JULY 7, 2011

DRAFT

THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M. JULY 7, 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

RANDI GLEASON

MEL HARRIS

ROBERT PYNES JR.

DOUG BRANDON

JERRY JEANE

MIKE PERKINS

RANDY MARTIN

STEVE WOODS

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

GERALD COOLEY

 

 

ABSENT:              BERYL FORD – ILLNESS

                                COL. ROGER SHUCK – MILITARY OBLIGATION

 

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 John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the June 7, 2011 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Jerry Jeane, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the Special Called Meeting of June 14, 2011 and dispense with the reading of the minutes.  Doug Brandon voted NAY to this motion.

 

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to approve the following resolution for the adoption of the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for the Vernon Parish School Board and the Vernon Parish School Board Sales Tax Agency:

 

R E S O L U T I O N

 

                WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board has yearly audits to assess our systems internal control and to review our compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and

                WHEREAS, to the best of our knowledge and beliefs, we are in compliance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; and

                THEREFORE, the Vernon Parish School Board adopts the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for the 2011-2012 school year.

               

On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Jerry Jeane, the Board voted to receive bids for propane for Evans, Hicks and Simpson High Schools.  Bids were received as follows:

 

Ferrell Gas                             $2.59 per gallon

Ameria-Gas                          $1.83.9 per gallon

Shawson Gas                        $1.98 per gallon

 

On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to accept the low bid from America-Gas for $$1.83.9 per gallon.  If new tanks are required, it will be at the expense of America-Gas.

 

Curtis Clay discussed the following Headstart procedures:

 

  1. Code of Ethics For All Employees/Volunteers/Contract Staff

  2. Procurement Procedures

  3. Monthly Enrollment Reporting Procedure

  4. Selection Criteria Point System

  5. Behavior Intervention Policy

  6. Dangerous/Aggressive Behavior Policy

  7. Vernon Parish Content Area Plans

  8. Approval to allow Head Start to apply to Office of Head Start for use of  unobligated funds from the 09-10 school year (FY2009)

 

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the Code of Ethics for Employees/Volunteers/Contract Staff, Procurement Procedures, Monthly Enrollment Reporting Procedure, Selection Criteria Point System, Behavior Intervention Policy, Dangerous/Aggressive Behavior Policy, and the Vernon Parish Content Area Plans.  On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board approved for Headstart to apply to the Office of Headstart for use of unobligated funds from the 09-10 school year (FY 2009).

Superintendent Self, Tim Ward, and Tom Neubert discussed policy changes and/or additions that will be on the July 12th Agenda for approval.

 

On motion of Jerry Jeane, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to advertise to sell used bus at Anacoco High School.

 

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to name a Principal at Anacoco High School.  Superintendent Self recommended Mrs. Towanda Willrodt for the position of Principal of Anacoco High School.  Mr. Jerry Jeane, District Two Board Member, attempted a motion to rescind Superintendent’s Self’s recommendation due to his constituents concerns and desire for change.   On recommendation of Mr. Asa Skinner, District Attorney, a vote was taken on the original motion and the motion failed.

 

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to name a Principal at Pickering Elementary School. On recommendation of Superintendent Self, and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to name Mr. Dwain Ducote as Principal at Pickering Elementary School.

 

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to name an assistant principal at Leesville Jr. High School.  On recommendation of Superintendent Self and on motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to name Robert Causey as Assistant Principal at Leesville Jr. High School.

 

Mike Perkins reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for July and would make its recommendation to the Board on Tuesday, July 12, 2011.  Mr. Perkins also stated that the Committee was recommending that all non-promotional administrative appointments be re-advertised if the employee on leave does not return to work.  On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board unanimously voted to approve this recommendation.

 

In other business, Superintendent Self stated that the vacancy for assistant principal at Pickering Elementary would be on the Agenda for July 12th.  Superintendent Self also reminded Board members of the Transportation Committee meeting on Tuesday, July 12th at 9:00AM.  Mike Perkins requested a job description for the resource officers from Tom Neubert.

 

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 sympathy to the family of Johnnie Dubose who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Dubose was a retired cook at East Leesville Elementary School; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Dubose was a longtime resident of Leesville 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 Doug Brandon, 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 condolences to the family of Wanda Cooley who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Cooley was the mother of Douglas Cooley, bus driver, the mother-in-law of Sandy Cooley and Alisa Cooley, bus drivers, and the aunt of Gerald Cooley, District Eight Board Member; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Cooley was a longtime resident of Vernon Parish 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 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 wish to express their condolences to the family of Guinell West Smart who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Smart was a retired teacher, coach, and guidance counselor for the Vernon Parish School System with more than fifty years of dedicated service; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Smart was a longtime resident of Vernon Parish 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 Randi Gleason for 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 Jerry Casey III who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Casey was the son-in-law of Barbara Jordan, bus driver and the grandson-in-law to Pete Jeane, retired bus driver; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Casey was a resident of Burr Ferry 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Mary Hickerson who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Hickerson was a retired librarian at Vernon Middle School with over thirty four years of dedicated service and the sister-in-law of Ora Lee Miller, teacher at Pitkin High School; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Hickerson was a longtime resident of Vernon Parish 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 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 takes this means to express their sympathy to the family of John Howard Hill who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Hill was a retired teacher at Hornbeck High School with twenty years of dedicated service; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Hill was a longtime 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their condolences to the family of Mary Graham who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Graham was the mother of Karen Larche and Barbara Dowden, retired teachers and the grandmother of Larilyn Dowden, former teacher of Vernon Parish; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Graham was a lifelong resident of Vernon Parish 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 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their condolences to the family of Horace Babineaux who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Babineaux was the father of Charles Babineaux, JROTC Instructor at Leesville High School; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Babineaux was a resident of Lafayette 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Masako Williams who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Williams was the mother-in-law of Angel Williams, Principal at Leesville Jr. High School; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Williams was a longtime resident of Leesville 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 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 Vicki Ramsey who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Ramsey was the sister of Stephanie Robison, counselor at Evans High School, cousin of Edwin Koenck, Assistant Principal at West Leesville Elementary and the niece of Donald Bush, retired assistant principal at Evans High; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Ramsey was a resident of Burr Ferry 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 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 takes this means to express their sympathy to the family of Woodrow Vines who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Vines was a custodian at East Leesville Elementary School, and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Vines was a 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 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 take this means to express their sympathy to the family of John Hamilton who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Hamilton served as a member of the Vernon Parish Police Jury and was also a former employee of the City of Leesville; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Hamilton was a 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 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Perry Miers who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Miers was the husband of LaVerne Miers, Anacoco City Council member; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Miers was a resident of Anacoco 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 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board takes this means to express their sympathy to the family of Rhonda Martin who passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Martin was the wife of  , basketball official for Vernon Parish; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Martin was a resident of Anacoco 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 resolution be sent to her family at this time of sadness.

 

There being no further business, and on motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.

 

________________________________

VERNON L.TRAVIS JR., PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

_________________________________

JACKIE D. SELF, SUPERINTENDENT