JULY 12, 2018

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

VERNON TRAVIS, JR., VICE-PRESIDENT

DAVID DETZ

JIM SEAMAN

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JACKIE SELF

RANDY MARTIN

SHAD STEWART

STEVE WOODS

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

GERALD COOLEY

DOUG BRANDON

COL. JARRETT THOMAS

ABSENT:

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:

 Reverend Mark Christian, guest of Randy Martin

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:

Reverend Mark Christian, guest of Randy Martin

Roll Call by:

 Superintendent James Williams

Item # 1: June 12, 2018 Minutes

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the June 12, 2018 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2:  Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for the Vernon Parish School Board and the Vernon Parish Sales Tax Agency

Finance Director, Tim Ward informed the Board concerning information in the two questionnaires on Item #2 and informed the Board that all questions had been answered for auditors.  The Board was given a copy of both questionnaires.

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by David Detz, 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.

Item #3:  Update of Vernon Parish School Board Policies

Additions to the following policies were discussed by Director of Child Welfare and Attendance, Hub Jordan:

1.  File: BC (School Board Meetings: unanimous approval of the members of the School Board present)

2.  File:  DJA (Authorized Signatures:   School checking accounts – with the approval of the Superintendent)

3.  File: GBRIBA (FMLA: The Family and Medical Act provide eligible employees the opportunity to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons.

4.  File:  JCAB (Student Searches:   Students shall have no expectation of privacy in use of the lockers which have been assigned to them.  Any student not present during the search shall be informed of the search immediately thereafter.

File: JGC (Student Health Services: No student shall receive any type of service unless the required standardized school health forms as outlined in Health  and Safety, Bulletin 135 have been signed, returned to school, and have been filed in the clinic.

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to add to the July 17th agenda for approval.

Item # 4:  Update of the Vernon Parish School Board Policy Handbook

Hub Jordan also discussed the changes to the changes to the Vernon Parish School Board Policy Handbook.  On May 17th, the Vernon Parish Student Handbook Committee made up of Principals and the Child Welfare and Attendance Director, Hub Jordan, made recommendations for the following changes to the Parish Student Handbook:

1.  Page 9 – Delete:  Designs, colors, and/or styles that distract from the learning environment and/or student’s performance are prohibited.

2. Page 14 – Delete:  At least two parent-teacher conferences shall be scheduled during the first semester. (there will be (1) one parent-teacher conference per semester)

3.  Page 35 – New Policy:  All Vernon Parish Schools have a closed campus therefore there can be NO outside commercial food in our cafeterias.

4.  Page 36 – New Law (Act 266 HB 79) Prohibits the administration of corporal punishment in all public elementary and secondary schools to students with exceptionalities, except gifted and talented students, also prohibits the use of corporal punishment with students who are eligible for services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and who have an Individual Accommodation Plan.

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Shad Stewart the Board voted to add to the July 17th agenda for approval.  There were two nay votes, Vernon Travis and Randy Martin.

Item #5:  Review of Vernon Parish School Board Website

Curriculum Directors Renita Page and Anne Smith informed the Board of the changes to the Web Site and how beneficial the changes are for everyone, especially the military families moving to Fort Polk.  She and Ms. Smith gave a very informative presentation of the website.  Special appreciation was given to Mike Reese with the Fort Polk Progress Committee, Supervisor of Technology, William Lohman, Rosepine High School Assistant Principal, Jerome Henson, Col. and Mrs. Thomas and all who worked so diligently to create the new website.

Item #6: Report from Salary/Personnel Committee

Assistant Superintendent/Personnel Director, Mike Kay reported on the personnel changes for July, 2018.  He also discussed the advertising for Assistant Principals after the July 17th meeting.  He discussed personnel reduction for the 2018-2019 school year.  Food Service Director, Joey Whiddon discussed the requirements for increasing lunch prices and the Board asked to continue the discussion in the Finance meeting on Tuesday, July 17th.

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to continue discussion on the July 17th Finance meeting.

Item #7:  Report from Curriculum Committee

Curriculum Directors, Anne Smith and Renita Page gave an update on the timeline for school performance scores to be in, which should be in September or October, 2018 and how this will affect our ratings.   They discussed the changes from the BESE Board and how they will apply to our students and teachers for next year.  Ms. Smith and Ms. Page also explained the ACT 250, 2018 LEAP 2025 Key Trends, and dual enrollment academic performance policy effective spring semester 2019.

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Angie Davis, the board voted to add to the July  17th  agenda the addendum to the Pupil Progression Plan for approval.

Item #8:  Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent Williams welcomed all to the meeting and asked Col. Thomas to update the Board on Fort Polk events and changes.  Col. Thomas informed the Board of the following:

1.  Two Change of commands

2.  Military Appreciation Parade on July 14 in Leesville sponsored by the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce

3.  Continued growth and progress at Parkway Elementary with radio stations and interviews promoting

Mr. Williams introduced Supervisor, Carolyn Bosley and asked her to address the Board concerning Teacher of the Year progress.  Ms. Bosley informed the Board that Kristen Bruce a teacher at Pickering High School is this year’s candidate for teacher of the year.  She will be attending a gala in Baton Rouge on 7-27-18 where the winner will be announced. 

Mr. Williams discussed the upcoming test scores on the new website and thanked all who worked so hard to make the changes.  A special thanks to Jerome Henson.

Mr. Williams reminded the Board of the qualifying forms in their folders to be filled out and turned in by the deadline date.  He also reminded the Board of the Southern Regional Conference in Baton Rouge.

Superintendent, Williams thanked everyone for their prayers and condolences during this time of sadness with the loss of his Father.

Regular meeting on Tuesday, July 17th at 10:00 and Finance meeting at 9:00.  Lunch at Ranch House.

Item #10:  Memorial Resolutions

On motion of Vernon Travis, Jr., 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 Billie Dean Williams who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was the Father of Vernon Parish School Board Superintendent, James Williams and father-in-law of Linda C. Williams a former teacher at Leesville Junior High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was a long time resident of Vernon Parish; now

            BE IT THEREFOR 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, Jr., 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 Jackie Aaron Small who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Small was the Mother of Kristi Mikel Perkins, Leesville High School teacher and coach; and

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

On motion of Vernon Travis, Jr., 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 Theresa Myles who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Myles was the sister-in-law of Joseph Sowells, an administrator at Leesville High School; and

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

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

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ANGIE DAVIS, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

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JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT