MARCH 1, 2011

                                                                                                DRAFT

THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M. MARCH 10, 2011 AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA.  PRESIDENT TRAVIS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:

VERNON L. TRAVIS JR., PRESIDENT

BERYL FORD, VICE-PRESIDENT

RANDI GLEASON

MEL HARRIS

ROBERT PYNES JR.

DOUG BRANDON

JERRY JEANE

RANDY MARTIN

GERALD COOLEY

COL. FRANCIS B. BURNS

ABSENT:               STEVE WOODS - BUSINESS OBLIGATION

                                JOHN BLANKENBAKER - BUSINESS OBLIGATION

                                MICHAEL PERKINS - ILLNESS       

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by Robert Pynes.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Robert Pynes.

On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Beryl Ford, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the February 8, 2011 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Ralph Kimball, representative for Taylor & Sons Insurance, recognized Employee of The Month. Mary Thomas, counselor at Pickering Elementary School, was chosen for this award.  Ms. Rita Cleveland, Ms. Thomas’ sister, accepted on behalf of her sister.  She was presented a plaque and gift card and congratulated by the Board.

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Mel Harris, 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 Beryl Ford, seconded by Gerald Cooley, the Board voted to receive bids for Ethernet Switches.  Bids received as follows:

Vology   $1,695.00 per unit

CX Tec   $1,750.00 per unit

On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Jerry Jeane, the Board voted to take these bids under advisement.

Vernon Travis reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for March and would make its recommendation to the Board on Thursday, March 10, 2011.  Mr. Travis reported that there was discussion regarding the Leave Without Pay Policy.  The policy will be further revised to include the same ”r;part-time work clause” as sabbatical and extended sick leave.  This will be re-introduced in April for approval.  There was discussion on the pay scale for substitute employees and it was determined that Vernon Parish compares equitably with surrounding parishes.  No action was taken on this matter but options will be explored to improve employee attendance.

In other business, Superintendent Self discussed the state reduction in funding. 

Superintendent Self also scheduled a Curriculum Committee meeting for Thursday, May 10, 2011 at 3:30.  Congratulations and best wishes were conveyed to the girl’s teams from Pickering High and Pitkin High and the boy’s teams from Pickering High and Rosepine High as they travel to the state play-offs.

Colonel Burns gave an update of the deployments at Fort Polk and also of the recent casualties.  He reported on the Activation Ceremony of which brought approximately five hundred family members to Fort Polk.  Colonel Burns also reported on the Facebook Town Hall Meeting at Fort Polk and its success. 

Mr. Travis reported on the legislative priorities for the 112^th Congress and stated that he had talked with Representative Fleming. 

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 James Green who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Green was a former custodian at Leesville Jr. High School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Green was a resident of New Llano and he will be greatly 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.

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 Bobby Gandy who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Gandy was the husband of Faye Gandy, retired paraprofessional at Evans High School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Gandy was a longtime resident of Evans and he will be greatly 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.

On motion of Robert Pynes, 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 members wish to express their condolences to the family of Jerry Lee Anderson who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Anderson was the husband of Katheryn Anderson, retired Title I Director; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Anderson was a longtime former resident of Vernon Parish and he will be greatly 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.

On motion of Jerry Jeane, 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 members wish to express their sympathy to the family of John "J.W." Monk who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Monk was a former employee of the Maintenance Department at the Central Office; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Monk was a longtime resident of Leesville and he will be greatly 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.

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 Vernon Parish School Board members take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Robert Dean, Jr. who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dean was the nephew of Willie Edwards, custodian at the Central Office; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dean was a resident of Jacksonville, Florida and he will be greatly 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.

On motion of Randi Gleason, 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 deepest sympathy to the family of Sarah Meeks who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Sarah was an eleventh grade student at Hicks High School; and

WHEREAS, Sarah was a resident of the Hicks area and she will be greatly 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 Gerald Cooley, 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 Jimmy Dooley who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dooley was the father-in-law of Jessica Dooley, teacher at Leesville High School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dooley was an avid supporter of the Simpson and Hicks schools 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 Jerry Jeane, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.

________________________________

VERNON L.TRAVIS JR., PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

_________________________________

JACKIE D. SELF, SUPERINTENDENT