JULY 10, 2014

DRAFT

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

MICHAEL PERKINS, PRESIDENT

DOUG BRANDON, VICE-PRESIDENT

VERNON L. TRAVIS JR.

RANDI GLEASON

MEL HARRIS

JERRY L. JEANE

RICHARD SCHWARTZ

RANDY MARTIN

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

STEVE WOODS

GERALD COOLEY

ABSENT:          ROBERT PYNES JR.

                        COL. T. GLENN MOORE

There was also present Mr. James Williams, Secretary of the Board.

The meeting was opened in prayer by Reverend Gary Bankson.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by John Blankenbaker.

Mr. James Williams was sworn in as Superintendent of the Vernon Parish School System by Mr. Willie Deon.

On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2014 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the June 23, 2014 special called meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

On motion of Richard Schwartz, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to adopt a resolution for the Minimum Foundation Program litigation for the Fiscal Year 2012-2013.

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to adopt a resolution for the Minimum Foundation Program litigation for the Fiscal Year 2013-2014.

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to adopt the following resolution for Rapides Foundation 2014-2015 Effective Schools Grant:

STATE OF LOUISIANA

PARISH OF VERNON

On the tenth day of July, 2014, 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 Effective Schools Grant from the 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.

___________________________

Michael Perkins, 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 tenth day of July, 2014.

__________________________

James Williams, Superintendent

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to advertise for Principal at Leesville Jr. High School.

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Richard Schwartz, the Board voted to advertise for Principal at Pickering Elementary School.

On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to advertise for an Administrative Assistant at Hicks High School.

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to advertise for Curriculum Supervisor.

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to receive bids to refurbish track at Leesville High School.  Four bids were received and on motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Randi Gleason, the Board voted to take these bids under advisement.

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Richard Schwartz, the Board voted to receive bids to refurbish track at Pickering High School.  Two bids were received and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Jerry Jeane, the Board voted to take these bids under advisement.

On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Richard Schwartz, the Board voted to receive bids for propane for Evans, Hicks and Simpson Schools.  Four bids were received and on motion of Richard Schwartz, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to accept the low bid of $1.52 per gallon from Amerigas.

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Gerald Cooley, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell a used bus at Rosepine High School.

Doug Brandon reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for July.  Dr. Brandon reported that an additional teacher was needed at Pickering Elementary School and on motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Randi Gleason, the Board voted to approve the additional position.  There was also some discussion regarding Leave Without Pay – no action was taken.

Superintendent Williams stated that “Notice is hereby given that the Parish School Board of the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana, plans to consider adopting a resolution ordering and calling an election to authorize the continuation of an ad valorem tax in Hornbeck School District No. 143 at the School Board meeting on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at 10:00AM at the Parish School Board Office, 201 Belview Road, Leesville, Louisiana.”

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 Carolyn Beverley who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Beverley was the sister of Mickie Seastrunk, retired teacher, from Vernon Parish; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Beverley was a resident of Cedar Park, Texas 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 Vernon Parish School Board takes this means to express their condolences to the family of Angela Foster who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Foster was the daughter of John Foster Jr., retired maintenance employee at the Central Office and the mother of Arnikiquea Foster, Headstart aide at North Polk Elementary; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Foster was a lifelong 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 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 Edward Leonard Spurgeon who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Spurgeon was the father of Lois Spurgeon, teacher at Leesville Jr. High and the brother of Sandra and Rebecca Spurgeon, retirees of the Vernon Parish School Board; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Spurgeon 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 will to express their sympathy to the family of Calton Reid Boswell who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Boswell was the uncle of Randy Martin, District Four Board Member; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Boswell was a 1960 graduate of Simpson High School 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 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 Vernon Parish School Board takes this means to express their sympathy to the family of George Thomas “Tom” Knapp who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Knapp was the father of Susie Neubert, retired teacher, the father-in-law of Tom Neubert, Child Welfare & Attendance Director, and Mike Corley, teacher at Vernon Middle and the grandfather of Tabitha Neubert, former teacher at Leesville High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Knapp 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.

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 Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express their sympathy to the family of Donald “Gene” Beebe who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Beebe was the step-father of Tanya Collins, teacher at East Leesville Elementary; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Beebe 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 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 William “Mike” Elliott who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Elliott was the treasurer of the Wampus Cats Gridiron Club and was very active in sports and community events; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Elliott was a longtime 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 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 Douglas Fee who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Fee was the father of Johnette O’Hara, retired bus driver, the father-in-law of Pat O’ Hara and the grandfather of Scott O’Hara, maintenance employees at the Central Office; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Fee was a resident of Cottonwood 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 Randy Martin, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.

______________________________

MICHAEL PERKINS, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT