February 1, 2018

DRAFT

THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA.  PRESIDENT DAVIS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:

ANGIE DAVIS, PRESIDENT

VERNON TRAVIS, VICE-PRESIDENT

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

DOUG BRANDON

GERALD COOLEY

DAVID DETZ

JIM SEAMAN

JACKIE SELF

ROBERT PYNES JR.

STEVE WOODS

SHAD STEWART

ABSENT:       

RANDY MARTIN

COL. THOMAS

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by: Vernon Travis

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: Vernon Travis

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 18, 2018 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

The second item on the agenda was recognition of Teacher of the Year.  Carolyn Bosley, Elementary Curriculum Supervisor discussed criteria and qualifications for Teacher of the Year.  Ms. Bosley introduced the semi-finalists to the Board in the following order:  Mary Ian McDonald from West Leesville Elementary, Brandi Frey from Rosepine High School and Kristen Bruce from Pickering High School. 

The third item on the agenda was the Headstart report. Mr. Curtis Clay, Headstart Director, presented the Headstart report and requested approval at the February 6^th meeting for the Vernon Parish Headstart policies and procedures for documenting non-federal share(In-Kind) and the Vernon Parish Headstart Financial Procedure Manual.

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to add to the February 6^th agenda for approval.

The fourth item on the agenda was the Introduction to SRCL Grant. Curriculum Directors Anne Smith and Renita Page reported on the (SRCL) grant, Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Grant.  Ms. Smith explained to the Board the purpose of the grant is to advance the pre-literacy skills, reading and writing skills of disadvantaged youth, birth to 5-year-olds and Kindergarten to grade 5. Curriculum Supervisor Leslie Koenck discussed the 5 school sites which are East Leesville Elementary, North Polk Elementary, West Leesville Elementary, Pitkin and Evans.  Curriculum Supervisor Carolyn Bosley discussed proposals for Elementary K-5.  Two Board Members, John Blankenbaker and Angie Davis asked questions about testing concerns.

The fifth item on the agenda was the Transportation Committee Report.

Jim Seaman, chairperson gave an update for the Transportation Committee given by the Director of Transportation, Tom Neubert .  Mr. Seaman informed the Board about Mr. Neubert’s discussion on board owned and private owned buses.  He also discussed the hiring of the Level III mechanic to assist the present mechanic employed at the bus barn. 

The sixth item on the agenda was the Salary/Personnel Committee Report.

Vernon Travis, chairperson gave an update for the Salary/Personnel Committee.   He reported that the Assistant Superintendent, Mike Kay presented the personnel changes for February to be added to the February 6^th agenda for approval. Mr. Travis also explained the different teacher stipends to be mailed February 16^th which was reported by Mr. Kay.  Mr. Travis also discussed student count reported by Mr. Kay.

The seventh item on the agenda was the Superintendent’s Remarks.

Superintendent, James Williams explained the additional minutes added to students for the seven weather days missed.

He also discussed student absences due to the flu.  Mr. Williams said he had contacted principals and discussed the following suggestions for coping with student illness.

1.  Extra cleaning in the schools

2.  Issuing hand soap, sanitizers and tissues for students

3.  Have school nurses be more involved and helping students

4.  Principals need to communicate with parents concerning illnesses

Superintendent Williams announced the Quiz Bowl to be held at First Baptist Church in Leesville on February 15^th at 8:00 A.M.

Superintendent Williams also reminded the Board of the Board picture to be taken March 8^th, the academic banquet on May 7^th and the LSBA 2018 Annual Convention

Registration deadline on February 6^th.  He informed the Board to contact Vernon Travis to assist in registration.

Superintendent Williams congratulated our Teachers’ of the Year semi finalists and how proud he is of their job performance.

Superintendent, Williams informed the Board of the committee meetings on Tuesday, February 6^th.    The District One meeting will be at 8:30,  the Curriculum Committee meeting at 9:00, the Athletic Committee meeting at 9:30 and the regular meeting

 at 10:00 .

On motion of Gerald Cooley, 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 Billie Graig Jeane who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Jeane was the father of Kimberleigh Welch a teacher at Vernon Middle School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Jeane 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 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 Gardner Vaughn who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS,  Mr. Vaughn was a previous employee of the Vernon Parish School Board; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Vaughn was a former resident of Vernon Parish 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 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 Jacqueline “Jackie” Shaefer who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Shaefer was the sister of Tom Neubert, Director of Transportation and Maintenance and the sister-in-law of Susie Neubert, retired teacher of Vernon Parish.

            WHEREAS, Ms. Shaefer was a resident of Two Rivers, Wisconsin 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 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 Martha Ann Leach Sanderson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Sanderson was the sister-in-law of  former Vernon Parish School Board Superintendent, Creighton Owen; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Sanderson was a former resident of Vernon Parish 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.

There being no further business, and on motion of Jackie Self, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned. 

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ANGIE DAVIS, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT