MARCH 13, 2018
DRAFT
THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION THE 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
DOUG BRANDON
DAVID DETZ
JIM SEAMAN
ROBERT PYNES JR.
JACKIE SELF
RANDY MARTIN
SHAD STEWART
GERALD COOLEY
ABSENT: VERNON TRAVIS, JR. – VICE-PRESIDENT
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
COL. JARRETT THOMAS
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
Item #1:
On motion of David Detz, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the March 8, 2018 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Item #2:
On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to approve the budget amendments related to personnel changes.
Item #3:
On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Gerald Cooley, the Board voted to approve the president and secretary to pay the claims.
Item #4:
On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to accept employee retirements.
Item #5:
On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to approve the Headstart Policies/Procedures presented at the March 8th meeting.
Item #6:
On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the resolution for continuing the Consolidated Application for program funding for Titles I, II, III, IV, V and IDEA Pre – School.
Item #7:
On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to approve the new policy update on Industrial Tax Exemptions.
Item #8:
On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to approve the request to participate in the Buy Board National Purchasing Cooperative.
Item #9:
On motion of David Detz, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to adopt a resolution approving an Equipment Purchase Agreement to be entered into by the Parish School Board of the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana, for the acquisition of school buses, authorizing the execution of such Agreement and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Item #10: Fort Polk Progress/Website
Curriculum Director, Renita Page welcomed Mike Reese, spokesperson for Fort Polk Progress. Mr. Reese explained to the Board and our visitors the purpose of the Fort Polk Progress/Website. The website is being developed to provide information for new soldiers and their families moving to Fort Polk. This will enable new families to inquire about education for their children and employment in our area for their spouses This website is being funded by Fort Polk Progress for $31,569.75
Item #11: Student of the Year Recognition
Curriculum Supervisor, Carolyn Bosley, introduced the twenty-five 2017-2018 Vernon Parish Student of the Year School Level Winners and the three District Winners. The students were presented with plaques and pictures made with their principal, Board Member and Superintendent, James Williams. Mr. Williams also congratulated each student for their accomplishment.
Item #12: Employee of the Month
Finance Director, Tim Ward introduced Scott Walker with Taylor and Sons Insurance. Mr. Walker presented Cynthia Allison, Title I Paraprofessional at East Leesville Elementary with the Employee of the Month award. Principal, Ramona Bennett thanked Ms. Allison for her hard work and dedicated attendance.
Item #13: MFP Financial Update:
Finance Director, Tim Ward gave the Board a printout of the Vernon Parish School Student Counts Total and MFP. Most of the decrease of students is from military transfers. The count on October 1, 2011 was 10,181. The count on February 1, 2018 was 8841. We still have a +27 increase in MFP count.
Item #14: Curriculum Committee Report
Curriculum Committee chairman, Jackie Self gave an update on the 9:00 Curriculum Committee meeting. He discussed the following to be implemented in our curricula:
1. ESSA Promotion – Policy
2. Kindergarten – ARC Core Reading Program
3. High School Accountability
4. High School Night of Discovery
Item #15: Superintendent’s Remarks
Superintendent, James Williams introduced Director of Special Education, Charlotte Cooper. Ms. Cooper headed the Black History Month programs conducted in the Vernon Parish Schools. Ms. Elisha Thomas, wife of Colonel Jarrett Thomas, Ms. Gloria Orgain, and three students from Ms. Orgain’s class gave a short version of their program at Parkway Elementary. The theme of the celebration was “GLOW”.
G – Giving, Service, Philanthropy
L – Light
O – Overcoming Obstacles
W – Wisdom
Mr. Williams thanked our visitors for allowing the Board to share in their program. He also congratulated the students of the year for their accomplishments and the teachers, support personnel, volunteers and the Board Members for their support in all our programs.
Mr. Williams reminded the Board of the Academic Awards Day scheduled for May 7th and our next Board Meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 5th at 10:00.
Item #16: Memorial Resolutions
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by the board, the Board voted to adopt 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 Bobby Moore who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Moore was the husband of Billie Lou Moore, a retired cook at Pickering High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Moore was a former resident of Vernon Parish; 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 Jackie Self, seconded by the Board the meeting was adjourned.
Authorized Officer
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ANGIE DAVIS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT