SEPTEMBER 5, 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

JIM SEAMAN

STEVE WOODS

 

ANGIE DAVIS

 

DAVID DETZ

 

RANDY MARTIN

 

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

 

LISA THOMPSON

 

COL. RYAN K. ROSEBERRY

 

ABSENT:          SHAD STEWART

                       

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:      STEVE WOODS

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:        STEVE WOODS

 

Item #1: August 6, 2019 Minutes

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the August 6, 2019 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Item #2:  Interstate 14 (Gulf Coast Strategic Highway)

Director of Finance, Tim Ward introduced Interstate 14 Committee Vice-Chairman, Malcolm Morris to the Board and asked Mr. Morris to discuss the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway plans concerning Vernon Parish.  Mr. Morris explained the benefits of the highway and how Vernon Parish would be connected. 

 

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to add the resolution of support for congressional designation of the route for interstate 14, the gulf coast strategic highway to the September 10th meeting to recommend for approval.

 

Item #3:  Partners in Education

Each year at this time the Partners in Education are introduced at our board meeting.

Partners in Education are sponsored by the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce.

Our local businesses team up with our schools and donate money and time to help support the needs of the schools.  There are approximately 30 businesses and 18 schools working hand in hand in this program.  Superintendent Williams welcomed all the business owners to the meeting and they were presented a plaque from the principal of the school they support.

 

Item #4:  Vernon Parish School Board Policy Updates:

Director of Child Services, Hub Jordan presented the updates on the VPSB Policy Updates; new policies:

1.  FILE:  IDDFA– The Superintendent, prior to January 1, 2020, shall create a Special Education Advisory Council, which shall provide advice and recommendations regarding spedical education policies, procedures, and resources.  The council shall also engage in outreach activities to the commumity at large to increase the level of knowledge, support, and collaboration with respect to special education.

2.  FILE:  JGCF - BehavioralHealth Services for Students

3.  FILE:  IDDFB – Service Animals

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to add to the September 10th meeting for approval.

 

The following policies were discussed:

FILE:  JS – Student fees, fines, and charges

In regular session ACT No. 93 House Bill No. 53 were passed by State Representatives:

Youth suicide prevention programs

Also Senate Bill 224,   which requires public school authorities to display the national motto, “In God We Trust” in each building under their jurisdiction by August 2019.

The law, now known as ACT 410, also requires Louisiana’s social studies curriculum to teach students about the motto by the 5th grade.

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to add to the September 10th meeting for approval.

 

Item #5:  Report from Finance Committee

Director of Finance, Tim Ward presented the Board with a copy of the Consolidated and General Fund budgets for 2019-2020 school year.  On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to add the resolution to adopt the 2019-2020 budget funds to the September 10th meeting for approval.

 

GENERAL FUND

BEGINNING OPERATING BUDGET

2019/2020 FISCAL YEAR

SEPTEMBER, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

   

ACTUAL

 

PERCENTAGE

 

BEGINNING

 

REVENUES &

 

CHANGE

REVENUE  AND

BUDGET

 

EXPENDITURES

 

FROM BUDGET

OTHER  FINANCING

SEPTEMBER, 2019

 

JUNE 30,2019

 

TO ACTUAL

SOURCES

         

 

         

  LOCAL

 

$14,528,701

 

 

$14,746,773

 

 

-1.5%

  STATE

55,164,281

 

53,703,472

 

2.7%

  FEDERAL

5,857,069

 

5,985,587

 

-2.1%

  OTHER SOURCES

800,000

 

858,541

 

-6.8%

TOTAL - REVENUES

$76,350,051

 

$75,294,373

 

1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENDITURES AND

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER FINANCING USES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REGULAR INSTRUCTION

$33,013,973

 

$31,890,052

 

3.5%

SPECIAL EDUCATION

9,049,007

 

8,872,281

 

2.0%

VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS

1,795,703

 

1,795,703

 

0.0%

OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL

1,011,101

 

1,005,279

 

0.6%

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

337,787

 

334,704

 

0.9%

PUPIL SUPPORT

3,771,143

 

3,738,564

 

0.9%

INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF

2,922,558

 

2,882,138

 

1.4%

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

1,778,582

 

1,769,815

 

0.5%

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

5,770,083

 

5,734,215

 

0.6%

BUSINESS SERVICES

430,200

 

579,088

 

-25.7%

MAINTENANCE OF PLANT

7,036,122

 

7,215,332

 

-2.5%

STUDENT TRANSPORTATION

6,127,576

 

5,918,391

 

3.5%

CENTRAL SERVICES

1,343,611

 

1,338,767

 

0.4%

FOOD SERVICES

293,531

 

315,795

 

-7.1%

COMMUNITY SERVICES

26,840

 

26,840

 

0.0%

OTHER USES OF FUNDS

1,497,246

 

1,554,536

 

-3.7%

TOTAL - EXPENDITURES

$76,205,062

 

$74,971,499

 

1.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXCESS OF REVENUES  OR

 

 

 

 

 

 (EXPENDITURES)

144,989

 

322,875

 

-55.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUND  BALANCE:

 

 

 

 

 

BEGINNING

7,547,964

 

7,225,089

 

4.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENDING

7,692,953

 

7,547,964

 

1.9%

 

CONSOLIDATED

BEGINNING OPERATING BUDGET

2019/2020 FISCAL YEAR

SEPTEMBER, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

   

 ACTUAL

 

 

PERCENTAGE 

 

BEGINNING

 

REVENUES &

 

CHANGE

REVENUE  AND

BUDGET

 

EXPENDITURES

 

FROM BUDGET

OTHER  FINANCING

SEPTEMBER, 2019

 

JUNE 30,2019

 

TO ACTUAL

SOURCES

 \

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  LOCAL

 

             $18,106,749

 

 

       $18,324,821

 

 

-1.2%

  STATE

 

               57,010,668

 

 

          55,534,848

 

 

2.7%

  FEDERAL

18,586,578

 

18,243,964

 

1.9%

  OTHER SOURCES

 

               26,528,193

 

 

          26,186,414

 

 

1.3%

TOTAL - REVENUES

 

          $120,232,186

 

 

      $118,290,046

 

 

1.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENDITURES AND

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER FINANCING USES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REGULAR INSTRUCTION

$35,695,428

 

$34,406,470

 

3.7%

SPECIAL EDUCATION

 

9,977,614

 

 

9,756,305

 

 

2.3%

VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS

 

1,899,152

 

 

1,896,457

 

 

0.1%

OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL

 

1,200,316

 

 

1,208,329

 

 

-0.7%

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

 

5,211,694

 

 

5,306,525

 

 

-1.8%

PUPIL SUPPORT

 

4,406,580

 

 

4,450,908

 

 

-1.0%

INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF

 

4,240,219

 

 

4,199,447

 

 

1.0%

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

 

2,065,630

 

 

2,063,877

 

 

0.1%

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

 

5,989,846

 

 

6,048,556

 

 

1.0%

BUSINESS SERVICES

 

723,297

 

 

728,456

 

 

-0.7%

MAINTENANCE OF PLANT

 

8,518,263

 

 

8,860,065

 

 

-3.9%

STUDENT TRANSPORTATION

 

6,235,584

 

 

6,029,131

 

 

3.4%

CENTRAL SERVICES

 

1,423,139

 

 

1,419,839

 

 

0.2%

FOOD SERVICES

 

5,794,983

 

 

5,837,247

 

 

-0.7%

COMMUNITY SERVICES

 

26,840

 

 

26,840

 

 

0.0%

OTHER USES OF FUNDS

 

26,410,618

 

 

26,588,417

 

 

-0.7%

TOTAL - EXPENDITURES

$119,819,204

 

$118,826,869

 

0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXCESS OF REVENUES  OR

 

 

 

 

 

 (EXPENDITURES)

 

412,983

 

 

(536,824)

 

 

176.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUND  BALANCE:

 

 

 

 

 

BEGINNING

 

$17,997,549

 

 

18,534,373

 

 

-2.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENDING

$18,410,532

 

$17,997,549

 

2.3%

                                                                                                

Item #6:  Report from Salary/Personnel Committee

Angie Davis reported to the Board on the Salary/Personnel Committee’s discussion.

Assistant Superintendent, Mike Kay discussed the September personnel changes. He presented charts to explain continued decrease in enrollment since 10-1-15.  Present enrollment is 8047.

He informed the Board that Lori Partridge was given a two year contract as Assistant Principal at Rosepine High School.  On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to add to the September 10th meeting for approval.

 

Item #7:  Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting and asked Col. Roseberry to update the Board on Fort Polk events.  Col. Roseberry began by voicing some concerns on bus problems; transportation issues and air conditioning on buses.

 

Col. Roseberry reported to the Board on upcoming events and invited all to attend.

 

He informed the Board that American Education Week will be held November 14th from noon to 6:00 at the Fort Polk Education Center for Education Fair and Open House.

 

Superintendent Williams reminded the Board of the deadline to send in disclosure statements and explained guidelines concerning political campaigning in our schools.

 

He reminded the Board of College Fair to be held at Leesville High School in the cafeteria for juniors and seniors.  All high schools in the parish will participate.

 

He thanked Ben Martindale for his attendance representing the Rapides Foundation.  Mr. Martindale praised Vernon Parish Schools and staff and announced that we would be awarded $225,000 for the 2019-2020 school year.

 

Item # 8: Memorial Resolutions

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 Barbara Ann Osborne who recently passed away; and

 

            WHEREAS, Ms. Osborne was a Vernon Parish retired teacher of 30 years; and

 

            WHEREAS, Ms. Osborne 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.

 

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 Judge Ted R. Broyles who recently passed away; and

 

            WHEREAS, Judge Broyles was the Husband of retired teacher Jeri Broyles; and

 

            WHEREAS, Judge Broyles had three sons who were Leesville High School graduates:  Ted R. Broyles, David Broyles, and Asa Skinner who is also the Vernon Parish School Board Attorney; and

 

            WHEREAS, Judge Broyles was the Father-in-Law of Karen Skinner VPSB retired teacher; and

 

            WHEREAS, Judge Broyles 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 his family at this time of sadness.

 

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 Mose “Penny” Tyler who recently passed away; and

 

            WHEREAS, Mr. Tyler was the Brother of Reverend Jerry Clark, Vernon Parish School Board Maintenance Department; and

 

            WHEREAS, Mr. Tyler 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.

 

Item #9: Adjournment

There was no other business and meeting was adjourned.

 

Authorized Officer

 

_________________________

VERNON L TRAVIS, JR., PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT