OCTOBER 9, 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

ROBERT PYNES JR.

JERRY L. JEANE

RICHARD SCHWARTZ

RANDY MARTIN

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

STEVE WOODS

GERALD COOLEY

 

ABSENT:           COL. T. GLENN MOORE

 

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by Reverend Edgar Evans.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Randy Martin.

 

On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the September 9, 2014 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Mr. Johnny Rosier, representative of Taylor & Sons, recognized Pam Carson, custodian at Anacoco Elementary School as Employee of the Month.  Ms. Carson was presented a plaque and congratulated by the Board for her hard work and dedication.

 

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

 

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the list of Disciplinary Hearing Officers.

 

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Gerald Cooley, the Board voted to advertise for bids to sell used computers.

 

Mrs. Anne Smith and Mrs. Renita Page gave an update on ADvancED and stated that Vernon Parish Schools having continued to meet the requirements established by the AdvancED Commission and Board of Trustees is hereby again accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement.

Superintendent Williams stated that this was a long process with dedication and hard work of everyone involved.

 

Mr. Clay gave his monthly Headstart Report and discussed the following Headstart policies and procedures.  These policies/procedures will be on the October 14th Agenda for approval.

 

             *VPHS Monitoring Classroom Environment/Promoting Social Emotional Competence

             *Monitoring Improvement Action Plan (MIAP)

             *VPHS Communication/Information Sharing with the Governing Body and Policy Council

             *VPHS New Education Staff Training Plan

             *VPHS Job Description for Substitute Teacher    

             *VPHS Policy for Obtaining Substitute Teacher for Classroom

 

It was noted that VPHS will report monthly on the number of breakfasts and lunches served to Headstart students. 

 

Superintendent Williams discussed new/revised policies mandated by state legislation.

 

These policies will be on the October 14th Agenda for approval.

 

Ms. Evelyn Smith addressed the Board (completed Comment Card) on Agenda item #8.

 

Vernon Travis reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for October.  It was also noted that student enrollment has decreased and cost saving measures would be utilized.   No action was taken.

 

Superintendent Williams reminded Board Members of the Headstart Training on Tuesday, October 14th at 9:00 – Board meeting at 10:00.  Superintendent Williams also stated that Mr. Jon Guice would be here on Thursday, November 13th for Training for Elected Officials. 

Superintendent Williams reiterated the fact that no local school board could change Common Core – only the curriculum could be altered.  He stated that what we have to do is what is best for our students and it was our duty and responsibility to prepare our students for the state standards of Common Core.

 

On motion of Michael Perkins, 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 Betty Carlene Johnson who recently passed away; and

             WHEREAS, Mrs. Johnson was a retired cook at Pitkin High School; and

             WHEREAS, Mrs. Johnson was a longtime resident of Pitkin 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 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 Joshua Adam Collins who recently passed away; and

             WHEREAS, Mr. Collins was the son of Martha Collins, cook at West Leesville Elementary School; and

             WHEREAS, Mr. Collins was a resident of Evans and he will be sadly 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 take this means to express their sympathy to the family of George Randall “Randy” Basco who recently passed away; and

             WHEREAS, Mr. Basco was the son of Bessie Basco, retired cook, and the brother of Susan Wise, bus driver at Simpson High School; and

             WHEREAS, Mr. Basco was a 1983 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.

 

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 John Foster Jr. who recently passed away; and

             WHEREAS, Mr. Foster was a retired maintenance employee and the grandfather of Arnikiquea Foster, Headstart aide at North Polk Elementary and the cousin of Jewel Davis, custodian at the Central Office; and

             WHEREAS, Mr. Foster 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 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 take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Ret. U.S. Army MSG James C. Myrick who recently passed away; and

             WHEREAS, Mr. Myrick received numerous medals and awards during his military career and was elected as the Silver Haired Senator serving in Washington D.C. and Louisiana for twenty plus years; and

             WHEREAS, Mr. Myrick was the father-in-law of Linda Myrick, bus driver at Vernon Middle School; now

             BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to his family at this time of sadness.

 

On motion of 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 members wish to express their condolences to the family of Vicki Lynn Davis who recently passed away; and

             WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis was a Master Cattleman and active in the Vernon Parish 4-H Program; and

             WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis was a longtime resident of Vernon Parish 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 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 Lannice Sanders who recently passed away; and

             WHEREAS, Mr. Sanders was the father of Mike Sanders, bus driver at Vernon Middle School and the father-in-law of Edna Sanders, bus driver at Simpson High School; and

             WHEREAS, Mr. Sanders was a lifelong resident of Hornbeck 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 the 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 members wish to express their sympathy to the family of James Overton who recently passed away; and

             WHEREAS, Mr. Overton was the father of Roger Brinkley, and the father-in-law of Linda Brinkley, aides at Pickering Elementary School; and

             WHEREAS, Mr. Overton was a longtime resident of Vernon Parish and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends; now

             BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to his family at this time of sadness.

 

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

 

______________________________

MICHAEL PERKINS, PRESIDENT

 

 

ATTEST:

 

_________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT