SEPTEMBER 7, 2010

THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION, ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2010 AT, 5:00PM, 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA. 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 H. SMITH

RICKY REESE

RANDY MARTIN

STEVE WOODS

GAYE MCKEE

KAY WILBANKS

COL. FRANCIS B. BURNS

ABSENT:  BERYL FORD - ILLNESS

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by Reverend Dale Mortensen.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Kay Wilbanks.

 On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of September 2, 2010.

 Kem Johnson and Chad Hagan presented the annual 4H Report.  Certificates were presented to 4H members for their accomplishments and they were congratulated by the Board for their dedication and hard work.  Mrs. Johnson provided information on some of the 4H activities that include the Teen Mentor Training Program, the Backpack Project, and the collection of aluminum tabs for Ronald McDonald House. 

On recommendation of Superintendent Self and on motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board to approve the following resignations:

Dowden, Paul, Sped aide/LJHS

Henry, Cha, bilingual aide/ELE

Harris, Michelle, cook/NPE

Lartigue, Jannie, teacher/PHS

Craft, Annette, cook/AES

Colleps, Brittni, teacher/NPE

Causey, Rodger, teacher/LJHS(RRTW)

Carson, Sarah, teacher/WLE

Pinegar, Sondra, teacher/NPE

Simms. Kimberly, teacher/PES

Engeldinger, Paula, teacher/WLE

On recommendation of Superintendent Self and on motion of Kay Wilbanks, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to approve the following termination:

Hunter, Sandra, teacher/Evans(one year appointment only-no available positions)

On recommendation of Superintendent Self and on motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Kay Wilbanks, the Board voted to approve the following request to rescind a sabbatical leave:

Hagan, Mary Ann, teacher/WLE-Rescind SABB for 2010/2011

On recommendation of Superintendent Self and on motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the following sabbatical leave requests:

Driscoll, John, teacher/LJHS-MEDSABB 10-1-2010/5-27-2011

Miller, LeeAnn, teacher/ELE MED SABB 9-7-10/1-7-11

On recommendation of Superintendent Self and on motion of Kay Wilbanks, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the following requests for leave without pay:

Bailes, Karri, cook/RES-MED LWOP 8-10-10/1-3-2011

Suydam, Sandra, bus aide/WLE-MED LWOP 8-9-10/9-20-10

Fox, Tina, teacher/Evans-OTHER LWOP 8-30-10/1-7-11

Bolton, Wanetta, teacher/SPE-MED LWOP-8-9-10/5-27-11

On recommendation of Superintendent Self and on motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve the following list of new employees:

Heard, George, teacher/PHS-replacing Melissa Halstead (resigned)

Anderson, Mary, cook/LJHS-replacing Martha Acey (retirement)

Mitchell, Reagan, cook/ELE-replacing Rita Jeter (retired)

Strickland, Zack, bus driver/WLE-replacing Linda Fletcher’s trns-Connie Johnson’s bus

Sanders, Edna, bus driver/WLE-vacant position

Christ, Donna, bus driver/LJHS-replacing Misty Fink (resigned)

Broxson, Preston, teacher/Evans-replacing Floyd Stark (resigned)

LaCaze, Anthony, custodian/Pitkin-replacing Leroy Brister(resigned)

Brown, Apollonia, cook/AES-replacing Cynthia Kennedy (resigned)

Haynes, Kenneth, custodian/PHS-replacing Dale McCrary (retired)

Foster, Arnikiquea, headstart aide/ELE-replacing Beth Wilcox(I/S trns to J. Gaither’s position)

Wells, Lyndi, teacher/Hornbeck-replacing Tim Parker

Blackmon, Ashley, teacher/Evans-replacing Tina Fox(LWOP 1^st semester only)

Dudley, Caitlyn,teacher/WLE-replacing Sarah Carson(resigned)

Pittman, Antoinette, teacher/NPE-replacing Sondra Pinegar(resigned)

Mayberry, Terri, teacher/PES-new position/class reduction

Fontenot, James, computer tech/CO-new position

Matthai, William, maintenance-Level I/CO-new position

Bush, Nicole, teacher/PES-new position (class reduction)

Standifer, Traci, teacher/PES-new position (class reduction)

On recommendation of Superintendent Self and on motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Kay Wilbanks, the Board voted to approve the following employee transfers:

Paddy, Carol, LA4 aide/ELE-I/S trns to Sped aide-replacing Cindy Allison(trns to Title I)

Allison, Cindy, Sped aide/ELE-I/S trns from Sped to Title I aide(replacing Billie Sims(retired)

Brister, Pam, teacher/ELE-trns to Evans (home school change only)

Spikes, Stephanie, instructional coach/PES-trns to RES(home school change only)

Shackleford, Amy, Sped aide/PES-trns to PHS-replacing Edgar Evans(resigned)

Davis, Sandra, Sped aide/PES-trns to PHS-replacing Margaret Frusha(resigned)

Wilcox, Beth, headstart aide/ELE-I/S trns to HS teacher-replacing Janice Gaither(sick leave)

Iber, Jeff, Sped teacher/Pitkin – I/S trns to 7^th & 8^th grade ELA-replacing Jan Sweat(trns to Sped)

Sweat, Jan, teacher/Pitkin–I/S trns to Elem Sped-replacing Jan Perkins(trns to middle school Sped)

Leonard, Bernadette, teacher/LJHS-I/S trns from Sped to Science-replacing Vaydra Reeves(I/S trns)

Warren, Dawn, teacher/LJHS-I/S trns from GT to 7^th & 8^th math

Grady, Zandra, teacher/LJHS-I/S trns from ELA to GT ELA-new class

Mahon, Kelly, teacher/LJHS-I/S trns from English to Sped(replacing Bernadette Leonard(I/S trns)

Rogers, Kelly, Sped aide/WLE-trns to LJHS-replacing Paul Dowden(resigned)

Ramirez, Ashley, Sped aide/NPE-I/S trns to LA4-replacing Kayla Askew(resigned)

Moses, Darlene, gen.fund aide/Evans-I/S trns from 9 to 10 month employee

On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Randi Gleason, the Board voted to accept the following employee retirements:

Linda Doyal, assistant cafeteria manager/LHS

Montiel, Ernesto, bus driver/NPE

Bailey, Alton, headstart teacher/NPE

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to receive bids to sell an activity bus at Anacoco High School.  One bid was received from Sonny Davis for $265.00.  On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to take this bid under advisement.

Mark Smith reported that the Finance Committee had met and discussed the budgets for 2010-2011 and the final budgets for 2009-2010.  Mr. Tim Ward, Finance Director, presented the budgets and also discussed Impact Aid, Stimulus Money, and budget concerns.  On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to approve the final budget for 2009/2010.

On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to approve a resolution to adopt the 2010-2011 consolidated budgets.

September 2, 2010

Vernon Parish School Board

201 Belview Road

Leesville, LA  71446

Re:  Executive Summary for the 2010-2011 Operating Budget

Dear Board Members:

The budget for the Vernon Parish School Board for the fiscal year July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011 is hereby submitted.

The board will be asked to approve the 2010-2011 Operating Budget on September 07, 2010.  The proposed resolution follows.

Before the resolution is acted upon, The Board will receive comments and recommendations from the Finance Committee and the public.  The Finance Committee will review the budget on September 7th and a Public Hearing will be held at that time.

Budget Summary

The Vernon Parish School Board is the second largest employer in the parish.  Total budget revenues are $103.7 million and total budgeted expenditures are $103.7 million.

The purpose of each fund and an overview of the changes from last year are:

General Fund

General fund educational activities are accounted for in the General Fund and are supported by local taxes, state entitlements, and federal grants.

Special Revenue Fund

The Special Revenue Fund accounts for the proceeds of specific revenue sources that are legally restricted to the expenditures for specific purposes.

Debt Service Fund

The Debt Service Fund is used to accumulate monies for the payment of outstanding bond issues.

Debt service funds are not required to be included in this budget plan.

Capitol Projects Fund

The Capitol Projects Fund accounts for financial resources to acquire, construct, and improve public school facilities in nine (9) school districts.

Capitol project funds are not required to be included in this budget plan.

Budget Guidance

In developing the budget for FY 2010-2011, the administrative staff was given the following short term and financial operational policies:

1. Salary estimates include “step increases”

2. Half of MFP increase budgeted as teacher salaries (no increase this year)

3. To prepare estimates based on a student population of 9350

4. To use employer contribution rates of 20.2% for Teachers Retirement System and 24.3% for Louisiana School Employees Retirement

5. To use the indirect cost rate of 6.6820 %

6. To budget an increase retirement costs of $2.1 million.

7.   To budget for increased student enrollment and possible increase in personnel.

Budget Concerns

The uncertainty of Department of Defense Funding and Impact Aid Funding make the goal of using these funds only for non-recurring expenses imperative.

The declining student count had been a major area of concern. Prior to two years ago we had lost a total of 823 students. In FY 2008-2009 we had increase of 235 students, the first increase in eight years and in 2009-2010 an increase of 243 students.  We are looking at further increases this year.

The General Fund had to contribute an additional $200,000 to the Lunch Fund in FY 2010 and will almost certainly need to contribute an additional $300,000 this fiscal year.

Acknowledgements

The preparation of this report could not have been accomplished without the efficient and dedicated services of the entire staff of the Business Department.  We want to express our appreciation to them for this assistance.

We also thank the members of the Board for their interest and support in planning and conducting the financial operations of the School System in a responsible and progressive manner.

_____________________________                               _____________________

Jackie Self, Superintendent                                                  Tim Ward.

Vernon Parish Schools                                                         Director of Finance

BUDGET RESOLUTION

The following resolution was offered by Mark Smith and seconded by Ricky Reese.

A resolution adopting, finalizing, and implementing the General Fund, Special Revenue, and Consolidated Fund Budgets of the Vernon Parish School Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010, which was accompanied by this budget adoption resolution; and

WHEREAS, the proposed Consolidated, General Fund, and the Special Revenue Fund Budgets and the accompanying budget adoption resolution have been submitted to this School Board for review and consideration; and

WHEREAS, notice of the public hearing on the proposed Consolidated, General Fund, and Special Revenue Fund Budgets, notice of the availability of the proposed budgets for review at such hearing and a general summary of the proposed budgets have been timely published in the Leesville Daily Leader; and

WHEREAS, a public hearing on the proposed Consolidated, General Fund, and Special Revenue Fund Budgets has now been reviewed and considered; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board that the proposed Consolidated, General Fund, and Special Revenue Budgets are hereby approved, adopted, and finalized.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED actual revenues, expenditures and fund balances for the year ended June 30, 2009 are hereby adopted as the amended budgets for the year, in compliance with the requirements of the state law.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary-Treasurer of the School Board, Jackie Self, or his successor, is hereby authorized and in her sole discretion, to make such changes within the various budget classifications as she may deem necessary provided that any reallocation of funds affecting in excess of five percent (5%) of the projected revenue collections must be approved in advance by action of the School Board at a meeting duly noticed and convened.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Superintendent of the School Board, Jackie Self, or his successor, in her capacity as chief administrative officer of the School Board, is hereby directed to advise the School Board when:

1.            Revenue collections plus projected revenue collections for the remainder of the year, within a fund, are failing to meet estimated annual budgeted revenues by five percent (5%) or more, or

2.            Actual expenditures plus projected expenditures for the remainder of the year, within a fund, are exceeding the estimated budgeted expenditures by five percent (5%) or more, or

3.            The actual beginning fund balance, with a fund, fails to meet the estimated beginning fund balance of five percent (5%) or more, and the fund balance is being used to fund current year expenditures.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary-Treasurer of the School Board, Jackie Self, or his successor, shall certify completion of all actions required by Louisiana R.S. 39:1306 by publishing a notice of the minutes of the meeting in the Leesville Daily Leader.

This Resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:

YEAS: 11                            

NAYS:  0             

ABSTAINING:    0            

ABSENT: 1

President Perkins stated there was no Headstart Report as the Headstart Policy Council had not met.

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.

On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Kay Wilbanks, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

There was no other business.

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 wishes to express their sympathy to the family of William Norris who recently passed away; and

               WHEREAS, Mr. Norris was a former teacher/coach of the Vernon Parish School System; and

               WHEREAS, Mr. Norris leaves behind a host of family and friends in Vernon Parish; and

               WHEREAS, Mr. Norris was a former resident of Pickering, a graduate of Pickering High School, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him; 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.

____________________________________

MICHAEL PERKINS, BOARD PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

_________________________________

JACKIE D. SELF, SUPERINTENDENT