JANUARY 10, 2019                                                                               DRAFT

                                                                       

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

 

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR. - PRESIDENT

SHAD STEWART - VICE-PRESIDENT

DOUG BRANDON

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JACKIE SELF

JIM SEAMAN

STEVE WOODS

RANDY MARTIN

LISA THOMPSON

DAVID DETZ

ANGIE DAVIS

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

 

ABSENT:          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

Roll Call

 

Clerk of Court, Jeff Skidmore administered the swearing in of the Board Members.

 

Item #1: January 10, 2019 Minutes

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 10, 2019 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Item #2:  Leesville Leader/Official Journal

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to name the Leesville Daily Leader as the official journal of the Vernon Parish School Board.

 

Item #3: Federal Funding P.L. 81-874

On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to authorize the Superintendent to request and sign all federal funding P.L. 81-874 for the Vernon Parish School Board.

 

Item #4: Retirements

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to accept employee retirements.

 

Item #5: Teachers of the Year

Renita Page, Curriculum Director presented to the Board the Vernon Parish School Board 2019 Teachers of the Year.  Principal Kathy Bass introduced Danelle Nash as the Elementary Teacher of the Year from Evans School,  Assistant Principal Roger Atkins introduced Tiffany Martin as the Junior High Teacher of the Year from Leesville Junior High and Principal Kevin Dowdle introduced Tammy Cecil as the High School Teacher of the Year from Anacoco High School.  Each teacher was presented with a plaque and congratulated by Superintendent Williams and the Board.  Ms. Page also recognized Curriculum Supervisor, Carolyn Bosley who is the coordinator for Teachers of the Year.

 

Item #6:  Headstart Report

Headstart Director, Curtis Clay presented information to be added to the January 15th Board Meeting for approval:

 

1.  Income Eligibility procedures

2.  Child Abuse policy and procedures

3.  Child Attendance and Tardiness policy and procedures

4.  Personnel Policies

5.  Transition Policy

6.  Approval for new hires

 

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to add to the January 15th Board Meeting for approval.

 

Item #7:  Vernon Parish School Board Policy/Procedures

Director of Child Welfare and Attendance introduced Finance Director Tim Ward to discuss additions/changes to the following policies and procedures:

File:  DFD Tax and Bond Elections and Sales

File:  DJE Purchasing

Assistant Superintendent Mike Kay discussed additions/changes to the following policies and procedures:

File:  GAEAA Sexual Harassment

File:  GBC Personnel Recruitment

File:  JBCC Student Assignment

File:  GBD Employment of Personnel

File:  GBDA Employment of Retired Personnel

File:  GBRIC Maternity and Adoptive Leave

File: GBRIB Sick Leave

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Randy Martin the Board voted to add to the January 15th Board Meeting for approval.

 

Item #8:  Report from Salary/Personnel

Angie Davis, newly elected salary/personnel chairperson reported to the Board on discussion in the salary/personnel meeting.  Assistant Superintendent Mike Kay presented a list of the January 15th personnel changes, discussed the vacant Assistant Principal position at Rosepine High School, and discussed information on evaluations and stipends.  On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to add to the January 15th Board Meeting for approval for the personnel changes,  to advertise for an Assistant Principal position and approval for Jerome Henson, Principal at Pickering High School.

 

On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to add for approval to the January 15th Board Meeting to extend Superintendent James Williams’ contract.

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Item #9: Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed everyone to the meeting and congratulated the Teachers of the Year.  He explained that we have a few changes in Board positions for 2019 which are Vernon L. Travis, President, Shad Stewart, Vice-President, Angie Davis, chairperson for Salary/Personnel committee and Jim Seaman District One chairperson, and Lisa Thompson the new Board Member for District Eight, Hicks and Simpson.

 

Item #10:  Memorial Resolutions

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 Charles Randall Browning who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS,  Mr. Browning was the Husband of Sabra Browning retired Headstart Educational Specialist and the Brother-in-law of Cheryl Browning retired teacher and counselor; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Browning 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.

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On motion of Robert Pynes, 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 Kevin Spires who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Spires was a graduate of Leesville High School and the Brother of Dennis Spires a former teacher for the Vernon Parish School System; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Spires 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.

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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 Eula Faye Ellis who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Ellis was a retired Teacher, Counselor, and Principal for the Vernon Parish School Board; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Ellis 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.

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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 William Lee (Bill) McCune who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. McCune was the Step-Father of Jamie Simonelli, secretary for the Vernon Parish School Board, Superintendent, and Assistant Superintendent; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. McCune was a resident of Desoto 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.

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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 Sandra McDonald Whitlock who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Whitlock was a retired Teacher, Librarian, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Parish ELA Supervisor for the Vernon Parish School Board; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Whitlock was the Wife of former employee George Whitlock; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Whitlock 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.

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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 A. Lonadier who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS,  Mr. Lonadier was the Father of a former teacher, Wendy Lonadier Koch; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Lonadier 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.

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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, Mr. Morris O’Neil (Shorty) Poston was the Father of Stacey L. Booth, Bus Driver at Hornbeck school; and

            WHEREAS,  Mr. Poston 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.

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On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by the Board, the 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 Jonathan James who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS,  Mr. James was the Brother of Martha Vinson a former Teacher with the Vernon Parish School Board; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. James 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.

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On motion of Steve Woods, 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 Ricky Bennett McRae who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. McRae attended Leesville High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. McRae was a relative of Board Member Steve Woods; now

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

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Item #11:  Adjournment

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

Authorized Officer

 

_________________________

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR., PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT