APRIL 9, 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 -PRESIDENT

SHAD STEWART – VICE-PRESIDENT

ANGIE DAVIS

STEVE WOODS

RANDY MARTIN

JACKIE SELF

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

JIM SEAMAN

LISA THOMPSON

ABSENT:

COL. JARRETT THOMAS, II

DAVID DETZ

DOUG BRANDON

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:    VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR. 

Item #1: Approval of Minutes

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the April 4, 2019 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2: Approval of Employee Retirements

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to approve employee retirements.

Item #3: Leave Without Pay Requests

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to accept employee leave without pay requests.

Item # 4: Approval of Budget Amendments related to Personnel Changes

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.

Item #5: Authorize to Pay Claims

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

Item #6: Accept/Reject Copier Paper Bids

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to reject copier paper bids.

Item #7: Advertise for Copier Paper Bids

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to advertise for copier paper bids.

Item #8:  Head Start Policy/Procedure

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the following Head Start policy and procedure:

1)  Head Start Duration Plan with scheduling for all schools.

Item #9:  Advertise for Assistant Principal

On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to advertise for a promotional Assistant Principal position at Evans High School.

Item #10:  Advertise for Curriculum Supervisor

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to advertise for a promotional Elementary Curriculum Supervisor.

Item #11:  Resolution/Proposed MFP by BESE

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to adopt the resolution in support of the BESE MFP proposed for the 2019-2020 school year which includes raises for teachers and support employees in the school system.

Item #12:  Resolution/Sales Tax Collection

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to adopt a resolution in support of local collection of sales and use tax and the administration of thereof, and the opposition to the State of Louisiana collecting local sales tax.

Item #13: Employee of the Month

Director of Finance, Tim Ward introduced Rodney Taylor with Taylor and Sons Insurance who is also the sponsor of “Employee of the Month” which honors an employee chosen as an outstanding employee each month.  Mr. Carl Payton, Jr. a Tech II Technician in our Technology Department was chosen as “Employee of the Month” for April.  Mr. Payton was presented with a plaque and a “bag of goodies” from Rodney Taylor on behalf of Taylor and Sons Insurance.  The Technology Coordinator, Bill Lohman spoke to the Board about how well Mr. Payton works with others, completes all tasks without complaints, and continues to go above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to his work.

Item #14:  Accreditation Reports

Mike Kay, Assistant Superintendent reported to the Board the results from the AdvancED Performance Accreditation Report for the Vernon Parish School System.

In conclusion, the district’s capacity to continue on this path of excellence is clear and strong.  The district demonstrated the high capacity for improvement that indicates continued success and encourages the school in all its endeavors.  The supportive and well-managed culture which pervades every aspect of the school, in combination with effective leadership, provides the foundation upon which the school can build more focused practice and enhance the opportunity for every learner to reach her or his maximum potential.

The report from the North Polk Elementary Early Learning School was also outstanding.

The accreditation engagement review reported that the school demonstrates a high level of responsiveness and intentional support to families and students and highly praised the principal, Mr. Lee Coriell and his leadership in the school.

Item #15:  Transportation Committee Report

Jim Seaman, Transportation Committee Chairperson reported to the Board on the update given by Tom Neubert, Transportation Director.  Information was presented regarding leased buses verses contract buses.  He also discussed the need to hire another certified mechanic and a mechanic’s helper located at the bus barn.  After an extensive discussion the Board voted to recommend approval on the May 2^nd agenda to buy (3) three new buses and (2) two used buses to help with the bus shortage situation due to break downs.

Item #16:  Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent, James Williams welcomed all to the meeting.  He reminded the Board to support the two resolutions presented in the board meeting which the LSBA also recommends.

Mr. Williams reminded the Board of the next meeting on May 2^nd at 10:00 A.M.

Item #17: 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 Charles (Butch) Grimes who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS,   Mr. Grimes was the Husband of deceased Head Start Coordinator, Alice Grimes and the Father-in-Law of Lisa Grimes, leased bus driver at Vernon Middle School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Grimes 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 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 Shirley Mae Willis Bond who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Bond was the Mother of Blaklee Landreneau a teacher at Rosepine 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.

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Item # 18:  Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Mr. Travis.

Authorized Officer

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VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR., PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

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JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT