FEBRUARY 11, 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

JIM SEAMAN

STEVE WOODS

ANGIE DAVIS

DAVID DETZ

RANDY MARTIN

VERNON L. TRAVIS

LISA THOMPSON

ABSENT:

COL. RYAN K. ROSEBERRY

JACKIE SELF  

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   STEVE WOODS          

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:    STEVE WOODS          

Item #1: Approval of Minutes

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Vernon L. Travis, Jr., the Board voted to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2020 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2: Approval of Budget Amendments/Personnel Changes

On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes for February 12^th.

Item #3: Authorization to Pay Claims

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

Item #4:  Employee Retirements

On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to accept employee retirements.

Item #5:  Headstart Policies/Procedures Approval:

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to approve the policies and procedures presented to the Board at the February 6^th meeting.

Item #6: General Obligation School Bonds/Ward Eight

On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to adopt a resolution providing for an amendment of the redemption provision 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 # 7: Recognition of Students of the Year

Curriculum Director, Renita Page introduced Curriculum Supervisor, Carolyn Bosley to the Board and visitors and asked Ms. Bosley to present the 2020 Students of the Year.

Anacoco 5^th grade         Riley Draughn  

Anacoco 8^th grade         Anniston Manley

Anacoco High               Taylor Laughlin

Evans 5^th grade            Ryker Blackmon          

Evans 8^th grade            Chelsea Kay    

Evans High                   Kallynn Higginbotham

Hicks 5^th grade             McKenzie Wolff

Hicks 8^th grade             Emma Merchant          

Hicks High                   Cosette Langlinais

Hornbeck 5^th grade       Harlynn Stracener        

Hornbeck 8^th grade       Abby Nicholas

Hornbeck High              Wyatt Woodell

Vernon Middle 5^th          Byrcen Dowden

Leesville Jr. High 8th    Allie Wittenhagen

Leesville High               Calab Crouse

Pickering 5^th                 Savanna Westbrooks   

Pickering 8^th                 Dylan Gallion   

Pickering High              Brennen Vinson

Pitkin 5^th                       Hayden Perkins           

Pitkin 8^th                       Isabella McDaniel                    

Pitkin High                    Ashton Iber

Rosepine 5^th                Tom McPherson                      

Rosepine 8^th                 Houston Bryant            

Rosepine High              Leah Thompson

Simpson 5^th                  Abigail Martin     

Simpson 8^th                  Wyatt Shaver   

Simpson High               Kyle Everidge

District Winners:

Savanna Westbrooks    Pickering Elementary

Dylan Gallion                Pickering  High

Leah Thompson            Rosepine  High School

Item #8:  Employee of the Month

Finance Director, Tim Ward welcomed Scott Walker with Taylor and Sons Insurance, sponsor for our Vernon Parish School Employee of the Month to the meeting and to present the “Employee of the Month” to the Board.  Andrew Nunn, Vernon Parish School Board Technician was named Employee of the Month.  Mr. Nunn was nominated by West Leesville Elementary Principal, Karen Robertson because of his willingness to always help her teachers with technology problems at her school.  Mr. Nunn always goes that extra mile to assist others and he always has such a pleasant attitude.

Item #9:  Athletic Committee Report

Vernon L. Travis, Jr., Athletic Chairperson informed the Board on the discussion during the 9:30 Athletic Committee Meeting on the following items:

1.  LHSAA Update

2.  Basketball Power Rankings

3.  Spring Sports Schedules

4.  LHSAA Baseball & Softball PAC

5.  Baseball & Sofball Jamborees (schedules)

6.  Parish Softball Jamboree (schedules)

7.  Next meeting May 12, 2020

Item #10:  Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent Williams welcomed all to the meeting.  He thanked our “Students of the Year” for their hard work and dedication and Ms. Bosley for her direction of the program.

Mr. Williams reminded the Board of the Quiz Bowl at Leesville High School, the LSBA meeting the 24^th – 26^th, Black History month in February, and the annual school board pictures scheduled for March 5^th.

Item #11: 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 John B Pourteau, Jr. who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Pourteau  was the Husband of Lennie Faye Pourteau, retired teacher, Father-in-law of Roxanne Wiggins, teacher at Pitkin, and Grandfather of Albert “Boo” Davis , husband of  Angie Davis, Ward 2 Board Member; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Pourteau 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.

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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 Jimmie F. Ellis who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Ellis was the Mother of Doreen Howard and Mother-in-law of Troy Howard both retired Vernon Parish teachers; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Ellis 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.

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Item #12:  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