following list of new employees:
Terrell Spencer, teacher/PES-replacing Heather MacMillen (resigned)
Sarah Harper, teacher/SPE-replacing Khira Davis (resigned)
Ashli Day, teacher/RES-replacing Donna Nolen (SABB)
Kelley Moore, gen. fund aide/AHS-replacing Sharon Brandon (resigned)
Kimberly Watkins, teacher/LHS-replacing Connie Kinsinger (retired)
Myrna Cooley, cook/RES-replacing Debbie Lewis (resigned)
Cecil Richmond, teacher/Hornbeck-replacing Joe Self (trns to PHS)
Lacy Blocker, teacher/PES-replacing Zandra Smith (trns to LJHS)
Todd Schulz, teacher/Simpson-replacing Charles Bainer (trns to AHS)
Catherine Buffington, teacher/RHS-new position (increased student enrollment)
Rose Holaway, teacher/Evans-retiree return to work-replacing Christina Brown (terminated)
James Howard, custodian/LHS-replacing Nathaniel Brown (retired)
Meredith Warren, teacher/RES-replacing Carrie Dawley (trns to SPE)
Terri Mhire, teacher/RES-new position due to student enrollment
Beverly Rabalais, secretary/AES-replacing Mary Dowden (retired)
George McKenzie, bus driver/Hicks-replacing Doris Hall (retired)
Curtis Jackson, custodian/NPE-replacing Emerick Wilson (resigned)
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the following employee transfers:
Charles Bainer, teacher/Simpson-trns to AHS-replacing Sherry Hornsby (retired)
Dawn Collins, Sped Aide/WLE-trns to Simpson-replacing Patricia Hillman (retired)
Susan Cryer, teacher/PES-trns to RHS-replacing Shirley Gilmer (resigned)
Lindsey Westfall, teacher/Hornbeck-trns to PES-replacing Susan Cryer (trns to RHS)
Carrie Dawley, teacher/RES-trns to SPE-replacing Lillian Olazagasti (resigned)
Leigh Lansdale, teacher/Hicks-I/S trns from Title I to 3rd grade-replacing Samantha Curtis (trns to NPE)
Kimberleigh Welch, teacher/LHS-trns to VMS-replacing Latoya Stallings (resigned)
Roger Willis, principal/Pitkin-trns to Hicks (home base school)as APE teacher
Robert Carter, teacher/LJHS-trns to LHS-replacing William Head (resigned)
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Robert Pynes, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to name Jennifer Coriell as assistant principal at North Polk Elementary School.
Before the vote, Vernon Travis asked the President Ford for permission to address the Board. Mr. Travis gave all the Board members a spreadsheet showing the representation of minority and non-minority personnel in administrative positions. He asked the Board to consider promoting minority personnel every time it was possible.
Roll Call Vote as follows:
John Burns – Yes
Mel Harris – Yes
Robert Pynes – Yes
Mark Smith – Yes
Steve Woods – Yes
Ricky Reese – Yes 11 Yes
Beryl Ford – Yes 1 No
Randy Martin – Yes
Mike Perkins – Yes
Vernon Travis – No
Gaye McKee - Yes
Gene Haymon – Yes
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie, and on motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to name Connie Britt as assistant principal at Pitkin High School. Roll Call vote as follows:
John Burns – Yes
Mel Harris - Yes
Robert Pynes – Yes
Mark Smith – Yes
Steve Woods – Yes
Ricky Reese – Yes 9 Yes
Beryl Ford – Yes 2 No
Randy Martin – No 1 Abstain
Mike Perkins – Abstain
Vernon Travis – No
Gaye McKee - Yes
Gene Haymon – Yes
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to accept the bid from Troxell for $578.00 each for document camera/projector.
Presentations for superintendent were made by Tom Neubert, Jackie Self, and the Board members were given a resume for Howell Wright.
Roll Call vote as follows:
John Burns – Self
Mel Harris - Self
Robert Pynes – Neubert
Mark Smith – Self
Steve Woods –Self
Ricky Reese –Self 10 Self
Beryl Ford – Self 2 Neubert
Randy Martin –Self
Mike Perkins – Self
Vernon Travis – Neubert
Gaye McKee - Self
Gene Haymon – Self
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
In other business, Mr. Travis reminded the Board members of the Goals and Objectives that they were given to review. Final approval of these Goals and Objectives will be scheduled for August 7, 2008.
Randy Martin reported that the Maintenance Committee had met to discuss the nurse’s building and the maintenance building. It was recommended by the committee that both buildings be demolished and one new building be constructed. The new building would house the maintenance department and the nurses. On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to follow the committee’s recommendation.
The Maintenance Committee also recommended that a limited remodeling (cabinets) of the kitchen area at the central office be approved. On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to approve this limited remodeling project.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board also voted to advertise for bids for cafeteria supplies and utensils.
Superintendent Gillespie informed the Board that the change between the Headstart Building and the Optional School was still on hold pending approval from the Headstart Dallas Office.
Ricky Reese commended the eleven year olds All Stars Team from Vernon Parish for their accomplishment in winning the State Championship.
Gene Haymon called a Finance Committee meeting for August 7, 2008 at 1:00PM to discuss the 403B Tax Sheltered Annuities. Mr. Haymon also expressed the need for more information regarding the disclosure laws.
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 take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Mildred Treme who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Treme was the mother-in-law of Rita Treme, retired secretary at Pickering Elementary; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Treme was a resident of Leesville 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 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, BOARD PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
__________________________________________
DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT