MAY 5, 2011
DRAFT
THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., MAY 5, 2011AT 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
MIKE PERKINS
RANDY MARTIN
STEVE WOODS
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
GERALD COOLEY
ABSENT: COL. FRANCIS BURNS - MILITARY OBLIGATION
There was also present Mr. Jackie D. Self, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Reverend Bayham of Pitkin Pentecostal Church.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mike Perkins.
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the April 12, 2011 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Ms. Shirlene Bender, State HOSA Advisor, recognized Ms. Katie Standlea, teacher at Hicks High School, for being chosen as Outstanding Louisiana HOSA Chapter Advisor.
Rebbecca Stanley, student at Hicks High School, was also recognized as being elected the State HOSA President.
Tom Neubert recognized the school nurses for Nurse’s Week and thanked them for their hard work and dedication.
Students from the following schools were recognized and congratulated for their achievement at State competition: South Polk, Leesville High, Pickering High
On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Mike Perkins, the Board voted to approve a resolution for continuing the consolidated application for program funding for Titles I, II, IV, IDEA(B), and IDEA(Pre-School).
On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board approved the Food Service Quotation Calendar for 2011-2012.
On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Randi Gleason, the Board voted to advertise for bread, milk, and juice.
On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to advertise for copier paper.
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Beryl Ford, the Board voted to advertise for janitorial/cafeteria supplies.
On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to advertise for principal at Leesville Jr. High School.
Mike Perkins reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for May and would make its recommendation to the Board on Tuesday, May 10, 2011. Mr. Perkins reported that the Leave Without Pay Policy was revised and on motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Jerry Jeane, the Board voted to adopt the revised Leave Without Pay Policy:
The Vernon Parish School Board
LEAVE WITHOUT PAY
The Board may grant leave of absence, without pay, to any regularly employed teacher or other employee for periods of time not to exceed one year. Such leave may be granted by the Board, upon proper request in writing by the employee or the Superintendent, whenever in the discretion of the Board such leave is in the best interest of the school district.
At the time leave without pay is granted, the Board may declare that all or certain of such leaves shall not be deemed to interrupt active service for sabbatical leave purposes.
The Board shall only pay its share of health insurance for an employee on leave without pay whose need for leave has been medically documented by a physician.
Leave without pay may be requested and may be granted for the following reasons:
Extended Illness or Recuperation in the absence of sick leave or the requirement to be a primary care giver for immediate family (spouse, parent or child). Leave without pay shall not exceed one year. The request must be substantiated by a physician’s statement. The employee may not undertake additional gainful employment while on leave without pay, unless all of the following conditions are met:
1) The employee can demonstrate that he will be working not more than twenty (20) hours per week in a part-time job that he has been working for not less than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the beginning of any period of leave without pay.
2) The physician who certifies the medical necessity of the leave indicates that such part-time work does not impair the purpose for which the leave without pay is required.
Professional Study or Advancement When Not Eligible for Sabbatical Leave: An employee on leave without pay for professional study or advancement must enroll as a full-time student as designated by the college or university in an appropriate educational field. Leave without pay for professional advancement or study will not be granted immediately following a Sabbatical leave unless waived by the School Board
Work with State or Federal Education Agencies: The employee’s request for leave must be accompanied by an official request of the employee’s services by the Agency. Leave without pay for work with State or Federal Education Agencies will not be granted immediately following a Sabbatical leave
Have an extraordinary professional development opportunity that would be beneficial to the educational program in the Vernon Parish School System
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent
An employee returning from a leave without pay shall be returned to his/her former position and salary.
Leave without pay shall not be granted to employees who have or will assume a position of employment outside the Vernon Parish School System or who are pursuing training for future employment outside the Vernon Parish School Board.
REVISED 5-5-11
Steve Woods reported that the Finance Committee had met on April 21, 2011 and budget revisions were discussed. On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Jerry Jeane, the Board voted to adopt the Budget Revisions as presented by Tim Ward, Finance Director.
In other business, Superintendent Self reminded the Board members of the JRTC Operations Group Box Tour on May 21st at Fort Polk. Superintendent Self also stated that the Vernon Parish School Board received the Vernon Parish "Friend of 4-H" Award to be presented at the 4-H Awards Banquet tonight and encouraged members to attend. Superintendent Self also cancelled the Board meeting for tomorrow.
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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their condolences to the family of Lee Lee Summerell who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Summerell was the daughter of Judy Summerell, teacher at Hornbeck High School; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Summerell was a graduate of Hornbeck High School and most recently a resident of Natchitoches where she was employed as a registered nurse at Cane River Surgery Center; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Summerell was active in the community and she will be greatly 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 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 takes this means to express their sympathy to the family of Floyd "Mike" Beckcom who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Beckcom was the husband of Sharon Beckcom, school nurse, and was a former teacher at Evans High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Beckcom was a longtime resident of the DeRidder/Beauregard Parish area 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 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 Richard "Dicky" Berry who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Berry was a graduate of Leesville High School and was very active in the LHS Alumni Association and was an avid Wampus Cat fan; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Berry was a longtime resident of Leesville, was very active in the community, 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.
There being no further business, and on motion of Mel Harris, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
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VERNON L.TRAVIS JR., PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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JACKIE D. SELF, SUPERINTENDENT