DECEMBER 9, 2008
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON DECEMBER 9, 2008 AT 5:00PM, 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
RANDI GLEASON
ROBERT PYNES JR.
MEL HARRIS
MARK H. SMITH
RICKY REESE
RANDY MARTIN
MICHAEL PERKINS
GAYE MCKEE
M. GENE HAYMON
ABSENT: VERNON TRAVIS – BUSINESS-OUT OF STATE
COL. DAVID SAGE – MILITARY OBLIGATION
There was also present Dr. Cynthia Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Robert Pynes.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mel Harris.
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of December 4, 2009.
Mr. Ralph Kimball, representative from Taylor & Sons, presented Employee of The Month to Ora Lee Miller, teacher at Pitkin High School. Ms. Miller was presented a plaque and gift certificate and congratulated for her achievement. Superintendent Gillespie and the Board thanked Ms. Miller for her dedication, hard work, and for her love of the school and students.
The Board recognized the following teachers, counselors, social workers and diagnostician who achieved National Board Certification:
Leah Williams, Tanya Harrell, Pam Simmons, Brenda Ramer, Cheryl Browning, Deana Cole, Rhonda Hampton, Tamela Phillips, Jacqueline Prielipp, Lisa Franklin, Angela DeGray, Patti Gates, and Kimberly Stevens
Mr. Jackie Self presented them with plaques and they were commended by the Board for their hard work and dedication.
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board to approve the following resignations:
Jennifer Odle, teacher/LJHS
Michelle Self, teacher/NPE
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to approve the following sabbatical leave requests:
Dottie Neugebauer, Sped Director, MEDSABB 1-5-09/1-2010
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the following request to rescind a leave without pay:
Kelli LeBato, gen.fund aide/PHS-rescind LWOP 1-5-09
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the following list of new employees:
Casey Basco, sped aide/PES-new position for 2 new students @PES
Leslie Magyar, cook/VMS-replacing Karri Bailes (trns to RES)
Linda Fletcher, bus driver/WLE-replacing Carol Jeane (trns to another route)
Kathie Bush, ½ time custodian/PHS-replacing Jackie Phillips (resigned)
Michelle Parker, LA4 teacher/NPE-new position
Vera Miers, bus driver/WLE-Retiree Return To Work-replacing Wanda Leach (another route)
Colby Greer, teacher/Hornbeck-replacing Glenda Prewitt (sick leave)
Sonja Funderburk, Title I Director/Central Office-Retiree Return To Work
Dorothy Cooley, cook/WLE-replacing Charlotte Martin (I/S trns to asst. manager)
Anita Cryer, ½ time custodian/PES-replacing Brenda Abel (I/S trns to full time)
On recommendation of Superintendent Gillespie and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the following employee transfer:
Brenda Abel, ½ time custodian/PES-I/S trns to full time-replacing Tonya Day (trns to NPE)
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to accept the bid from Timmons Truck Center in Alexandria, Louisiana ($76,494.80 each bus) for three activity buses for Anacoco High School. This bid met the specifications.
Michael Perkins reported that the Curriculum Committee had met. Mr. John Farris reported on the School Performance Scores and Anne Smith discussed the STM Program. No action was required on these matters. Mr. Perkins did report that the Curriculum Committee had recommended that the video policy be changed to allow ”r;PG” movies to be shown in the classroom if the movie was suggested in the comprehensive curriculum, was previewed for content before use, and had written approval by the principal. On motion of Mike Perkins, seconded by Gene Haymon, the Board voted to change the Audiovisual Policy to allow ”r;PG” movies with the addition of ”r;Movies/parts of movies/streamed materials used in the classroom must be suggested in the comprehensive curriculum and used to meet specific instructional objectives.”
Mr. Ricky Reese voted against this change.
Mr. Perkins also reported that Vernon Parish had three schools on the list of U.S. News and World Report’s 2009 List of Best High Schools. Anacoco High School, Hornbeck High School, and Pitkin High School were among the thirty-nine high schools in Louisiana to achieve this honor. On motion of Mike Perkins, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, every year the U.S. News and World Report publishes its list of best
high schools, and
WHEREAS, thirty-nine schools in Louisiana were included on this list; and
WHEREAS, three Vernon Parish Schools were listed on the 2009 list; and
WHEREAS, these three schools are Anacoco High School, Hornbeck High School, and Pitkin High School; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board
recognizes Anacoco High School, Hornbeck High School, and Pitkin High School, for their inclusion on this list and commends them for a job well done.
Mr. Gene Haymon reported that the Insurance Committee had met to discuss the 403B Plan. Mr. John Lenahan discussed options. Decisions were made for the planning questionnaire in regard to allow hardship withdrawals and not allow loans. Another Insurance Committee will be scheduled.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted unanimously to present Mr. Jackie Self, Superintendent-elect, a four year contract.
Superintendent Gillespie stated that Dwain Ducote, assistant principal at Vernon Middle School, was chosen as Assistant Principal of The Year for 2009. On motion of the Board, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
Whereas, all of our principals and many of our assistant principals are members of the Louisiana Association of Principals (LAP), and
Whereas, the National Association of Elementary Principals (NAESP) is an affiliated organization of LAP, and
Whereas, each year NAESP/LAP chooses a Middle School Assistant Principal of the year, and
Whereas, this year Mr. Dwain Ducote has been selected as the 2009 NAESP/LAP Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year,
Therefore, be it resolved that the Vernon Parish School Board congratulates Mr. Ducote for receiving this prestigious award.
Superintendent Gillespie presented a plaque to Mrs. Beryl Ford, outgoing Board President, on behalf of the Board and thanked her for her hard work and dedication.
Board President Beryl Ford presented Superintendent Gillespie with a plaque and gift from the Board and thanked her for her many years of service in education and for seven years as superintendent.
Board members were reminded that committee members would be decided in January and to speak with Mr. Self or Mr. Woods if they had a preference.
On motion of Steve Woods, 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 Justin Bruce Legg who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Justin was an avid outdoorsman and loved spending time with his friends and family; and
WHEREAS, Justin was a resident of Leesville 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 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 Vernon Parish School Board would like to express their condolences to the family of James Earl Knight Jr. who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, James was the son of Chaery Knight, cook at Evans High School; and
WHEREAS, James was a resident of DeRidder 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:
__________________________________________
DR. CYNTHIA GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT