SEPTEMBER 4, 2008
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 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
RICKY REESE
RANDY MARTIN
MICHAEL PERKINS
VERNON TRAVIS
GAYE MCKEE
GENE HAYMON
COL. DAVID G. SAGE
ABSENT: JOHN BURNS – OUT OF TOWN
There was also present Dr. Cynthia A. Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Vernon Travis.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Gaye McKee.
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the August 12, 2008 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to adopt the Safety Manual for Vernon Parish.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to adopt the adjusted millage rate(s) for the tax year 2008.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to adopt the adjusted millage rate(s) after Reassessment and roll forward the millage to a rate(s) not to exceed the prior year’s maximum millage for the tax year 2008.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to adopt other authorized millages or taxes.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mike Perkins, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to name Don Roberts as principal at Pitkin High School replacing Jerome Henson.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to postpone the advertisement for bids for improvements at Evans High School due to delays presented by Hurricane Gustav.
Presentations for Transportation/Food Service Director were postponed due to Hurricane Gustav. Applicants will be interviewed on Friday, September 5th and will give their presentations on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at the 5:00PM Board meeting. The Transportation/Food Service Director will be named following the presentations.
Mike Perkins reported that the Curriculum Committee had met on this date. Superintendent Gillespie and Anne Smith explained the Literacy Initiative Project.
Mark Smith reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for September and would make its recommendation to the Board at the September 9, 2008 Board meeting. Mr. Smith also reported that Mr. Self explained the Incentive Pay Money – money to reward individual certified teachers when student growth is obtained. Student growth will be measured using LEAP/GEE/iLEAP indexes from spring 2008 test data as compared to the 2009 spring LEAP/GEE/iLEAP test data. If growth is shown, monetary rewards will be given to the appropriate schools. If no growth is shown at a school, they will receive no monetary incentive. It is the recommendation of the Salary/Personnel Committee that the Incentive Pay Money be approved. On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to approve this recommendation for Incentive Pay Money.
Gene Haymon reported that the Insurance Committee would meet on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 1:00PM. The original committee meeting was to have been on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 and was rescheduled due to Hurricane Gustav.
In other business Superintendent Gillespie reminded the Board of the Finance Committee meeting at 1:00PM today. Superintendent Gillespie also noted that due to legislative action (Act 210), information regarding the HPV Vaccine would be sent home to the parent/legal guardian of each student in grades six through twelve.
Superintendent Gillespie thanked Mr. Self, Mr. Funderburk, and all employees for their hard work during Hurricane Gustav.
Colonel Sage thanked the Board and everyone attending the Education Forum.
On motion of Vernon Travis, 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 records with sadness the death of Monroe Spriggs who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Spriggs was a frequent substitute employee at Leesville High School and was the father of Natasha Spriggs, substitute for the Vernon Parish Schools; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Spriggs was a resident of Leesville 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 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 take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Odom McKee who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McKee was a retired bus driver for Vernon Parish, the uncle of Sherry McKee, Headstart teacher at Rosepine Elementary, the brother of Glenon McKee, retired bus driver, and the brother-in-law of Gaye McKee, District Seven Board Member; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McKee was a lifelong resident of Vernon Parish and he will be greatly missed by his 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 his family at this time of sadness.
There being no further business, and on motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
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BERYL FORD, PRESIDENT
ATTEST
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CYNTHIA A GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT