FEBRUARY 7, 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

 

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JACKIE SELF

JIM SEAMAN

STEVE WOODS

 

ANGIE DAVIS

 

RANDY MARTIN

 

LISA THOMPSON

 

COL. JARRETT THOMAS

 

ABSENT:        

DAVID DETZ

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

DOUG BRANDON

                       

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

 

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   JIM SEAMAN

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:    JIM SEAMAN

 

Roll Call

 

Item #1: January 15, 2019 Minutes

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 15, 2018 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Item #2:  EEF Plan for Tobacco Settlement Funds

Director of Finance, Tim Ward presented the resolution to the Board and requested it be added to the February 12th board meeting for approval:

 

R E S O L U T I O N

            WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board has been informed of the option to withdraw a certain amount of said funds invested in the State Treasury pursuant to authority of La. R.S. 39.99 (Act 161 of the 2002 First Extraordinary Session of the Legislature) and our investment agreement;

            THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board does request the execution of the amendment to investment agreement with the State Treasury pursuant to La. R.S. 39.99 ; and

            THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board does request the withdrawal of funds from the State Treasury in the amount of $120,333.00 to be used as specified in our recently approved EEF plan for Tobacco Settlement Funds.

            It is hereby affirmed and certified the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the resolution unanimously adopted by the Vernon Parish School Board, Leesville, Louisiana during regular session of February 12, 2019 at which a quorum was present and voted.

 

Item #3:  Fort Polk Progress

Curriculum Director, Renita Page explained to the Board how very fortunate we are to have a partnership with Fort Polk Progress.  She explained that through the Education Initiative, we have worked with the Fort Polk and Vernon parish community members and business leaders to incorporate changes and upgrades that are beneficial to all stakeholders.  Examples include our Vernon Parish website, Business Partnerships with the Schools and the National Math and Science Initiative for our Advanced Placement Program.  Fort Polk Progress has always been there to help us.  Ms. Page introduced Mike Reese, the chairman of Fort Polk Progress who presented a monetary donation to the school system in the amount of $31,174.90 to continue our work in providing an excellent education for all students in the Vernon Parish School System.

 

Item #4: Headstart Report

Director of Headstart, Curtis Clay gave an update to the Board concerning services provided by the Headstart department in the following areas and topics discussed at their Policy Council Meeting:

l.          ERSEA – Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance

2.         Family and Community Partnerships

3.         Health Services

4.         Fiscal

5.         Licensing

6.         Education

7.         Disabilities

8.         Meals by USDA

 

Mr. Clay informed the Board that the Extended Day Duration Grant, which was applied for by December 1, 2018 was approved in the amount of $273,280 for the employment of instructional coaches, disability service coordinator, and a floating paraprofessional.

 

Mr. Clay asked the Board to add the following information for approval at the February 12th meeting: 

VPHS Staff Qualifications, Cola Grant, Annual Report, Tuition Assistant Agreement, Financial Procedure Manual, and Semi-Annual Report.

 

Item #5: AdvancED Education Accreditation Update

Assistant Superintendent, Mike Kay reported to the Board about the three day visit from the AdvancED Accreditation team conducting the evaluation for the Vernon Parish School System to determine our accreditation.  He reported that the evaluation was a success and provided a booklet to the Board members to explain the process.

 

Item #6:  Athletic Committee Report

Shad Stewart, Athletic Chairperson reported to the Board that the Athletic Director, Hub Jordan discussed the following information and provided printouts to the Board:

l.          Basketball Power Rankings

2.         Game Control

3.         Parish Basketball Tournament

4.         Spring Schedules

5.         LHSAA Agenda Items

6.         Update on Track Equipment

7.         Track Schedules

8.         Parish Track Meet Awards

9.         Softball and Baseball Jamboree

10.       Coaches Success Stipends

 

Tournament schedules were discussed and the following motion was made:

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Vernon L. Travis, Jr. the Board voted to follow the schedule Mr. Jordan offers for the tournaments.

 

Mr. Jordan also had the new timer on display for the Board to examine which was recently purchased.

 

Item #7: Report from Salary/Personnel Committee

Angie Davis, Salary/Personnel Chairperson reported to the Board that the Personnel Director, Mike Kay gave an update on the following information to the Board:

 

1.         Presented the personnel changes for February, 2019

2.         Contract for Rosepine High School Assistant Principal, Lori Partridge

 

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to add the contract to the February 12th meeting for approval. 

 

Item #8:  Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent, James Williams welcomed all to the meeting.  He then asked Col. Thomas for a report on Fort Polk events.

 

 Col. Thomas thanked Mike Reese for his continued work in the community and the positive impact for the military.  He emphasized how important the accreditation of our school system is to the military in choosing their destinations. 

 

Superintendent Williams informed the Board that it took the whole community, teachers, principals, supervisors, directors, and parents to accomplish the success of the Vernon Parish School System accreditation results.

 

Mr. Williams reminded the Board that February is Black History month.  Special Education Director, Charlotte Cooper will discuss events for Black History month at the next meeting on February 12th.

He also reminded the Board of the LSBA 81st annual convention in Lake Charles, LA on February 24 – 26.

 

The Quiz Bowl is scheduled for Wednesday, February 20th.  The matches will begin at 8:00AM in the Leesville High School auditorium and conclude about 6:00 PM.  A bracket is enclosed in your folder.

 

Item #9:  Memorial Resolutions

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  Stephen Brian Gordy who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Gordy was the brother-in-law to Jamie Gordy a teacher in the Vernon Parish School System; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Gordy 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 Lisa Thompson, 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 wish to express their sympathy to the family of Billy Wayne Brooks who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Brooks was the brother of Vernon Parish School System retired cafeteria technician Dorothy Dousay; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Brooks 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 Vernon L. 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 Gwendolyn Muriel Parker who recently passed away, and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Parker was the sister of retired teacher Shirley Orange and the sister of Carl Crowell, former employee. Ms. Parker was the sister-in-law of Sharon Crowell, a special education paraprofessional with the Vernon Parish School System; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Parker 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.

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On motion of Vernon L. 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 Carol Jean Crowell Jordan who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Jordan was the sister of retired teacher Shirley Orange and sister of Carl Crowell, a former employee. Ms. Jordan was the sister-in-law of Sharon Crowell, a special education paraprofessional with the Vernon Parish School System; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Jordan 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 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 Albert J. (Al) Dunn who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Dunn was the uncle of Tandy Schwartz retired executive secretary of the Vernon Parish School Board and wife of former Superintendent, Richard Schwartz.  Mr. Dunn was the uncle of Tracy Lack special education secretary and Kelly Phillips a teacher at Rosepine Elementary; and        

            WHEREAS, Mr. Dunn 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 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 Johnny Thomas who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Thomas was the Brother of Charles Thomas who is employed at Vernon Middle School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Thomas was a graduate of Leesville 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.

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On motion of Vernon L. 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 Mary Clark who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Clark was the sister of Jerry Clark an employee in the maintenance department; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Clark 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.

 

Item #10: Adjournment

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned.

 

Authorized Officer

 

_________________________

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR., PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT