DECEMBER 10, 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:

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR. - PRESIDENT

DOUG BRANDON

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JIM SEAMAN

JACKIE SELF

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

RANDY MARTIN

LISA THOMPSON

ABSENT:

ANGIE DAVIS

DAVID DETZ

SHAD STEWART – VICE PRESIDENT

COL. RYAN K. ROSEBERRY

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   Reverend Edgar Evans

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:    Reverend Edgar Evans

Item #1: Approval of Minutes

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the December 10, 2019 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2:

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve Budget Revisions for 2019-2020.

Item #3: Head Start Policies/Procedures

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to approve the Head Start policies/procedures presented at the December 5^th meeting.

Item #4: Budget Amendments/ Personnel Changes

On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the budget amendments related to personnel changes presented at the December 5^th meeting.

Item #5:  Leave Without Pay Request

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to approve leave without pay request for the December 10^th personnel changes.

Item #6: Authorization to Pay the Claims

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

Item #7:  U.S. Census

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to adopt a resolution in support of the U.S. Census

Item #8: Employee of the Month

Tim Ward, Finance Director and Jeff Taylor, Taylor and Sons Insurance introduced to the Board the Employee of the Month, Melanie Thompson.  Melanie is a custodian at Pickering Elementary School and does an outstanding job at her school.  Principal Dana Donaldson also praised Ms. Thompson for her dedication, positive attitude, and excellent job performance.

Item #9:  Recognition of “A” and Top Performing Schools

Curriculum Directors Renita Page and Anne Smith introduced the Curriculum Supervisors to the Board who work with the “A” performing schools and asked them to present the banners to each school principal.

Secondary Supervisors Dwain Ducote, Lisa Lohman, and Leslie Ortiz presented banners to the following principals/schools:

Anacoco High School – Principal - Kevin Dowdle

Evans High School – Principal - Kathy Bass

Hicks High School – Principal - Rhonda Roberts

Hornbeck High School – Principal - Raymond Jones

Leesville High School – Principal – Mark Mawae

Pitkin High School – Principal – Connie Britt

Simpson High School – Principal – Ramona Bennett

Elementary Supervisors Leigh Lansdale, Carolyn Bosley, and Joan Simmons presented banners to the following principals/schools:

Anacoco Elementary School – Principal - Angela Schraven

Rosepine Elementary School – Principal – Sandra Blakeway

East Leesville Elementary – Principal – Kristi Beasley

West Leesville Elementary – Principal – Karen Robertson

North Polk Elementary – Principal – Lee Coriell

Parkway Elementary – Principal – Dione Bradford

Item # 10:  4-H Update

Chad Hagan and Kem Johnson gave the Board an update on past and future projects given by the 4H office.  They also provided a 4-H calendar with schedules of upcoming events for the 2019-2020 service projects:

Stuffed animal collection for the Louisiana Lion’s Camp Carnival Nights

Christmas for CASA children

Seeding Sales for Calcasieu Soil & Water’s Education Programming

Special Needs Focus

Mardi Gras beads for Autism

Backpack project providing nutrition for kids in need

Ronald McDonald House aluminum tab collection

These are just a few of the events our Vernon Parish 4-H provides for our youth.

Mr. Hagan informed the Board that Vernon Parish has the largest 4-H enrollment in the state.  2019 Vernon Parish graduating seniors were presented $9,700 in 4-H scholarship money for the Louisiana 4-H Scholarship Fund, Country 105 and West Louisiana Forestry Festival Big Dog Bull Roping Scholarship, Miss Vernon 4-H Scholarship, the Louisiana Quarter Horse Association and the Thad Bailes 4-H Scholarship Fund.

Item #11: PBIS Update

Hub Jordan, Director of Child Welfare informed the Board of the implementation of a suicide prevention online training for employees called the “Jason Foundation”.  This training will better equip our school staff and teachers to recognize problems when they arise.  Angela DeGray is a retired Vernon Parish School Board Licensed Clinical School Social Worker/ School Social Worker Specialist Nationally Certified and will serve as our interventionist for this program.  The target grades will be 7-12 and students will have an app on their phones to report anything that may concern them about another student contemplating suicide.

Item #12:  Head Start Additional Grant

Finance Director Tim Ward asked Head Start Director, Curtis Clay to explain the discussion given at the December 5^th concerning the Beau Care Head Start.  Mr. Clay explained the process again to the Board.

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to allow the Vernon Parish Head Start to assume control of Beau Care Head Start contingent on lease details of the building.

Item #13: Discussion of State Grant for Bus Purchases

Finance Director, Tim Ward gave a complete explanation to the Board concerning the State Grant for bus purchases.  On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to purchase two LPG buses through the State Grant.

Item #14:  Report from Transportation Committee

Jim Seaman, Transportation Committee gave an update to the Board on the information presented by Transportation Director, Tom Neubert.  Mr. Neubert gave a comparison to the Board on bus purchases, current status of fleet, maintenance procedures and additional procedures to be added and a new bus repair form to be implemented.

Item #15: Outgoing Vernon Parish School Board President

Superintendent James Williams recognized Vernon L. Travis, Jr. as outgoing Vernon Parish School Board President and thanked him for his service as the 2019 Board President.  Mr. Williams informed the Board that Shad Stewart will be the 2020 Vernon Parish School Board President and Jackie Self will be the Vice-President.

Item #16:  Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent, James Williams welcomed all to the meeting.  He reminded the Board about the important information in their folders concerning the Louisiana School Board Association Convention in February.  Mr. Williams asked Ms. Renita Page to announce the Art Contest Winners to the Board.  Janiella Weeks, 4^th grade at West Leesville Elementary, Madelyn Weatherford 6^th grade at Simpson School, and Destony Bryant, 12^th grade at Pickering High School.  He informed the Board that the art work will be on display at the Louisiana School Board Association Convention in Baton Rouge in February.  Mr. Williams invited the Board to the Christmas Dinner at the School Board Office on December 19^th.  Next Board meeting will be January 10^th.

Item #17:  Memorial Resolutions

On motion of John Blankenbaker, 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 Doris Marie Paddy Harry who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Harry was the Mother-in-law of Regina Harry, VPSB bus driver and Sister-in-law of Brenda Paddy also a VPSB bus driver; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Harry has three nieces and one nephew in the Vernon Parish School System: Lori Partridge Rosepine High School Assistant Principal, Kristi Martin Head Start Coordinator, Denise Smith bus driver and  Daniel Davis  bus driver; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Harry 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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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 Reverend Clennon Wendell Turner who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Rev. Turner was the Father of Sedric Clemons, Sr. teacher at Leesville High School; and

            WHEREAS, Rev. 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 his family at this time of sadness.

Item #18:  Adjournment

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned

Authorized Officer

_________________________

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR., PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT

VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

December 05, 2019

FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020

BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS

Fund                                                Current               Increase                   Revised

Number                                             Budget             (Decrease)                  Budget      

262 Preschool                                   $82,856                   8,632                    $91,488

The FY 2020 grant award allocation for Preschool was received in the amount of $91,488. This was an increase of $8,632.

265 Carl Perkins                              $101,683               (6,797)                   $94,886

The FY 2020 grant award allocation for the Carl Perkins was received in the amount of $94,886. This was a decrease of $6,797.

269 Early Childhood CCDF           $8,457                    2,316                   $10,773

The FY 2020 grant award allocation for Early Childhood CCDF was received in the amount of $10,773.  The original budget was an estimate and is being increased by $2,316.

571 Early Childhood State             $8,510                      677                    $9,177

The FY 2020 grant award allocation for Early Childhood State was received in the amount of $9,177.  This is an increase of $677.

680 Direct Student Services          $66,219                    6,029                  $72,894

The FY 2020 grant award allocation for Direct Student Services was received in the amount of $72,894; this is an increase of $6,029.

671 SRCL Grant B-5                     $0                           19,743                  $19,743

The Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Grant B-5 is a carryover grant form 2018-2019 and was not budgeted.

672 SRCL K-2                              $0                             19,473                   $19,473

The Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Grant K-2 is a carryover grant from 2018-2019 and was not budgeted.

673 SRCL 3-5                              $0                             19,473                   $19,473

The Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Grant K-2 is a carryover grant from 2018-2019 and was not budgeted.

677 Title VI REAP                      $152,726                  14,653                  $167,379

The FY 2020 grant award allocation for Title VI REAP was received for $167,379.  The original budget was an estimate and is being increased by $14,653.

681 SRCL B-5                              $35,155                    52,720                  $87,875

The FY 2020 grant award allocation for Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Grant

B-5 was received in the amount of $87,825; this was an increase of $52,720.

682 SRCL K-2                              $124,515                 (54,515)                $70,000

The FY 2020 grant award allocation for Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Grant

K-2 was received in the amount of $70,000. The original budget was an estimate and is being decreased by $54,515.

683 SRCL 3-5                              $71,832                     33,618                 $105,450

The FY 2020 grant award allocation for Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Grant

3-5 was received in the amount of $105,450. This is an increase of $33,618.