OCTOBER 15, 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

ANGIE DAVIS

LISA THOMPSON

STEVE WOODS

RANDY MARTIN

DAVID DETZ

ABSENT:

 JACKIE SELF

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by: Shad Stewart

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:  Shad Stewart

Item #1: Approval of Minutes

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the October 10, 2019 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2: Employee Retirements

On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to accept employee retirements.

Item #3: Leave Without Pay Request

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to accept an employee leave without pay request.

Item #4: Budget Amendments

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

Item #5:  Paying Claims

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

Item #6:   VPSB Policy Updates/Changes

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to approve three (3) policy changes (FILE: EBBB, EBBC, and JGCF) and to delete one (1) policy change (FILE:  JCDAG).  On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to table the (FILE: JS) student fees.

Item #7:   VPSB Meeting Dates for 2020

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to approve the VPSB meeting dates for 2020.

Item #8: Resolution/General Obligation School Refunding Bonds

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve a resolution  recognizing the Vernon Parish School Board’s authority to issue not exceeding Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,500,000) of Obligation School Refunding Bonds of Leesville School District No. 16 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, and providing for other matters pertaining thereto.

Item #9:  Employee of the Month

Finance Director, Tim Ward and Rodney Taylor with Taylor and Sons Insurance introduced the “Employee of the Month” Brittany Standifer to the Board and awarded her with a plaque in recognition of her hard work and dedication to Hicks School as a kindergarten teacher.

Item #10:  Accountability Update

Curriculum Directors, Renita Page and Anne Smith reported to the Board concerning the accountability update. They discussed the ESSA, Every Student Succeeds Act and the new requirements of the law which are: 

1) Evaluate school performance in order to identify and report on schools who persistently struggle, specifically with disadvantaged groups of students; and

2)  Support schools in addressing changes through an improved planning process.

Also they discussed the 2018-2019 accountability formula:

Elementary School performance scores formula: 

1.  State assessment performance 75%

2.   Student progress 25%.

Elementary/Middle School performance scores formula:

1.  State assessment performance – 70%

2.  Student progress 25%

3.  Credit accumulation in 9^th grade – 5%

High School performance scores:

1.  State assessment performance and progress 25%

2.  ACT/WorkKeys

3.  Strength of diploma

4.  Graduation rate

They also informed the Board that the district and school performance scores should be released by November 6^th.

Item #11:  Report from Insurance Committee

Lisa Thompson, Chairperson for the Insurance Committee reported to the Board on the presentation given by Tim Ward, Director of Finance.  Mr. Ward reported on the liability, property, and health insurance rates over the last five years.  Mr. Ward also explained the PCAL group (Property Casualty Alliance of Louisiana) and how we have saved money being in this group for sixteen years. As a member of PCAL, you have many advantages over “purchasing insurance” some of which are:

1.  No profit is taken because all profits are returned as a dividend to reduce cost to us

2.  PCAL has not increased its rates in 16 years

3.  PCAL offers a 2 year rate which allows us to budget our costs

4.  PCAL provides professional claims services which reduces cost of claims

5.  PCAL provides loss prevention services, playground equipment, and excellent in-service training for school bus operators

Our health insurance is provided by Office of Group Benefits.  Since 2014 health insurance rates have increased 24%.  That ranges on average from $137 to 306 per employee depending on the plan they choose.  The national average for health insurance premium increases is 35.6% over the last five years.  The main reason for the increases has been the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2015.  This made health insurance available to everyone and dramatically increased insurance premiums.

Item #12:  Report from Curriculum Committee

Shad Stewart reported to the Board for the Curriculum Committee in the absence of the Chairperson.  He gave an update on the accountability report given by Curriculum Directors, Renita Page and Anne Smith.  Mr. Stewart also reminded the Board that the district and school performance scores should be released by November 6^th.

Item #13:  Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting.  He reminded the Board that the Ethics in-service would be after the next meeting on November 11^th.  He also reminded the Board about the performance score date November 6^th.  He then turned the meeting over to the President.

Item #14:  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 Lila Dee Varnell Van Dine who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Van Dine was a retired school secretary at Leesville High School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Van Dine was the Mother of Denise Karmales, Deborah Driscoll, Cheryl Browning, and Carolyn Owen who are all retired or present educators for the Vernon Parish School System; Mother-in-law of Liz Van Dine and John Driscoll both retired teachers and Grandmother of Nancy Scogin a teacher at  Leesville  High; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Van Dine was a long time 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 Robert Pynes, 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 Elisabeth Fetsch Carter who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Carter was the Mother of retired teacher Robert Carter; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Carter was a long time 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 Randy Martin, 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 Sherry Ann Holder  Murray who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Murray was the Mother of Amanda Conn a teacher at Pickering High School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Murray was a long time 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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Item #15:  Adjournment

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned

Authorized Officer

_________________________

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR., PRESIDENT

ATTEST:__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT