NOVEMBER 5, 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.

RANDI GLEASON

JIM SEAMAN

ROBERT PYNES JR.

ANGIE DAVIS

RANDY MARTIN

STEVE WOODS

GERALD COOLEY

ABSENT:          JOHN BLANKENBAKER, COL. DAVID ATHEY

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by Reverend Maurice Johnson.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Steve Woods.

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the October 6, 2015 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Rodney Taylor, representative of Taylor and Sons, presented October Employee of The Month to Emily Benevage, teacher at Anacoco Elementary and November Employee of the Month to Vickie Moore, office paraprofessional at Hornbeck High School. 

Reverend Maurice Johnson discussed the Sudden Link School Food Drive. 

Mike Kay discussed new/revised policies and these will be placed on the November 10^th Agenda for approval.

Curtis Clay gave the Director’s Report for November and discussed Headstart policies and procedures that will be placed on the November 10^th Agenda for approval. 

Mr. Travis reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and discussed personnel changes.  Mr. Travis also reported that the committee discussed Board meeting times and the committee was recommending that all regularly scheduled meetings be held at 10:00AM.  This will be placed on the November 10^th Agenda.  It was also recommended that approval be given for contracts when a vacant position is advertised for – this will also be placed on the November 10^th Agenda.  Mr. Kay discussed teacher certification status.

Superintendent Williams reminded Board members of the mandatory training on Tuesday, November 10 following the regularly scheduled Board meeting.  He also stated that a draft of 2016 Board meeting dates was in their folders for review – this will be placed on the November 10^th Agenda for approval.  Superintendent Williams also noted the Curriculum Committee meeting at 9:00AM and the Finance Committee meeting at 9:30AM on November 10^th.  Renita Page gave an update on test results and stated that hopefully PARCC scores would be sent home with students on Friday, November 13^th contingent on the format and time they are received.  She also noted that Vernon Parish is ranked 10^th in the state with students scoring at the advanced and mastery proficiency levels. 

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 Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express their heartfelt sympathy to the family of Charles Balthrop who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Balthrop was the Principal at South Polk Elementary School and the husband of Sherrie Balthrop, teacher at East Leesville Elementary; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Balthrop was a dedicated educator for more than twenty nine years; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Balthrop 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.

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 take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Patricia Williams who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Williams was a retired teacher and also the mother of Crystal Williams, secretary at the Headstart Office; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Williams was a longtime resident of Leesville and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends; now

            WHEREAS, 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 Vernon Parish School wishes to express their sympathy to the family of Joy Bennett Barker who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Barker was the mother-in-law of Ramona Bennett, principal at East Leesville Elementary School; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Barker was a longtime resident of Simpson 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 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 takes this means to express their sympathy to the family of Tully Thornton who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Thornton was a former teacher and was the son of Elena Thornton, retired cafeteria manager at Hornbeck  and the brother of Tami Griffin, teacher at Hornbeck; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Thornton was a longtime resident of Vernon Parish and he will be greatly missed by his 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 his 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Jeanette Glass who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Glass was a retired teacher from Rosepine Elementary School and;

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Glass was a resident of DeRidder 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 members of the Vernon Parish School Board take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Myra Williams who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Williams was a former nurse for the Vernon Parish School Board; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Williams was a longtime 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 Michael Perkins, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

R E S O L UT I O N

            WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Ruth White who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. White was the grandmother of Dawn Carlock, retired bus driver and the mother-in-law of Barbara White, bus driver at Pitkin High; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. White was a 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.

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

______________________________

DOUG BRANDON, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT