AUGUST 1, 2013                                                DRAFT

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

MEL HARRIS

ROBERT PYNES JR.

DOUG BRANDON

JERRY L. JEANE

RICHARD SCHWARTZ

RANDY MARTIN

STEVE WOODS

GERALD COOLEY

COL. T. GLENN MOORE

ABSENT:              MICHAEL PERKINS

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 July 16, 2013 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Jerry Jeane, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the July 23, 2013 special called meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Dale Wishuhn, representative of Kay Radio, addressed the Board regarding communication options for school buses.  After some discussion, this matter was referred to the Transportation Committee for further review.

Mrs. Anne Smith, Elementary Curriculum Director, presented an update on Common Core State Standards and how they were being implemented in Vernon Parish Schools.

Common Core is a national effort and prepares students to be college and career ready in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language.

On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to adopt the following resolution for the Healthy Behaviors Grant Project from Rapides Foundation.

STATE OF LOUISIANA

PARISH OF VERNON

On the first day of August, 2013, at a meeting of the School Board of Vernon Parish held in the city of Leesville, a quorum of Board Members present, the following action was taken:

It was duly moved and seconded that he following resolution be adopted:

                BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the School Board of Vernon Parish does hereby authorize the Superintendent, on terms and conditions he/she may deem advisable, to negotiate and execute the Healthy Behaviors Grant Project for 2013-2014 from Rapides Foundation on behalf of the School Board named herein, and further hereby authorize the Superintendent and grant the power and authority to do all things necessary to implement, maintain, amend or renew said grants/documents.

                The above resolution was passed by a majority of those present and voting in accordance with the by-laws and policies of the said Board.

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                                                                Randi Gleason, Board President

I certify that the above and foregoing constitutes a true and correct record of a resolution adopted by the Vernon Parish School Board, Leesville, Louisiana, at its regular meeting held on the first day of August, 2013.

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                                                                Jackie Self, Superintendent

Mel Harris reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and had a lengthy discussion on the state pay raise for teachers.  This matter was tabled for further discussion until September.

In other business, Superintendent Self noted the beginning of school calendar for next week and the sessions being offered by LSBA.  Superintendent Self also invited Board members to Leesville High School for lunch and for a tour of the new building.

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 Jeason Miller who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Miller was the brother of Willie Charles Miller, Custodian at Leesville High School, Wendell Miller, Custodian at North Polk Elementary School, and Lewis James Smith, Custodian at East Leesville Elementary School; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Miller’s early years were in Leesville and he was a graduate of Leesville High School; 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 TI O N

                WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Barbra Simmons who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Ms. Simmons was the sister of James Wesley, Principal at North Polk Elementary School and John Wesley, Counselor at Optional School; and

                WHEREAS, Ms. Simmons was a former resident of the Leesville 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 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 condolences to the family of Louis Nabors Jr. who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Nabors was the brother of Ike Nabors, Bus Driver at Vernon Middle School; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Nabors was a former resident of Leesville before relocating to Monroe, Louisiana 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 Randy Martin, 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 Billy Joe Parker who recently passed away; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Parker was the father-in-law of Jodi Parker, Teacher at Pickering High School; and

                WHEREAS, Mr. Parker was a lifelong 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.

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

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RANDI GLEASON, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

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JACKIE D. SELF, SUPERINTENDENT