2015-10-06

OCTOBER 6, 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

MICHAEL PERKINS

JIM SEAMAN

ROBERT PYNES JR.

ANGIE DAVIS

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

RANDY MARTIN

STEVE WOODS

MICHAEL PERKINS

ABSENT: DAVID DETZ, GERALD COOLEY, VERNON TRAVIS, COL. ATHEY

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by Steve Woods.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Steve Woods.

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2015 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Michael Perkins, the Board voted to approve the following revised policies:

SCHOOL BUS SCHEDULING AND ROUTING

The Vernon Parish School Board shall provide school bus transportation for all students living more than one mile from the school that they are assigned to attend. Students living within one mile of the school may be allowed to ride a school bus when the School Board determines that conditions exist to warrant such transportation. Other students may be provided with school bus transportation in accordance with regulations of the Louisiana Department of Education.

A reasonable time shall be established for each route and the bus driver shall be expected to adhere to this schedule. By the same token, students shall be expected to be at their respective bus stop when the bus arrives. Once a bus route has been established the bus driver shall not alter or change assigned routes without order of the principal or Supervisor of Transportation. Any bus driver who feels a road is unsafe or dangerous shall report such dangerous condition to the Superintendent or his/her designee, and the bus driver be allowed not to travel the road until the Superintendent or his/herdesignee determines said road is safe or improved, or the situation has been rectified.

Buses must be routed so that no more than one bus will travel the same route, except in cases of definite apparent necessity. Each scheduled route will be planned in full consideration of the established limits for individual schools.

During inclement weather bus drivers may make more frequent stops.

All students who live 3/10 of a mile or more off the regular bus route shall be included in the route if the road is adequately maintained and a bus turn-around is available. The road and the turn-around should be free of trees, limbs, stumps, cars, and other obstacles which would hinder the safe operation of the school bus. Unsafe conditions, as determined cooperatively by the bus driver, principal, Supervisor of Transportation, and Superintendent, shall result in the bus not traveling this portion of the route until the unsafe condition is rectified.

LOADING AND UNLOADING OF STUDENTS

The loading and unloading of students onto and from school buses being utilized to transport students shall be conditional on the following:

1. Bus drivers shall be prohibited from loading or unloading students at school while the bus is in a traffic lane of any type of street as defined in state law and require that students be loaded or unloaded on a shoulder, in a school parking lot, or at other appropriate off-road location at the school as determined by the School Board. This requirement shall not apply if the shoulder of a municipal road is the only available alternative and the municipality has not made the shoulder available by designating that area for loading and unloading students during designated school zone hours.

2. Bus drivers shall be prohibited from loading or unloading students at or near their homes while the bus is in a traffic lane of any type of street as defined by state law and it shall be required that students be loaded or unloaded on a shoulder, unless the School Board determines the unloading on a shoulder is less safe for the student. However, if there is no shoulder, or if the shoulder is determined to be less safe, a bus driver may load and unload a student while the bus is in a lane of traffic but only if the bus is in the lane farthest to the right side of the road so that there is not a lane of traffic between the bus and the right-side curb or other edge of the road.

3. Bus drivers shall be prohibited from loading or unloading a student in a location on a divided highway such that a student, in order to walk between the bus and his/her home or school, would be required to cross a roadway of the highway on which traffic is not controlled by the visual signals on the school bus.

Street or highway means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place of whatever nature publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for the purpose of vehicular travel, including bridges, causeways, tunnels, and ferries.

Revised: August, 2010

Revised: September, 2014

Revised: August, 2015

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:158, 32:1; Board minutes, 10-2-03, 2-8-11, 10-14-14.

STUDENT DRESS CODE

The policy of the Vernon Parish School Board shall be that no mode of attire shall be considered proper for school wear that distracts from or disrupts classroom and school decorum, creates a safety concern or possibly creates a health concern. Students are required to wear uniforms. Clothing should be clean and students are expected to dress in a neat and appropriate manner at all times. Extremes in style, fit and grooming will not be permitted. In questions regarding student dress and grooming, the principal of each school shall make the final decision as to what is considered proper or improper dress according to guidelines as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

Any special occasions for different attire approved by the principal shall be allowed.

Students entering school shall be allowed two (2) weeks to purchase uniforms and comply with the policy. After this "grace" period, students attending school without the proper uniform shall not be allowed to go to class. Parents shall be called to pick them up or bring the proper uniform. Continued flagrant violation of the uniform policy shall result in students being suspended from school.

NOTIFICATION

The School Board shall notify the parent or guardian of each student of the dress code specifications and their effective date.

If the School Board modifies the existing uniform policy, it shall notify, in writing, the parent or guardian of each student of the policy adoption or uniform policy modification at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of the new or revised policy. Each school shall display any uniform selected for a reasonable period prior to the proposed effective date for wearing of the uniform.

However, nothing shall prohibit the School Board from requiring a new or revised dress code or uniform policy without the required notice in the event of an emergency. For the purposes of this policy, emergency shall mean an actual or imminent threat to health or safety which may result in loss of life, injury, or property damage.

BODY ARMOR

It shall be unlawful and against School Board policy for any student or non-student to wear or possess on his/her person, at any time, body armor on any School Board property, school campus, at a school-sponsored function, on a school bus or other school transportation, or in a firearm-free zone, with limited exception as enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:95.9. School-sponsored functions shall include, but not be limited to, athletic competitions, dances, parties, or any extracurricular activities. A firearm-free zone means any area within one thousand feet of any school campus and within a school bus.

Body armor shall mean bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury.

DISCIPLINE FOR DRESS CODE VIOLATION

Students who violate the dress code shall be disciplined in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

A student enrolled in grades prekindergarten through five shall not be suspended or expelled from school or suspended from riding on any school bus for a uniform violation that is not tied to willful disregard of school policies.

Revised: July, 2000

Revised: June, 2001

Revised: August, 2002

Revised: September, 2002

Revised: December, 2008

Revised: August, 2010

Revised: August, 2015

Ref: Scott v. Board of Education, 304 N.Y.S. 2d 601 (1969); Karr v. Schmidt, 460 F.2d 609 (5^th Cir. 1972); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:95.9, 17:81, 17:416.7; Board minutes 7-1-99, 6-6-00, 2-6-01, 5-7-02, 2-5-09, 2-8-11.

SUSPENSION

The Vernon Parish School Board recognizes its authority to maintain good order and discipline within the schools of the school district. Therefore, the School Board recognizes the principal's authority to suspend a pupil for a specified period of time in accordance with statutory provisions. The number of school days a student may be suspended shall not exceed the number of school days remaining in the school year.

In each case of suspension, the school principal, or his or her designee, prior to any suspension, shall advise the student of the particular misconduct of which he/she is accused as well as the basis for such accusation, and the pupil shall be given an opportunity at that time to explain his/her version of the facts. The principal/designee shall contact the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of the pupil to notify them of the suspension, and establish a date and time for a conference with the principal or designee as a requirement for readmitting the pupil. Notice shall be given by contacting the parent, tutor, or legal guardian by telephone at the telephone number shown on the pupil's registration card, or by sending a certified letter to the address shown on the pupil's registration card. The principal shall promptly advise the Superintendent or designee of all such suspensions, stating the reasons for the suspensions.

Students suspended for more than ten (10) days shall remain under the supervision of the school system using an alternative education program designed to continue the educational process in an alternative educational placement. The student shall be placed in an alternative school or an alternative education program and shall be required to attend and participate in such school, program, or educational services.

No suspended pupil shall be allowed to leave the school premises during the school day until the parent, guardian, or other proper authorities assume responsibility for him/her, unless immediate removal from school due to danger or threat of disruption to academic process is warranted.

If the parent, tutor, or legal guardian fails to attend the required conference within five (5) school days of notification, the truancy laws shall be effective. On not more than one occasion each school year when the parent, tutor, or legal guardian refuses to respond to the notice, the principal may determine whether readmitting the pupil is in the best interest of the pupil. On any subsequent occasions in the same school year, the pupil shall not be readmitted unless the parent, tutor, or legal guardian, court, or other appointed representative responds.

In any case where a teacher, principal, or other school employee is authorized to require the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a pupil to attend a conference or meeting regarding the pupil's behavior and after notice, the parent, tutor, or legal guardian willfully refuses to attend, the principal or his/her designee shall file a complaint, in accordance with statutory provisions, with a court exercising juvenile jurisdiction.

When a pupil is suspended for a second time within one school year, the principal may require a counseling session be held with the parent and pupil by the school counselor. If no counselor is available, the conference may be held with all the pupil's teachers and the principal or other administrator.

Any student, after being suspended on three (3) occasions for committing drugs or weapons offenses during the same school year, shall, upon committing the fourth offense, be expelled from all the public schools of the system until the beginning of the next regular school year, and the pupil's reinstatement shall be subject to the review and approval of the School Board.

The principal and other appropriate personnel shall be required to file written documentation of all suspensions. Said documentation shall include the circumstances surrounding any suspension, the reason for suspension, and any other pertinent facts concerning the disciplinary action. The principal shall file copies of his/her report with the Superintendent, other appropriate personnel and the parent or guardian and retain a copy for his/her records.

Upon the seizure by any teacher, principal, school security guard, or other school administrator of any firearm, knife, or other dangerous implement which could be used as a weapon or inflict injury, the principal or his or her designee shall be required to report the confiscation to appropriate law enforcement officials.

Appeal

Any parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a pupil suspended shall have the right to appeal to the Superintendent or his/her designee, who shall conduct a hearing on the merits. If the parent or legal guardian is not present for the hearing after having been properly notified, the hearing may proceed and the results of the hearing shall be mailed to the parent or legal guardian within three (3) school days by certified mail, return receipt requested. The decision of the Superintendent on the merits of the case, as well as the term of suspension, shall be final, reserving to the Superintendent the right to remit any portion of the time of suspension.

MANDATORY SUSPENSION

Firearms, Knives, Other Dangerous Instrumentalities, Drugs

The principal shall be required to suspend a pupil who:

1. is found carrying or possessing a firearm or a knife with a blade two (2) inches or longer, or another dangerous instrumentality, except as provided below under the section entitled Suspension Not Applicable; or

2. possesses, distributes, sells, gives, or loans any controlled dangerous substance governed by state law, in any form.

Additionally, the principal shall immediately recommend the pupil's expulsion to the Superintendent, for the above offenses, except in the case of a student less than eleven (11) years of age in pre-kindergarten through grade 5 who is found carrying or possessing a knife with a blade two (2) inches or longer, the principal may, but shall not be required to recommend the student's expulsion. A student found carrying or possessing a knife with a blade less than two (2) inches in length may be suspended by the school principal, but, in appropriate cases, at a minimum, shall be placed in in-school suspension.

Assault or Battery of School Employees

Whenever a pupil is formally accused of violating state law or school disciplinary regulations, or both, by committing assault or battery on any school employee, the principal shall suspend the pupil from school immediately and the pupil shall be removed immediately from the school premises without the benefit of required procedures, provided, however, that such procedures shall follow as soon as practicable. The student shall not be readmitted to the school to which the employee is assigned until all hearings and appeals associated with the alleged violation have been exhausted.

SUSPENSION NOT APPLICABLE

Suspension of a student shall not apply to the following:

1. A student carrying or possessing a firearm or knife for purposes of involvement in a school class, course, or school approved co-curricular or extracurricular activity or any other activity approved by appropriate school officials.

2. A student possessing any controlled dangerous substance that has been obtained directly or due to a valid prescription or order from a licensed physician. However, such student shall carry evidence of that prescription or physician's order on his/her person at all times when in possession of any controlled dangerous substance which shall be subject to verification.

In addition, school officials, in accordance with statutory provisions, shall have total discretion and shall exercise such discretion in imposing on a pupil any disciplinary actions authorized by state law for possession by a pupil of a firearm or knife on school property when such firearm or knife is stored in a motor vehicle and there is no evidence of the pupil's intent to use the firearm or knife in a criminal manner.

DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS

A student enrolled in grades prekindergarten through five shall not be suspended from school or suspended from riding on any school bus for a uniform violation that is not tied to willful disregard of school policies.

CREDIT FOR SCHOOL WORK MISSED

A student who is suspended for ten (10) days or fewer shall be assigned school work missed while he/she is suspended and shall receive either partial or full credit for such work if it is completed satisfactorily and timely as determined by the principal or his/her designee, upon the recommendation of the student’s teacher.

A student who is suspended for more than ten (10) days and receives educational services at an alternative school site, shall be assigned work by a certified teacher and shall receive credit for school work if it is completed satisfactorily and timely as determined by the teacher. Such work shall be aligned with the curriculum used at the school from which the student is suspended.

RECUSAL OF ADMINISTRATOR IN DISCIPLINE MATTERS

Any school administrator or administrator's designee who is required to make a recommendation, decide an issue, or take action in a matter involving the discipline of a student shall recuse himself/herself whenever a member of the immediate family of the administrator or administrator's designee is involved in any manner in the discipline matter. In case of recusal, the action to be taken shall be done so by the Superintendent or an impartial designee of the Superintendent.

Immediate familymeans the individual's children, brothers, sisters, parents, and spouse and the children, brothers, sisters, and parents of the spouse.

SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Suspension of students with disabilities shall be in accordance with applicable state or federal law and regulations.

Revised: December, 1992 Revised: September, 2006

Revised: August, 1994 Revised: August, 2007

Revised: December, 1995 Revised: September, 2009

Revised: July, 1996 Revised: November, 2012

Revised: September, 1997 Revised: July, 2013

Revised: August, 1999 Revised: August, 2015

Revised: August, 2003

Revised: August, 2005

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:223, 17:416, 17:416.1, 17:416.2, 17:416.3; Goss v. Lopez, 95 S.Ct. 729 (1973); Regulations for Implementation of the Exceptional Children's Act, Bulletin 1706, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 9-4-03, 9-6-05, 10-10-06, 10-4-07, 12-11-12, 7-11-13.

EXPULSION

The Vernon Parish School Board may expel a pupil from school if an offense committed by the pupil is serious enough to warrant such action or is in violation of state law. Upon the recommendation for expulsion of a pupil by the principal, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall conduct a hearing to determine the facts of the case and make a finding of whether or not the student is guilty of conduct warranting a recommendation of expulsion. Notification of the time, date, and place of the expulsion hearing shall be mailed to the parents. Following the hearing, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall notify the parents of the decision rendered.

At the hearing, the principal and/or teacher concerned may be represented by any person appointed by the Superintendent and the concerned teacher shall be permitted to attend and present any relevant information. Until the hearing, the pupil shall remain suspended.

Upon the conclusion of the hearing and upon finding the student guilty of conduct warranting expulsion, the Superintendent shall determine whether such student shall be expelled and the specified period of expulsion, or if other disciplinary action shall be taken. Unless otherwise stipulated by state statutes, the period of expulsion shall not be less than one school semester and may carry over into the next school year, if necessary. During an expulsion, the Superintendent shall place the student in an alternative school or in an alternative educational placement.

The parent or tutor of the pupil may, within five (5) days after the decision to expel has been rendered, request the School Board to review the findings of the Superintendent or designee at a time set by the School Board. After reviewing the findings of the Superintendent or designee, the School Board may affirm, modify, or reverse the action of the Superintendent or designee.

EXPULSION INVOLVING FIREARMS

Any student, age sixteen (16) or older, or under sixteen (16) and in grades six (6) through twelve (12), who is found guilty of being in possession of a firearm on school property, on a school bus or in actual possession at a school-sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing, shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of four (4) complete school semesters and shall be referred to the district attorney for appropriate action.

Any student in kindergarten through grade five (5) who is found guilty of being in possession of a firearm on school property, on a school bus, or in actual possession at a school-sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing, shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of two (2) complete school semesters and shall be referred to the district attorney for appropriate action.

The Superintendent, however, may modify the length of the minimum expulsion required in the above paragraphs on a case-by-case basis, provided such modification is in writing.

EXPULSION INVOLVING DRUGS

Any student, sixteen (16) years of age or older, found guilty of possession of, or knowledge of and intentional distribution of or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property, on a school bus or at a school-sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing, shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of four (4) complete school semesters.

Any student who is under sixteen (16) years of age and in grades six (6) through twelve (12) and who is found guilty of possession of, or knowledge of and intentional distribution of or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event pursuant to a hearing shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of two (2) complete school semesters.

Any case involving a student in kindergarten through grade five (5) found guilty of possession of, or knowledge of and intentional distribution of or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing, shall be referred to the School Board through a recommendation for action from the Superintendent.

ADDITIONAL REASONS FOR EXPULSION

Pupils may also be expelled for any of the following reasons:

1. Any pupil, after being suspended for committing violations of any discipline policies or other rule infractions, depending on the severity of the behavior, may be expelled upon recommendation to the Superintendent by the principal and after an appropriate hearing is held by the Superintendent or designee.

2. Any student who is found carrying or possessing a knife with a blade which equals or exceeds two (2) inches in length.

3. In accordance with federal regulations, a pupil determined to have brought a weapon to a school under the School Board's jurisdiction shall be expelled for a minimum of one calendar year. The Superintendent may modify the expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis. A weapon, in accordance with federal statutes, means a firearm or any device which is designed to expel a projectile or any destructive device, which in turn means any explosive, incendiary or poison gas, bomb, grenade, rocket, missile, mine or similar device.

4. Any student, after being suspended on three (3) occasions for committing drugs or weapons offenses during the same school year, shall, upon committing the fourth offense, be expelled from all the public schools of the system until the beginning of the next regular school year, and the pupil's reinstatement shall be subject to the review and approval of the School Board.

5. The conviction of any pupil of a felony or the incarceration of any pupil in a juvenile institution for an act which had it been committed by an adult, would have constituted a felony, may be cause for expulsion of the pupil for a period of time as determined by the School Board; such expulsions shall require the vote of two-thirds of the elected members of the School Board.

EXPULSION NOT APPLICABLE

Expulsion shall not apply to the following:

DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS

A student enrolled in grades prekindergarten through five shall not be expelled from school for a uniform violation that is not tied to willful disregard of school policies.

READMITTANCE FOLLOWING EXPULSION

Required Parent Conference

In each case of expulsion, the school principal, or his or her designee, shall contact the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of the pupil to notify them of the expulsion, and establish a date and time for a conference with the principal or designee as a requirement for readmitting the pupil. Notice shall be given by sending a certified letter to the address shown on the pupil's registration card. Also, additional notification may be made by contacting the parent, tutor, or legal guardian by telephone at the telephone number shown on the pupil's registration card.

If the parent, tutor, or legal guardian fails to attend the required conference within five (5) school days of notification, the student may be considered a truant and dealt with according to all applicable statutory provisions. On not more than one occasion each school year when the parents, tutor, or legal guardian refuses to respond, the principal may determine whether readmitting the pupil is in the best interest of the pupil. On any subsequent occasions in the same school year, the pupil shall not be readmitted unless the parent, tutor, or legal guardian, court, or other appointed representative responds.

In any case where a teacher, principal, or other school employee is authorized to require the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a pupil to attend a conference or meeting regarding the pupil's behavior and after notice, the parent, tutor, or legal guardian willfully refuses to attend, the principal or his or her designee shall file a complaint, in accordance with statutory provisions, with a court exercising juvenile jurisdiction.

ReadmittanceAfter All Expulsions

Any pupil expelled may be readmitted to school on a probationary basis at any time during the expulsion period on such terms and conditions as may be stipulated by the School Board. Readmission to school on a probationary basis shall be contingent on the pupil and legal guardian or custodian agreeing in writing to the conditions stipulated. Any such agreement shall contain a provision for immediate removal of the pupil from school premises without benefit of a hearing or other procedure upon the principal or Superintendent determining the pupil has violated any term or condition of the agreement. Immediately thereafter, the principal or designee shall provide proper notification in writing of the determination and reasons for removal to the Superintendent and the pupil's parent or legal guardian.

ReadmittanceAfter Expulsion for Firearms, Knives, Weapons, or Drugs

In addition to the readmittance provisions for all expulsions stated above, a pupil that has been expelled for possessing on school property or on a bus, a firearm, knife, or other dangerous weapon, or possessing or possession with intent to distribute or distributing, selling, giving, or loaning while on school property or a school bus any controlled dangerous substance shall not be enrolled or readmitted to any such school on a probationary basis prior to the completion of the period of expulsion until the pupil produces written documentation that he/she and his/her parent or legal guardian have enrolled and participated or is participating in an appropriate rehabilitation or counseling program related to the reason(s) for the pupil’s expulsion. The rehabilitation or counseling programs shall be provided by such programs approved by the juvenile or family court having jurisdiction, if applicable, or by the School Board. The requirement for enrollment and participation in a rehabilitation or counseling program shall be waived only upon a documented showing by the pupil that no appropriate program is available in the area or that the pupil cannot enroll or participate due to financial hardship.

Review of Records

A pupil who has been expelled from any school in or out of state shall not be admitted to a school in the school system except upon the review and approval of the School Board following the request for admission. To facilitate the review and approval for readmittance, the pupil shall provide to the School Board information on the dates of any expulsions and the reasons therefor. Additionally, the transfer of pupil records to any school or system shall include information on the dates of any expulsions and the reasons therefor.

CREDIT FOR SCHOOL WORK MISSED

A student who is expelled and receives educational services at an alternative school site shall be assigned work by a certified teacher and shall receive credit for school work if it is completed satisfactorily and timely as determined by the teacher. Such work shall be aligned with the curriculum used at the school from which the student was expelled.

RECUSAL OF ADMINISTRATOR IN DISCIPLINE MATTERS

Immediate familymeans the individual's children, brothers, sisters, parents, and spouse and the children, brothers, sisters, and parents of the spouse.

EXPULSION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Expulsion of students with disabilities shall be in accordance with applicable state or federal law and regulations.

Revised: October, 1995 Revised: September, 2009

Revised: July, 1996 Revised: November, 2012

Revised: September, 1997 Revised: August, 2015

Revised: August, 1999

Revised: August, 2003

Revised: August, 2007

Revised: September, 2008

Ref: 18 USC 921 (Firearms– Definitions); 20 USC 7151 (Gun-Free Schools Act); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:223, 17:416, 17:416.1, 17:416.2, 17:2092; Goss v. Lopez, 95. S.Ct. 729 (1973); Regulations for Implementation of the Exceptional Children's Act, Bulletin 1706, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 9-4-03, 10-4-07, 10-7-08, 10-6-09, 12-11-12.

On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to advertise for assistant principal at Anacoco High School.

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Randi Gleason, the Board voted to hire an additional special education aide specific for Rosepine High School.

Mr. Alan Offner discussed the proposed bond issue and election and Superintendent Williams gave the following notice:

Notice of Public Meeting

Notice is hereby given that at its meeting to be held on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Parish School Board Office, 201 Belview Road, Leesville, Louisiana, the Parish School Board of the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana, plans to consider adopting a resolution ordering and calling elections to be held within Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds (payable from an ad valorem tax to be levied in the District), and (i) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (ii) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the “Districts”), to authorize the levy of additional ad valorem taxes in said Districts.

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

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

Superintendent Williams noted that Board Member training would be postponed until November 6^th. Superintendent Williams then asked Mrs. Renita Page to give an update on the timeline concerning testing results. School and student test scores and the release of School Performance Scores will begin on October 18th and continue thru December.

Superintendent Williams stated that the Crisis Management Plan was in place in all schools. This plan has been reviewed and drills have been conducted.

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

_____________________________

DOUG BRANDON, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT