OCTOBER 4, 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, JR. - VICE-PRESIDENT

DOUG BRANDON

JIM SEAMAN

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JACKIE SELF

RANDY MARTIN

SHAD STEWART

GERALD COOLEY

JOHN BLANKENBAKE

COL. JARRETT THOMAS

 

ABSENT:          David Detz

                        Steve Woods

 

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   GERALD COOLEY

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:    GERALD COOLEY

Roll Call

 

Item #1: September 11, 2018 Minutes

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the September 11, 2018 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Item #2:  Bids for Propane

Tim Ward presented the Board with the following two bids for propane for Simpson, Hicks, and Evans:  Ferrell’s 1.47 and Jim South 1.29.  On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Gerald Cooley, the Board voted to accept the lowest bid.

 

Item #3:  Technology Update

Mr. Bill Lowman, Technology Coordinator presented an update on continued projects which include the following:  Infrastructure, student testing improvements with computers, security camera improvements, networking, filtering, and software and services working on edutyping for students.  All these different projects for technology are being funded by grants and title program funds.

 

Item# 4:  Food Service/Title Programs Update

Mr. Joey Whiddon, Director of Food Service and Title Programs, informed the Board of the costs and number of meals served per day for Vernon Parish school students. 

He also discussed State reimbursement, subsidizing food service account with general fund (101), and federal programs: (ESSA) 2018-2019.  The Title 1 program has budgeted $180,000 for technology in Title 1 schools.

 

Item#5:   Vernon Parish School Board Policy Updates

Mr. Hub Jordan, Director of Child Welfare, presented the Vernon Parish School Board policy updates which were as follows:  Policies in this issue:  (1) Threats of Terrorism or Violence File: (JCDAG) (2) Computer Access and Acceptable Use of the Internet

 (File: IFBGA)  (3) Bullying and Hazing (File:  JCDAF)   NEW POLICY: Threats of Terrorism or Violence File:  (JCDAG)

On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to add the new policy for approval to the October 9th board meeting.

 

Item #6: Report from Salary/Personnel Committee

Vernon Travis reported on the salary/personnel committee meeting to the Board.  He informed the Board of the hiring of an RN.  The Board continued with discussion between RNs and LPNs, the cost, education, and job duties.  Mr. Travis also discussed enrollment at each school and the October board transactions. 

 

Item #7:  Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed everyone to the meeting.  He asked Col. Thomas for an update at Fort Polk and upcoming events.  Col. Thomas informed the Board of three upcoming events.  The regional director will be making his annual visit and will discuss gains in education.  October 18th will be the Stakeholder meeting and October 27th at 9:00 A.M. an educational meeting at Glory Chapel.  He welcomed all to attend.

 

Superintendent Williams discussed the College & Career Night and asked Renita Page to explain to everyone the purpose of this event.  Ms. Page explained to the Board that the purpose of College and Career Night is to introduce high school juniors, seniors, and parents to information about attending college and the different career choices.  There were twenty-five (25) recruiters present to answer questions concerning financial aid or other questions parents and students have about college.  Also Vernon Parish School Counselors attended to assist.

 

Superintendent Williams also reminded that the accountability scores will be released November 8th and we will have a curriculum meeting in November.

 

The Head Start training will be 9:00 AM on October 9th.  Also the Mandatory Ethics training by Jon Guice will be after the Tuesday November 6th board meeting.  He reminded the Board of the next board meeting at 10:00 AM on October 9th.

 

Item#8:  Memorial Resolutions

On motion of Angie Davis, 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 Kennith Harold Baggs who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS,  Mr. Baggs  was a previous Ward II Board Member for the Vernon Parish School Board and his wife Sandra Baggs was employed as a Special Education Paraprofessional; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Baggs was 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.

 

On motion of Angie Davis, 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 Mary Kathren Dowden who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Dowden was a retired school secretary, employed at Anacoco Elementary School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Dowden’s two daughters are teachers at Anacoco Elementary School, Sheila Turnipseed  and Sarah Mault,  son-in-law Ed Turnipseed, counselor at Anacoco High School, daughter-in-law Pam Dowden, Assistant Principal at Anacoco Elementary, and her granddaughter Ariel Dowden, teacher at Simpson High School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Dowden was a 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 her family at this time of sadness.

 

On motion of Angie Davis, 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 Lesa Gail Doyle who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Doyle was the sister of Tina Hall a cafeteria technician at Anacoco Elementary School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Doyle was a 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 her family at this time of sadness.

 

On motion of Angie Davis, 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 Shirley who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Shirley was the Father of Raye Suzette Endris a teacher at Anacoco Elementary and Father-in-law of Will Endris a teacher at Leesville Junior High School; 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 Angie Davis, 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 Rowena Annie Dowden Mitchell who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS,  Ms. Mitchell was the Mother of Judy Dowden, retired secretary at Anacoco High School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Mitchell was a 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 her 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 Frances Brandon Buvens who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Buvens was the sister of Dr. George Douglas Brandon, District One Board Member; 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 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 Verda Farris Koury who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Koury was the Wife of former Bus Driver, Henry Koury,  Mother of Gene Koury, former Board Member, Liz Descant, retired teacher and Principal, and Grandmother of Reagan Koury Merriman former student high school worker for the Vernon Parish School Board; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Koury was a 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 her 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 Rosemary Smith Edwards; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Smith was the Mother of Rhonda Smith Doyle,  former special education paraprofessional, Mother of Robert Smith,  bus driver, Mother-in-Law of Debbie Smith retired teacher, Mother-in-Law of Denise Smith, bus aide, Grandmother of Dustin Smith, teacher/coach and his wife Jomarie Smith, teacher, and Step-Mother of Jeff Edwards,  former teacher; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Smith was a 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 her family at this time of sadness.

 

On motion of John Blankenbaker, 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 Tracy Darlene Perkins who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Perkins was a former Custodian at Rosepine High School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Perkins was the Sister of Vivian Wyatt, teacher at West Leesville Elementary and the Sister-in-law of Ty Wyatt, teacher at Leesville Junior High School; 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 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 David Thomas Newcomb who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Newcomb was a 2017 Graduate of Pickering High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Newcomb was a 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.

 

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 Henry “H.A.” Hank Wilson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson was the Father of retired teacher Brenda K. Dowden  and the Father-in-law of Laura Wilson, Cafeteria Manager at West Leesville Elementary School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson was a 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.

 

On motions 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 Beverly Donaho who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS,      Ms. Donaho was a retired teacher and the Mother of Leslie Lawrence, former employee of the Vernon Parish School Board; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Donaho 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 her 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 Roger Dell Willis who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Willis was a retired teacher, coach, and principal at Pitkin High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Willis was a 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.

 

On motion of Vernon Travis, 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 Sharon Gayle Clifton who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Clifton as a retired Librarian; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Clifton was a resident of Vernon Parish; now

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

 

On motion of Gerald Cooley, 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 with to express their sympathy to the family of Gene Monk who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Monk was the Brother of retired teacher Naomi Roy, Sharon Monk Bailey former employee, and Viva Grant retired teacher.  He was the Brother-in-law of Ron Roy, retired teacher, coach, and principal and Don Grant, former coach; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Monk was a 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.

 

On motion of Gerald Cooley, 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  Fairbee Ann Merriman who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Merriman was the Mother of Charolette DeLacerda, retired secretary at Simpson High School, Mother of Charles (Tommie) Merriman former ECE Aide, and Mother-in-Law of Pamela Merriman retired bus driver; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Merriman was 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.

 

Item # 9: Adjournment

There was no other business and the meeting was adjourned.

 

Authorized Officer

____________________________

ANGIE DAVIS, PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

___________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT