AUGUST 12, 2008
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON AUGUST 12, 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
ABSENT: 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 Vernon Travis.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of August 7, 2008.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board to approve the following resignations:
Ben Rice, teacher/PHS
Dorane Craft, LA4 Aide/NPE
Caren Neuwirth, teacher/PES
Marilyn Martinez, cook/ELE
Stace Rasberry, teacher/AHS
Keith Waddell, teacher/AHS
Lisa Waddell, teacher/LHS
Kandi Roshong, teacher/WLE
Linda Grinder, teacher/LJHS
Cynthia Fletcher, Sped Aide/LHS
Marie George, cafeteria manager/WLE
Michelle Wilson, teacher/Hicks
Mary Glancy, psychologist/central office
Sharon McCain, teacher/RES
Josephine Cruz, teacher/WLE
Donnie Walley, bus driver/RHS
LaCurtria Clay, teacher/LJHS
Evelyn Burlison, cook/ELE
Norma Cedars, bus driver/AHS
Maxine Murphy, teacher/LHS
Kimberly George, teacher/SPE
Marvina Melton, Sped Aide/PHS
Wesley Lack, computer tech/central office
Carrie Gordon, bus driver/PES
Lisa Davis, teacher/RES
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the following sabbatical leave requests:
Florence McWilliams, teacher/RES-MED SABB 8-8-08/5-22-09
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve the following request for a leave without pay:
Cathy Ambler, teacher/NPE-MED LWOP 8-5-08/5-22-09
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the following list of new employees:
Linda Thomas, teacher/LJHS-replacing Torey Calhoun (resigned)
Martha Hillman, teacher/NPE-Retiree Return To Work
Charles Bealer, teacher/Evans-replacing Floyd Stark (1st semester SABB)
Monica Lene, teacher/NPE-replacing Amy Kinard (1st semester SABB)
Alan Brown, teacher/Evans-replacing Andy Kennedy (resigned)
Nicoh Cedars, teacher/WLE-replacing Jennifer Coriel (trns to NPE)
Janet Collins, teacher/PES-replacing Robin Chandler (LWOP 2008-09 school year)
Kayla Grover, teacher/PES-replacing Caren Neuwirth (resigned)
Lea Kimbrell, teacher/AHS-replacing Lori Stillwell (sick leave)
Pearl Lynn, cook/Evans-Retiree Return To Work
Manda Morris, school psychologist (1/2 time)-replacing Mary Glancy (resigned)
Tiffany Holt, teacher/Pitkin-replacing Connie Britt (trns to asst. principal)
Brandy Dousay, teacher/Hicks-replacing Michelle Wilson (resigned)
Scott Lee, teacher/PHS-replacing Ben Rice (resigned)
Traman Thibodeaux, teacher/LHS-replacing William Head (resigned)
Curtis Clay, supervisor/CO-Retiree Return To Work
Sarah Akeroyd, teacher/LJHS-replacing Melanie Bradford-trns to AHS
Sharon Droddy, custodian/RES-her position was not filled when she resigned
Kyle Walter, teacher/LJHS-replacing Robert Carter (trns to LHS)
Stacie Rhodes, teacher/LHS-replacing Jared Prewitt (trns to WLE)
John Howe, teacher/PHS-replacing Joe Smith (I/S trns to Sped Aide)
Sonya Savell, custodian/Hornbeck-replacing Rolanda Reynolds (resigned)
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the following employee transfers:
Melanie Bradford, teacher/LJHS-trns to AHS-replacing Stace Rasberry (resigned)
LaToya Stallings,teacher/VMS-I/S trns from Sped to 5th grade-replacing Wendy Koch (trns to AES)
Deborah Lozano, teacher/LHS-trns to Evans-replacing Ryan Stark (resigned)
Carolyn Bosley, teacher/RHS-trns to RES-replacing Flo McWilliams (sick leave)
Jared Prewitt, teacher/LHS-trns to WLE-replacing Kandi Roshong (resigned)
Krista Stewart, teacher/PES-trns to LJHS-replacing LaCurtria Clay (resigned)
Vicky Chance,Headstart Aide/Hornbeck-I/S trns to SpedAide-replacing Jackie Coleman (to Headstart)
Jackie Coleman, SpedAide/Hornbeck-I/S trns to Headstart Aide-replacing Vicky Chance (to Sped)
Tracey Robertson, Title I teacher-I/S trns to 3rd grade-replacing Kathy Chance (to 1st grade)
Tully Thornton, teacher/Hornbeck-I/S trns to Title I teacher-replacing Tracy Robertson (to 3rd)
Gelisa Howard, Headstart Aide/NPE-I/S trns toHeadstart Aide full-time (co-enrollment class)
Kimberly Taylor, Headstart Aide/RES-I/S trns to Headstart Aide full-time (co-enrollment class)
Amanda Hunt, Headstart Aide/ELE-I/S trns to Headstart Aide full time (co-enrollment class)
Joe Smith, teacher/PHS-I/S trns to Sped Aide-replacing Marvina Melton (resigned)
Jerome Henson, principal/Pitkin-I/S trns to teacher-replacing Rhonda Byrd (resigned)
Jimmy Funderburk, Transportation/Food Service Director-trns to Personnel Director-replacing Jackie Self(trns to Superintendent) effective 1-5-09
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to advertise for Transportation/Food Service Director.
Gene Haymon reported that the Insurance Committee had met and discussed the 403 B regulations. The committee recommended that another Insurance Committee meeting would be scheduled for further discussion of this matter.
Mel Harris reported that the Transportation Committee had met and discussed proposals to reduce fuel costs for leased buses. Fuel cards were discussed and the committee recommended that Mr. Funderburk get more information and check on software to track fuel usage. The Transportation Committee will meet again on September 9, 2008 at 4:00PM.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
In other business, Tim Ward presented the Safety Policy Manual for review by Board members. Mr. Ward asked the Board members to review this manual and stated that upon approval, all employees would be inserviced at the school level.
On motion of Mike Perkins, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to advertise for a principal at Pitkin High School.
Mark Smith scheduled a Finance Committee meeting for September 4, 2008 at 1:00PM.
Superintendent Gillespie also reminded the Board of the Curriculum Committee meeting scheduled for September 4, 2008 at 8:00AM.
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 Clayton Glen Sweat who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Clayton was the grandson of Catherine Sweat, teacher at Pitkin High School, and the great-grandson of Wilma Sweat, retired custodian; and
WHEREAS, Clayton was also the grandson of Rickey and Wanda Thompson and the son of Casey and Penny Sweat and he will be greatly missed by his 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 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 wish to express their condolences to the family of Frankie McFarland who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McFarland was the grandmother of Mary Maricle, paraprofessional at Pitkin High School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McFarland was a resident of Pitkin 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 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 Jerald Snapp who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Snapp was the father-in-law of Todd Sasser, teacher at Pitkin High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Snapp was a resident of the DeRidder 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 sorrow.
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 wish to express their heartfelt sympathy to the family of Thelma McDonald who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McDonald was a retired bus driver for Vernon Parish; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McDonald was the grandmother of Todd Sasser, teacher at Pitkin High School, and the aunt of Rae Strother and Sandra Whitlock, employees at the central office; 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 take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Isaac Jeane who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jeane was a WW II Veteran, a deacon and music director for over fifty years at Flactor Baptist Church, and was a member of Gideon’s International and the Vernon Parish Cattleman’s Association; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jeane was a lifelong resident of the Leesville/Hicks area 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.
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