JUNE 5, 2008
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. PRESIDENT FORD CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
BERYL FORD, PRESIDENT
STEVE WOODS, VICE-PRESIDENT
ROBERT PYNES JR.
MEL HARRIS
MARK SMITH
JOHN C. BURNS
RICKY REESE
MICHAEL PERKINS
VERNON TRAVIS
GAYE MCKEE
GENE HAYMON
COL. DAVID G. SAGE
ABSENT: RANDY MARTIN-OUT OF TOWN
CYNTHIA A. GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT-ILLNESS
There was also present Mr. Jackie Self, Assistant Superintendent.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Gene Haymon.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Gaye McKee.
On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the May 6, 2008 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Mr. Johnny Rosier, Taylor and Sons, recognized Melissa Desantiago, paraprofessional at South Polk Elementary, as Employee of the Month. Ms. Desantiago was presented a plaque and gift certificate and congratulated for her dedication and hard work.
Lisa Lewis, U.S. Forestry Service, addressed the Board with regard to the Forestry Awareness Program for fifth graders. Ms. Lewis also discussed the Secure Rural Schools Act.
Barbara Cart recognized Headstart staff and parents for their achievements during the 2007-2008 school year.
Tom Neubert discussed the following policy changes:
STUDENT ABSENCES AND EXCUSES
The Vernon Parish School Board recognizes that the fundamental right to attend the public schools places upon students the accompanying responsibility to be faithful in attendance. Regular attendance can be assumed to be essential for a student's successful progress in the instructional program. A student is considered to be in attendance when he or she (1) is physically present at a school site or is participating in an authorized school activity and (2) is under the supervision of authorized personnel.
This definition for attendance would extend to students who are homebound, assigned to and participating in drug rehabilitation programs that contain a state-approved education component, or participating in school-authorized field trips or other school-approved activities.
• Half-day attendance - A student is considered to be in attendance for one-half day when he or she (1) is physically present at a school site or is participating in an authorized school activity and (2) is under the supervision of authorized personnel for more than 25% but not more than half (26%-50%) of the student's instructional day.
• Whole-day attendance - A student is considered to be in attendance for a whole day when he or she (1) is physically present at a school site or is participating in an authorized school activity and (2) is under the supervision of authorized personnel for more than 50% (51%-100%) of the student's instructional day.
Compulsory attendance laws and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) regulations require elementary students to be present a minimum of one hundred sixty (160) days to be eligible to receive credit for courses taken. Secondary students shall be required to be present a minimum of eighty-one (81) days or the equivalent, per semester, or one hundred sixty-two (162) days a school year for schools not operating on a semester basis, in order to be eligible to receive credit for courses taken. All absences, whether excused or unexcused shall be counted as absences for attendance reporting purposes.
For a student to be eligible to receive credit and make up work during an absence, the student shall be required in each instance to submit parental confirmation of the reasons for the absence. Students not excused shall be given failing grades in those subjects for those days missed, provided a graded activity was conducted during the unexcused absence, and shall not be given an opportunity to make up the work missed.
Excused absences can only be granted in the event of extenuating circumstances as outlined below. School personnel may require certificates from participating physicians, and dentists substantiating all illnesses. Written evidence from church authorities relative to requiring religious observances may also be required.
All schools shall keep daily records of attendance. Each school shall attempt to provide verbal notification to a child's parent, tutor, or legal guardian, and, if such verbal notification cannot be provided, then the school shall provide written notification to a child's parent, tutor, or legal guardian when that child has been absent from school for five (5) school days in schools operating on a semester basis, and for ten (10) days in schools not operating on a semester basis. The accumulation of days absent need not be consecutive.
Students missing school as result of any out of school suspension shall be counted as absent, shall be given failing grades for those days suspended, provided a graded activity was conducted during the suspension, and shall not be given an opportunity to make up work missed during the suspension.
No public elementary or secondary school pupil shall be permitted for any reason to absent himself/herself from school attendance during the school day upon his/her own authority, unless legally emancipated. The principal or designee shall make all reasonable efforts to verbally notify the parent or other person responsible for the pupil's school attendance of any such prohibited absence by a pupil.
TYPES OF ABSENCES
The days absent for elementary and secondary school students shall include temporarily excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions.
1. Temporarily Excused Absences
Students shall be considered temporarily excused from school for personal illness, serious illness in the family, death in the family (not to exceed one week), or for recognized religious holidays of the student's own faith and shall be given the opportunity to make up work provided that in each instance parental confirmation has been received, giving the reason for the absence.
2. Unexcused Absences
Students shall not be excused for any absence other than those listed under temporarily excused absences above, and shall be given failing grades in those subjects for those days missed, and shall not be given an opportunity to make up work.
Students shall not be excused from school to work on any job including agriculture and domestic service, even in their own homes or for their own parents or tutors, unless it is part of an approved instructional program.
3. Absences Due to Suspensions
Students missing school as a result of any out-of-school suspension shall be counted as absent, shall be given failing grades for those days suspended, provided a graded activity was conducted during the suspension, and shall not be given an opportunity to make up work.
EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES
Only the following shall be considered extenuating circumstances under which absences shall be exempt from provisions of compulsory attendance laws as verified by the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance:
1. Extended personal physical or emotional illness as verified by a physician or dentist nurse practitioner
2. Extended hospital stay as verified by a physician or dentist
3. Extended recuperation from an accident as verified by a physician, dentist, or nurse practitioner
4. Extended contagious disease within a family as verified by a physician or dentist
5. Observance of special and recognized holidays of the student’s own faith
The only other exceptions to the attendance regulations shall be other absences as verified by the principal or his/her designee as stated below:
1. Prior school system-approved travel for education
2. Death in the family (not to exceed one week)
3. Natural catastrophe and/or disaster
For any other extenuating circumstances, the student’s parents or legal guardian must make a formal appeal in accordance with the due process procedures established by the school system.
Students who are verified as meeting extenuating circumstances and therefore eligible to receive grades shall not receive those grades if they are unable to complete makeup work or pass the course.
EXCUSES
For a student to be eligible to receive credit and make up work following an absence, the student shall be required in each instance to submit parental confirmation of the reasons for the absence. If a student is tardy or absent, the parent or guardian must submit a written excuse, signed and dated, to school authorities upon the student's return to classes, stating the reason for the student's absence from school. A doctor's, dentist’s, or nurse practitioner’s written statement of student's incapacity to attend school is acceptable. All excuses for a student's absence, including medical verification of extended personal illness, must be presented within five (5) school days of the student's return to school, or the student's absence shall be considered unexcused and the student not allowed to make up work missed.
ABSENCES DUE TO SCHOOL APPROVED ACTIVITIES
Students participating school-approved activities which necessitate their being away from school shall be considered to be present and shall be given the opportunity to make up work.
REPORTING ABSENCES
The attendance of all school pupils shall be checked each school day and at the beginning of each class period and shall be verified by the teacher keeping such record, which shall be open to inspection by the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance or duly authorized representative at all reasonable times. All schools shall immediately report to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance any unexplained, unexcused, or illegal absence, or habitual tardiness.
The Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance shall, after written notice to the parent or tutor of a child, or a personal visit of notification, report any such child as habitually absents himself from school or as is habitually tardy to the family court judge of the parish as a delinquent child, there to be dealt with in such manner as the court may determine.
APPEAL OF ABSENCES
All absences shall count toward the total number of absences accumulated by a student, whether the absence is excused or unexcused. When the student exceeds the maximum number of absences allowed, the parents or student may make a formal appeal to the principal if they feel any of the absences are because of extenuating circumstances. If they feel that the decision is unfavorable, they shall appeal to the Superintendent or his/her designee. After a review by the Superintendent or his/her designee, a decision shall be made and communicated to the parents or legal guardian by letter.
Students in danger of failing due to excessive absences may be allowed to make up missed time in class sessions held outside the regular class time. The make-up sessions must be completed before the end of the current semester and all other applicable policies must also be met.
TARDINESS
A student shall be considered tardy to class if the student is not in the classroom when the bell to begin class ceases. A student shall be considered tardy to school if the student is not in his/her homeroom/first period class when the bell to begin homeroom/class ceases. Tardiness on the part of students shall not be tolerated.
Students who are tardy for class shall be subject to disciplinary action, appropriate under the circumstances. Parents of students who continue to be late for class after appropriate disciplinary action shall be notified for a conference with the principal, and the student may be subject to suspension from school. All regulations concerning tardiness of students shall be strictly followed, unless the principal determines otherwise.
Revised: December, 1995
Revised: April, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:221, 17:226, 17:230, 17:232; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education.
SUMMER SCHOOL
The Vernon Parish School Board shall provide summer school sessions as an extension of the instructional schedule for the school district. The schedule for the summer session may provide for remedial instruction, additional instruction, and repeat courses for students who have failed. In particular, a summer school remediation program shall be offered to all students who fail the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) test administered each year to 4th and 8th grade students.
The Vernon Parish School Board may offer a summer school program to enable students not meeting the promotion criteria during the regular school year to attend a state-approved summer school to remove deficiencies and be considered for promotion to the next grade.
Students not passing the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP 21) exam administered in the spring of each year in grades 4 and 8, are highly recommended to attend a summer school remediation program for remediation in the specific area needed and may be retested at the conclusion of the course. Operation of any approved schools in the summer session shall be in accordance with regulations established by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), guidelines of the Louisiana Department of Education, and directives of the Superintendent and staff as reflected in the Board’s Pupil Progression Plan.
Summer schools shall offer 90 hours of instruction for ½ unit of new credit, 180 hours for one unit of new credit, 60 hours of instruction for ½ unit of repeat credit, 120 hours for one unit of repeat credit, and 50 or more hours for ½ unit for GEE 21 Remediation. Elementary summer schools shall offer a minimum of seventy (70) hours of instruction per subject for removal of deficiencies.
Students attending summer school shall have the written permission from the principal of the students’ home school in order for high school credit to be awarded or if an elementary student is to be promoted. In order to be eligible to receive credit, summer high school students shall be in attendance a minimum of seventy (70) hours for ½ unit of new credit, one-hundred forty (140) hours for 1 unit of new credit, forty-seven (47) hours for ½ unit of repeat credit or credit for GEE 21 Remediation, and ninety-four (94) hours for one unit of repeat credit. Elementary students shall be in attendance for sixty (60) hours for one subject in order to be eligible to receive credit or pass a subject, unless the School Board imposes a stricter attendance requirement. An elementary student attending summer school for promotional purposes shall not enroll for more than two (2) subjects.
All students with disabilities should receive services along with regular education students in summer programs, with special supports provided as needed.
Except for those students attending 4th and 8th grade remediation (LEAP) classes, fees may be charged students for attending summer school session, which Students attending summer school session may be charged a fee, however, no fees shall be charged for use of textbooks. Fees shall be set by the Board upon recommendation of the Superintendent and his/her administrative staff.
Revised: November, 1999
Revised: July, 2002
Revised: April, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. '17:24.4; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 3-12-02.
HOME STUDY PROGRAM
Students of the Vernon Parish School District may be permitted to have their educational skills developed through a home study program, or in an in-home private school program, if such a program offers a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level. The parent or legal guardian shall submit an application to the Louisiana Department of Education for approval together with a copy of the child's birth certificate. An initial application shall be made within fifteen (15) days after commencement of the home study program. A renewal application shall be submitted to the Louisiana Department of Education by October 1 of the school year, or within twelve (12) months of approval of the initial application, whichever is later.
Vernon Parish School Board contributions for home schooled students relative to participation in public school programs/services shall be limited to textbooks only.
Any child eligible by law to attend elementary or secondary school shall be eligible to participate in a home study program.
Secondary students who are home schooled shall not earn a regular high school diploma unless they return to an approved school and meet all the necessary credits and requirements needed for high school graduation. Home study students shall be eligible to take the General Educational Development (GED) test upon completion of the home study program, upon proper application.
TEXTBOOKS
The School Board may supply textbooks to home study students who have been approved by the Louisiana Department of Education, if extra copies are available. A deposit equal to fifty percent (50%) one hundred percent (100%) of the replacement costs shall be required. Such deposit shall be returned when the books are returned. No refunds shall be made for lost or damaged textbooks. If books are not returned or paid for, the parent or legal guardian shall not be eligible to continue participation in the textbook rental program until all textbook debts have been cleared.
Textbooks should be issued from the school of the student's assigned attendance zone for no longer than the length of the current school term. Principals may require periodic inspection of the textbooks. Workbooks and supplementary materials shall not be provided by the Board.
READMISSION
Students seeking admission or readmission to the Vernon Parish public schools shall be required to fulfill such screening and evaluation requirements as the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and/or the School Board may establish, including the taking of tests and diagnostic instruments used to determine appropriate grade levels or Carnegie units. The requirements and procedures for admission or readmission shall be made a part of the Board’s Pupil Progression Plan. In addition, students in grades 5 and 9 transferring to the public school system shall be required to take the 4th and 8th grade LEAP 21 tests and register an acceptable score prior to enrollment in order to determine the appropriate grade levels. The School Board may charge a fee, not to exceed $100.00 per student, for the testing of home study students. The testing fee shall be refunded upon the student’s enrollment in the public school system the semester immediately following the testing.
ACHIEVEMENT TESTING
In May and September of each year and on such other dates as the School Board may determine, the School Board shall, upon the request of a parent whose child is participating in a home study program, administer the competency-based education examination to the child. A thirty-five dollar ($35) testing fee shall be charged for each test.
A parent of a child in home study may request the Superintendent to permit the child to be administered the LEAP 21 tests. Such tests shall occur on the date of the test as determined by the Superintendent. The examination shall be administered with the same restrictions and under similar conditions as provided to students enrolled in public schools with a certified teacher administering the test. The parent shall be provided the student’s score and whether the student passed the examination and met the state performance standards.
A testing fee of up to thirty-five dollars ($35) may be charged to cover actual costs of administering, scoring, and reporting the results of the tests.
Revised: November, 2002
Revised: April, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:236, 17:236.1, 17:236.2, 17:351; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, State Textbook Adoption Policy and Procedure Manual, Bulletin 1794, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 12-10-02.
HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION
Students of the Vernon Parish School District who are unable to attend school because of physical disability may be assigned a properly certified teacher who will instruct them at home or in a hospital. In order for a student to be considered for homebound instruction, the student, as a result of health care treatment, physical illness, accident, or the treatment thereof, must be temporarily unable to attend school for the provision of regular educational services. Such incapacitation shall require verification on the application by a physician. The homebound instruction program is a continuation of the regular school instructional program, designed to help the child return to school without falling too far behind in assigned work. The student shall be under the same state and local regulations as any other student. A responsible adult must be present where instruction is provided.
CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY
A regular or special education student is eligible to receive homebound instruction if the following criteria are met:
1. Following an absence of more than ten (10) consecutive school days for a qualifying illness, homebound instruction shall be provided on the eleventh (11th) school day.
2. After a student has been absent for ten (10) days, for one of the above identified reasons, the student shall be referred for review by the School Building Level Committee (SBLC), to determine need for referral for Section 504 services if the student has not previously been identified as a student with a disability.
3. The student is free of infectious or communicable disease. If the student is not free of such diseases, other appropriate instructional arrangements must be made.
4. The parent or guardian signs a parental agreement concerning homebound or hospital policies and parental cooperation.
CONTINUITY OF INSTRUCTION
A review of the student's educational program conducted by the student's regular education teacher(s) should be provided to the hospital/homebound teacher to permit continuity in instruction. Periodic conferences between the student's regular teacher and homebound instructor should be conducted as well. Homebound instruction, at a minimum, shall be provided in the core academic subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. A minimum of four (4) hours instruction shall be provided per week, unless the student’s health as determined by a physician requires less. Consideration shall be given to the individual need for services beyond the core academic subjects for students with disabilities
Homebound services may be provided via a consultative model (properly certified regular or special education teacher when appropriate, consults with the homebound teacher delivering instruction) for students needing such services less than twenty (20) days during the school year.
REGULATIONS
The following regulations must be observed by the parents and students once a teacher has been assigned:
1. One of the student’s parents, or a responsible adult, must be present in the home the entire time a homebound teacher is teaching.
2. Child and teacher are not to be disturbed during the instructional period.
3. Members of the family must remain out of the room during the class period.
4. In the event a teacher is unable to keep the child’s appointment, he/she should notify the parents. If the child is unable to receive a lesson at the scheduled time, the parents should let the teacher know as soon as possible.
5. Home study is essential for the student to maintain his/her class standing. It then becomes the child’s responsibility, under the supervision of the parents, to prepare the work which has been assigned. An assigned lesson which is not completed is a loss of valuable time and may jeopardize the student’s course work.
6. A daily student schedule is the responsibility of the student and the parents.
Failure to observe these regulations may result in the withdrawal of this special service.
New policy: April, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. '17:1946; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education.
ADULT EDUCATION
The Vernon Parish School Board may operate an Adult Education and family literacy program which is designed to allow eligible individuals to continue their education to at least the level of completion of secondary school and to make available to them an opportunity to acquire basic literacy skills necessary to function in society and become more employable, productive, and responsible citizens and family members. The Adult Education program shall be administered and conducted in accordance with regulations and content standards established by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).
The Adult Education program shall serve to provide instruction to adults who are sixteen (16) years of age and older, not enrolled in the K-12 educational system and have less that a high school education. The purposes of the Adult Education program shall be to assist adults to:
1. become literate;
2. obtain knowledge and skills for employment and self-sufficiency;
3. obtain the educational skills necessary to become full partners in their children’s educational development; or
4. complete their secondary school education.
REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS
1. Enrollment Requirements
Students must be 17 years of age or older to enroll in an Adult Education program. The parent, tutor, or other person responsible for the school attendance of a child who is under the age of eighteen (18) and who is enrolled in school beyond his/her sixteenth (16th) birthday may request a waiver from the parish Superintendent for the child to exit school to enroll and attend an adult education program approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education BESE. if one or more of the following hardships exist and if appropriate documentation is on file at the School Board office:
A. In the case of a child with no parent, tutor, or other person responsible for his/her school attendance, the Superintendent may act on behalf of the student in making such a request if one or more of the following hardships exist and if the following appropriate documentation is on file at the School Board office:
1. pregnant or actively parenting;
2. incarcerated or adjudicated;
3. institutionalized or living in a residential facility;
4. chronic physical or mental illness;
5. family and/or economic hardships.
In the case of a child with no parent, tutor, or other person responsible for his/her school attendance, the Superintendent may act on behalf of the student in making the request.
B. The Superintendent or his/her designee may approve the request without requesting action from BESE. If the request to exit school to enroll in a State BESE-approved Adult Education program is denied by the Superintendent, a student may request the waiver from the Department of Education for approval by BESE with documentation of reason for denial at the local level. Students seeking to exit school to enroll in Adult Education, who are enrolled in a formal education setting other than a public K-12 institution, may request a waiver from the Department of Education.
C. An Adult Education program or activity operated by the School Board shall not exclude exceptional persons.
2. Subject Matter Area
The adult education program shall operate one or more projects that provide services or instruction in one or more of the following:
Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Secondary Education (ASE)/GED
English Literacy
Workplace Literacy
Family Literacy
3. Equitable Access and Participation
The School Board shall attempt to provide equitable access and participation in adult education programs to ensure that all students develop the knowledge and skills needed to participate effectively on the job and in the family and to obtain satisfaction in one's personal life. Adult education programs and activities shall strive for high educational standards by organizing academic, life, and job curricular offerings around student diversity.
Steps for addressing equitable access to and participation in adult education programs, while at the same time seeking high standards for students with participation barriers, shall include those outlined in the Louisiana State Plan for Adult Education and Family Literacy.
4. GED Testing
Students attending Adult Education Programs may be recommended by the site of instruction to take the General Educational Development (GED) test.
Revised: November, 2002
Revised: April, 2008
Ref: 29 USC 2801 et seq.; La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:14, 17:221; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741; Adult Education Content Standards, Bulletin 123, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 12-10-02.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The Vernon Parish School Board, in accordance with the regulations set forth by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), shall require students, in order to be eligible for graduation, to successfully complete at a minimum the requirements mandated by Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education BESE and outlined in the Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741. The School Board may impose additional requirements as it deems appropriate necessary.
GRADUATION EXIT EXAMINATION
In addition to completing the minimum Carnegie Units of credit, the students shall also be required to pass certain components of the Graduation Exit Examination as required by BESE. Remediation and retake opportunities shall be provided for students who do not pass the test.
Each student and his/her parent or guardian shall be notified of the requirement of passing the Graduation Exit Examination prior to or upon the student entering the 10th grade, or upon entering the system when transferring to any high school within the system.
Revised: April, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. '17:81; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education.
TEST SECURITY
The Vernon Parish School Board shall take every precaution to assure that all tests administered within the school system shall be conducted in such a manner so as not to compromise in any way the testing results. For criterion-referenced, norm-referenced, alternate assessments and certain other tests administered by or through the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), testing materials and procedures, as well as any electronic data, computer media, or passwords related to student testing, shall be properly supervised in strict compliance with regulations outlined by BESE and the School Board. In addition, all secure tests and test documents shall be stored under lock and key in designated areas when not in use.
Any teacher or other school personnel who allows or breaches test security, including unauthorized access to electronic data, shall be disciplined in accordance with statutory provisions, policy and regulations adopted by BESE and the School Board, and any and all laws that may be enacted by the state.
All cell phones or other similar technological devices with imaging or text-messaging capabilities that are the property of students, test administrators, and school test coordinators must be placed in and remain in the off position and stored in a secure area as designated and supervised by a school administrator during test administration or any other time that test booklets and answer documents are present.
VIOLATIONS OF TEST SECURITY
It shall be a violation of test security for any person to do any of the following:
1. Administer tests in a manner that is inconsistent with the administrative instructions provided by the Louisiana Department of Education and the School Board that would give students examinees an unfair advantage or disadvantage;
2. Give examinees access to test questions prior to testing;
3. Examine any test item at any time (except the for students during the test or test administrators while providing the accommodations Tests Read Aloud or Communication Assistance, Transferred Answers, or Answers Recorded for students determined to be eligible for those accommodations);
4. Copy, reproduce, record, store electronically, discuss, or use at any time in a manner inconsistent with test regulations all or part of any secure test booklet, answer document, or supplementary secure materials (e.g. writing prompts, science tasks);
5. Coach examinees in any manner during testing or alter or interfere with examinees' responses in any manner;
6. Provide answers to students in any manner during the test, including provision of cues, clues, hints, and/or actual answers in any form -- written, printed, verbal or nonverbal;
7. Administer published parallel, previously administered, or current forms of any statewide assessment as a practice test or study guide;
8. Fail to follow security regulations for distribution and return of secure test booklets, answer documents, supplementary secure materials, as well as overages as directed; or fail to account for and secure test materials before, during, or after testing;
9. Conduct testing in environments that differ from the usual classroom environment without prior written permission from the Louisiana Department of Education, Division of Student Standards, and Assessments, and Accountability;
10. Fail to report any testing irregularities to the District Test Coordinator (a testing irregularity is any incident in test handling or administration that leads to a question regarding the security of the test or the accuracy of the test data), who must report such incidents to the Louisiana Department of Education, Division of Student Standards, and Assessments, and Accountability; all secure materials must be kept in locked storage at both the district and school levels; secure materials must never be left in open areas or unattended.
11. Participate in, direct, aid, counsel, assist in, encourage, or fail to report any of the acts prohibited in this section.
STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE
A Statement of Assurance regarding the Board's test security policy shall be submitted annually to the Louisiana Department of Education, Division of Student Standards, and Assessments, and Accountability. This statement shall include the name of the individual designated by the Superintendent to procure test materials.
PROCEDURES FOR TEST SECURITY
Procedures for the security of test materials will include:
1. The District Test Coordinator will provide for and assure the security of all test materials prior to distribution to the schools and upon return of test materials from the schools.
All test materials, except district and school test coordinator manuals and test administration manuals, test booklets, answer documents, and supplementary secure materials shall be kept in a predetermined, secured, locked storage area prior to, during, and after administration of any test; all secure materials, including any parallel forms of a test, shall be kept in a locked storage at both the district and school levels; secure materials must never be left in open areas or unattended; test administrators are to be given access to the tests and any supplementary secure materials only on the day the test is to be administered, and these are to be retrieved immediately after testing is completed for the day and stored in a designated locked, secure location each day of testing.
All materials will be kept locked in storage and secured at all times until distribution to school test coordinators. Any access to the storage area while tests are secured at the district level will made through the District Test Coordinator or designated support staff, who must accompany any one needing access to the area and remain until the area can be secured. A record of who entered the area, the date, time and duration, and purpose will be maintained.
Before receipt of the test materials, the school test coordinator and building level principal shall provide to the District Test Coordinator verification that a locked and secured storage area has been designated for test materials. Test materials must be delivered to the school by the school test coordinator and/or principal and immediately be placed in locked storage. The school test coordinator and the building level principal will provide for and assure the security of all test materials prior to, during, and after test administration. They shall also monitor the return of all materials at the end of each testing session and shall document in writing along with each test administrator, the distribution of and return of all test materials checked out. Except during testing sessions, all materials will be kept in locked storage. No one but the principal and school test administrator shall have access to the secured area for any reason. Secured test materials will include test booklets, answer documents, test administrators' manuals, observational answers, videotapes, completed observation sheets, and any supplementary secure materials.
2. Only the principal, school test coordinator, school coordinator and/or assistant principal will be allowed to handle secured test materials prior to and/or during distribution and return of materials. Handling of materials is limited to organizing materials for distribution and specifically does not include reviewing tests or analyzing test items.
3. A list of the names of individuals at the school who will have access to the test materials before and after testing shall be submitted by the school test coordinator to the District Test Coordinator at the time testing materials are received. All individuals who have access to test materials and student test data and/or administer tests must receive professional development on test security and test administration. Only personnel trained in test security and administration shall be allowed to have access to or administer any standardized tests statewide assessments. Access to test materials by school personnel shall mean any contact with or handling the materials but does not include reviewing tests or analyzing test items, which are prohibited.
4. The Superintendent shall designate annually one individual in the district as District Test Coordinator, and, if necessary, one individual as Backup District Test Coordinator, who shall be authorized to procure test materials which are utilized in testing programs administered by or through BESE or the Louisiana Department of Education. The name of the individuals so designated shall be provided in writing to the Division of Student Standards, and Assessments, and Accountability, Louisiana Department of Education, and included on the Statement of Assurance.
If during the academic year the person appointed as District Test Coordinator changes, the Superintendent shall notify the LDE, Division of Student Standards, and Assessments, and Accountability in writing within fifteen (15) days of the change of appointment. (Previously # 8, below)
The District Test Coordinator will provide annually professional development for school test coordinators and principals to include all aspects of this policy and all test regulations and procedures presented in the district coordinator's, school test coordinator's and test administrators' manuals and shall maintain documentation of attendance on file for one calendar year. The building level principal and/or school test coordinator will provide professional development as outlined above for all other individuals authorized to handle secure test materials.
5. The school test coordinator will provide professional development to all test administrators on both test security and test administration as outlined in this policy and in the school test coordinator's and test administrators' manuals. Documentation of the participation of all test administrators in professional development shall be maintained for one calendar year. All test administrators are required to attend professional development sessions related to testing.
6. All persons involved in the administration of tests or that have access to test materials or student test data shall annually receive proper training and development for handling and securing all testing materials, as well as proper security maintenance, and access to electronic data and confidentiality requirements. A record of such activities shall be maintained by the Board. Such activities shall be coordinated and supervised by the District Test Coordinator. School testing coordinators shall in turn inservice all school level personnel having access to testing materials on security, administration, and confidentiality of individual or aggregated student test data. Access to test materials by school personnel shall mean any contact with or handling the materials but does not include reviewing tests or analyzing test items, which are prohibited.
7. All test administrators and proctors shall be required to sign the Oath of Security and return it to the School Test Coordinator to keep on file for three (3) years. The School Test Coordinator and principal shall be required to sign an Oath of Security and return it to the District Test Coordinator to be kept on file at the School Board office for three (3) years.
8. The Vernon Parish School Board shall ensure that individual student test data in electronic and paper format are protected from unauthorized access and disclosure. The District Test Coordinator and other authorized users of the LEAPweb Reporting System, and the LEAPdata Query System, and the Enhanced Assessment of Grade Level Expectations (EAGLE) System shall be responsible for ensuring the security of all passwords, any disks or CD's with downloaded individual student test data, and student-level data open on a computer screen. Any student information from these systems shall not be disclosed to anyone other than a state, district, or school official, or parent/guardian as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). All users who are granted a password to these systems shall abide by FERPA provisions.
School level passwords for access to individual school data shall be provided to school principals by the District Test Coordinator as requested. Principals shall be responsible for distributing the password as needed to school personnel and to provide for security and confidentiality of the school level password.
All users shall be required to sign a statement security agreement each year guaranteeing they will not share any password with unauthorized individuals and maintain the confidentiality of student data. A copy of the statement security agreement shall be sent to the District Test Coordinator to be kept on file for safekeeping, or for school users, maintained by the principal of each school. Signed security agreements shall be valid until the District Test Coordinator receives notification that the Security Agreement available online has been revised. If a breach in security occurs, principals shall immediately contact the District Test Coordinator or his/her backup for a replacement password. Users who have access to these systems and leave their positions at a district or school site shall not use or share any passwords. District Test Coordinators shall send their signed security agreements for the Louisiana Department of Education.
9. Any testing irregularities including anonymous complaints, access to electronic data, missing test materials, or instances of plagiarism or excessive wrong-to-right erasures on a test, or breaches in test security, including access to electronic data, will be reported in writing to the District Test Coordinator, who will conduct an investigation and report the findings to the Superintendent.
Investigation Process
Procedures for investigating any testing irregularity shall follow the procedures outlined in Bulletin 118, Statewide Assessment Standards and Practices, but shall include the following:
a. In instances where any testing irregularities may have occurred, an initial written report of the alleged irregularity shall be prepared by the site administrator where the instance occurred. Said documentation shall then be forwarded to the building principal, school test coordinator, the District Test Coordinator, and the Superintendent.
b. The District Test Coordinator shall review the allegation of test security violation and conduct an investigation of any such allegations, documenting all investigative activities. The formal investigation will include, but not be limited to: interviews/statements from witnesses and key players involved in the questioned activity, examination of secured locked areas where materials are stored, if necessary, and compilation of any documents to support or to refute allegations made.
i. The location of the predetermined locked, secure area for storage of materials shall be examined, and the individuals with access to secure materials shall be identified;
ii. Interviews regarding testing administration and security procedures shall be conducted with the principal, school test coordinator(s), test administrator(s), and proctor(s) at the identified schools. All individuals who had access to the test materials at any time shall be interviewed;
iii. Interviews shall be conducted with students in the identified classes regarding testing procedures, layout of the classroom, access to test materials before the test, and access to unauthorized materials during testing;
iv. Compilation of any documents to support or to refute allegations made. All individuals who had access to the test materials at any time must be interviewed.
A written summary of the findings of the investigation shall be provided the Superintendent.
c. A determination of the credibility of allegations of test security violation shall be made by the Superintendent and the District Test Coordinator.
c. If the investigation conducted provides evidence to indicate that a breach of test security did indeed occur, individuals involved in such security breach shall be identified, and depending upon the nature of the violation, appropriate corrective and/or punitive action may be pursued.
(1) Students found to have purposefully violated test security shall have test results voided and will be referred to the site administrator for appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with provisions of the Vernon Parish School Board Policy Manual.
(2) Any school employee found to have purposefully violated test security shall be charged with violation of state and/or parish policy and disciplinary action shall be pursued in accordance with the provisions of state statutes, with direction from the Vernon Parish School Board.
d. After completion of the investigation, the School Board shall provide a report of the investigation and a written plan of action to the State Superintendent within thirty (30) calendar days of the initiation of the investigation. At a minimum, the report shall include the nature of the situation, the time and place of occurrence, and the names of the persons involved in or witness to the occurrence.
e. In accordance with provisions of BESE's Test Security Policy, it is understood that the Louisiana Department of Education may conduct its own investigation into allegations of test security violations. In such instances, the District Test Coordinator and parish Superintendent will aid and assist state department officials in the conduction of their investigation and provide documentation of information obtained in local investigative efforts.
10. All test materials, including all test booklets, answer documents, administrators' manuals, and supplementary secure materials, shall be accounted for in accordance with the procedure specified in the examination program administration manuals and other communications provided the Louisiana Department of Education. Secure test materials include test administrators' manuals, test booklets, answer documents, and any supplementary secure materials.
11. Vernon Parish will follow all procedures as outlined in the District Test Coordinator's manual, the school test‑coordinator's manual, and test administrator's manual, as well as procedures which govern access to electronically shared individual test scores. Those procedures not already addressed in this policy include:
a. All test booklets, answer documents, and supplementary secure materials shall be kept in a predetermined, secure, locked storage area prior to and after administration of any test; administrators are to be given access to the tests only on the day the test is administered, and the tests are to be retrieved immediately after testing is completed for the day and stored in a locked, secure location each day of testing.
b. All test booklets, answer documents, and supplementary secure materials shall be accounted for and written documentation kept by test administrators and proctors for each point at which test materials are distributed and returned.
c. Any discrepancies noted in the number of serial numbers of test booklets, answer documents, and any supplementary secure materials, or the quantity received from contractors shall be reported to the Division of Student Standards, and Assessments, and Accountability (LDE) by the school district's Test Coordinator prior to the administration of the test.
d. In the event the test booklets, answer documents, or supplementary secure materials are determined to be missing while in the possession of the school or district or in the event of any other testing irregularities or breaches of security, , the designated school or district personnel shall investigate the cause of the discrepancy and provide the Louisiana Department of Education with a report of the investigation and plan of corrective action within thirty (30) calendar days of the initiation of the investigation At a minimum, the report shall include the nature of the situation and the time and place of occurrence. Officials from the Louisiana Department of Education are authorized to conduct additional investigations. the District Test Coordinator shall immediately notify by telephone the Division of Student Standards, and Assessments, and Accountability (LDE) and follow the detailed procedures for investigating and reporting specified in BESE's Test Security Policy.
8. If during the academic year the person appointed as District Test Coordinator changes, the Superintendent will notify the LDE, Division of Student Standards and Assessments, in writing within fifteen (15) days of the change of appointment. (Moved to # 4, page 4)
TEST ENVIRONMENT
Testing shall be conducted in class-sized groups. Permission for testing in environments that differ from the usual classroom setting must be obtained in writing from the Louisiana Department of Education, Division of Student Standards, and Assessments, and Accountability at least thirty (30) days prior to testing. If testing outside the usual classroom setting is approved by the Division of Student Standards, and Assessments, and Accountability, the School Board shall provide at least one proctor for every thirty (30) students.
CONDITIONS AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS
The State Superintendent of Education may disallow test results which may have been achieved in a manner which is violative of test security. In addition:
1. In cases where test results are not accepted because of breach of test security or action by the Louisiana Department of Education, any programmatic, evaluative, or graduation criteria dependent upon the data shall be deemed not to have been met.
2. Any individual(s) or student who knowingly engages in any activity during testing which results in invalidation of scores derived from the Graduation Exit Examination shall forfeit the test results and will be allowed to retake the test at the next test administration; beginning in 2000, any individual(s) or student who knowingly engages in any activity during testing which results in invalidation of scores derived from LEAP for the 21st Century shall forfeit the test results and will be allowed to retake the test at the next test administration.
2. Anyone known to be involved in the presentation of forged, counterfeit, or altered identification for the purposes of obtaining admission to a test administration site for any test administered by or through the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education or the Louisiana Department of Education shall have breached test security. Any individual(s) or student who knowingly causes or allows the presentation of forged, counterfeit, or altered identification for the purpose of obtaining admission to any test administration site shall forfeit all test scores and will be allowed to retake the test at the next test administration.
4. Test scores may be voided at the school level in cases of cheating or other violations of test security. When either cheating or the violation of test security is suspected, a committee to include at least the principal, school test coordinator, and test administrator will be convened to determine whether or not a score should be voided. A written report documenting and describing the incident(s) will be completed. In the event the decision is made to void scores because of cheating, the student and parents will be notified and offered an opportunity for a hearing to be conducted by the principal with the test administrator and school test coordinator also present. The principal shall make the final decision regarding voiding of test scores or breach of ethics. If the decision is made to void test scores, the school test coordinator must submit a letter on school letterhead with the principal's and school test coordinator's signatures to the District Test Coordinator. Attached to the letter should be the written record of the breach of security or cheating, dates and times of all meetings/hearings relating to the incidents with signatures of all present at these meetings/hearings, and documentation of phone calls to parents. Any witnesses to cheating or breach of security should complete a written statement describing the incident and sign and date the statement. These should be submitted with the written report.
5. Any teacher or other personnel who breaches test security or allows breaches in test security shall be disciplined in accordance with the provisions of policy and regulations adopted by the BESE and any and all laws that may be enacted by the Louisiana Legislature. Any violation of test security or breach of ethics on the part of an employee of the Vernon Parish School Board before, during, or after testing (including erasure analysis and/or other evidence that results in the voiding of test scores) will be investigated by the District Test Coordinator. If the violation occurred at the school level, the building principal will participate in the investigation. In the event sufficient evidence exists to support a violation in test security or breach of ethics, a written report will be submitted to the Superintendent of Schools in Vernon Parish. A hearing will be conducted by the Superintendent with the employee(s) under investigation, the District Test Coordinator, the building principal, and the Director of Personnel present. If the Superintendent determines that a violation of test security or breach of ethics has occurred, appropriate recommendations for disciplinary action will be made to the Vernon Parish School Board.
In the event that an employee has participated in activities to provide answers or otherwise alter test scores, the recommendation will be dismissal. All evidence of violations of test security and breach of ethics reported to the Superintendent of Schools by the Louisiana Department of Education will require a written report from those suspected of violations, the building principal, and the school test coordinator regardless of whether or not the claims are substantiated.
6. Anonymous complaints received by either the Superintendent of Schools or the District Test Coordinator regarding violations of test security or breach of ethics will be investigated by the District Test Coordinator. If evidence exists to support the complaint(s), appropriate action as described above will be initiated.
Revised: June, 2001
Revised: October, 2001
Revised: March, 2003
Revised: April, 2006
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:81, 17:81.6, 49:953; Statewide Assessment Standards and Practices, Bulletin 118, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 2-9-99, 6-1-06.
ATTENDANCE
The Vernon Parish School Board believes regular attendance in school accompanied by the responsibility to study and participate in school activities is essential to the learning process. Once a pupil arrives at school, he/she is expected to remain and attend each class throughout the day.
Elementary and secondary students shall be present the minimum number of days as required by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and enumerated in the Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, to receive credit for courses taken. Exception can be made only in the event of extended personal illness verified by a physician's, or dentist's, or nurse practitioner’s statement or if other extenuating circumstances exist and are approved by the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance in consultation with the school principal. Exception may also be made for schools operating on other than the traditional one hundred eighty-two (182) day school calendar. Currently, the state's attendance policies require elementary students to be in attendance at least one hundred sixty (160) days per school year and high school students to be in attendance eighty-one (81) days or the equivalent per semester, or one hundred sixty-two (162) days a school year for schools not operating on a semester basis, in order to be eligible to receive credit for courses taken.
Students in danger of failing due to excessive absences may be allowed to make up missed time in class sessions held outside the regular class time. The make-up sessions must be completed before the end of the current semester and all other applicable policies must also be met.
When a child has been absent from school for three (3) consecutive school days or in excess a total of five (5) nonconsecutive days the school shall attempt to provide verbal notification and, if such verbal notification cannot be provided, then shall provide written notification to a child's parent, tutor, or legal guardian.
All students shall be under the jurisdiction of the school during normal school hours, from the time the student arrives at school each day until he or she leaves the school campus in the afternoon. In case a student rides a bus, he or she shall be under the jurisdiction of the school from the time he or she boards the bus until the student exits the bus in the afternoon. Students shall be under the jurisdiction of the school while attending any school sponsored activity either at school or away from school. This shall apply to all students, including athletic teams, pep clubs, band and other student organizations. In disciplinary matters, the Board’s authority may extend beyond the limits set forth above, in accordance with state law.
Revised: December, 1991 Revised: April, 2008
Revised: January, 1996
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:221, 17:226, 17:227; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education.
SCHOOL ADMISSION
The Vernon Parish School Board shall admit students to the schools of the school district once the student has been registered for school by the parent or legal guardian, under such rules and regulations as the Board may prescribe.
No student may be excluded from the appropriate school within the school district except by due process or failure to meet specifications of Board policies. The Board fully recognizes that providing equality of educational opportunities for all children requires objectivity. The Board is equally concerned that all admission policies adhere strictly to applicable legal requirements, e.g. health-related standards.
No child shall be admitted to school for the first time until his/her parents do the following:
1. Present to school officials an official birth certificate. A short-form birth certification card shall be acceptable. Only records from the local or state registrar of vital statistics shall be accepted for children born in Louisiana, except as otherwise provided herein. Children born in Louisiana will be given a fifteen (15) day grace period to secure a copy of their birth record. Children born out of this state will be given thirty (30) days grace in which to produce a copy of their birth record. In cases where birth certificates and/or birth verification forms cannot be obtained, the school principal may accept whatever positive proof of age, race and parentage is available. It shall be left to the discretion of the Superintendent or designee as to whether or not a child shall continue in school upon failure to comply herewith.
2. Present to school officials evidence of being or having been immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis and measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases according to a schedule approved by the Office of Public Health, Department of Health and Hospitals.
3. Present to school officials an official Social Security card. If no Social Security card is available, the student shall be assigned a state identification number.
4. Present to school officials all official school records of school previously attended or information needed to access such records when transferring from another school to one inside the School District, including necessary authorization to obtain and/or access any and all records of the enrolling student.
5. Present to school officials as a prerequisite to enrolling in the first grade, evidence of having attended at least a full-day public or private kindergarten for a full school year; or satisfactorily passed academic readiness screening administered by the school system prior to the time of enrollment in first grade.
6. Present to school officials evidence of being bona fide residents of the school district, with limited exception. However, children temporarily residing within the jurisdiction of the Board who have no permanent address, who have been abandoned by their parents, or who are in foster care shall be admitted to school, except as may be allowed by statute.
7. Present to school officials satisfactory evidence that at least one of the child's parents or guardians has completed a parent orientation course conducted by the School District. However, no child shall be denied entry into school because of parent or guardian has not attended an orientation session.
ADMISSION OF EXPELLED STUDENTS
No student who has been expelled in accordance with state law from any school in the state shall be admitted to any school in the school system except upon the review and approval of the School Board.
No student who has been expelled from any school outside the state of Louisiana or any nonpublic school within Louisiana for committing any of the offenses enumerated in state law shall be admitted to any school in the school system except upon the review and approval of the governing body of the admitting school.
ADMISSION OF STUDENTS WHO COMMIT A FELONY
The conviction of any student of a felony or the incarceration of any student in a juvenile institution for an act, whether committed in Louisiana or any other state or country, which had it been committed by an adult would have constituted a felony in Louisiana, may be sufficient cause for the Superintendent to refuse admission of the student to any school in the school district, except upon review and approval of a majority of the elected members of the School Board when a request for admission has been made to the Board.
ADMISSION OF HOMELESS STUDENTS
Except as provided above with regard to students who have been expelled, no provision in this or any other Vernon Parish School Board policy shall be interpreted to impede the immediate or continued enrollment of homeless youth, as addressed in policy JBCBB, Homeless Students.
Revised: November, 1993
Revised: December, 1995
Revised: December, 1997
Revised: August, 2000
Revised: March, 2003
Revised: April, 2008
Ref: 42 USC 11431; La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:151.3, 17:167, 17:221, 17:221.2, 17:222, 17:235.1, 17:238, 17:416; Singleton v. Jackson Municipal Separate School District, 419 F. 2d 1211 (5th Cir., 1970); Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education.
On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to advertise for bids for propane for Hicks, Simpson, and Evans.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to receive bids for milk and juice for 2008-2009. Bids were received as follows:
Whole Milk Lowfat Milk Lowfat Chocolate Milk Juice
Foremost .3511 .3511 .3511 .23
Milk Products .38 37.95 37.95 .26
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to accept the low bid from Foremost Dairy in Shreveport.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to receive bids for bread for the 2008-2009 school year. One bid as follows:
Bread Hamburger Buns Hotdog Buns
IBC Sales 1.83 1.90 1.90
On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to accept the bid from IBC Sales of Monroe.
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to receive bids to sell used bus at Evans High School. Bids were received as follows:
Andy Stark $200.00 Winston Hildebrand $244.00 Luther Thompson $526.00
On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to accept the high bid from Luther Thompson for $526.00
On motion of John Burns, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to enter into agreement with the JAG Program.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to change the November 11, 2008 Board meeting to November 13, 2008 due to Veteran’s Day.
Mel Harris reported that the Transportation Committee had met and recommended to the Board that two-way radios be purchased for bus drivers, schools, technology, maintenance, etc. On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Mike Perkins, the Board tabled this matter for further discussion.
Mr. Travis reported that the Goals and Objectives Committee had met and that further modifications were needed. The next meeting has been scheduled for July 10, 2008 at 7:30AM.
Mark Smith reported that the Salary/Personnel had met and reviewed the personnel changes for June and would make its recommendation to the Board at the June 10, 2008 Board meeting.
In other business, Assistant Superintendent Jackie Self reminded the Board of the Food Service Committee meeting on Tuesday, June 10th at 3:00PM, the Insurance Committee meeting at 3:30PM, and that a Maintenance Committee meeting had been scheduled for 2:30PM also on Tuesday.
Mark Smith also stated that an old district 1/6 bus that had been previously bid and sold was never picked up or paid for. On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to allow Superintendent Gillespie to dispose of the bus.
On motion of Mark Smith, 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 take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Lina Mathes Seigler who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Seigler was the mother of Wanda Pynes, bus driver, and the mother-in-law of Robert Pynes Jr., District 1 Board member; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Seigler was a longtime resident of Vernon Parish and she will be sadly 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 Gaye McKee, 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 Laura Hawks who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Hawks was the mother of Marilyn Tate, secretary at Rosepine High School, and Dorene Shirley, retired teacher; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Hawks was a lifelong resident of the Rosepine/DeRidder 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 John Burns, 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 Michael and Jared Craft who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Michael was the husband the of the late Dewanna Craft, teacher, and Jared was their son; and
WHEREAS, Michael and Jared were lifelong residents of Leesville and they will be sadly missed by their family and friends; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to their family at this time of sadness.
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 take this means to express their condolences to the family of Holly Beall who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Holly attended Leesville High School and represented the Class of 2011; and
WHEREAS, Holly was a resident of Leesville 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 Gene Haymon, 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 take this means to express their condolences to the family of Morgan ”r;Dale” Collins who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Collins was a lifelong resident of Vernon Parish, a Simpson High School graduate, and a friend to many in Simpson; 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 Ricky Reese, 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 take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Opal Miller who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Miller was the mother of Sharon Miller, cook at Anacoco Elementary, and the mother-in-law of Lesa Miller, teacher at Simpson High School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Miller was a lifelong 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 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 Vernon Parish School Board takes this mans to express their sympathy to the family of John Williamson who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williamson was the nephew of Loretta Poe, retired employee of the Vernon Parish School Board; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williamson was retired from the Army and he will be greatly missed by his 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 his family at this time of sadness.
There being no further business, and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
_________________________
BERYL FORD, PRESIDENT
ATTEST
____________________________________________
JACKIE D. SELF, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT