AUGUST 2, 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:

ANGIE DAVIS - PRESIDENT

VERNON TRAVIS - VICE-PRESIDENT

DOUG BRANDON

JIM SEAMAN

ROBERT PYNES JR.

JACKIE SELF

RANDY MARTIN

SHAD STEWART

GERALD COOLEY

STEVE WOODS

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

COL. JARRETT THOMAS

ABSENT:          DAVID DETZ

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   Reverend Joseph Garner

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:    Vernon Travis

Roll Call

Item #1: July 17, 2018 Minutes

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the July 17, 2018 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2:  Millage Rates for Tax Year 2018:

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Gerald Cooley, the Board voted to adopt the millage rates for tax year 2018.

Item #3:  Policy Updates:

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to add to the August 7^th agenda for approval the additional wording for policy file:  JCDB:

Mr. Hub Jordan, Director of Child Welfare presented the policy updates to the Board.

 NOTIFICATION:  The School Board shall notify the parent or guardian of each student of the dress code specification and their effective date.

ADDED:  The dress code shall be distributed in written form or posted on the school’s website annually.

 BODY ARMOR:  It shall be unlawful and against School Board policy for any student or non-student to wear or posses on his/her person, at any time, body armor on any School Board property, school campus, at a school-sponsored function, on a school bus or other school transportation, or in a firearm-free zone, with limited exceptions as enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. S14:95.9

ADDED: which includes permitting a student to wear, carry or possess a backpack on school property or a school bus that has bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury.

School-sponsored functions shall include, but not limited to, athletic competitions, dances, parties, or any extracurricular activities.  A firearm-free zone means any area inclusive of any school campus and within 1,000 feet of any such school campus, and within a school bus,

ADDED:  wherein the possession of firearms is prohibited, except as specifically set forth in La.Rev.Stat.Ann.  SS14:95.2© and 14:95.6(B)

Item# 4:  Vernon Parish School Board Emergency Guide for Parents:

Mr. Hub Jordan, Child Welfare Director also explained the emergency guide for parent’s pamphlet which will be given to all parents of Vernon Parish students.  The pamphlet will instruct parents how to communicate with their school to work together if an emergency arises.

Item #5: Schedule of School Opening Events:

Curriculum Directors Renita Page and Anne Smith updated the Board on the School Opening Events Agenda for the Principals’ and Assistant Principals’ Workshop held at East Leesville Elementary Multipurpose Building on July 31 and August 1.  They commented that the workshop was very informative and helpful for all Administrators.

Ms. Page and Ms. Smith went over the workshop dates beginning August 6^th – August 9^th for employees.

They also reminded the Board about the back to school Cafeteria Conversation & Resource Fair to be held at Parkway Elementary on August 2^nd from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A representative from every school will attend.

Item #6:  Special Education Update:

Director of Special Education, Charlotte Cooper gave a report on the number of children in the Special Education programs and the different programs offered.

Item#7:  Report from Salary Personnel:

Vernon Travis, Salary Personnel chairperson reported to the Board that Mike Kay, Assistant Superintendent presented the August 7^th personnel changes for approval.  On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Steve Woods the Board voted to add to the August 7^th agenda for approval.

He reported that Mr. Kay also discussed the performance contracts for four new assistant principals, the campaign finance training on online for Board Members, and the form 403 School Board Disclosure Statement deadline to complete 30 days after school starts.

Item # 8: Report from Finance Committee:

Director of Finance, Tim Ward discussed the software package proposal and changing meal expense reimbursement for travel approvals.  The new software package will benefit the personnel department, payroll, and school payrolls.  The request for proposal was on piggyback from Franklin Parish.

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to add to the August 7^th agenda approval to purchase the software program.

Mr. Ward discussed meal expense reimbursement on travel approvals being below state pay guidelines and requested the Board to update payment for meals on travel according to their guidelines.

 On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to add to the August 7^th agenda to adopt the state travel pay rate guidelines.

Item # 9:  Superintendent’s Remarks:

Superintendent James Williams opened with thanks to Lester Keys for filling in for Mr. Asa Skinner’s absence.  He also thanked the Curriculum department and Special Education Director, Charlotte Cooper for their hard work and long hours preparing for the principal workshops, the Cafeteria Conversation to be held at Parkway Elementary on August 2^nd and assisting principals with school opening.

Mr. Williams introduced Col. Thomas and asked for an update from Fort Polk.

Col. Thomas informed the Board that the military families were very happy with the new website and how helpful it has been for all.  He welcomed everyone to attend the Cafeteria Conversation & Resource Fair at Parkway today from 5-7 PM.  Mr. Williams also thanked Telisha Thomas for her involvement with parents and students.  He also thanked her for the positive comments in her article in the Fort Polk Progress report.

Ward I Board Member, Jim Seaman informed every one of the topics of discussion at the School Board Members Annual Conference.

Item # 10:  Memorial Resolutions:

On motion of Doug Brandon, 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 Naven Guillory who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Guillory was the Father of Leah Rebecca Cyr, RTI teacher at North Polk Elementary and Parkway Elementary; and

            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 Shad Stewart, 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 James McKee who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. McKee was a retired maintenance employee of the Vernon Parish School Board and a long time resident of Vernon Parish; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. McKee was the Father of Pamela Willis, counselor at Pitkin High School and the Grandfather of James Landon McKee (Red), employed at the Central Office in the maintenance department.

            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 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 Donna Milam who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Milam was the sister-in-law of Asa Skinner, Board Attorney and Karen Skinner, retired teacher and counselor of the Vernon Parish School Board.

            WHEREAS, Ms. Milam was a former resident of Vernon Parish; and

            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 Jim Seaman, 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 Sethie D. Governale who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Governale was the Mother of Barbara Governale, Special Education Diagnostician at the Central Office.

            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 was no other business and meeting was adjourned.

Authorized Officer

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ANGIE DAVIS, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

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JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT