JUNE 6, 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.
JIM SEAMAN
JACKIE SELF
STEVE WOODS
ANGIE DAVIS
LISA THOMPSON
DAVID DETZ
RANDY MARTIN
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
COL. JARRETT THOMAS, II
There was also present Mr. James Williams, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by: DAVID DETZ
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: DAVID DETZ
Roll Call
Item #1: Approval of Minutes
On motion of, seconded by Vernon Travis, Jr., the Board voted to approve the minutes of the May 7, 2019 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Item #2: Pupil Progression Plan
Curriculum Directors, Anne Smith and Renita Page explained the pupil progression changes for the 2019-2020 school years and provided documentation for explanation.
1. Changes throughout the policy to change EOC to LEAP 2025 HS
2. Change of wording to align with new ARC kindergarten curriculum
3. The Vernon Parish Summative Tests for Mathematics, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies will be used as the final examinations in grades nine through twelve. These tests will be updated and aligned to the state content standards. In courses where LEAP 2025 HS tests are given, the LEAP 2025 HS test will be administered as the final exam. LEAP 2025 HS Test scores will be converted using the conversion charts provided by the state.
4. Set of courses for which students will have the opportunity to earn credit by proficiency: Spanish I, Spanish II, English IV, Algebra III, Biology II, Fine Arts, and World History, and Customer Service.
5. Change grade for offering Vernon Parish Optional Program from 7th grade to 6th grade.
6. The summer programs for credit/skill and attendance recovery also discussed.
On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to add to June 11th meeting for approval.
Item # 3: Special Education Review
Special Education Director, Charlotte Cooper gave an update of important special education data.
1. Graduation Data: 1 certificate of achievement, 3 career diplomas through alternate assessment, 15 TOPS university diplomas, and 50 jumpstart career diplomas.
These students earned over 100 state and regional credentials. We are proud to announce that we had 1 student to receive a Platinum on her Work Keys. We had 10 gold, 13 silver, and 8 bronze.
Kelly Kaiama-Goodwin, Special Education Secondary Program Coordinator gave an update on the success of the Special Olympics program. She also gave a special thanks to the Lions Club, Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office, Barksdale Federal Credit Union, Merchants and Farmers Bank, and State Farm for their support and donations.
Item #4: Food Service Update
Director of Food Service, Joey Whiddon gave an update on meals served for the 2018-2019 school year; Breakfasts served: 426,569 and Lunches served: 854,853.
Vernon Parish has 2 Community Eligibility Provision schools: East Leesville and West Leesville Elementary schools. He also discussed state reimbursement, open positions, absorbed positions, free/reduced eligibility, and equipment update.
Item#5: Rapides Foundation Grants
Director of Curriculum, Anne Smith explained the 3 grants received from the Rapides Foundation which are: the Effective Schools Grant (budget $225,000) the Healthy Behaviors Grant (budget $28,000) and the Student Youth Civic Volunteer Program (budget $6,200). On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to add to June 11th meeting for approval of the pupil progression plan.
On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to add to the June 11th meeting to adopt a resolution to activate the grants duration year to year.
Item #6: Salary/Personnel Report
Angie Davis, chairperson for the Salary/Personnel committee, reported to the Board that Personnel Director, Mike Kay discussed the personnel transactions for June, 2019, sales tax supplement, advertising for principal and assistant principal positions, performance contracts, and teacher pay raises. She also recommended to the Board to add to the June 11th meeting to advertise for these positions. On motion of Lisa Thompson, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to add to June 11th meeting to advertise for positions.
Item #7: Curriculum Committee Report
Jackie Self, Curriculum Committee chairperson reported to the Board concerning the Pupil Progression Report, Optional School changes, grading system changes, and summer school. On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to add to June 11th meeting for approval.
Item #8: Superintendent’s Remarks
Superintendent James Williams welcomed everyone to the meeting. Mr. Williams gave a special thanks to our Supervisors, teachers, and Directors for their hard work and dedication to providing our school system the needed services to operate our schools.
He introduced Col. Thomas, Garrison Commander at Fort Polk and asked him to discuss Fort Polk events. Col. Thomas thanked Superintendent Williams and the Board for all their support for the military families. He praised the Vernon Parish School Board for their excellence in education. Col. Thomas also gave an invitation to all to the Farewell Dinner in honor of him and his wife to be held on Tuesday, 6-11-19 @ 6:00 PM at the Warrior Center.
Col. Thomas introduced his replacement Col. Ryan K. Roseberry to the Board and invited all to the Change of Command Ceremony for U.S. Army Garrison – Fort Polk to be held 6-13-19 at 10:00 AM at Warrior Field, reception to follow at Warrior Center.
He informed the Board of the next Cafeteria Conversation & Resource Fair to be held 8-1-19, 5-7 AM at Parkway Elementary.
Finance Director, Tim Ward also discussed the procedure for payment for sales tax supplements. The amounts paid are voted on by the public.
Mr. Williams reminded the Board of the School Board Member’s Conference July 25-27 in New Orleans.
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 Murray Clyde Hunt who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hunt was the Father of Dechelle Kreyenbuhl, teacher at Leesville Junior High and Debby Hunt Mace, former employee at Leesville Junior High; and the Grandfather of LHS teacher Logan Kreyenbuhl and former student workers Lauren Kreyenbuhl and Megan Carlock Andrus. He was the Father-in-Law of Amanda Hunt, LA4 Para at ELE; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hunt of a resident of Vernon Parish; now
BE IT THEREFOR 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 Peggy Weldon who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Weldon was a retired teacher at Pitkin and Hicks High Schools; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Weldon 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 School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Melba Maddox who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Maddox was a retired cafeteria technician at Hick High School; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Maddox was a resident of Vernon Parish; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board request a copy of this memorial resolution 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 Savannah Mae Gardiner who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Gardiner was a retired custodian at East Leesville Elementary; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Gardiner was the Mother of Sherwin Gardiner, former custodian a Leesville Junior High School; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Gardiner 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 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 Kay Taylor who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Taylor was a retired teacher at Leesville High School; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Taylor was a resident of Vernon Parish; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this resolution be sent to her family at this time of sadness.
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Item #10: Adjournment
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Authorized Officer
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VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR., PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT