MAY 19, 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:
SHAD STEWART - PRESIDENT
VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR. - VICE-PRESIDENT
ROBERT PYNES
JIM SEAMAN
JACKIE SELF
STEVE WOODS
ANGIE DAVIS
LISA THOMPSON
DAVID DETZ
RANDY MARTIN
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
ABSENT: DOUG BRANDON
There was also present Mr. James Williams, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by: Leesville First Baptist Church Associate Pastor, Craig Forque
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: JACKIE SELF
Item #1: Approval of Minutes of April 28, 2020 Meeting
On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the April 28, 2020 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Item #2: Approval of Employee Retirements
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve the employee retirements.
Item #3: Budget Amendments Related to Personnel Changes
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the budget amendments related to personnel changes.
Item #4: Pay the Claims
On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
Item #5: Food Service Quotation Calendar for 2020-2021
On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to approve the Food Service Quotation Calendar for the 2020-2021 school year.
Item #6: Promotional Principal Position
On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to advertise for a promotional principal position at Leesville Junior High School.
Item #7: Suspend Restructuring of Schools
On motion of David Detz, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to suspend any restructuring of schools and any reassignment of students for the 2020-2021 school year. The motion passed on a vote of 10 yeas and one nay by Vernon L. Travis, Jr. There was no vote by Doug Brandon who was absent. The Board discussed necessary reasons (pros and cons) for the decision to suspend restructuring of schools and any reassignment of students for the 2020-2021 school year. District Six (Leesville) Board Member Vernon L. Travis, Jr. voiced his opposition to the suspension concerning the restructuring of schools and reassignment of students for the 2020-2021 school year.
Mr. Travis requested that the motion include a January 2021 end to the suspension.
Item #8: Salary Personnel Report
Angie Davis, Salary/Personnel Chairperson reported to the Board on the meeting held at 9:30. The following items were discussed:
1) Retirements are being processed
2) Advertise for promotional principal position at Leesville Junior High
3) Discussed certification requirements for teaching positions and the different types of certification
Item #9: Superintendent’s Remarks
Superintendent James Williams welcomed the Board members to the meeting.
Col. Ryan K. Roseberry discussed the COVID-19 information from Fort Polk and reported very low. He also informed the Board of safety measures taken at the military base and that rotations will continue next week. Col. Roseberry thanked Mr. Williams, the Board, and school employees for their continued support for the military community and families.
Director of Finance, Tim Ward discussed the CARES Act, the lunch fund, technology for students, and ESSERF approval.
Director of Title/Federal Programs and Food Service, Joey Whiddon discussed funds being applied for to cover salaries of employees.
Mr. Williams discussed updates from the State and BESE on COVID-19 issues concerning our school system’s changes and future plans. Mr. Williams announced that Alnata Dione Bradford is a Semi-finalist for Principal of the Year and Jessica Deon is Semi-finalist for Teacher of the Year.
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 Louise Westbrook who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Westbrook was the Mother of retired teacher Terri Whiddon and Mother-in-Law of Joey Whiddon, Director of Title/Federal Programs and School Food Service; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Whiddon 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 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 Don Austin Scoggins who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Scoggins was the Father of Susan Elizabeth Scoggins, Vernon Parish School Board Network Administrator and Linda Beckermeyer, school nurse and Grandfather of Elizabeth May Gautreaux Cyr, teacher at Parkway Elementary; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Scoggins 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, 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 adopt to express their sympathy to the family of Larry Olen Goins who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Goins was the Father of Renita Goins Page, Vernon Parish School Board Director of Curriculum; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Goins 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 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 Veresa Rochelle Wright who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Wright was employed by the Vernon Parish School Board as a
Special Education Paraprofessional; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Wright was the Daughter of Wanda Wright, Vernon Parish School Board retirement and certification coordinator; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Wright 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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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 Maria Yvonne Brinkley who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Brinkley was the Mother of Amanda Walker, Vernon Parish School Board finance secretary and Tonya Blackwell, Simpson High bookkeeper; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Brinkley 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 Dona Beatrice Thompson who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Thompson was the Mother-in-law of District Eight Board Member, Lisa Thompson; 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.
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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 Danny Hardwick who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hardwick was the Husband of Sharon Hardwick retired teacher, Brother of Sherry Paris retired teacher/supervisor, and Brother of Dale Hardwick retired principal.
WHEREAS, Mr. Hardwick 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 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 Jean Wells who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Wells was a retired teacher for the Vernon Parish School System; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Wells 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 # 11: 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