MARCH 10, 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:

ROBERT PYNES

JIM SEAMAN

JACKIE SELF

STEVE WOODS

DAVID DETZ

RANDY MARTIN

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

LISA THOMPSON

ABSENT:

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

ANGIE DAVIS

DOUG BRANDON

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   SHAD STEWART        

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:    SHAD STEWART        

Item #1: Approval of Minutes:

On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the March 5, 2020 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2: Approval of Employee Retirements:

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to approve employee retirements.

Item #3: Head Start Policies/Procedures:

On motion of  Jim Seaman, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve Head Start policies and procedures presented at March 5^th meeting.

Item # 4: Authorization to Pay Claims

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

Item #5: Approval of Budget Amendments

On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.

Item #6: VPSB Policy Changes

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to approve the Vernon Parish School Board Policy Changes presented at the March 5^th meeting.

Item #7:  2020-2021 School Calendar

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve calendar “A” for the 2020-2021 school year which was chosen by employees.

Item #8:  Employee of the Month:

Director of Finance, Tim Ward introduced Jeff Taylor with Taylor and Sons Insurance and also the sponsor of “Employee of the Month” to the Board.  Mr. Taylor announced to the Board that Ms. Tina Turnage, East Leesville Elementary school nurse had been chosen as the employee of the month and presented Ms. Turnage with a plaque and a “bag of goodies.” Principal Kristi Beasley spoke to the Board about the great job Ms. Turnage does for her school and how she is always ready to help with any situation.

Item #9:  Recognition of PCAL Bus Driver of the Year

Director of Transportation, Tom Neubert introduced Ms. Peggy Vinson as the Parish and Regional PCAL Bus Driver of the Year. Ms. Vinson’s school base is Parkway Elementary and Ms. Alanta Bradford, Principal of Parkway spoke to the Board about the way Ms. Vinson always helps out when needed and willing to go the extra mile. Ms. Vinson was presented with a certificate, plaque, jacket and $100 for being the Parish and Regional Bus Driver of the Year.  Malcolm Morris and Logan Morris with Morris Insurance and sponsor for PCAL also reiterated the importance of excellent bus drivers such as Ms. Vinson.

Item #10:  Recognition of Life Changer of the Year Award

Life Changer of the Year Award 2019-2020 was awarded to Todd Sasser, Agriculture Teacher at Pitkin High School.  Mr. James Britt with Valu Teachers/National Life Group nominated Mr. Todd Sasser for this award. Ms. Connie Britt also spoke to the Board about the outstanding teaching skills Mr. Sasser possesses as an educator.  Ms. Britt talked about the life changing differences he makes with his students, always ready to help in any way possible.  He is constantly repairing things at school with a smile.  We are thankful to have Mr. Sasser on our staff.

Item #11:  Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams congratulated Ms. Vinson, PCAL Parish and Regional Bus Driver of the Year Award and Mr. Sassar for the Life Changer of the Year Award.  Mr. Williams congratulated the Hicks High School Girls’ on their winning state championship in class C basketball.  He reminded the Board that Hicks High School and Simpson High School class C basketball will play in semi-finals today and Pitkin class B basketball will play tomorrow.

Mr. Williams discussed the guidelines from the Louisiana Department of Education and NSBA on the COVID-19 on basic precautions for students and employees and possible steps taken if we have an outbreak of the virus.

Mr. Williams reminded the Board to complete their disclosure statements before the deadline.

He informed the Board that the next Board Meeting will be April 2nd at 10:00.

Item #:11 Memorial Resolutions

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 Willard Theodore Booty who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Booty was the Brother of Roland Booty, former teacher, principal, and supervisor for the Vernon Parish School Board and Sister-in-law Johnnie Mae Booty retired teacher; now

            WHEREAS, Mr. Booty was a resident of Calcasieu 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 Randy Martin, 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 Lorin Randall “Moon” Mullins who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Mullins was the Brother-in-law of Pat O’Hara retired central office maintenance department and Johnette O’Hara retired bus driver; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Mullins 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 Robert Pynes, 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 Captain Scotty V. McCloud who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. McCloud was the Husband of Lou McCloud, retired LA-4 paraprofessional and Brother of Harry McCloud, retired LHS ROTC instructor, and

            WHEREAS, Mr. McCloud 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.

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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 Charlotte Stochard Whitehead who recently  passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Whitehead was the Mother of Paige Price, teacher at West Leesville Elementary; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Whitehead was a resident of Missoula, Mt; 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 Helen Rock who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Rock was a retired cook at East Leesville Elementary; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Rock was the Mother of Olympia Wilson, Head Start paraprofessional,  Mother-in-law of Carlton Wilson, former bus driver, and Sister of Leonard Smith, retired custodian for the Vernon Parish School System; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Rock 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

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SHAD STEWART, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

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JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT