MAY 10, 2011

DRAFT

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

VERNON TRAVIS, PRESIDENT

BERYL FORD, VICE PRESIDENT

RANDI GLEASON

ROBERT PYNES JR.

DOUG BRANDON

MIKE PERKINS

RANDY MARTIN

STEVE WOODS

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

GERALD COOLEY

COL. FRANCIS B. BURNS

ABSENT:               MEL HARRIS - BUSINESS OBLIGATION

                                JERRY JEANE - BUSINESS OBLIGATION

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by John Blankenbaker.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by John Blankenbaker.

On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to amend the Agenda and add item to Agenda as Item #2. 

Mr. John Burns addressed the Board on behalf of the First United Pentecostal Church and expressed their appreciation for the work and dedication of all Vernon Parish School Personnel.  Mr. Burns invited all employees to a special service on Sunday night at 6:00PM to honor school personnel.

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of May 5, 2011.

Superintendent Jackie Self, Sheriff Sam Craft, and Marvin Hilton recognized the Vernon Parish School Resource Officers.  The officers were presented a Certificate of Appreciation and the Board thanked them for their dedication and hard work.

Students from the following schools were recognized and congratulated by the Board for their achievement at State competition:  Anacoco High, Hornbeck High, Hicks High, Evans High, Pitkin High, Simpson High, and Rosepine High.

On recommendation of Superintendent Self and on motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the following resignations:

Simmons, Pamela, counselor/RES

Harper, Sarah, teacher/SPE

Graham, Emily, teacher/ELE

Hewitt, Bethany, teacher/NPE

Stillwell, Lori, counselor/Simpson

Feaster, David, teacher/LHS

Philips, Amanda, teacher/NPE

Endris, Florence, technology/CO

Ronayne, April, bus driver/AHS

DeGray. Ronald, JAG instructor/PHS

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Randi Gleason, the Board voted to approve the following termination:

Reed, Kanthi, custodian/WLE

On recommendation of Superintendent Self and on motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to approve the following sabbatical leave requests:

Jones, Greta, teacher/RES-MEDICAL SABB-8-9-11/1-11-12

Marks, Bailey, teacher/NPE-MEDICAL SABB 8-9-2011/1-11-12

On recommendation of Superintendent Self and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Beryl Ford, the Board voted to approve the following requests for a leave without pay:

Roy, Naomi, Sped aide/Hicks-extended MEDICAL LWOP until 6-1-11

Sanders, Stephanie, headstart aide/AES-extended OTHER LWOP 5-9-11/7-12-11

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to accept the following employee retirements:

Stainback, Barbara, principal/LJHS

Jeane, Betty, secretary/AHS

Spurgeon, Rebecca, counselor/NPE

Thompson, Penny, teacher/Pitkin

Bennett, Cathy, teacher/AHS

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Mike Perkins, the Board voted to advertise for an assistant principal at Rosepine Elementary School.

Randi Gleason reported that Headstart will have an on-site Monitoring Review during the week of May 15, 2011.  This will involve site visits and interviews with school employees and central office staff. 

On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Mike Perkins, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

In other business, Kem Johnson and Chad Hagan presented certificates to Board members for being selected as the Vernon Parish "Friend of 4-H Award".  This award was presented to the Vernon Parish School Board in its entirety for their support and interest in 4-H.  Vernon Parish 4-H Club has had the largest enrollment in the state for the past nine years and has been recognized for their dedicated volunteers, community service, state winners, and so much more.

Superintendent Self also invited Board members to the Cenla Work Ready Network Event on Friday morning at Pearl Creek Event Center at 7:30AM.  This is sponsored by the Rapides Foundation and The Orchard Foundation to help students be career-ready at graduation.

Superintendent Self also scheduled a Finance Committee meeting for May 19, 2011 at 10:00AM.  Beryl Ford reported that a Curriculum Committee meeting would be scheduled in July.  Colonel Burns reported that security measures at Fort Polk have increased and that random checks of vehicles were being conducted.  Colonel Burns also invited Board members to the JROTC Operations Group Box Tour on May 21, 2011 and the Memorial Day Ceremony on May 26, 2011. 

There being no further business, on motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.

____________________________________

VERNON TRAVIS, BOARD PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

_________________________________

JACKIE D. SELF, SUPERINTENDENT