DECEMBER 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:

 

SHAD STEWART - Vice-President

DOUG BRANDON

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JIM SEAMAN

JACKIE SELF

STEVE WOODS

ANGIE DAVIS

DAVID DETZ

RANDY MARTIN

LISA THOMPSON

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

COL. RYAN K. ROSEBERRY

 

ABSENT:         

                       

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: November 12, 2019 Minutes

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the November 12, 2019 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Item #2:  Head Start Report:

Mr. Curtis Clay, Director of Head Start gave the Head Start report and presented the following information for approval:

VPHS Grievance Procedures

VPHS Health Plan Policy

VPHS Reduction in Force

VPHS Dual Language Policy and Procedures

VPHS Monthly Enrollment Reporting Procedures

VPHS Video Surveillance Policy

VPHS Classroom Volunteer Minimum Age

VPHS Policy for Obtaining Volunteers and Substitutes in Classrooms

VPHS Career Opportunity Statement

VPHS Policy of Employee Discipline

VPHS Creative Curriculum/TS Gold

VPHS Policy of Tuition Payments

VPSB Intra-Agency Agreement between Head Start and SPED

Disability Referral Procedures

VPHS Annual Report

 

 On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to add the Vernon Parish Head Start information to the December 10th agenda for approval.

 

Item #3: Fort Polk Progress

Mike Reese presented the Fort Polk Progress update Annual Report.  He also informed the Board about the history of Fort Polk Progress recognizing the quality of the Vernon Parish School Board and the Vernon Parish Schools and their importance of education to military students.

 

Item #4:  Recognition of Principals of the Year

Curriculum Director, Renita Page and Curriculum Supervisor, Carolyn Bosley introduced and recognized the “Principals of the Year”. The High School Principal of the Year is Jerome Henson, Pickering High School.  The Middle School Principal of the Year is Henry Lacking.  The Elementary Principal of the Year is Dionne Bradford, Parkway Elementary. Congratulations to the three principals of the year for their excellent performance in leading their schools.

 

Item #5: Ag Day

Bryan Churchman, the Vernon Parish School Board AG sponsor gave an update to the Board on the success of AG Day held at the Porter Ranch. The AG Day/Careers in Agriculture held at the Porter Ranch was also sponsored by the Vernon Parish Cattleman’s Association who are always ready to assist our Vernon Parish students in careers in agriculture.

 

Item #6:  2020 Census Overview

Personnel Director, Mike Kay introduced Bruce S. Boyea to the Board who gave an update on the 2020 census.  Mr. Boyea is the Partnership Specialist, Louisiana /Atlanta Regional Census Center for the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC.  Mr. Boyea explained the importance of the census to our Vernon Parish School Board funding and presented the Board with information on the April 1, 2020 census day. On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to adopt a resolution on the December 10th meeting to support the Census.

 

Item #7:  ACT 274- Special Education Advisory Council

Special Education Director, Charlotte Cooper and Director of Child Services, Hub Jordan

Updated the Board concerning the Special Education Advisory Council ACT 274 two year term appointment by the Superintendent  which reads as follows:  4 members, 2 parents,  1 teacher (Stacey Hughes)  and the Special Education Director, Charlotte Cooper.

 

Item #8:  Salary/Personnel Report

Chairperson, Angie Davis reported to the Board on the salary/personnel committee meeting:

Personnel Director, Mike Kay discussed the December personnel changes to the Board.

 

Mr. Kay and Superintendent Williams also discussed the possibility of not renewing a lease on one of our schools in the next year.  A motion was made by Jim Seaman, seconded by Shad Stewart, to give permission to the Superintendent to pursue contingency plans in the event the lease is not renewed on one of our buildings.  Motion carried.

 

Mike Kay and Superintendent Williams discussed Bus Driver salary schedules. 

Vernon L. Travis, Jr.  made a motion and David Detz seconded, to delete table 23 and realign board owned bus drivers to a different table. 

 

Item #9:  Finance Committee Report

Steve Woods, Finance Chairperson updated the Board on the Finance Committee’s meeting.  He informed the Board on the Budget Revisions presented by Director of Finance, Tim Ward.  On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to add to December 10th meeting for approval.

 

Mr. Woods also informed the Board of the discussion to assume the Beau Care Headstart Grant. On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to add to the December 10th meeting for discussion and approval.

 

There was also a discussion concerning buying buses through V.W. settlement.  .  On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to add the items to the December 10th meeting for discussion and approval.

 

Item #10:  Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent Williams welcomed all to the meeting and asked Col. Roseberry to give an update on Fort Polk events.

 

Mr. Williams reminded the Board of the Christmas Dinner to be held on December 19, 2019 at 11:45 am in the Vernon Parish School Board office.  He also reminded the Board of the LSBA Conference to be held in February, 2020.

 

Item #11:  Memorial Resolutions

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 Claudia Jo Johnson Spears who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Spears was the Wife of retired VPSB bus driver, Tommy Spears, (deceased)  Mother of Randie Marie Spears Strother retired  Vernon Parish teacher and bus driver  and Grandmother of Whitnie Strother Perkins, teacher at Pitkin High School and Mandie Strother Johnson Vernon Parish School Board Head Nurse; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Spears 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 her family at this time of sadness.

 

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 “Sambo” Leonard Curtis Robinson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Robinson was the Father of Donnis Herrington, custodian at Hicks High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Robinson 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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Paula Annette Robinson Smith who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Smith was the Daughter of Pat Robinson, retired paraprofessional at Pitkin High School, Sister of Dee Dee Morrison paraprofessional at Pitkin High School,  and Sister-in-law of Tammi Smith paraprofessional at Hicks High School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Smith worked as a sub for many years for the Vernon Parish School System; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Smith 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 her family at this time of sadness.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Micah “Boomer” Boone who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Boone was the Brother of Amy Navarro teacher at Parkway Elementary and Chad Boone teacher at Hicks High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Boone 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 Jim Seaman, 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 Edith Lorene Mayhew Burns who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Burns was the Wife of former Vernon Parish School Board Member, Gerald Burns; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Burns 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 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 Ruth Parker who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Parker was a graduate of Simpson High School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Parker 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 Mary Thompson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS,  Ms. Thompson was a Vernon Parish  retired teacher and the wife of retired principal, George Thompson (deceased);  and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Thompson 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 Angie Davis, 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 Nelda R. Turner who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Turner was the Mother of Calvin Turner, former bus driver for the Vernon Parish school system; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Turner 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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Item # 10: Adjournment

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

Authorized Officer

_________________________

 

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR., PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT