SEPTEMBER 7, 2017
DRAFT
THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. PRESIDENT WOODS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
STEVE WOODS, PRESIDENT
ANGIE DAVIS, VICE-PRESIDENT
DAVID DETZ
VERNON L. TRAVIS JR.
JIM SEAMAN
ROBERT PYNES JR.
JACKIE SELF
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
GERALD COOLEY
COL. JARRETT THOMAS II
ABSENT: Doug Brandon, Randy Martin, Shad Stewart
There was also present Mr. James Williams, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Jim Seaman.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jim Seaman.
On motion of David Detz, seconded by Robert Pynes, Jr., the Board voted to approve the minutes of the August 8, 2017 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Wesley Coffman and Brain Churchman from the Cattleman’s Association made a presentation and requested the Vernon Parish School Board add to the calendar, an annual field day for interested students during fair week.
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to approve the change order for Pickering construction.
Vernon Travis reported from the Finance Committee meeting that Tim Ward, Finance Director discussed the Budget for the 2017-2018 school year and recommended the budget to be placed on the September 12, 2017 agenda to be approved. On motion of Vernon Travis and seconded by James Seaman, the Board approved the recommendation.
Vernon Travis reported on the discussion from the Salary/Personnel Committee.
The following items were discussed: Reduction in personnel, recommendation to approve contract for the Pickering High School Principal, advertising for an Assistant Principal at Pickering High School, and to change the title of Technology Director to Technology Administrator and to advertise for the position of Technology Administrator.
On motion of Vernon Travis and seconded by Jackie Self, the Board approved to add to September 12th Agenda to approve the contract for Pickering High School Principal.
On motion of Vernon Travis and seconded by David Detz, the Board approved to add to September 12th Agenda to advertise for the Assistant Principal position at Pickering High School.
On motion of Vernon Travis and seconded by Angie Davis, the Board approved to add to September 12th Agenda to change the title of Technology Director to Technology Administrator.
On motion of Vernon Travis and seconded by James Seaman, the Board approved to add to September 12th Agenda to advertise for the position of Technology Administrator.
Colonel Thomas gave an update on the military response to hurricane Harvey. Colonel Thomas also invited everyone to attend the 9-11 Remembrance ceremony to be held at Warrior Memorial on September 11th at 9:00 am. He also reported on the deployment plans and thanked the Vernon Parish School Board and employees for their support to military families during deployment.
Superintendent Williams welcomed visitors and guests to the board meeting. He then discussed hurricane Harvey and the effects of the flooding and how it effects school closures and his concerns to make sure students and employees are not put in harm’s way.
On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolutions:
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 Willie Miller who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Miller was a former custodian at Leesville High School and was the brother of Louis Smith, custodian at East Leesville Elementary; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Miller 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.
On motion of Jackie Self, 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 sincere sympathy to the family of Henry “Bodie” Wilson, Jr. who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson was the husband of Laura Wilson, cafeteria manager at West Leesville Elementary, the father of Jennifer Carter, paraprofessional at Vernon Middle and the brother of Brenda Dowden, retired teacher at East Leesville; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson was a longtime resident of Leesville and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends; and
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 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 sympathy to the family of Dr. Otis Biggs who recently passed away;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Biggs was a former employee of the Vernon Parish School Board conducting drug screenings and physicals for all employees.
WHEREAS, Dr. Biggs 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.
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 wish to express their sympathy for the family of Phyllis Lapsley who recently passed away;
and
WHEREAS, Phyllis Lapsley was the daughter of Wanda Lapsley, a Special Education Paraprofessional at Leesville High School.
WHEREAS, Ms. Lapsley will be greatly missed by her friends and family; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution to 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.
__________________________
STEVE WOODS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
__________________________
JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT