NOVEMBER 12, 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

JACKIE SELF

DAVID DETZ

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

RANDY MARTIN

ANGIE DAVIS

LISA THOMPSON

STEVE WOODS

ABSENT:

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JIM SEAMAN

COL. RYAN K. ROSEBERRY

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:    Lisa Thompson

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:      Lisa Thompson                      

Item #1: Approval of Minutes

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the November 7, 2019 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2: Employee Leave Without Pay

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to approve the leave without pay requests.

Item #3: Head Start Policies/Procedures

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the ten items presented to the Board on November 7, 2019 from the Head Start Policy Council.

Item #4: Approval for Vernon Parish School Board Policy Updates

On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to approve the deletion of parking fees in File: JS (schedule of fees).

Item #5:   Budget Amendments Related to Personnel Changes

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

Item #6: Authorization to Pay the Claims

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

Item #7:  Athletic Physical Recognition

Director of Child Welfare Services, Hub Jordan, introduced Sam Fulton Byrd Hospital Administrator and Kevin Quinn CEO of Byrd Hospital, presented them with a plaque and thanked them for their constant participation with the Vernon Parish School Board.  Mr. Jordan reported to the Board concerning LHSAA Physicals in May, 2019.  With the help of Byrd Hospital, Physical Therapy Services of West Louisiana and 12 providers, 481 student athletes were provided with their LHSAA physicals.  James Anderson, DPT and Eric Hunter, DPT along with their staff at Physical Therapy Services of West Louisiana, provide the orthopedic exam for these athletes.  They donate their business as a central location, for our staff, providers and parish athletes.  This year we had several physicians volunteer their time:

Damian, Delhomme, MD

Mirza A. Beg, MD

David Aymond, MD

Francis Fraser, MD

Teofilo Gozaine, MD

Kimberly Landrum, MD

Also the following providers volunteer their time and go to the schools to provide physicals:

Karra Aymond, PA

Kearstin H. Cooley DPT

Nichole Churchman, MD

The following Vernon Parish School Board Nurses also assist:

Mandie Johnson                                    Carolyn Armes

Shelby Wedgeworth                              Tammy Bankson

Heather Blackwell                                 Kerri Cunningham

Karen Boswell                                       Robbie Suire

Christy Edwards                                   Donna Ward

Dandy Beckermeyer                             Tina Turnage

Shawnee Powell                                    Jan Turnage

Brenda Beall

Item #8:  Employee of the Month

Tim Ward, Finance Director and Scott Walker, Taylor and Sons Insurance introduced Beverly Smith to the Board as Employee of the Month.  Mrs. Smith is a Special Education Teacher at Hicks High School. Mrs. Jennifer Wilbanks, Assistant Principal also commended Mrs. Smith for her excellence as a teacher.

Item #9:  Athletic Committee Report

Shad Stewart, Chairperson for the Athletic Committee gave an update to the Board on Hub Jordan’s report given during the committee meeting as follows:

Louisiana Act No. 355 – Harassment of Contest Officials, Coaches, Administrators, and Staff:

1)  The LHSAA supports this law; we recognize the need to improve spectator conduct and support stronger sportsmanship standards

2)  The law does not prohibit fans from disagreeing with or criticizing officials

3)  Harassment is prohibited under this law and is defined as verbal or nonverbal behavior that would place a reasonable person in fear of receiving bodily harm

4)  Schools must be aware of their responsibility to provide security for game officials at all times.

Mr. Jordan also gave the Board a list of football power rankings, basketball schedules, and parish basketball tournament information.

Item #10:  Approval of Board Officers for 2020

On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve Shad Stewart as Board President and Jackie Self as Board Vice-President.

Item #11:  Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting.  He discussed the Vernon Parish Early Childhood Performance Profile compiled by Curriculum Supervisor Leigh Lansdale.  Ms. Lansdale presented the Board with a complete performance rating report on 10 schools and l center.  She explained the importance of early childhood programs and how learning and growth is essential for all Head Start and Pre-Kindergarten students.

Item #12:  Memorial Resolutions

On motion of David Detz, 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 Yvonne Fee Bennett who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Bennett was a retired  bookkeeper and secretary from Evans High School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Bennett 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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Item #13:  Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Authorized Officer

_________________________

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR., PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT