AUGUST 1, 2019

                                                                       

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:

 

DOUG BRANDON                                           

ROBERT PYNES, JR.                          

JACKIE SELF

RANDY MARTIN

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

LISA THOMPSON

SHAD STEWART

DAVID DETZ

 

ABSENT:          JIM SEAMAN

                        STEVE WOODS

                        ANGIE DAVIS

                        COL. RYAN K. ROSEBERRY

                       

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   JACKIE SELF

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:                JACKIE SELF

 

Item #1: July 16, 2019 Minutes

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the July 16, 2019 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Item #2:  Adopt the Millage Rates for tax Year 2019

On a motion of David Detz, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to adopt a resolution approving the millage rates for 2019.

See attached millage rates for tax year 2019.

 

Item #3:  Vernon Parish School Board Emergency Guide for Parents

Curriculum Director, Renita Page presented the Board with the Vernon Parish School Board Emergency Guide for Parents pamphlet.  The pamphlet covered information parents need if an emergency arises at school or in the community.  The pamphlet discusses the following:

1.  Maintaining a safe learning environment for students, staff, and visitors.

2.  The Vernon Parish School Board works with city-parish government, law enforcement, and other emergency responders to monitor safety conditions.

3.  Weather conditions/school closings.

4.   Parents should provide accurate contact information to schools and continue to update Information when changed.

5.   Suicide prevention lifeline – 1-800-273-8255

The parents’ role is important also.  Keeping your child’s contact information updated with a working phone number and email address is essential to communication. Anyone including parents picking up a student must have a picture ID.  Talk to your child about what to do in an emergency situation and stay informed about potentially serious weather conditions.  These pamphlets are being sent home with every student.  We encourage parents to read these important facts.

 

Item #4:  Schedule of School Opening Events

Assistant Superintendent, Mike Kay discussed next week’s workshop days and locations with the Board and gave an invitation for the Board to attend. Mr. Kay gave the Board a print-out of dates and times for the workshops.

 

Item #5:  Technology Updates for 2019-2020 School Year

William Lohman, Supervisor of Technology presented the Board with an update on the progress in the technology department.  Mr. Lohman explained to the Board concerning emails affected by a virus or malware and how his department will continue to monitor these problems through the checklist recommended by the Governor’s Task Force and LA DOE.  At this time the Vernon Parish School Board is not affected by a virus or malware.

 

Item #6: Report from Salary/Personnel Committee

Vernon Travis reported to the Board for the Salary/Personnel Committee’s chairperson, Angie Davis in her absence.  Mr. Travis reported that Mike Kay, Assistant Superintendent discussed the personnel changes for August, 2019 and presented a list of these changes.  Mr. Kay also explained how the teacher stipends are issued and that the checks will be sent out in October.  Mr. Kay discussed the salary schedule for teachers, the $1,000 pay increase, reminder of disclosure statements, and rules concerning political campaigning for school employees.  Other business included to advertise for a promotional Assistant Principal position at Rosepine High School.  On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to add to the August 6th meeting to advertise for this position.  Mr. Kay informed the Board that the Assistant Principal position at Simpson High School had been filled by Joseph Saverino.

 

Item #7 Report from Athletic Committee

Shad Stewart, Chairperson for the Athletic Committee reported to the Board that Mr. Hub Jordan, Athletic Director discussed the following topics during the meeting:

1.         Quarterly Meetings – 8-1-19,  11-12-19,  2-11-20,  5-12-20

2.         CECP Coaches

3.         Leesville High School AA Memorandum

4.         Football Schedules

5.         Important Dates & Deadlines

6.         Monthly meetings with the Athletic Directors

7.         Parish Basketball Tournament  Nov. 25 & 26, 2019 @ Pickering Elementary School

8.         On Site Administration

9.         LHSAA Handbook Certification

10.       Other Business – discussed the ACT No. 355 and the successful year for our high schools

 

Item # 8: Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting.  He asked Tim Ward, Director of Finance to explain to the Board concerning the $1,000 pay raise for teachers and the $500 pay raise for support personnel.  Mr. Ward informed the Board that this would be paid as a one time payment October 11th this year and next year will be included in monthly check.

 

Mr. Williams informed the Board of the Cafeteria Conversation & Resource Fair to be held at Parkway Elementary School 8-1-19 from 5-7 pm and invited all to attend.  Vernon Parish School District and local agencies present their resources, special programs, and educational opportunities.  Also you will be able to meet principals and counselors from Vernon Parish Schools.

 

Mr. Williams informed the Board that President of the Board, Vernon Travis attended the Southern Leadership Conference and asked Mr. Travis to update the Board on the discussions during the conference.

 

He reminded the Board of the deadline for disclosure statements.

 

Item # 9: Memorial Resolutions

There were no memorial resolutions.

 

Item # 10: Adjournment

There was no other business and meeting was adjourned.

 

Authorized Officer

 

_________________________

VERNON L. TRAVIS, PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT

 

VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

 

BE IT RESOLVED, that the following millages are hereby levied on the 2019 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by the VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD District of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana.

 

MILLAGE

 

Parish Wide School Regular 4.18 mills

Parish Wide School Special 8.12 mills

Ward 1 Maintenance Regular 13.03 mills

Ward 2 Hornbeck Maintenance Regular 13.83 mills

School District 143 Hornbeck Construction & Maintenance 10.39 mills

Ward 2 Orange Maintenance Regular 13.24 mills

Ward 3 Maintenance Regular 18.77 mills

Ward 4 Maintenance Regular 14.14 mills

Ward 5 Maintenance Regular 19.11 mills

Ward 6 Maintenance Regular 12.68 mills

Ward 6 School Dist 161 Additional funding 10.00 mills

Ward 7 Maintenance Regular 17.42 mills

Ward 8 Maintenance Regular 14.00 mills

Ward 8 School Dist 151 Additional funding 10.00 mills

Leesville Sinking Fund 34.76 mills

Orange Sinking Fund 28.38 mills

Hornbeck Sinking Fund 10.78 mills

Ward 3 Sinking Fund 26.70 mills

Ward 3 Sinking Fund-Wildlife Management Area 8.59 mills

Pickering Sinking Fund 23.91 mills

Ward 5 Sinking Fund 23.36 mills

Ward 6 Sinking Fund 29.80 mills

Ward 7 Sinking Fund 28.23 mills

Ward 8 Sinking Fund 20.89 mills

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of said Parish for the year 2019, and to make collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.

 

The foregoing resolution was read in full, the roll was called on the adoption thereof, and the resolution was adopted by the following votes:

YEAS: 9

NAYS: 0

ABSTAINED: 0

ABSENT: 3

 

CERTIFICATE

 

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of a resolution adopted at a regular board meeting held on August 1, 2019 at which meeting a quorum was present and voting.

 

Leesville, Louisiana, this 1st day August, 2019

________________________(Superintendent)