SEPTEMBER 5, 2013
DRAFT
THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M. ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2013, 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
MEL HARRIS
ROBERT PYNES JR.
DOUG BRANDON
JERRY L. JEANE
RANDY MARTIN
STEVE WOODS
MICHAEL PERKINS
GERALD COOLEY
ABSENT: RICHARD SCHWARTZ
VERNON TRAVIS
COL. T. GLENN MOORE
There was also present Mr. Jackie D. Self, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Gerald Cooley.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Gerald Cooley.
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the August 6, 2013 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Mr. James Williams, Transportation Director, recognized Jackie Grimes as PCAL Vernon Parish Bus Driver of The Year. Mr. Jackie Grimes, bus driver at South Polk Elementary, was presented a certificate and jacket for his dedication to the students in Vernon Parish. Representatives from Risk Management surprised Mr. Grimes when they announced that he was also chosen as the State of Louisiana PCAL Bus Driver of The Year. Mr. Grimes was presented with a plaque and monetary gift and was congratulated by the Board for this achievement.
On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to advertise for propane for Evans, Hicks and Simpson High Schools.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to accept bids for bleachers at Pickering High School. Bids received as follows:
DNA Associates $75,900
Insight Inc. $75,200
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to take these bids under advisement.
On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to accept bids to sell a used activity bus at Leesville High School. Bids received as follows:
Bob’s Used Cars $249.01
On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board rejected this bid and authorized James Williams and Tim Ward to dispose of the bus.
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to accept the bid from Insight Inc. for $65,000 for bleachers at Rosepine High School.
Mel Harris reported that the Salary/Personnel had met and asked Superintendent Self to give the report. Superintendent Self stated that VPSB received $942,000 from the State with the stipulation that 50% of this money be designated for certificated classroom teachers. The Salary/Personnel Committee recommended that certificated personnel receive $571 and that support staff receive $285 for this one time stipend. Randy Martin stated that he would like for all employees to have the same amount and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Mike Perkins, the Board voted for all employees to receive a one time stipend for $571. Doug Brandon and Randi Gleason voted NAY on this motion.
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to approve the Staff Reduction Plan for 2013-2014. Dr. Brandon asked how this was done and Superintendent Self stated that all reductions were through attrition or transfers.
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to declare the school psychologist position as “critical shortage”. This position has been advertised for several months with no applicants.
In other business, Superintendent Self reminded Board members of the Finance Committee meeting Tuesday at 4:00 and the Board meeting at 5:00. Mr. Funderburk discussed the Ethics Training that is required for all VPSB employees and Board members.
Ralph Kimball, representative from Taylor and Sons, announced that Carina Smith was selected as Employee of the Month. Ms. Smith is a custodian at Evans High School and was nominated by Principal Ulita Watson for her outstanding service and dedication.
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 heartfelt sympathy to the family of Rodger Causey who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Causey was a retired teacher/coach at Leesville Jr. High and Leesville High Schools and was the brother of Linda Williams, teacher at Leesville Jr. High School and the brother-in-law of James Williams, Transportation & Food Service Director at the Central Office; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Causey was a 1967 Graduate of Leesville High School and he will be greatly missed by his family and many 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 takes this means to express their condolences to the family of Brett Miller who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Brett was the grandson of now deceased Elaine Kennedy, retired paraprofessional at Evans High and the nephew of Janna Kennedy and Amanda Patterson, teachers at Evans High School; and
WHEREAS, Brett was a 2012 graduate of Evans High School and he will be greatly missed by his family and many 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Melvina Brown who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Brown was a retired cook at Pickering Elementary Schools; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Brown was a longtime resident of Pickering 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 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt sympathy to the family of Joy Cleveland who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Cleveland was a retired bus driver and was the wife of now deceased Stancil Cleveland, retired bus driver; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Cleveland was the mother of Tammy Littleton, retired teacher, Stacie Craft, former teacher, Vickie Sketoe, teacher at Picking High, Mary Thomas, counselor at Pickering Elementary, Rita Cleveland, teacher at Pickering Elementary, Sherry Cryer, teacher at Vernon Middle, and the mother-in-law of Fred Sketoe and Eddie Thomas, teachers at Pickering High and Larry Littleton, maintenance employee at Central Office; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Cleveland was a lifetime resident of Vernon Parish and she will be greatly missed by her many friends and family; 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 voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I ON
WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express their sympathy to the family of Carolyn Coody who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Coody was a retired teacher with thirty seven years of dedicated service to the students of Vernon Parish; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Coody was a longtime resident of Leesville and she will be greatly missed by her family and many 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 Ornner Brown Sr. who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Brown was a retired school bus driver for the Vernon Parish Schools; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Brown was a longtime resident of Leesville and he will be greatly missed by his family and many 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 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 sympathy to the family of Clematine Davis who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis was the mother of Robbie Bailes, retired teacher at Anacoco High School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis was a resident of Oberlin 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 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Tatiana Johnson who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Tatiana was a senior at Pickering High School; and
WHEREAS, Tatiana was a member of JAG and active in school activities at Pickering High School 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 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 Mary Menard who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Menard was a former cook and was the mother-in-law of Pearl Menard, teacher at Pickering Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Menard 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 Michael Perkins, 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 wish to express their condolences to the family of Glen “Peg” Maricle who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Maricle was the husband of Jessie Maricle, retired cook and the father of Carolyn Elliott, retired aide; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Maricle was a longtime resident of Pitkin 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt sympathy to the family of Haskel Lavaughn Roshong who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Roshong was a retired bus driver for the Vernon Parish School System; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Roshong was a longtime resident of Vernon Parish and he will be greatly missed by his family and many 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 Michael Perkins, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
______________________________
RANDI GLEASON, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
_________________________________
JACKIE D. SELF, SUPERINTENDENT