JANUARY 7, 2010

THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA.  PRESIDENT PERKINS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:

MICHAEL PERKINS, PRESIDENT

VERNON TRAVIS, VICE-PRESIDENT

RANDI GLEASON

MEL HARRIS

ROBERT PYNES JR.

MARK SMITH

RICKY REESE

BERYL FORD

RANDY MARTIN

STEVE WOODS

GAYE MCKEE

GENE HAYMON

COL. FRANCIS B. BURNS

ABSENT:               NONE

There was also present Mr. Jackie D. Self, Secretary of the Board.

The meeting was opened in prayer by Vernon Travis.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vernon Travis.

On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Randi Gleason, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the December 8, 2009 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to receive bids for a delivery truck for the central office.  Bids were received as follows:

Timmons Truck Center                                        $62,922.27

Empire Truck Sales                                              $67,728.00

Hixson AutoPlex                                                  $59,918.00

On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to take these bids under advisement.

On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to name the Leesville Daily Leader as the official journal of the Vernon Parish School System for 2010.

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to authorize Superintendent Self to request and sign all Federal Funding, P.L. 81-874 for the Vernon Parish School Board.

On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board adopted the following resolution to employ Yeager, Watson, and Associates as architects for the Leesville High School renovation:

R E S O L U T I O N

That Yeager, Watson & Associates, Inc., An Architectural Corporation, of Alexandria, LA be employed on a "Contingency Basis" to:

1.       Consult with the Vernon Parish School Board Staff, the School Board Representative, Building Committee Members and School Staff relative to a Capital Improvement Program for Vernon Parish School District #1-6, and to prepare preliminary plans and cost projections for these improvements.

      2.       Personally present data concerning the proposed School District Improvements to any Public or Civic Club meetings as required by Vernon Parish School Board representatives.

          3.       At Architect/Engineer expense, be responsible for outlining a pamphlet explaining the proposal.  After local approval of this draft, prepare adequate copies for distribution to District #1-6 citizens.

4.       After electorate approval of the bond proposal during first or second attempts, Yeager, Watson & Associates, Inc. would then be employed using AIA Contract Form B101, 2007 Edition, for Architectural/Engineering Services at the following rate -

Only applicable "Reimbursable Expenses" will be for required agency review fees, printing and distribution costs.  No charges are to be submitted for telephone, FAX messages, in-state motel, travel, meals, etc. expenses.

5.       That should the proposition fail, Yeager, Watson & Associates will be retained for a period not to exceed 18 months, for further study and promotion of this general proposal.  Should this and a subsequent proposition fail, Yeager, Watson & Associates will not be entitled to any compensation for their efforts on behalf of this proposed Vernon Parish School construction program in Vernon Parish School District #1-6, Louisiana.

Upon roll call, the following vote was tabulated:

Ayes:  Gleason, McKee, Woods, Martin, Reese, Travis, Smith, Pynes, Haymon, Harris, Ford, Perkins

Nays:  None

Superintendent Self discussed Race To The Top.  After discussion, on motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to participate in Louisiana’s Race To The Top if Louisiana is selected for this program.

Mark Smith reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for January and would make its recommendation to the full Board on Tuesday, January 12, 2010.

In other business, Mr. Neubert informed the Board of the policy changes in their folders and asked that they review these changes for approval on Tuesday, January 12th.

On behalf of the Board, Superintendent Self presented Alice Guess with a Certificate of Excellence for the JAG ”r;5” of ”r;5” High Performance Outcome Award.  Mrs. Guess was one of ten JAG teachers in the state to achieve this goal.

Mr. Gene Haymon announced his intention to resign as District Eight Board Member due to family and business obligations.  His resignation will be become effective when it is accepted by the Secretary of State.

On motion of Ricky Reese, 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 Jessie Brown Frisby who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Frisby was the wife of Oscar Frisby, former bus driver for Vernon Parish; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Frisby was a longtime resident of Anacoco 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 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 Dr. Billy Robinson who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Dr. Robinson was an active member of the community and an avid supporter of the Vernon Parish School System; and

                WHEREAS, Dr. Robinson was well known throughout 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 Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.

______________________________

MICHAEL PERKINS, PRESIDENT

ATTEST

______________________________

JACKIE D. SELF, SUPERINTENDENT