APRIL 14, 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

DAVID DETZ, VICE-PRESIDENT

MICHAEL PERKINS

VERNON L. TRAVIS JR.

JIM SEAMAN

ROBERT PYNES JR.

ANGIE DAVIS

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

RANDY MARTIN

STEVE WOODS

 

ABSENT:          GERALD COOLEY. MICHAEL PERKINS, COL. GLEN 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 Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the April 9, 2015 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Mr. Tom Neubert updated Board members on Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS). 

 

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to receive bids for 1992 used bus at Pickering High School.  One bid was received from Mr. Bob Gibson for $505.05 and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to accept the bid.

 

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to approve the following school calendar for 2015-2016:

 

VERNON PARISH SCHOOL CALENDAR

                                               2015-2016

 

 

August 5, 2015             New Teacher Induction

August 6, 2015             Parish Wide Professional Development

August 7, 2015             Parish Wide Professional Development 1/2 day; School Site 1/2 day

August 10, 2015            School Site Professional Development & Work Day

August 11, 2015            FIRST DAY FOR STUDENTS

 

September 4, 2015        1/2 Day Students/1/2 Day Parent-Teacher Conference

September 7, 2015        LABOR DAY (Students & Staff Holiday)

 

October 8, 2015            1/2 Day Students/1/2 Day Parent-Teacher Conference

October 9, 2015            Fair Day (Students & Staff Holiday)

October 12, 2015          Columbus Day (Federal Holiday)

 

November 11, 2015       Veteran’s Day (Students & Staff Holiday)

November 23-27, 2015  Thanksgiving Break (Students & Staff Holiday)

 

Dec. 21, 2015 - Jan 1, 2016        Christmas/Break (Students & Staff Holiday)

 

January 4, 2016                        Teacher Workday (Student Holiday)

January 5, 2016                        Students  Return

January 18, 2016                      Martin L. King Day (Students & Staff Holiday)

 

February 15, 2016                     Presidents' Day

 

March 25-April 1, 2016  Easter Break (Students & Staff Holiday)

 

May 19, 2016                            LAST DAY FOR STUDENTS

May 20, 2016                           LAST DAY FOR TEACHERS

 

 

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to authorize the Superintendent to execute any and all documents necessary to purchase approximately twenty (20) acres of land in Rosepine.

 

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve promotional contracts.  Vernon Travis voted NAY to this motion.

 

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the following Leave Without Pay Request:

 

Pennington, Peggy, teacher/Evans-LWOP 3-6-15/5-22-15

 

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to accept the following retirements:

 

Frost, Nelda, counselor/AES

Smith, Catherine, teacher/Pitkin

Thai, Mai, curriculum supervisor/CO

Robertson, Tracey, teacher/Hornbeck

Jackson, Sada, counselor/WLE

Wellman, Sharon, bus driver/Hicks

Martin, Mitzi, assistant principal/RES

 

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the Headstart Policies/Procedures and the Headstart Grant for 2015-2016 as follows:

 

VPHS Self Assessment

VPHS Long and Short Term Goals

VPHS Training and Technical Assistance Plan

 

 

Mr. Travis reported that the Finance Committee had met and Tim Ward discussed the budget and possible adjustments to be made.  MFP Funding was reduced due to decrease in student count by approximately two million dollars and options for cost reductions are being considered.  Staff reduction through attrition is being followed.  Mr. Ward also noted that pre-audits were being conducted in all schools to correct and/or prevent any problems that may occur.

 

Mrs. Gleason reported that the Curriculum Committee had met and Renita Page and

 

Anne Smith gave an update on testing and preliminary scores.  It was noted that Vernon Parish is in the second year of a three year plan with a Rapides Foundation Grant that provides funds for professional development and training for school leadership.

 

Mrs. Gleason also discussed the “Adopt A School” Partnership initiated by the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce. 

 

On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.  Vernon Travis voted NAY to this motion.

 

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.  Vernon Travis voted NAY to this motion.

 

Superintendent Williams stated that he would be in Washington DC next week with Fort Polk Progress and reminded Board members of the next meeting on May 7th.

 

On motion of David Detz, 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 Girard Bordine who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Bordine was the husband of Dolores Bordine, retired teacher from Evans; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Bordine was a longtime resident of Evans 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 opportunity to express their sympathy to the family of David Willis who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Willis was a 1971 Graduate of Leesville High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Willis 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.

 

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