December 7, 2017 

 

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

DOUG BRANDON

DAVID DETZ

VERNON L. TRAVIS JR.

JIM SEAMAN

ROBERT PYNES JR.

JACKIE SELF

RANDY MARTIN

SHAD STEWART

COL. JARRETT THOMAS II

 

ABSENT:         

GERALD COOLEY

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

                       

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by Doug Brandon

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Doug Brandon

 

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the November 7, 2017 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Mr. & Mrs. Willie Banks reported on the dictionary project being conducted in the Vernon Parish third grade classes.  They reported that every child in the 3rd grade has received a dictionary.  This has been an ongoing project which started when Dr. Cindy Gillespie was Superintendent and continues to benefit our children.  Mr. Banks reported that they had given out 10, 000 dictionaries over the years.

 

Ms. Kem Johnson and Chad Hagan were present at the meeting to give and updated report on the 4-H projects going on in the Vernon Parish Schools which are many.  Our 4-H program is the largest in the state.  We have several students who qualified at the state level.

 

Some of the 2017-2018 Vernon Parish 4-H service projects include the following:

 

1.         Stuffed animals for the Louisiana Lion’s Camp Carnival Nights

2.         Christmas for CASA children

3.         Coastal erosion projects – planting marsh grasses

4.         Seedling Sales for Calcasieu Soil & Water’s education programming

5.         Backpack Project  providing nutrition for kids in need

6.         Ronald McDonald House

7.         Relay for Life for raising funds for this year’s Relay event to fight cancer

 

Mr. Williams thanked the 4-H leaders for their hard work.

 

Mrs. Bosley introduced the 2018 Vernon Parish Principals of the Year.  2018 Elementary School Principal of the Year is Mrs. Leigh Lansdale – Pickering Elementary.

2018 Middle School Principal of the Year is Mrs. Angel Williams – Leesville Junior High School.

2018 High School Principal of the year is Mr. Johnny Bosley – Rosepine High School

 

Mr. Curtis Clay presented the Headstart report to the Board and discussed the policies and procedures for approval at the next meeting.   On Motion of Vernon Travis and seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to add the Headstart policies and procedures to the December 12th meeting for approval.

 

Mr. Hub Jordan discussed the following Policy Change: Smoking/Tobacco use on School Board property – The use of any tobacco product, smokeless tobacco, or any smoking object/device, including but not limited to electronic cigarettes, advanced personal vaporizers, vape pens, vape mods and similar devices, shall be prohibited on and in all School Board property and vehicles, and a all school-sponsored or school approved functions.

 

The next Policy Changes were discussed by Tim Ward and Mike Kay.

 

Mr. Ward explained the sale of buildings and land and Mr. Kay explained the new changes on recruitment and sick leave.

 

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Angie Davis the Board voted to add to the December 12th agenda for approval.

 

Mr. Vernon Travis reported on the Salary/Personnel Committee meeting.  He discussed the stipend distribution for employees and schools according to their ratings.  Mr. Travis also discussed three employee contract extensions presented in the Salary/Personnel Committee.

 

On motion of Jackie Self, and seconded by Doug Brandon the Board voted to add to the December 12th agenda for approval the employee contract extensions.

 

Vernon Travis presented an overview on the current status from the Finance Committee meeting.  Due to personnel changes, increase in insurance rates and retirement benefits the savings have not been what we had expected.

 

Mr. Ward gave the Budget report for the fiscal year 2017-2018 and the budget adjustments.  He also reported on the Revised Budget General Operating Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018.

 

On motion of Vernon Travis and seconded by Jackie Self the Board voted to add to the December 12th meeting for approval of the Revised General Operating Funds Budget 2017-2018.

 

Mr. Jordan and Mr. Kay also informed the Board on School Security Procedures and plans to update school security.

 

On motion of Angie Davis and seconded by Vernon Travis the Board Voted to allow principals to request compensation for employee summer work.

 

Superintendent’s Remarks:

 

Mr. Williams introduced Colonel Thomas and asked for his comments.  Col. Thomas informed the Board that January 9th-12th students from Parkway Elementary and North Polk Elementary would be assisting in the emergency shelter kits.

 

Colonel Thomas also informed the Board that beginning December 18th Fort Polk soldiers will be taking time off.

 

Mr. Williams called attention to the Christmas Dinner invitation to the Board and Colonel Thomas given by the School Board office employees.

 

He explained the artwork in the lobby which is part of the Louisiana School Board Association Art Contest. A parish winner from K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 will be submitted to the LSBA state contest which will be held at the LSBA Convention in February.  All artwork submitted to the State Contest will be on display at the state conventions.

 

Mr. Williams commented on the local schools in conjunction with the Leesville Ministerial Alliance, KALB-TV and the Food Bank of Central Louisiana collecting food for the Christmas Cheer Food Drive.  Food will be collected on December 11th.

 

Mr. Williams reminded the Board that the 2018 board meeting dates, policy updates, and basketball tournament schedules were in their folders.

 

Mr. Williams reminded the Board that the Transportation Committee Meeting will be December 12th   at 9:00 AM and the Curriculum Committee Meeting will be 9:30 AM.

 

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 to the family of Bessie Huff who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Huff was a retired cafeteria technician for the Vernon Parish School System; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Huff was a resident of Leesville, LA and 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 his family at this time of sadness.

 

On motion of Jim Seaman, 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 Randall Dowden who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Dowden was a retired Maintenance employee for the Vernon Parish School System; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Dowden was a resident of Leesville, LA and will be greatly missed by his family and friends; now

            BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a cop of this memorial resolution be sent to his family at this time of sadness.

 

On motion of Robert Pynes, Jr. 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 Laura Shirley who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Shirley was a retired Librarian for the Vernon Parish School System; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Shirley was a resident of DeRidder, LA and 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 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 sympathy to the family of David “Bubba” Haymon who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Haymon was the brother of  Sandra Cosio, a former Supervisor , brother of Tammy Schamerhorn, retired teacher,  uncle to Randi Gleason, former Board Member and nephew of Gene Haymon, former Board member  of the Vernon Parish School System; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Haymon was a resident of Slagle, La and 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 Doug Brandon, 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 Rodney Monk who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Monk was the husband of Glenda Monk, Head Custodian at Hicks High School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Monk was a resident of Lacamp, LA and will be greatly missed by his family and friends; and 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 Shad Stewart, 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 Harlis Lee Johnson and Nola Faye Johnson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were the parents of Nancy Lockhart and the in-laws of Betty Johnson, bus drivers for the Vernon Parish School System.  Mrs. Nola Faye Johnson was a retired bus driver for the Vernon Parish School System. 

            WHEREAS, Mr. & Mrs. Johnson were residents of Pitkin, LA and will be greatly missed by their family and friends; now

            BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to their 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