JANUARY 10, 2013

DRAFT

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

JOHN BLANKENBAKER, VICE-PRESIDENT

VERNON L. TRAVIS JR.

MEL HARRIS

ROBERT PYNES JR.

DOUG BRANDON

JERRY L. JEANE

STEVE WOODS

MICHAEL PERKINS

GERALD COOLEY

ABSENT:              RANDI GLEASON

                                RICHARD SCHWARTZ

                                RANDY MARTIN

                                COL. ROGER L. SHUCK

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by Pastor Jeff James.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Michael Perkins.

On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Michael Perkins, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the December 11, 2012 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

On motion of Michael Perkins, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to receive bids to sell a used bus at Pitkin High School.  One bid was received from Jerry Inman in the amount of $51.51.  After discussion, and on motion of Michael Perkins, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to take this bid under advisement.

Dr. Ben Martindale, Rapides Foundation Technical Assistant, addressed the Board in regard to annual grants provided by Rapides Foundation.  These grants have been used to improve literacy, provide teacher and leader training, STEM, and various other projects.  Dr. Martindale stated that Vernon Parish has strong leadership and uses the grant monies wisely in the best interest of all.

Mr. Mel Harris reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and Mr. Funderburk presented personnel changes for January.  No action was taken

In other business, Mr. Asa Skinner addressed the Board regarding the court ruling of ACT 1 and ACT 2.  He advised the Board to follow the law as written and get a final judgment before any changes are made.

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 wish to express their condolences to the family of Joe Parker who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Parker was the son of former District Eight Board Member,

C. H. Parker and was also the first elected Mayor of the Village of Simpson; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Parker was a lifetime resident of Simpson 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 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 Vernon Parish School Board Members take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Ralph Bennett who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Bennett was the husband of Quinda Bennett, secretary at the Central Office, the father of Brandi Bennett, secretary at West Leesville Elementary, and the father-in-law of Candy Bennett, teacher at East Leesville Elementary; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Bennett was a lifelong 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 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 wish to express their condolences to the family of Dicey Jackson who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Jackson was the wife of former District Eight Board Member Belton Jackson, and the mother-in-law of Diane Jackson, teacher at Simpson High School; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Jackson was a longtime resident of Simpson 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 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 wish to express their sympathy to the family of Doris “Dollie” Mayo Wilcox who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Wilcox was a retired teacher and supervisor for the Vernon Parish Schools; and

                WHEREAS, Mrs. Wilcox 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.

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

_______________________________________

JOHN BLANKENBAKER, VICE- PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

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JACKIE D. SELF, SUPERINTENDENT