AUGUST 4, 2016

 

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

VERNON L. TRAVIS JR.

RANDI GLEASON

JIM SEAMAN

ROBERT PYNES JR.

ANGIE DAVIS

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

RANDY MARTIN

SANDRA WHITLOCK

GERALD COOLEY

 

ABSENT:          COL. DAVID G. ATHEY

 

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by Robert Pynes.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Robert Pynes.

 

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the July 12, 2016 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

The following businesses were recognized for the support of our schools:

 

Anacoco High School –Brandon Veterinary Clinic, Doctor’s Hospital at Deer Creek, Vernon Community Action Council

Evans High School –Cryer’s Sports

Hicks High School –Bloomers Florist

Hornbeck High School –Vernon Community Action Council & Fairway Mortgage

Leesville High School –Barksdale Federal Credit Union, City of Leesville

Pickering High School – Doctor’s Hospital at Deer Creek, Alexandria Eye & Laser

Pitkin High School - Beauregard Electric & City Savings Bank

Rosepine High School - Cleco

Simpson High School – Cooley & Thornton Accounting

 

 Mr. Hub Jordan, Child Welfare/Attendance Director, discussed new/revised policies. These policies will be placed on the August 9th Agenda for approval.

 

On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Randi Gleason, the Board voted to advertise for propane for Evans High, Hicks High and Simpson High Schools.

 

On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve a request from District Eight to borrow money to purchase a used bus for Simpson High School.

 

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Sandra Whitlock, the Board voted to advertise for bids to replace the track at Pickering High School.

 

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to approve the Piggy-Back Bid with St. Landry School Board to purchase an activity bus for Pickering High School.

 

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to reject all bids for Pickering High School stadium lighting.

 

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to adopt a resolution to participate in The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS).

 

Curtis Clay discussed Headstart’s request to apply for Duration Supplement and start up funds to increase hours in the Headstart program and the request for approval for a 1.8% COLA Adjustment.  This will be placed on the August 9th Agenda for approval.

 

Vernon Travis reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed personnel changes for August.  The Committee is also recommending approval of the contract for the principal at West Leesville Elementary School – this will be placed on the August 9th Agenda.

 

Superintendent Williams stated that the workshop schedule, orientation schedule, and open house dates were in their Board folders.  Mr. Williams also noted that the Curriculum Department was working on raw test data and that the School Performance Scores and District Performance Scores will be released in September – preliminary results appear to show that test scores have increased throughout the parish.  Superintendent Williams also stated that the Vernon Parish School Board is the recipient of a second $1.5 million Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Grant to provide both academic and social-emotional support to students in grades 7-12 at seven campuses within the Vernon Parish School System.

 

On motion of Steve Woods, 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 heartfelt sympathy to the family of George Thompson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Thompson was the first Principal at North Polk Elementary where he served until his retirement with over thirty years of dedicated service; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Thompson was the husband of Mary Thompson, retired teacher; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Thompson was a longtime resident of Leesville, very active in the community 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 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 takes this means to express their sincere sympathy to the family of Patrick Clark who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Clark was the husband of Laura Clark, retired supervisor at the Central Office; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Clark was a longtime resident of Leesville, very active in the community 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 Sandra Whitlock, 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 Blanche Thompson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Thompson was the mother of Reed Thompson, retired teacher and the grandmother of Brian Thompson, former teacher at Pitkin High School; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Thompson was a resident of Pineville 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 Sandra Whitlock, 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 means to express their sympathy to the family of Lathen Johnson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, family members included Pauline Johnson, sped paraprofessional at Pitkin High and Jessie Roshong, bus driver at Pitkin High; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson was a 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.

 

_______________________

DAVID DETZ, PRESIDENT

 

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT