JANUARY 12, 2016
DRAFT
THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. PRESIDENT DETZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
DAVID DETZ, PRESIDENT
STEVE WOODS, VICE-PRESIDENT
DOUG BRANDON
MICHAEL PERKINS
VERNON L. TRAVIS JR.
JIM SEAMAN
ROBERT PYNES JR.
ANGIE DAVIS
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
RANDY MARTIN
MICHAEL PERKINS
GERALD COOLEY
COL. DAVID G. ATHEY
There was also present Mr. James Williams, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Wayne Chance.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Angie Davis.
On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 7, 2016 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Mr. Don Gallemore stated that no applications were received and that we could now appoint a vendor. On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to appoint Quest (our present vendor).
On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to approve new/revised VPSB Policies.
SCHOOL BOARD ETHICS
Recognizing that as a member of a public School Board and that each Vernon Parish School Board member is filling a position of public trust, responsibility, and authority endowed by the State of Louisiana, the Vernon Parish School Board, individually and collectively, shall subscribe to the principles of the Louisiana School Boards Association, by which a School Board member should be guided.
In addition, certain actions of elected officials may be considered improper, and in some circumstances, illegal. Actions which may present a conflict of interest, acceptance of gifts, or solicitations, or gratuities, abuse of authority of office or position, and decisions regarding the employment of a family member of an official are all subject to statutory restrictions. The ethical conduct of School Board members, as well as other designated officials, shall be in accordance with state law.
ETHICS EDUCATION AND TRAINING
All School Board members and employees shall be required to receive a minimum of one (1) hour of education and training on the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics annually. Education and training shall be provided by the Louisiana Board of Ethics and administered through seminars or via the Internet.
GIFTS
Acceptance of personal gifts by any School Board member or employee of the Vernon Parish School Board from persons or firms doing business with the School Board, or any department or school thereof, is prohibited. Reduced cost and/or free travel expenses are also defined as gifts with regard to this policy provision. This policy provision does not preclude acceptance of food, drinks, or refreshment of a social nature or participation in a social event, provided the value of the food, drink, or refreshment does not exceed that amount permitted under state law. It also shall not preclude the acceptance of campaign contributions for use in meeting campaign expenses by any employee or School Board member who is or becomes a candidate for election to any public office.
NEPOTISM
No member of the immediate family of an agency head shall be employed in his/her agency. No member of the immediate family of a member of a governing authority or the chief executive of a governmental entity shall be employed by the governmental entity, with limited exception as outlined below.
The provisions above shall not prohibit the continued employment of any public employee nor shall it be construed to hinder, alter, or in any way affect normal promotional advancements for such public employee where a member of a public employee's immediate family becomes the agency head of such public employee's agency, provided that such public employee has been employed in the agency for a period of at least one year prior to the member of the public employee's immediate family becoming the agency head.
Exceptions
Any School Board member or Superintendent whose immediate family member is employed or who may be employed, as excepted below, shall recuse himself/herself from any decision involving the promotion or assignment of teaching or service location of such employee.
1. Any member of the immediate family of any School Board member or the Superintendent may be employed as a classroom teacher provided that such family member is certified to teacher is temporarily authorized to teach while pursuing certification.
2. Any immediate family member of a member of the School Board or the Superintendent may be promoted, if the person receiving the promotion is employed as a certified classroom teacher, provided that such family member has the appropriate qualifications and certifications for such position. The term certifications shall not include any temporary or provisional certification or certifications.
3. For any School Board in a parish having a population of fewer than sixty thousand (60,000) according to the latest federal decennial census, any member of the immediate family of any School Board member or of the Superintendent may be employed as a special education related services professional provided that such family member is licensed in an appropriate field for special education related services and such family member is the only applicant who meets the qualifications for the position who has applied for the position after it has been advertised for at least thirty (30) days in the official journal of the School Board. A special education related services professional shall include the following when employed to provide special education services: a social worker, occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech therapist/pathologist, teacher of hearing impaired students, teacher of visually impaired students, or nurse.
4. An immediate family member of an athletic director of a school may be employed as a coach at such school.
ABUSE OF OFFICE
No School Board member, Superintendent, or employee shall use the authority of his/her office or position, directly or indirectly, in a manner intended to compel or coerce any person or other public servant to provide himself/herself, any other public servant, or other person with anything of economic value.
No School Board member, Superintendent, or employee shall use the authority of his/her office or position, directly or indirectly, in a manner intended to compel or coerce any person or other public servant to engage in political activity.
No School Board member shall act in an individual capacity to use the authority of his/her office or position as a member of the School Board in a manner intended to interfere with, compel or coerce any personnel decision, including the hiring, promotion, discipline, demotion, transfer, discharge, or assignment of work to any school employee.
No School Board member shall use the authority of his/her office or position as a member of the School Board in a manner intended to interfere with, compel, or coerce any school employee to make any decision concerning benefits, work assignment, or membership in any organization.
TRANSACTIONS AFTER TERMINATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE
No former agency head or elected official shall, for a period of two (2) years following the termination of his/her public service as the head of such agency or as an elected public official serving in such agency, assist another person, for compensation, in a transaction, or in an appearance in connection with a transaction, involving that agency or render any service on a contractual basis to or for the School Board.
No former member of the School Board shall, for a period of two (2) years following the termination of his/her public service on such School Board, contract with, be employed in any capacity by, or be appointed to any position by the School Board, except that the School Board may employ a former member for any classroom teaching position which requires a valid Louisiana teaching certificate or a school psychologist with a valid certificate in school psychology, provided the former School Board member holds such a certificate.
No former School Board employee shall, for a period of two (2) years following the termination of his/her employment, assist another person, for compensation, in a transaction, or in an appearance in connection with a transaction in which such former public employee participated at any time during his/her public employment and involving the School Board by which he/she was formerly employed, or for a period of two (2) such years following termination of his/her employment, render any service which such former public employee has rendered to the School Board during the term of his/her public employment on a contractual basis, regardless of the parties to the contract, to, for, or on behalf of the School Board with which he/she was formerly employed.
FEDERAL GUIDELINES: CONFLICT OF INTEREST
In addition to other ethics provisions, in receiving federal funds the School Board shall ensure compliance with federal guidelines covering conflict of interest and governing the actions of officers and employees engaged in the selection, award and administration of contracts. No employee, officer, or agent shall participate in the selection, award, or administration of a contract supported by federal funds if a real or apparent conflict of interest would be involved. Such a conflict may arise when the employee, officer, or agent, any member of his or her immediate family, his or her partner, or an organization which employs or is about to employ any of the parties indicated herein, has a financial or other interest in, or a tangible personal benefit from a firm considered for a contract. The officers, employees, and agents of the School Board shall neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from contractors or parties to contracts.
Employees and volunteers shall be required to report any actual, possible, or perceived conflict of interest which they or others have, or may have, to their immediate supervisor as soon as they become aware of the conflict. A School Board member shall report the perceived conflict of interest to the Superintendent and School Board attorney.
Anyone who engages in activities that violate these provisions, including failure to disclose a conflict of interest, may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment, and/or other appropriate sanctions.
DEFINITIONS
Agencymeans a department, office, division, agency, commission, board, committee, or other organizational unit of a governmental entity. For public servants of political subdivisions, it shall mean the agency in which the public servant serves, except that for members of any governing authority and for the elected or appointed chief executive of a governmental entity, it shall mean the governmental entity.
Agency head means the chief executive or administrative officer of an agency or any member of a board or commission who exercises supervision over the agency.
Immediate family as the term relates to a public servant means his/her children, the spouses of his/her children, his/her brothers and their spouses, his/her sisters and their spouses, his/her parents, his/her spouse, and the parents of his/her spouse.
Public servant means a public employee or an elected official.
Revised: October, 1997 Revised: November, 2010
Revised: November, 1999 Revised: August, 2011
Revised: August, 2003 Revised: June, 2012
Revised: September, 2006 Revised: November, 2015
Revised: December, 2008
Ref: 2 CFR 200.318 (General Procurement Standards); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:81, 17:428, 42:1101, 42:1102, 42:1112,42:1115, 42:1115.1, 42:1116, 42:1119, 42:1120, 42:1121, 42:1123, 42:1170; Board minutes, 9-4-03, 10-10-06, 2-5-09, 12-2-10, 10-11-11, 7-10-12.
SALE OF SURPLUS EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
Merchandise and equipment no longer usable for the purpose for which it was acquired or built shall be declared surplus by the Superintendent upon notification by the department to which the merchandise or equipment has been assigned. The equipment and appliances will then be inspected to determine if they are usable or should be declared surplus. If the items are declared surplus, the Vernon Parish School Board shall then call for sealed bids and/or public auction for the sale of such merchandise or equipment. A minimum fair value price shall be established for each item and the bid price shall start at that point for items considered worthy. Said bids shall be opened publicly and disposed of in a prudent, businesslike manner. The School Board shall reserve the right to accept or reject any and all bids.
Items declared surplus or unfit for further use by the School Board shall be stored at the school/department where assigned until the merchandise or equipment is properly sold or other plans for disposition are approved by the Superintendent.
The sale of surplus merchandise or equipment shall be final, on the "as is" or "where is" basis and shall carry no warranties whatsoever. If not sold, these items shall be sold as junk, or if no salvage value can be realized, destroyed in the most economical manner possible.
COMPUTING DEVICES
When the School Board determines that an individual computing device used by a student or students has reached the end of its typical life cycle, is no longer needed for school purposes, and will be removed from classroom use, and that the best interest of the public school system would be served by the private sale of such device due to the cost of auctioning the device or recycling it or due to other factors, the School Board may sell the device to a student enrolled in a school in the school system or to the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of such a student.
The sale price for the device shall be reasonably equivalent to the value of the device, taking into consideration its typical life cycle, current condition, and costs of other methods of alienation or disposal.
All such sales shall be in accordance with School Board policies, and sale prices shall be approved by appropriate school system administrative personnel prior to sale. Such sales shall apply only to individual computing devices used for classwork by students and shall not apply to other computer equipment or related equipment such as routers, switches, or servers.
TEXTBOOKS AND LIBRARY BOOKS NO LONGER IN USE
The School Board, with the prior approval of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, may sell any textbook or library book no longer in use in the school system to any person or entity for private use at a fee established by the School Board. Funds derived from such sale shall be used by the School Board solely for textbook or library book purchases. If a textbook or library book has been out of use for over a year, the School Board may, upon approval of the School Board, donate said book to any public hospital, any jail or prison, or any public institution, or to any individual for private use free of charge. Any textbook or library book which the School Board is unable to sell or donate after being out of use in excess of eighteen (18) months, or any textbook or library book which is deemed by the School Board to be unusable or unsalable, shall be disposed of in an appropriate manner.
New policy: December, 2012
Revised: November, 2015
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:87.6, 49:125; Board minutes, 1-15-13.
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
PESTICIDES
The Vernon Parish School Board recognizes that the exposure of school children to pesticides poses known and unknown risks to their health and well-being. Therefore, the School Board shall prepare or cause to be prepared, and submit to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry on or before August first of each year a single comprehensive integrated pest management plan for all schools under its jurisdiction that applies integrated pest management strategies of pest prevention methods and strongly recommends the least toxic methods of control for grass and weed control, and rodent and general pest control in, on or around school structures and grounds. Any deviation from the submitted annual pest management plan shall be delivered in writing to the Director of Pesticide and Environmental Programs, Department of Agriculture and Forestry no later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to any pesticide application. Records of inspections, identification, monitoring, evaluations, and pesticide applications shall be maintained by the schools and submitted with the annual pesticide management plan to the department annually.
In addition to a comprehensive pest management plan, the School Board, in accordance with statutory provisions shall:
1. Assure that the application of any herbicide, rodenticide, insecticide or restricted use pesticide, in, on, or around structures or grounds of schools that provide education to pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade classes shall be done by or under the supervision of a certified commercial applicator.
2. Require each school to maintain a hypersensitive student registry listing the names of students whose parents have submitted a written statement to the school which shall include but not be limited to the student's name and address, parent's or guardian's signature, name and address, and a written medical verification by a licensed physician which includes the physician's signature, name and address.
3. Require that schools shall use, whenever possible, the least toxic method of pest control. The least toxic method of pest control may include methods other than the application of pesticides. A restricted use pesticide shall be applied to a school building or on school grounds only during periods in which students are not expected to be present for normal academic instruction or organized extracurricular activity for at least eight (8) hours after the application.
4. Require each school to keep a written record of restricted use pesticides used to control pests, with an entry of pertinent information about the application being recorded after each application. The written record shall be kept in each school and shall be available for inspection during school hours.
5. Employ at least one (1) certified commercial applicator if the system has less than ten (10) schools or at least two (2) certified commercial applicators if the system has ten (10) or more schools.
Revised: November, 2015
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''3:3381, 3:3382, 3:3383, 3:3384, 3:3385, 3:3386, 3:3387, 3:3388, 3:3389; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education.
EMPLOYMENT OF RETIRED PERSONNEL
The Superintendent, or principal, with the approval of the Superintendent, may employ retired employees under certain conditions; however, an employee whose retirement has been accepted shall not be guaranteed any position/employment with the Vernon Parish School Board.
CERTIFIED PERSONNEL
Certified personnel who are members of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) who have retired and are rehired shall be designated as either a retired teacher or retired member, as provided below:
Retired Teachers
A retired teacher is:
1. A person reemployed in a reemployment-eligible position, specifically:
A. Reemployment-eligible critical shortage position or critical shortage position which shall include any of the following:
(1) A position for a full-time or part-time classroom teacher who teaches any student in kindergarten through twelfth grade in a school where a critical shortage exists.
(2) A position for a full-time certified speech therapist, speech pathologist, audiologist, educational diagnostician, school social worker, or school counselor whose position of employment requires a valid Louisiana ancillary certificate approved and issued by the Louisiana Department of Education where a critical shortage exists.
B. Reemployment-eligible position which shall include:
(1) A position for a substitute classroom teacher who teaches any student in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.
(2) A position assigned to the professional activities of instructing adults through an adult education or literacy program administered through a public institution of elementary or secondary education, provided the retiree has a valid Louisiana teaching certificate.
2. A person classified as a reemployment-eligible retiree who is:
A. A member of the TRSL who was retired on or before June 30, 2010.
B. A retiree who holds an advanced degree in speech therapy, speech pathology, or audiology.
Critical shortage shall mean a situation where there exists a shortage of certified teachers in a certain subject area or a shortage of certified speech therapists, speech pathologists, audiologists, educational diagnosticians, school social workers, or school counselors. Certification that a critical shortage exists shall be presented to the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana, in order for a retiree who is employed in a critical shortage area to be eligible to receive retirement benefits.
Prior to making such certification of a critical shortage for any full-time critical shortage position, the School Board shall be required to advertise in the School Board’s official journal, on two (2) separate occasions, notice that a shortage of certified teachers exists and the positions to be filled. Additionally, the School Board shall cause notice of the shortage of certified teachers to be posted at the career development or similar office of every post-secondary institution within a 120 mile radius of the School Board. If a certified applicant who is not a retiree applies for an advertised position, such person shall be hired before any certified retiree is employed, unless fewer than three (3) applicants have applied for the position, each of whom is certified in the critical shortage area being filled.
Classroom teachershall mean any employee whose position of employment requires a valid Louisiana teaching certificate and who is assigned professional activities of instructing pupils in courses in classroom situations for which daily pupil attendance figures are kept, or is assigned to proctor admission, evaluation, or assessment testing; however, such proctoring shall not be considered a subject area for a critical shortage. Such classroom situations may include testing in school classrooms or other settings such as, homes or hospitals or other learning situations including co-curricular activities. Instruction may be provided in person or through an approved medium such as television, radio, computer, Internet, multimedia telephone, or correspondence and may be delivered inside or outside the classroom or in other teacher-student settings.
Substitute classroom teachershall mean a classroom teacher employed in a temporary capacity to fill the position of another classroom teacher who is unavailable to teach or to proctor for any reason.
Salary of Retired Teacher
The salary of any retired teacher who is reemployed shall be based on the salary schedule which accounts for all prior years of teaching service and pertinent experience. The earnings of a retired teacher returning to active service may result in a reduction in retirement benefits received, in accordance with statutory provisions.
Retired Member Not Considered a Retired Teacher
A retired member not considered a retired teacher, who returns to active service with the School Board, shall have his/her retirement benefits suspended for the duration of reemployment, even if such employment is based on a contract, and shall make no contributions to the TRSL and shall receive no additional service credit nor accrue any additional retirement benefits.
Notification to TRSL
Whenever a retiree returns to active service, the School Board shall, within thirty (30) days thereafter, notify the TRSL in writing of such employment, the date of reemployment, and a determination as to whether the person is a retired teacher. Other reports shall be submitted as required by state law.
BUS DRIVERS
A bus driver who has retired from service may be employed and return to service as a full-time bus driver. If a retired bus driver is reemployed, the Superintendent shall certify to the BESE that a shortage of qualified bus drivers exists in the school district.
Whenever a retired bus driver is reemployed, the School Board shall notify the Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (LSERS) in writing within ten (10) days of such employment and the date employment began. In addition, the School Board shall submit to LSERS before September 1 of each school year of reemployment of a bus driver a declaration stating the School Board’s intent to reemploy the bus driver. The declaration shall be signed by the Superintendent or his/her designee and the employee. If such declaration is not received by September 1, the reemployed bus driver shall be subject to retirement benefits and other conditions in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §11:1006.Upon the bus driver’s termination, the School Board shall provide LSERS in writing information and notice of the termination.
The School Board shall be required to report to LSERS within forty-five (45) days after June 30th of each year the names of all retired bus drivers being paid by the School Board, their social security numbers, and the amounts of their earnings during the previous year.
Actuarial Cost
If a retired bus driver is reemployed, the School Board shall pay to LSERS the actuarial cost for the bus driver that is in excess of the cost that would have been incurred if the School Board had reemployed the bus driver pursuant to the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §11:1006.
OTHER NON-CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES
Any retired non-certified employee, other than a bus driver, may be reemployed as a full-time, part-time, temporary, or substitute employee. The School Board shall be required to transmit monthly, by the fifteenth (15th) day after the end of the month, a report to the Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (LSERS) with the name, social security number, and the amount of earnings of the retiree during the previous month.
New policy: August, 2010 Revised: November, 2015
Revised: August, 2011
Revised: November, 2012
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§11:710, 11:1006, 11:1007, 17:81; Board minutes, 2-8-11, 10-11-11, 12-11-12.
HOME STUDY PROGRAM
Students of the Vernon Parish School District may be permitted to have their educational skills developed through a home study program, or in an in-home private school program, if such a program offers a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level. The parent or legal guardian shall submit an application to the Louisiana Department of Education for approval together with a copy of the child's birth certificate. An initial application shall be made within fifteen (15) days after commencement of the home study program. A renewal application shall be submitted to the Louisiana Department of Education by October 1 of the school year, or within twelve (12) months of approval of the initial application, whichever is later.
Any child eligible by law to attend elementary or secondary school shall be eligible to participate in a home study program.
Secondary students who are home schooled shall not earn a regular high school diploma unless they return to an approved school and meet all the necessary credits and requirements needed for high school graduation. Home study students shall be eligible to take the General Educational Development (GED) test upon completion of the home study program, upon proper application.
TEXTBOOKS
The School Board shall supply textbooks and other instructional materials, as available, to children enrolled in a state-approved home study program. Textbooks and any materials supplied shall be returned when the student has completed the applicable coursework. A deposit equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the replacement costs shall be required. Such deposit shall be returned when the books are returned. No refunds shall be made for lost or damaged textbooks. If books are not returned or paid for, the parent or legal guardian shall not be eligible to continue participation in the textbook rental program until all textbook debts have been cleared.
Textbooks should be issued from the school of the student's assigned attendance zone for no longer than the length of the current school term. Principals may require periodic inspection of the textbooks.
READMISSION
Students seeking admission or readmission to the Vernon Parish public schools shall be required to fulfill such screening and evaluation requirements as the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and/or the School Board may establish, including the taking of tests and diagnostic instruments used to determine appropriate grade levels or Carnegie units. The requirements and procedures for admission or readmission shall be made a part of the School Board’s Pupil Progression Plan. In addition, students in grades 5 and 9 transferring to the public school system shall be required to take the 4th and 8th grade LEAP 21 tests in order to determine the appropriate grade levels. The School Board may charge a fee, not to exceed $100 per student, for the testing of home study students. The testing fee shall be refunded upon the student’s enrollment in the public school system the semester immediately following the testing.
ACHIEVEMENT TESTING
A parent of a child in home study may request the Superintendent to permit the child to be administered the LEAP 21 tests. Such tests shall occur on the date of the test as determined by the Superintendent. The examination shall be administered with the same restrictions and under similar conditions as provided to students enrolled in public schools with a certified teacher administering the test. The parent shall be provided the student’s score and whether the student passed the examination and met the state performance standards.
A testing fee of up to thirty-five dollars ($35) may be charged to cover actual costs of administering, scoring, and reporting the results of the tests.
Revised: April, 2008
Revised: November, 2015
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:236, 17:236.1, 17:236.2, 17:351; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, State Textbook Adoption Policy and Procedure Manual, Bulletin 1794, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 12-10-02, 6-5-08.
TEXTBOOK SELECTION AND ADOPTION
The Vernon Parish School Board shall authorize the Superintendent to develop and maintain an appropriate process for evaluating and recommending to the School Board for adoption all textbooks and other instructional materials that support the needs of students. Textbooks and other materials may be selected from a list provided by the Louisiana Department of Education, or the School Board may select textbooks or materials not on the list, provided those textbooks or materials have been reviewed by committee(s) appointed by the Superintendent, composed of classroom teachers or other educators who are employed in Louisiana public schools, parents of Louisiana public school students, and other persons in Louisiana who have an interest or knowledge of the curriculum or subject matter under consideration. The School Board shall provide an opportunity for parents and patrons to review and provide input of textbooks and materials under consideration prior to adoption by the School Board.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR TEXTBOOKS
1. Each school is required to keep a complete inventory of all parish adopted books. These books will be listed by copyright, condition and location.
2. A system of accountability shall be set up within each school for recording the condition of books issued to pupils. Collection for lost or damaged books should be based on the value of the book when issued. Transfer of pupil records or issuing of reports or graduation certificates may be delayed until proper accounting for textbooks is done.
3. Periodic check-ups on textbooks should be made throughout the school year to discover books that give indication of undue wear.
Revised: November, 2015
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 17:351.1.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
EARNING OF CREDIT
The Vernon Parish School Board recognizes that an effective educational program is one that provides varied opportunities for students to meet their respective needs and interests in pursuit of accumulating credit for their eventual graduation from high school. Each school’s instructional program shall be characterized by well-defined instructional objectives and systematic planning which reflects the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved statewide course content standards. Assessment of student performance shall be conducted in each course of instructional level, and mastery of concepts and skills shall be verified.
Students may earn Carnegie credit as middle or high school students in two (2) ways:
1. By passing a course in which the student is enrolled and meeting instructional time requirements, as set forth below; or
2. By demonstrating proficiency as set forth below.
When awarding credit based on instructional time, the School Board shall provide a minimum of 7,965 instructional minutes, and students shall be in attendance for a minimum of 7,715 minutes, to earn one (1) Carnegie credit. In order to grant one-half (½) Carnegie credit, the School Board shall provide a minimum of 3,983 minutes and students shall be in attendance for a minimum of 3,758 minutes.
When awarding Carnegie credit based on demonstrated proficiency for any student or group of students, the School Board shall provide the Louisiana Department of Education with the following information:
1. the name of the examination used to measure proficiency, if nationally recognized, or
2. a copy of the examination used to measure proficiency, if locally developed or not nationally recognized and the score required to demonstrate proficiency; or
3. a listing of requirements to demonstrate proficiency through portfolio submissions.
Proficiency in a course with a state administered End of Course exam must be demonstrated using the End of Course exam. The Louisiana Department of Education may require revisions of assessments in order to ensure that they adequately measure proficiency.
Students meeting the requirements for Carnegie credit based on proficiency shall have the course title, the year proficiency was demonstrated, and the unit of credit earned entered on their transcript.
New policy: July, 2013
Revised: November, 2015
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:10.1, 17:24.4, 17:81; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 7-11-13.
On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Michael Perkins, the Board voted to accept the employee retirement.
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by the entire Board, the Board unanimously voted to approve the contract extension for Superintendent Williams.
On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
Randi Gleason reported that the Curriculum Committee had met and were given updates on accountability and the military grant. Mrs. Anne Smith stated that this was a planning year to lay the foundation for the future. The goal is to identify areas of weakness and maintain areas of strength. The “Countdown To Testing” will begin with principals, assistant principals, counselors and teacher leaders.
Vernon Travis reported that the Finance Committee had met and Tim Ward noted that VPSB received an Unmodified or “Clean Opinion” on the Annual Financial and Compliance Audit with just a couple of issues to be addressed. There was discussion on Energy Conservation Guidelines and Business Health Partners –no action was taken.
Colonel Athey thanked the Board and employees for their dedication to the students of Vernon Parish. He stated that our test results are a clear indicator of hard work and highlighted the partnership work within the school district. Colonel Athey also noted that security will be increased at Fort Polk with an automated entry system and he will provide updates to the Board on registration dates.
Superintendent Williams thanked the Board for their trust and support for his contract extension. He stated that this was a team effort and thanked former superintendents for laying the groundwork.
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 wish to express their sympathy to the family of Bettye McRae who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McRae was a retired teacher from Anacoco High School, the mother of Danna Merchant, and the mother-in law of Patrick Merchant, both teachers at Anacoco; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McRae was a longtime resident of Anacoco and she will be sadly 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 wish to express their sympathy to the family of Madleine Thompson who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Thompson was the mother of Quita Antony, retired teacher and the aunt of Michael Perkins, District Five Board Member; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Thompson 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 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 condolences to the family of Linda Jones Lipscomb who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Lipscomb was a retired Headstart Coordinator; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Lipscomb 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.
There being no further business, and on motion of David Detz, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
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DOUG BRANDON, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT