JULY 16, 2013
DRAFT
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON JULY 16, 2013 AT 10:00AM, 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. PRESIDENT GLEASON CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
RANDI GLEASON, PRESIDENT
JOHN BLANKENBAKER, VICE PRESIDENT
VERNON L. TRAVIS JR.
DOUG BRANDON
JERRY L. JEANE
RANDY MARTIN
STEVE WOODS
MICHAEL PERKINS
GERALD COOLEY
ABSENT: MEL HARRIS, ROBERT PYNES, RICHARD SCHWARTZ,
COL. ROGER SHUCK
There was also present Mr. Jackie D. Self, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Pastor Gregory Hillman.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Michael Perkins.
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to approve the revised minutes of the June 11, 2013 meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the July 11, 2013 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
On motion of Michael Perkins, seconded by Jerry Jeane, the Board voted to authorize Pitkin High School to purchase land from the Vernon Parish Police Jury. Dr. Brandon asked if this would be a benefit to the school and Mr. Perkins stated that it would. This would be purchased with District Five Funds.
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to purchase an activity bus for Leesville High School.
On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to purchase an activity bus for Rosepine High School.
On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board approved a motion to consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution ordering and calling special elections to be held (i) the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana, for school purposes, (ii) Hornbeck School District No 143 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (iii) Orange School District No 145 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (iv) Ward One Wardwide School District No 162 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana to authorize the levy of special taxes therein; making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to accept the following retirements:
Collins, Patsy, sped aide/Simpson
Solinsky, Darla, teacher/RES
Graves, Paula, teacher/VMS
Lewis, Charles, principal/RES
On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to approve recommendations from the Discipline Committee.
Roll Call Vote as Taken:
YEAS: Doug Brandon, Randi Gleason, Steve Woods
NAYS: Jerry Jeane, Randy Martin, Michael Perkins, Vernon Travis, John Blankenbaker,
Gerald Cooley
ABSENT: Mel Harris, Robert Pynes, Richard Schwartz,
Mr. Travis asked the Board members to reconsider having one standard of discipline across the board for the schools. Mr. Blankenbaker agreed stating that this responsibility should not be placed on the principal and that it should be the set days for each grade level. Mr. Perkins also agreed with set days for each grade level. On motion of Michael Perkins, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to send this recommendation back to Superintendent Self, Mr. Neubert and Principals for further review.
Superintendent Self stated that due to limited time before school begins that he would call a special Board meeting to address changes made to the Discipline Policy.
Vernon Travis reported that the Curriculum Committee had met and Mrs. Anne Smith gave an update on STEM/CTE. Mrs. Smith stated that this year was an extension from last year for this Grant from Rapides Foundation and would be the final year. The Grant focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education. This unencumbered grant provides money for professional development for teachers – all about knowing the standards and teaching them.
Superintendent Self gave a testing update with unofficial scores and stated that the official state scores should be released in October. He stated that unofficially Vernon Parish Schools did very well.
Mr. Gerald Cooley reported that the Transportation Committee had met and discussed the purchase of 2009 buses coming of lease and the maintenance of Board owned buses. On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to authorize Superintendent Self and James Williams to develop a job description and level of hire for a certified diesel mechanic and a mechanics helper.
On motion of Jerry Jeane, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
In other business, Superintendent Self stated that there would be a meeting scheduled next week with the architect for South Polk Elementary School and that he would notify them of the date and time.
On motion of Jerry Jeane, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt 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 Winter Nicole Airhart who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Winter was to be a senior at Hornbeck High School; and
WHEREAS, Winter was a resident of the Anacoco/Hornbeck area 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 Al Lack who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lack was a former maintenance employee for the Vernon Parish School Board; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lack was the husband of now deceased Alice Lack, secretary at Special Education, the father of Wesley Lack, former computer technician, and the father-in-law of Tracy Lack, secretary at Special Education;
WHEREAS, Mr. Lack 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 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 wishes to express their sympathy to the family of Lawrence Ford who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ford was a retired bus driver for the Vernon Parish School Board; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ford 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 John Blankenbaker, 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 Douglas Ashworth who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ashworth was the brother of Audry Ashworth, retired principal at Rosepine High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ashworth was a resident of Rosepine 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, on motion of Jerry Jeane, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
______________________________
RANDI GLEASON, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
_________________________________
JACKIE D. SELF, SUPERINTENDENT