NOVEMBER 6, 2008
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M. NOVEMBER 6, 2008 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:
There was also present Dr. Cynthia A. Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Randy Martin.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by John Burns.
On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the October 7, 2008 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Kendra Bailey, teacher at Rosepine Elementary, was recognized as Employee of the Month by Taylor & Sons. Ms. Bailey was congratulated by the Board for her dedication and hard work.
Ruby Smith, counselor at Pitkin High School, and students Marcus Sesvold and Victoria Trosclair presented information on the Governor’s Program on Abstinence and on motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by John Burns, the Board voted to proclaim November 14, 2008 as STD Awareness Day for the public schools in Vernon Parish.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Mike Perkins, the Board voted to receive bids for improvements at Evans High School. One bid was received as follows:
Pat Williams Construction of Leesville $2,778,000.00
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to take this bid under advisement.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the Headstart Policy Council membership.
Anacoco Kathy Johnson
East Connie Carver & Josephine Hernandez
Hicks Christy Addison
Hornbeck Jennifer Paddy
North Polk Rocio Washington & Faye Lescoe
Pickering Jessica Thompson
Pitkin Fran Maricle
Rosepine Stacy Dycus
Community Representative: Gloria Holland
Community/Executive Board Representative: Beryl Ford & Steve Woods
Tammy Schamerhorn of Leesville Jr. High School presented a report on a grant received from The Rapides Foundation – Get Healthy Cenla.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by John Burns, the Board voted to advertise for bids for three activity buses for Anacoco. On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to accept bids on December 9, 2008.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to sell timber at Simpson.
Mark Smith reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for November and would make its recommendation to the Board at the November 13, 2008 Board meeting. The committee also recommended that the Board adopt a resolution requesting that the legislature drop the actuary cost of rehiring retired bus drivers. On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to adopt a resolution requesting action on this matter and letters will also be sent to the legislators and LSBA.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Act 213 of 2007 of the Louisiana Legislature made it possible for Louisiana School Boards to hire much needed retired bus drivers as retirees return to work, and
WHEREAS, by this statute the local school board is required to pay all actuarial costs incurred as a result of the employment of retired bus drivers, and
WHEREAS, state wide there is a tremendous shortage of bus drivers to cover the routes needed to transport students to school, and
WHEREAS, even without this statute, the cost of transporting students safely to school has skyrocketed, and
WHEREAS, the actual burden of this actuarial cost prohibits local school systems from being able to hire the much needed drivers at a reasonable cost,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests that the Louisiana School Board Association sponsor legislation that would remove this actuarial cost associated with the rehiring of retired bus drivers.
Rev. Joseph Garner and Mr. Otis Baskerville made comments on the decision to name a principal at Leesville High School. They both stated that a decision needed to be made for what is best for all the students at Leesville High School.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and Assistant Superintendent Jackie Self, and on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to name Renita Davis as principal at Leesville High School replacing James Williams effective January 5, 2009. Roll call vote as follows: 10 Yeas 2 Nays
YEAS: Burns, Harris, Pynes, Woods, Reese, Ford, Martin, Perkins, McKee, Haymon
NAYS: Smith, Travis
In other business, Ricky Reese thanked the Orange School District for their support in the bond election.
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to adopt the Board meeting dates for 2009 as follows:
VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
MEETING DATES
2009
JANUARY 8 10:00 A.M.
JANUARY 13 10:00 A.M.
FEBRUARY 5 10:00 A.M.
FEBRUARY 10 10:00 A.M.
MARCH 5 10:00 A.M.
MARCH 10 5:00 P.M.
APRIL 2 10:00 A.M.
APRIL 7 10:00 A.M.
MAY 7 10:00 A.M.
MAY 12 10:00 A.M.
JUNE 4 10:00 A.M.
JUNE 9 5:00 P.M.
JULY 9 10:00 A.M.
JULY 14 10:00 A.M.
AUGUST 6 10:00 A.M.
AUGUST 11 10:00 A.M.
SEPTEMBER 3 10:00 A.M.
SEPTEMBER 8 5:00 P.M.
OCTOBER 1 10:00 A.M.
OCTOBER 6 10:00 A.M.
NOVEMBER 5 10:00 A.M.
NOVEMBER 10 10:00 A.M.
DECEMBER 3 10:00 A.M.
DECEMBER 8 5:00 P.M.
Superintendent Gillespie invited the Board members to attend the Dropout Prevention meeting today at 2:00PM in the Boardroom.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board adopted the following resolution commending Pickering High on their achievement:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the ACT Assessment is given to a significant number of high school students who are interested in attending college, and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana ACT Council is comprised of secondary and post secondary educators who advise ACT Inc. on the utilization of ACT programs and services in Louisiana schools and colleges, and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana ACT Council recognized Pickering High School as one of only 12 schools to receive the ”r;2008 College Readiness Award” for increasing the number of students taking the ACT Assessment over the past five years and significantly increasing their level of achievement and college readiness, now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board recognizes Principal Kevin Lambright and the staff at Pickering High School for their efforts to make such an award possible.
Gene Haymon called an Insurance Committee Meeting for December 9, 2008 at 4:00PM and Mike Perkins called a Curriculum Committee meeting for November 13, 2008 at 9:00AM.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to advertise for assistant principal at Leesville High School. Naming for this position will be December 4, 2008.
Randy Martin expressed appreciation on behalf of the Jan Veintidos family and thanked all of the schools that raised money in his behalf.
Colonel Sage reported on the success of Heritage Days and also informed the Board of the possible increase in troops next year.
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 take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Veletha Davis who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Veletha was the daughter of Jewell Davis, retired custodian at West Leesville Elementary; and
WHEREAS, Veletha was a longtime resident of Leesville before she moved to Chicago 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 Mel Harris, 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 Jerry Simmons who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Jerry was the brother of Charles Simmons, retired bus driver, the brother-in-law of Joan Simmons, principal at West Leesville Elementary, and the uncle of Jennifer Alligood, teacher at West Leesville Elementary; and
WHEREAS, Jerry was a resident of Temple 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 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 Gary Wayne Jeter who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jeter was the husband of Rita Jeter, cook at East Leesville Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jeter was a resident of Hineston 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 this time of sadness.
On motion of Mel Harris, 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 Juanita Latham who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Latham was the mother of Cheryl Carter, retired teacher, and the mother-in-law of Richard Carter, teacher at Leesville High School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Latham was a longtime resident of Vernon Parish and she will be sadly 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 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 would like to express their sympathy to the family of Vera Fitts who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Fitts was a retired teacher in Vernon Parish and the mother of Karen Fitts, former employee for Vernon Parish; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Fitts was a resident of Florien 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 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 take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Charlie Landry who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Landry was the brother of Mary Landry, Headstart teacher at North Polk Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Landry was a resident of Zwolle 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 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 would like to express their sympathy to the family of Kenneth Slaydon who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Slaydon was the brother of Danny Slaydon, employee of the Maintenance Department at the Central Office, and Doris Welch, paraprofessional at Pickering Elementary; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Slaydon was a longtime resident of Vernon Parish 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 wish to express their sympathy to the family of Gary Michael Goodlow who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Gary was the son of Gary Goodlow, warehouse manager at the Central Office; and
WHEREAS, Gary was a resident of Burr Ferry 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 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 Robin Louviere who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Robin was a sophomore at Simpson High School; and
WHEREAS, Robin was a native of Lafayette but had lived in the Leesville area for several months and she will be sadly 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 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 condolences to the family of Derek Nolen who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Derek was the son of John and Lisa Kerr of Evans; and
WHEREAS, Derek had attended Evans High School 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, and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
_________________________
BERYL FORD, PRESIDENT
ATTEST
_______________________________________
CYNTHIA A GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT