February 10, 2015

 

DRAFT

 

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

 

DOUG BRANDON, PRESIDENT

JOHN BLANKENBAKER, VICE-PRESIDENT

MICHAEL PERKINS

VERNON L. TRAVIS JR.

JIM SEAMAN

DAVID DETZ

RANDY MARTIN

STEVE WOODS

MICHAEL PERKINS

GERALD COOLEY

 

ABSENT:          ROBERT PYNES JR., ANGIE DAVIS, COL. MOORE

 

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by David Detz.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by David Detz.

 

On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the February 5, 2015 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Mrs. Renita Page recognized Vernon Parish Principals of The Year as follows:

 

Elementary – Mona Bennett – East Leesville Elementary

Middle School – Carolyn Bosley – Rosepine Elementary

High School – Lisa Lohman – Anacoco High

 

Mrs. Page also recognized Vernon Parish Teachers of The Year as follows:

 

Elementary – Patti DeTommaso – West Leesville Elementary

Middle School – Lana Hebert – Pickering High School

High School – Abigail Newton – Rosepine High School

 

All of these educators were congratulated by the Board and presented plaques for their dedication and hard work.  All of these principals and teachers are Vernon Parish Graduates.

 

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Michael Perkins, the Board voted to elect David Detz as Vice-President of the Vernon Parish School Board.  Mr. Blankenbaker resigned his position as vice-president due to work obligations.

 

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by the David Detz, the Board voted to receive bids for the track at Rosepine High School as follows:

 

                        United Sports Systems              Black - $382,000

                                                                        Red - $397,000

                       

Hellas Construction                               $576,250

 

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to take these bids under advisement.

 

On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Michael Perkins, the Board voted to approve the following Leave Without Pay requests:

 

                 McKee, Sherry, headstart teacher/RES-OTHER LWOP 1-7-15/5-22-15

                 Howard, Willie, custodian/LHS-MED LWOP 2-9-15/5-22-15

 

On motion of Michael Perkins, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to accept the following retirements:

 

                 Jackson, Joan, custodian/RHS

                 Lansdale, Randy, supervisor/CO

                 Pruitt, Debra, cook/PHS

 

On motion of David Detz, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to advertise for an Assistant Principal at Evans High School.

 

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to advertise for Assistant Superintendent/Personnel Director at the Central Office.

 

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to approve the Headstart Financial Procedure Manual.

 

Vernon Travis reported that the Finance Committee met and Mr. Tim Green, CPA, and Ms. Diane Ferschoff, CPA Audit Supervisor, from Allen, Green, & Williamson LLP. presented a review of the 2013-2014 Audit of the Vernon Parish School Board.    On the day of June 30, 2014, there were 2.2 million unsecured funds for one day due to a large deposit being made to cover payroll- funds were underestimated by the bank for one day.  Superintendent Williams and Mr. Ward will work with the banks closely and notify them of unusually large deposits.  Audit findings were general items for Student Activity Funds – spot audits and training focused on targeted areas will be done throughout the year.  Mr. Green reported that the Vernon Parish School Board had a good audit and reported no misuse of funds.

 

Randi Gleason reported that the Curriculum Committee had met.  Renita Page and Anne Smith gave testing and policy updates.  ACTS 436, 532, and 537 were also discussed.  No action was taken and the next Curriculum Committee meeting will be scheduled in March for 2015-2016 Curriculum Review.

 

On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.

 

On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Michael Perkins, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

 

Superintendent Williams noted that the Vernon Parish Quiz Bowl would be held at First Baptist Church on Thursday, February 12th beginning at 8:00AM and urged everyone to attend.  Board members were invited to tour the new South Polk Elementary School site today at 1:00PM. 

 

On motion of David Detz for Angie Davis, 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 Lowayne Miers who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Miers was the husband of Vera Miers, retired bus driver, the father of Greta James, teacher at Anacoco Elementary and the grandfather of Morgan Blankenbaker, teacher at South Polk Elementary; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Miers was a retired custodian at Anacoco Elementary and a graduate of Anacoco High School; now

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

 

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

 

_____________________________

DOUG BRANDON, PRESIDENT

 

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT