AUGUST 9, 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
VERNON L. TRAVIS JR.
JIM SEAMAN
ROBERT PYNES JR.
ANGIE DAVIS
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
RANDY MARTIN
SANDRA WHITLOCK
GERALD COOLEY
ABSENT: DOUG BRANDON, RANDI GLEASON, COL. ATHEY
There was also present Mr. James Williams, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Brother Bobby Ganaway.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Randy Martin.
On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the August 4, 2016 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
The following businesses were recognized for the support our schools:
Anacoco Elementary – Specialty Computers
East Leesville Elementary – City of Leesville – Sabine State Bank
Leesville Jr. High – Alford Motors – City of Leesville
Pickering Elementary – GEICO
North Polk Elementary – VFW Post 3106
Parkway Elementary – American Moving & Storage
Rosepine Elementary – Soileau’s Specialty Meats
Vernon Middle – Pleasant Hill Baptist Church
West Leesville Elementary – Navy Federal Credit Union – City of Leesville
On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board approved the following new/revised 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 employees of the Louisiana Board of Ethics or others authorized to provide such training by the Louisiana Board of Ethics, and shall be 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. 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 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.
3. Any immediate family member of a member of the School Board or the Superintendent who is employed pursuant to paragraphs 1 or 2 above may be promoted to an administrative position, provided that such family member has the appropriate qualifications and certifications for the promotional position. For the purposes of such promotions, the term certifications shall not include any temporary or provisional certification or certifications.
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 Revised: June, 2016
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, 1-12-16.
PRESERVATION OF SCHOOL BOARD RECORDS DUE TO LEGAL ACTION
The Vernon Parish School Board recognizes that circumstances occur where the normal and routine retention, disposal, and/or destruction of records must be suspended according to federal and State requirements and Vernon Parish School Board policy. Present and future records that are involved in litigation, or reasonably anticipated in foreseeable legal action, shall be preserved until the Superintendent releases the hold on such records. Such preservation of records shall apply to all School Board records owned or otherwise controlled by the School Board and all faculty, staff, administrators, School Board members, contractors or anyone else having access to School Board technology resources. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall be authorized to implement the necessary administrative regulations and procedures for governing and monitoring the preservation of School Board records due to legal action being taken or for potential legal action.
DEFINITIONS
Records – The term records shall include all records, whether in electronic or paper form, created, received, or maintained in the transaction of School Board business. Such records may include, but are not limited to, paper records and electronic records transferred and/or stored by or on behalf of the School Board using the School Board’s technology resources. Electronic records may exist in a wide variety of formats, including, without limitation, text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, HTML documents, digital images, email messages, databases, voicemails and other digital recordings.
Technology Resources – The term technology resources shall mean telecommunications equipment, transmission devices, electronic video and audio equipment, computers, data processing or storage systems, storage media, computer systems, servers, networks, programs, and/or computer-driven or web accessible software that is owned or operated by the School Board.
Preservation of Records – The term preservation of records shall mean an order or notice to cease destruction or disposal and to preserve all records pertaining to the nature or subject of the preservation (to place a “hold” on such record).
PRESERVATION OF RECORDS
Notwithstanding School Board policies or procedures to the contrary, School Board records, whether in paper or electronic form, pertaining to any pending or anticipated legal claim against the School Board shall be preserved and maintained until the legal claim, whether litigation or other legal proceeding, is finally concluded. It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent, or his/her designee(s), to ensure that appropriate holds on any relevant records are timely implemented and monitored and that affected School Board personnel are given timely notice of their responsibility to preserve School Board records pertaining to any pending or anticipated legal claim until the legal proceeding is finally concluded. The Superintendent shall maintain regulations and procedures that provide for the preservation and maintenance of such records.
Generally, the preservation obligations do not extend to back-up tapes or other media which are maintained solely for disaster recovery. In the event that the Superintendent determines that relevant electronic records can only be obtained via backup tapes or other media maintained for disaster recovery, the School Board may undertake, if reasonable to do so, efforts to extract the pertinent records and separately maintain them until conclusion of the legal proceeding.
The Superintendent shall determine and communicate to affected School Board personnel when a preservation order may be lifted and records are no longer need to be on hold pursuant to the preservation order.
VIOLATIONS
Violations of this policy and any administrative regulations and procedures implemented pursuant to this policy shall subject personnel to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal in accordance with applicable federal and state law and School Board policy.
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
The Vernon Parish School Board, in its efforts to contain and control the dangers of hazardous substances, authorizes the Superintendent or his/her designee to establish and maintain administrative regulations and procedures which address the purchase, storage, handling, use, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials for all school facilities and operations including instructional areas. Emergency response actions and evacuation plans shall also be coordinated with the procedures.
Administrative regulations and procedures shall be in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations which pertain to the safe and proper storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials.
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
Revised: June, 2016
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; Board minutes, 1-12-16.
Ref: Fed. Rules Civ. P., Rules 34, 37; La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:81.
EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONNEL
The Vernon Parish School Board and its administrative staff believes that it has an obligation to provide the children attending its schools with the very best personnel available regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin or any similar personal characteristic. Age shall be considered only with respect to minimums set by law.
The Superintendent or his/her designee shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining appropriate procedures for reviewing and evaluating any and all applicants for selection, including administrative and supervisory personnel, and assuring adherence to applicable state and federal legal requirements. Selection of personnel to fill all positions shall be based upon performance, effectiveness, and qualifications applicable to each specific position. Decisions shall be made on a non-discriminatory basis with selection procedures and evaluative criteria known to all applicants. Applicants should not resort to the use of political, social, or other pressures to gain employment or promotion.
Teachers and all other personnel shall be selected for employment by the Superintendent. It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent to ensure that all persons recommended have proper certification where applicable, and are qualified for the position. Seniority and tenure shall not be used as the primary criteria when making any employment decision.
The Superintendent shall delegate to the school principal all decisions regarding the employment of any teacher or other personnel at the school in which the principal is employed, subject to the approval of the Superintendent.
The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall consult with teachers regarding any possible selections made by the Superintendent for the hiring or placement of a principal at the school in which such teachers are employed, subject to the provisions of any applicable court order.
BUS DRIVERS
Whenever a school bus operator is needed to drive a new route or a route vacated by a previous operator, the school bus operator who is tenured and has acquired the greatest seniority shall be offered the opportunity to and may change from driving his/her route to the vacant route before another operator is selected. If the tenured bus operator with the greatest seniority chooses not to change to the vacant route, the route shall then be offered in order of seniority to a school bus operator who has acquired tenure.
If no tenured operator chooses to change to the vacant route, the route shall then be offered to a full‑time probationary bus operator.
If no regular bus operator, tenured or probationary, chooses to change to the vacant route, then a substitute bus operator shall be selected for the position from a list of approved substitute school bus operators. If no tenured, probationary, or substitute bus operator wants the route, then a new driver shall be hired.
Whenever a school bus operator owning his/her own bus retires, a vacated route shall be offered first to any person meeting the requirements of the School Board who is willing to acquire the bus of the retiring operator at full appraised value. This provision shall be applicable only when the bus owned by the retiring operator has been manufactured within a period of five (5) years immediately prior to the operator's retirement and the operator is retiring due to a documented physical disability.
The Superintendent may select an operator to fill a vacant route using a different process than outlined above, but only if the School Board is required to bear an increase in the unreimbursed costs for non-passenger miles over those attributable to the previous operator who vacated the route.
Whenever a vacancy occurs on a route due to death, resignation, retirement, or the expiration of the regular operator's approved leave, or a new route is established, the route shall be filled with a regular school bus operator using the process stated above no later than the following school year unless the route is consolidated or eliminated. A substitute bus operator may only be used as a temporary measure until a permanent operator is appointed to a route.
If an operator is on approved leave, his/her route shall not be considered a vacant route. A substitute shall be used to drive a route for an operator on approved leave regardless of the length of time of the approved leave.
Substitute drivers for bus routes shall have and shall meet the same qualifications as regular drivers.
FEDERAL OR STATE GRANT FUNDED POSITIONS
Whenever the School Board is the recipient of grants from federal, state or private funding agencies for supplementing and/or funding of innovative educational strategies, long range planning, and special supportive services, such grants may fund staff positions related to the grants. Grant-funded positions may be full-time or part-time positions established for specific periods of time, not to exceed the scheduled termination date of the applicable grant funded. The letter of appointment sent to an employee for grant-funded positions shall state that continuation of the employee’s service in that position shall be contingent upon the continuing availability of funds from the applicable grant funding source.
Revised: December, 1992 Revised: September, 2008
Revised: June, 1998 Revised: September, 2009
Revised: October, 2001 Revised: November, 2010
Revised: August, 2002 Revised: June, 2012
Revised: August, 2005 Revised: June, 2016
Revised: September, 2005
Revised: September, 2006
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:81.9, 17:413, 17:493.1, 23:897; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 8-4-05, 9-6-05, 10-10-06, 10-7-08, 10-6-09, 12-2-10, 7-10-12.
EVALUATION OF PERSONNEL
TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS
The Vernon Parish School Board believes the quality of teaching and learning is directly related to the performance of personnel who work in the school district. It is therefore, the policy of the School Board to appraise the performance of instructional and administrative personnel in order to maintain performance at the levels essential for effective schools.
The Superintendent and his/her staff shall have the responsibility for developing, monitoring, and maintaining an effective and efficient performance evaluation program in accordance with guidelines as found in Regulations for Evaluation and Assessment of School Personnel, Bulletin 130, Louisiana Department of Education. The observation, evaluation and assessment process shall measure the effectiveness of teachers and administrators as to whether they meet the necessary standard of performance.
The process for all observations, evaluations, teacher conferences, and related functions shall be conducted in accordance with state requirements, as well as regulations and other criteria enumerated in the district’s guidelines for Teacher Assessment and School Personnel Evaluation. Evaluations shall be conducted annually.
Every effort shall be made by the school system to communicate to position holders the general goals of the system, the specific objectives of the position, the plans which have been made to support the individual as he/she performs his/her role, the standards of performance the system has established, the criteria it will employ in assessing performance, as well as components of an intensive assistance program for addressing those persons determined to be ineffective.
Copies of the assessment and evaluation results and any documentation related thereto of any school employee retained by the School Board shall be confidential and shall not constitute a public record, and shall not be released or shown to any person except as provided by state or federal law.
Should a teacher or administrator not agree with his/her rating, he/she may initiate grievance proceedings in accordance with the procedure for resolving conflict adopted by the School Board in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:3883, as contained in the School Board’s personnel evaluation plan.
ALL OTHER PERSONNEL
In an effort to improve the level of job production and skill performance of the individual employee, evaluations of support personnel shall be conducted annually. Performance evaluations shall be based on an employee’s job classification and the School Board’s adopted standards for the work performed.
Revised: October, 1994
Revised: July, 2012
Revised: July, 2014
Revised: June, 2016
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:3881, 17:3882, 17:3883, 17:3884, 17:3901, 17:3902, 17:3903, 17:3904;Regulations for the Evaluation and Assessment of School Personnel, Bulletin 130, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 9-11-12, 9-9-14.
TENURE
TEACHERS
A teacher who has acquired tenure before September 1, 2012 shall retain tenure, subject to the provisions of state law. Effective beginning on July 1, 2012, a teacher shall be rated highly effective for five (5) years within a six-year period pursuant to the Personnel Evaluation Plan adopted by the School Board in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:3881 through 3905, to be granted tenure. The Superintendent shall notify a teacher, in writing, when tenure has been awarded and the teacher shall be deemed to have acquired tenure on the date specified therein.
A tenured teacher who receives a final performance rating of ineffective pursuant to the teacher’s annual evaluation shall lose his/her tenure and all rights related thereto immediately upon exhaustion of the grievance procedure set forth in the personnel evaluation plan adopted by the School Board, unless the ineffective performance rating is reversed. Such ineffective rating shall constitute sufficient grounds for disciplinary action pursuant to La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:443. If a teacher is found highly effective based on the evidence of the growth portion of the evaluation but is found ineffective according to the observation portion, within thirty (30) days after such finding, the teacher shall be entitled to a second observation by members of a team of three (3) designees, chosen by the Superintendent, which shall not include the principal.
A teacher who loses tenure shall reacquire tenure if the teacher receives a performance rating of highly effective for five (5) years within a six-year period subsequent to receiving an ineffective rating.
Teachers Paid with Federal Funds
A teacher paid with federal funds shall not be eligible to acquire tenure, nor shall time spent in employment paid with federal funds be counted toward the time required for acquisition of tenure.
CONTRACT APPOINTEES
Any teacher who has acquired tenure and is promoted to a higher salaried position shall not be eligible to gain tenure in the position to which promoted, but shall retain any tenure acquired as a teacher.
Any person hired under a performance contract shall not be eligible to gain tenure.
BUS OPERATORS
School bus operators hired on or after July 1, 2012 shall not be granted tenure.
SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
No tenure is granted by law or School Board policy to school employees of the Vernon Parish School Board. School employee shall be defined as any employee whose job description does not require the holding of a teaching certificate or who is not employed as a bus driver.
Revised: June, 2012
Revised: July, 2014
Revised: June, 2016
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§13:3204, 17:82, 17:441, 17:442, 17:443, 17:444, 17:522, 17:525, 17:1213, 17:1217, 17:3883; Board minutes, 7-10-12, 9-9-14.
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 high school equivalency 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 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 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
Revised: June, 2016
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:236, 17:236.1, 17:236.2, 17:351.1; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 12-10-02, 6-5-08, 1-12-16.
On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to advertise for a used bus for Simpson High School.
On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to adopt a resolution to approve the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for the Vernon Parish School Board and the Vernon Parish Sales Tax Agency.
LOUISIANA COMPLIANCE QUESTIONNAIRE
(For Audit Engagements of Governments)
Dear Tim:
Attached is the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire that is to be completed by you or your staff. This questionnaire is a required part of a financial audit of Louisiana state and local government and quasi-public agencies. Upon completion, the questionnaire must be presented to and adopted by the governing body, if any, of your organization by means of a formal resolution in an open meeting. Independently elected officials should sign the document, in lieu of such a resolution.
The completed questionnaire and a copy of the adoption instrument, if appropriate, must be given to the auditor at the beginning of the audit. The auditor will, during the course of his regular audit, test the accuracy of the responses in the questionnaire. It is not necessary to return the questionnaire to my office.
Certain portions of the questionnaire may not be applicable to your organization, especially those related to federal financial assistance. In such cases, it is appropriate to mark the representation "not applicable." However, you must respond to each applicable representation. A 'yes' answer indicates that you have complied with the applicable law or regulation. A 'no' answer to any representation indicates a possible violation of law or regulation and, as such, should be fully explained. These matters will be reviewed by the auditor during the course of his examination. Please feel free to attach a further explanation of any representation.
Your cooperation in this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Amy B Tynes, CPA, CFE
Allen, Green & Williamson, LLP
Enclosure
LOUISIANA COMPLIANCE QUESTIONNAIRE
(For Audit Engagements of Government Agencies)
___August 9, 2016__
Allen, Green & Williamson, LLP
P O Box 6075
Monroe, LA 71211-6075
In connection with your audit of our financial statements as of June 30, 2016 and for the year ended for the purpose of expressing an opinion as to the fair presentation of our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, to assess our system of internal control as a part of your audit, and to review our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, we confirm, to the best of our knowledge and belief, the following representations. These representations are based on the information available to us as of _______June 30, 2016_____(date completed/date of the representations).
PART I. AGENCY PROFILE
1. Name and address of the organization. VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
201 BELVIEW ROAD
LEESVILLE, LA 71446
2. List the population of the municipality or parish based upon the last official United States Census or most recent official census (municipalities and police juries only). Include the source of the information.
N/A
3. List names, addresses, and telephone numbers of entity officials. Include elected/appointed members of the governing board, chief executive and fiscal officer, and legal counsel.
Attached
4. Period of time covered by this questionnaire.
July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016
5. The entity has been organized under the following provisions of the Louisiana Revised Statute(s) (R.S.) and, if applicable, local resolutions/ordinances.
(LSA-RS) 17:81
6. Briefly describe the public services provided.
The School Board provides elementary and secondary education for all children attending public schools in the Parish.
7. Expiration date of current elected/appointed officials' terms.
December 31, 2018
LEGAL COMPLIANCE
PART II. PUBLIC BID LAW
8. The provisions of the public bid law, R.S. Title 38:2211-2296, and, where applicable, the regulations of the Division of Administration, State Purchasing Office have been complied with.
A) All public works purchases exceeding $150,000 have been publicly bid.
B) All material and supply purchases exceeding $30,000 have been publicly bid.
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
PART III. CODE OF ETHICS LAW FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS
AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
9. It is true that no employees or officials have accepted anything of value, whether in the form of a service, loan, or promise, from anyone that would constitute a violation of R.S. 42:1101-1124.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
10. It is true that no member of the immediate family of any member of the governing authority, or the chief executive of the governmental entity, has been employed by the governmental entity after April 1, 1980, under circumstances that would constitute a violation of R.S. 42:1119.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
PART IV. LAWS AFFECTING BUDGETING
11. We have complied with the budgeting requirements of the Local Government Budget Act (R.S. 39:1301-15) R.S. 39:33, or R.S. 39:1331-1342, as applicable:
A. Local Budget Act
1. We have adopted a budget for the general fund and all special revenue funds (R.S. 39:1305).
2. The chief executive officer, or equivalent, has prepared a proposed budget that included a budget message, a proposed budget for the general fund and each special revenue fund, and a budget adoption instrument that specified the chief executive's authority to make budgetary amendments without approval of the governing authority. Furthermore, the proposed expenditures did not exceed estimated funds to be available during the period (R.S. 39:1305).
3. The proposed budget was submitted to the governing authority and made available for public inspection at least 15 days prior to the beginning of the budget year (R.S. 39:1306).
4. To the extent that proposed expenditures were greater than $500,000, we have made the budget available for public inspection and have advertised its availability in our official journal. The advertisement included the date, time, and place of the public hearing on the budget. Notice has also been published certifying that all actions required by the Local Government Budget Act have been completed (R.S. 39:1307).
5. If required, the proposed budget was made available for public inspection at the location required by R.S. 39:1308.
6. All action necessary to adopt and finalize the budget was completed prior to the date required by state law. The adopted budget contained the same information as that required for the proposed budget (R.S. 39:1309).
7. After adoption, a certified copy of the budget has been retained by the chief executive officer or equivalent officer (R.S. 39:1309).
8. To the extent that proposed expenditures were greater than $500,000, the chief executive officer or equivalent notified the governing authority in writing during the year when actual receipts plus projected revenue collections for the year failed to meet budgeted revenues by five percent or more, or when actual expenditures plus projected expenditures to year end exceeded budgeted expenditures by five percent or more (R.S. 39:1311).
9. The governing authority has amended its budget when notified, as provided by R.S. 39:1311. (Note, general and special revenue fund budgets should be amended, regardless of the amount of expenditures in the fund, when actual receipts plus projected revenue collections for the year fail to meet budgeted revenues by five percent or more; or when actual expenditures plus projected expenditures to year end exceed budgeted expenditures by five percent or more. State law exempts from the amendment requirements special revenue funds with anticipated expenditures of $500,000 or less, and exempts special revenue funds whose revenues are expenditure-driven - primarily federal funds-from the requirement to amend revenues.)
Yes [X ] No [ ]
B. State Budget Requirements
1. The state agency has complied with the budgetary requirements of R.S. 39:33.
Yes [X ] No [
C. Licensing Board
1. The licensing board has complied with the budgetary requirements of R.S. 39:1331-1342.
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
PART V. ACCOUNTING, AUDITING, AND FINANCIAL
REPORTING LAWS
12. We have maintained our accounting records in such a manner as to provide evidence of legal compliance and the preparation of annual financial statements to comply with R.S. 24:513 and 515, and/or 33:463.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
13. All non-exempt governmental records are available as a public record and have been retained for at least three years, as required by R.S. 44:1, 44:7, 44:31, and 44:36.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
14. We have filed our annual financial statements in accordance with R.S. 24:514, and 33:463 where applicable. Yes [ X ] No [ ]
15. We have had our financial statements audited in a timely manner in accordance with R.S. 24:513.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
16. We have complied with R.S. 24:513 A. (3) regarding disclosure of compensation, reimbursements, benefits and other payments to the agency head, political subdivision head, or chief executive officer.
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
PART VI. MEETINGS
17. We have complied with the provisions of the Open Meetings Law, provided in R. S. 42:11 through 42:28.
Yes [ X] No [ ]PART VII. ASSET MANAGEMENT LAWS
18. We have maintained records of our fixed assets and movable property records, as required by R.S. 24:515 and/or 39:321-332, as applicable.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
PART VIII. FISCAL AGENCY AND CASH MANAGEMENT LAWS
19. We have complied with the fiscal agency and cash management requirements of R.S. 39:1211-45 and 49:301-327, as applicable.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
PART IX. DEBT RESTRICTION LAWS
20. It is true we have not incurred any long-term indebtedness without the approval of the State Bond Commission, as provided by Article VII, Section 8 of the 1974 Louisiana Constitution, Article VI, Section 33 of the 1974 Louisiana Constitution, and R.S. 39:1410.60-1410.65.
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
21. We have complied with the debt limitation requirements of state law (R.S. 39:562).
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
22. We have complied with the reporting requirements relating to the Fiscal Review Committee of the State Bond Commission (R.S. 39:1410.62).
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
PART X. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE RESTRICTION LAWS
23. We have restricted the collections and expenditures of revenues to those amounts authorized by Louisiana statutes, tax propositions, and budget ordinances.
Yes [ X] No [ ]
24. It is true we have not advanced wages or salaries to employees or paid bonuses in violation of Article VII, Section 14 of the 1974 Louisiana Constitution, R.S. 14:138, and AG opinion 79-729.
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
25. It is true that no property or things of value have been loaned, pledged, or granted to anyone in violation of Article VII, Section 14 of the 1974 Louisiana Constitution.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
PART XI. ISSUERS OF MUNICIPAL SECURITIES
26. It is true that we have complied with the requirements of R.S. 39:1438.C.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
PART XI. QUESTIONS FOR SPECIFIC GOVERNMENTAL UNITS
School Boards
27. We have complied with the general statutory, constitutional, and regulatory provisions of the Louisiana Department of Education, R.S. 17:51-401.
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
28. We have complied with the regulatory circulars issued by the Louisiana Department of Education that govern the Minimum Foundation Program.
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
29. We have, to the best of our knowledge, accurately compiled the performance measurement data contained in the following schedules and recognize that your agreed-upon procedures will be applied to such schedules and performance measurement data:
Parish school boards are required to report, as part of their annual financial statements, measures of performance. These performance indicators are found in the supplemental schedules:
- Schedule 1, General Fund Instructional and Support Expenditures and Certain Local
Revenue Sources
- Schedule 2, Education Levels of Public School Staff
- Schedule 3, Number and Type of Public Schools
- Schedule 4, Experience of Public Principals, Assistant Principals, and Full-time Classroom Teachers
- Schedule 5, Public School Staff Data: Average Salaries
- Schedule 6, Class Size Characteristics
- Schedule 7, Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP)
- Schedule 8, Graduation Exit Examination (GEE) (Note: this schedule is no longer applicable.)
- Schedule 9, iLEAP Tests
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
Tax Collectors
31. We have complied with the general statutory requirements of R.S. 47.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
The previous responses have been made to the best of our belief and knowledge.
_________________________________Secretary__August 9, 2016_________Date
_________________________________Treasurer_ August 9, 2016 ________ Date
_________________________________President__ August 9, 2016________ Date
LOUISIANA COMPLIANCE QUESTIONNAIRE
(For Audit Engagements of Governments)
Dear Tim:
Attached is the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire that is to be completed by you or your staff. This questionnaire is a required part of a financial audit of Louisiana state and local government and quasi-public agencies. Upon completion, the questionnaire must be presented to and adopted by the governing body, if any, of your organization by means of a formal resolution in an open meeting. Independently elected officials should sign the document, in lieu of such a resolution.
The completed questionnaire and a copy of the adoption instrument, if appropriate, must be given to the auditor at the beginning of the audit. The auditor will, during the course of his regular audit, test the accuracy of the responses in the questionnaire. It is not necessary to return the questionnaire to my office.
Certain portions of the questionnaire may not be applicable to your organization, especially those related to federal financial assistance. In such cases, it is appropriate to mark the representation "not applicable." However, you must respond to each applicable representation. A 'yes' answer indicates that you have complied with the applicable law or regulation. A 'no' answer to any representation indicates a possible violation of law or regulation and, as such, should be fully explained. These matters will be reviewed by the auditor during the course of his examination. Please feel free to attach a further explanation of any representation.
Your cooperation in this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Amy B Tynes, CPA, CFE
Allen, Green & Williamson, LLP
Enclosure
LOUISIANA COMPLIANCE QUESTIONNAIRE
(For Audit Engagements of Government Agencies)
___August 9, 2016__
Allen, Green & Williamson, LLP
P O Box 6075
Monroe, LA 71211-6075
In connection with your audit of our financial statements as of June 30, 2016 and for the year ended for the purpose of expressing an opinion as to the fair presentation of our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, to assess our system of internal control as a part of your audit, and to review our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, we confirm, to the best of our knowledge and belief, the following representations. These representations are based on the information available to us as of _______June 30, 2016_____(date completed/date of the representations).
PART I. AGENCY PROFILE
1. Name and address of the organization. VERNON PARISH SALES TAX DEPARTMENT
201 BELVIEW ROAD
LEESVILLE, LA 71446
2. List the population of the municipality or parish based upon the last official United States Census or most recent official census (municipalities and police juries only). Include the source of the information.
N/A
3. List names, addresses, and telephone numbers of entity officials. Include elected/appointed members of the governing board, chief executive and fiscal officer, and legal counsel.
Attached
4. Period of time covered by this questionnaire.
July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016
5. The entity has been organized under the following provisions of the Louisiana Revised Statute(s) (R.S.) and, if applicable, local resolutions/ordinances.
(LSA-RS) 33:2737, RS 47:301 through 47:317
6. Briefly describe the public services provided.
The Sales Tax Department collects sales tax for all applicable governmental agencies located in the Parish.
7. Expiration date of current elected/appointed officials' terms.
December 31, 2018
LEGAL COMPLIANCE
PART II. PUBLIC BID LAW
9. The provisions of the public bid law, R.S. Title 38:2211-2296, and, where applicable, the regulations of the Division of Administration, State Purchasing Office have been complied with.
A) All public works purchases exceeding $150,000 have been publicly bid.
C) All material and supply purchases exceeding $30,000 have been publicly bid.
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
PART III. CODE OF ETHICS LAW FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS
AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
9. It is true that no employees or officials have accepted anything of value, whether in the form of a service, loan, or promise, from anyone that would constitute a violation of R.S. 42:1101-1124.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
10. It is true that no member of the immediate family of any member of the governing authority, or the chief executive of the governmental entity, has been employed by the governmental entity after April 1, 1980, under circumstances that would constitute a violation of R.S. 42:1119.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
PART IV. LAWS AFFECTING BUDGETING
11. We have complied with the budgeting requirements of the Local Government Budget Act (R.S. 39:1301-15) R.S. 39:33, or R.S. 39:1331-1342, as applicable:
A. Local Budget Act
1. We have adopted a budget for the general fund and all special revenue funds (R.S. 39:1305).
2. The chief executive officer, or equivalent, has prepared a proposed budget that included a budget message, a proposed budget for the general fund and each special revenue fund, and a budget adoption instrument that specified the chief executive's authority to make budgetary amendments without approval of the governing authority. Furthermore, the proposed expenditures did not exceed estimated funds to be available during the period (R.S. 39:1305).
3. The proposed budget was submitted to the governing authority and made available for public inspection at least 15 days prior to the beginning of the budget year (R.S. 39:1306).
4. To the extent that proposed expenditures were greater than $500,000, we have made the budget available for public inspection and have advertised its availability in our official journal. The advertisement included the date, time, and place of the public hearing on the budget. Notice has also been published certifying that all actions required by the Local Government Budget Act have been completed (R.S. 39:1307).
5. If required, the proposed budget was made available for public inspection at the location required by R.S. 39:1308.
6. All action necessary to adopt and finalize the budget was completed prior to the date required by state law. The adopted budget contained the same information as that required for the proposed budget (R.S. 39:1309).
7. After adoption, a certified copy of the budget has been retained by the chief executive officer or equivalent officer (R.S. 39:1309).
8. To the extent that proposed expenditures were greater than $500,000, the chief executive officer or equivalent notified the governing authority in writing during the year when actual receipts plus projected revenue collections for the year failed to meet budgeted revenues by five percent or more, or when actual expenditures plus projected expenditures to year end exceeded budgeted expenditures by five percent or more (R.S. 39:1311).
9. The governing authority has amended its budget when notified, as provided by R.S. 39:1311. (Note, general and special revenue fund budgets should be amended, regardless of the amount of expenditures in the fund, when actual receipts plus projected revenue collections for the year fail to meet budgeted revenues by five percent or more; or when actual expenditures plus projected expenditures to year end exceed budgeted expenditures by five percent or more. State law exempts from the amendment requirements special revenue funds with anticipated expenditures of $500,000 or less, and exempts special revenue funds whose revenues are expenditure-driven - primarily federal funds-from the requirement to amend revenues.)
Yes [X ] No [ ]
B. State Budget Requirements
1. The state agency has complied with the budgetary requirements of R.S. 39:33.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
C. Licensing Boards
1. The licensing board has complied with the budgetary requirements of R.S. 39:1331-1342.
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
PART V. ACCOUNTING, AUDITING, AND FINANCIAL
REPORTING LAWS
12. We have maintained our accounting records in such a manner as to provide evidence of legal compliance and the preparation of annual financial statements to comply with R.S. 24:513 and 515, and/or 33:463.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
13. All non-exempt governmental records are available as a public record and have been retained for at least three years, as required by R.S. 44:1, 44:7, 44:31, and 44:36.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
14. We have filed our annual financial statements in accordance with R.S. 24:514, and 33:463 where applicable
. Yes [ X ] No [ ]
15. We have had our financial statements audited in a timely manner in accordance with R.S. 24:513.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
16. We have complied with R.S. 24:513 A. (3) regarding disclosure of compensation, reimbursements, benefits and other payments to the agency head, political subdivision head, or chief executive officer.
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
PART VI. MEETINGS
17. We have complied with the provisions of the Open Meetings Law, provided in R. S. 42:11 through 42:28.
Yes [ X] No [ ]PART VII. ASSET MANAGEMENT LAWS
18. We have maintained records of our fixed assets and movable property records, as required by R.S. 24:515 and/or 39:321-332, as applicable.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
PART VIII. FISCAL AGENCY AND CASH MANAGEMENT LAWS
19. We have complied with the fiscal agency and cash management requirements of R.S. 39:1211-45 and 49:301-327, as applicable.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
PART IX. DEBT RESTRICTION LAWS
20. It is true we have not incurred any long-term indebtedness without the approval of the State Bond Commission, as provided by Article VII, Section 8 of the 1974 Louisiana Constitution, Article VI, Section 33 of the 1974 Louisiana Constitution, and R.S. 39:1410.60-1410.65.
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
21. We have complied with the debt limitation requirements of state law (R.S. 39:562).
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
22. We have complied with the reporting requirements relating to the Fiscal Review Committee of the State Bond Commission (R.S. 39:1410.62).
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
PART X. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE RESTRICTION LAWS
23. We have restricted the collections and expenditures of revenues to those amounts authorized by Louisiana statutes, tax propositions, and budget ordinances.
Yes [ X] No [ ]
24. It is true we have not advanced wages or salaries to employees or paid bonuses in violation of Article VII, Section 14 of the 1974 Louisiana Constitution, R.S. 14:138, and AG opinion 79-729.
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
25. It is true that no property or things of value have been loaned, pledged, or granted to anyone in violation of Article VII, Section 14 of the 1974 Louisiana Constitution.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
PART XI. ISSUERS OF MUNICIPAL SECURITIES
26. It is true that we have complied with the requirements of R.S. 39:1438.C.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
PART XI. QUESTIONS FOR SPECIFIC GOVERNMENTAL UNITS
School Boards
27. We have complied with the general statutory, constitutional, and regulatory provisions of the Louisiana Department of Education, R.S. 17:51-401.
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
28. We have complied with the regulatory circulars issued by the Louisiana Department of Education that govern the Minimum Foundation Program.
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
29. We have, to the best of our knowledge, accurately compiled the performance measurement data contained in the following schedules and recognize that your agreed-upon procedures will be applied to such schedules and performance measurement data:
Parish school boards are required to report, as part of their annual financial statements, measures of performance. These performance indicators are found in the supplemental schedules:
- Schedule 1, General Fund Instructional and Support Expenditures and Certain Local
Revenue Sources
- Schedule 2, Education Levels of Public School Staff
- Schedule 3, Number and Type of Public Schools
- Schedule 4, Experience of Public Principals, Assistant Principals, and Full-time Classroom Teachers
- Schedule 5, Public School Staff Data: Average Salaries
- Schedule 6, Class Size Characteristics
- Schedule 7, Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP)
- Schedule 8, Graduation Exit Examination (GEE) (Note: this schedule is no longer applicable.)
- Schedule 9, iLEAP Tests
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
Tax Collectors
31. We have complied with the general statutory requirements of R.S. 47.
Yes [X ] No [ ]
The previous responses have been made to the best of our belief and knowledge.
___________________________________Secretary__August 9, 2016_________Date
___________________________________Treasurer_ August 9, 2016 ________Date
___________________________________President__ August 9, 2016________Date
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve the Headstart request to apply for Duration Supplement and start up funds to increase hours in Headstart program, and the means necessary to serve 40% of enrolled Headstart children at least 1020 hours per year to meet Headstart Guidelines.
On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve Headstart request for a 1.8% COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment), $31,488 to assist grantees in increasing offset costs associated with salaries, fringe benefits and higher operating costs.
On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to approve the contract for the principal at West Leesville Elementary School.
On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Sandra Whitlock, the Board voted to approve the following employee retirements:
Johnson, Gregory/cook/VMS
Brenda Paddy, lease bus driver/NPE
Thomas, Georgia, teacher/LHS
Nabors, Isaac, bus driver/VMS
Angie Davis reported that the Athletic Committee had met and Hub Jordan noted that quarterly meeting were scheduled for the Committee and he has also scheduled monthly meetings with all athletic directors. Mr. Jordan gave an update on LHSAA rules and regulations regarding eligibility and attendance zones.
Sandra Whitlock reported that the Curriculum Committee met on July and were briefed on the growth and expansion of IBC’s (Industry Based Certifications) – numerous secondary teachers attended training and received certifications to teach various courses in our high schools. Mrs. Page also presented preliminary school scores – these scores are being analyzed to provide support to teachers and administrators. No action was taken.
On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
Superintendent Williams stated that “Notice is hereby given pursuant to Article 7, Section 23© of the Louisiana Constitution and R.S. 47:1705(B) that a public hearing of the Vernon Parish School Board will be held at its regular meeting place in the board room of Vernon Parish School Board, located at 201 Belview Road, Leesville, LA 71446 on September 1, 2016 at 10:00AM to consider adopting the adjusted millage rates after reassessment and rolling forward to rates not to exceed the prior year’s maximum.”
Superintendent Williams also again thanked our Partners in Education for their time and dedication to the schools.
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 Beulah Gail Maddox Durbin who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Durbin was the sister of Carolyn Cook, cafeteria manager, sister-law-law of Carolyn Maddox, retired teacher, the aunt of Stacy Cook, paraprofessional and the mother-in-law of Cassandra Durbin, cook at Pitkin High School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Durbin 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.
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 wishes to express their condolences to the family of Karen LaCaze who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. LaCaze was the sister-in-law of Wayne LaCaze and the aunt of Danna Lacaze, custodians at Pitkin High School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. LaCaze was a resident of Pitkin 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.
There being no further business, and on motion of Randy Martin, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
________________________
DAVID DETZ, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
__________________________________
JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT