FEBRUARY 6, 2020
THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. PRESIDENT SHAD STEWART 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
RANDY MARTIN
VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
LISA THOMPSON
COL. RYAN K. ROSEBERRY
ABSENT: DAVID DETZ
There was also present Mr. James Williams, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by: JIM SEAMAN
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: JIM SEAMAN
Item #1: January 14, 2020 Minutes
On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 14, 2020 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Item #2: Lease Renewal
On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted not to renew the lease on the Fort Polk building and to proceed with option three (3).
Item #3: Discussion of Ward 8 Bond Redemption Provisions
Finance Director, Tim Ward discussed and explained to the Board the savings on the restructuring of school bonds, series 2014. Mr. Ward also provided the Board with a chart showing the schedule of savings which is $197,225.00.
On motion if Lisa Thompson, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to add a resolution to the February 11th board meeting to be passed which states the following:
A resolution providing for an amendment of the redemption provisions for the outstanding General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, Series 2014, of Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, set forth in the resolution adopted January 9, 2014 and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Item #4: Head Start Report
Director of Head Start, Curtis Clay gave an update to the Board concerning Head Start business. Mr. Clay asked that the following information presented in the Policy Council Meeting on February 4, 2020 be added to the February 11th agenda for approval:
1. VPHS Policies and Procedures for Documenting Nonfederal Share (In-Kind)
2. VPHS Financial Procedure Manual
3. VPHS Tuition Assistance Agreement
4. VPHS Income Eligibility Procedures
5. VPHS Child Abuse Policy and Procedures
6. VPHS Child Attendance and Tardiness Policy and Procedures
7. VPHS Personnel Policies
8. Lisa Lewis – Aide – new hire at ELE to replace Twila Perkins (resigned)
On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to add for approval to the February 11th meeting.
Item #5: Vernon Parish Transition Agency Fair
Kelly Kaiama-Goodwin, Secondary Program Coordinator addressed the Board with information concerning the upcoming Transition Agency Fair to be held at the Leesville High School basketball gym on Friday, February 7th. Ms. Goodwin invited the Board to attend and provided them with a schedule of events and the 2020 Transition Agency Fair participants.
Item #6: Black History Month Overview
Director of Special Education, Charlotte Cooper presented an overview of Black History Month events and dates taking place in schools in February. The following schools will participate: West Leesville Elementary, Vernon Middle, Leesville Junior High, Leesville High, Pickering Elementary, and Pickering High.
Item #7: Central LA Instructional Partnership
Jennifer Cowley, MBA with the Orchard Foundation presented the Board with details regarding participation in the CLIP program. The Central Louisiana Instructional Partnership program is a teacher residency program which will focus on developing middle school Math and Science teachers in high-needs schools. Applications were given to each board member with CLIP qualifications and requirements to apply.
Item # 8: Salary/Personnel Committee Report
Salary/Personnel Chairperson, Angie Davis reported to the Board on the information discussed at the 9:30 meeting by Assistant Superintendent, Mike Kay. Mr. Kay reported on the following: February personnel changes, stipend checks, enrollment, and military enrollment.
Item #9: Superintendent’s Remarks
Superintendent Williams welcomed all to the meeting. He asked Col. Roseberry for an update on Fort Polk events. Col. Roseberry reported on funds to be received and what they would be used for. He informed the Board that the Department of Defense Education Director, Edith Perkins will be visiting Fort Polk on the 18th, 19th, and 20th and invited all to attend.
Mr. Williams announced that the stipend checks will be mailed on February 21st. He informed the Board of the upcoming 2020 Vernon Parish Quiz Bowl to be held on February 13th at the Leesville High auditorium.
Item #10: Memorial Resolutions
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 Debra Mae Landry who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Landry was a former employee of the Vernon Parish School System; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Landry 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 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 Maxine Belsha Ferrill who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Ferrill was the Mother of retired teacher Judith Willis, and
WHEREAS, Ms. Ferrill 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 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 Carlon R. Andre who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Andre was a retired Vernon Parish teacher; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Andre 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 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 Margaret Ann Carr LaCaze who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. LaCaze was the Mother of Donnis LaCaze Poe, former VPSB teacher, Mother-in-law of Paul Poe, former VPSB Principal, Grandmother of Amy Poe Florendo, teacher at Hicks High School, two sisters and one brother-in-law, Georgia McRae, Belle Wilson, and John Wilson former VPSB employees.
WHEREAS, Ms. LaCaze was a retired paraprofessional from the Vernon Parish School System; and
WHEREAS, Ms. LaCaze 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 # 11: Adjournment
There being no other business the meeting was adjourned.
Authorized Officer
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SHAD STEWART, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT