JULY 14, 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.

JIM SEAMAN

STEVE WOODS

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

ANGIE DAVIS

DAVID DETZ

RANDY MARTIN

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

LISA THOMPSON

ABSENT:

JACKIE SELF – VICE PRESIDENT                  

T

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   ROBERT PYNES, JR.  

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:     ROBERT PYNES, JR.  

Item #1:           Approval of Minutes

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Vernon L. Travis, Jr., the Board voted to approve the minutes of the July 9, 2020 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2:           Approval of Employee Retirements

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

Item #3:           Budget Amendments Related to Personnel Changes

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

Item #4:           Pay the Claims

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

Item #5:            Policy Updates Approval

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to approve the Vernon Parish School Board policy updates File #: EBBD (emergency closing of schools)  GBAA (compensation Guidelines/Overtime) FFCRA (sick leave).  On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to table File #: GBRIBC  (COVID ACT).

Item #6:            Vernon Parish School Board Policy Handbook Approval

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the Vernon Parish School Board Policy Handbook for 2020-2021.

Item #7:            Promotional Assistant Principal Position Simpson High School

On motion of Lisa Thompson, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to advertise for a promotional assistant principal position at Simpson High School.

Item #8:           Promotional Assistant Principal Position Anacoco High School

On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to advertise for a promotional assistant principal position at Anacoco High School.

Item #9:             Rapides Foundation Grant

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to approve the Rapides Foundation Grants.

Item #10:          Pitkin High School Bleachers

 On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to advertise for bleachers for Pitkin High School.

Item #11:            Fort Polk Progress Report

Assistant Superintendent, Mike Kay introduced Mayor Rick Allen and asked him to give the Fort Polk Progress Report.  Mayor Allen thanked the Vernon Parish School Board for their continued achievements and offered his assistance through this critical period from his office.  He explained the grant the school board received and the amount: $79,951.25 which is well deserved.

Item #12:          Transportation Update

Director of Transportation and Nursing, Tom Neubert reported to the Board concerning the following:

1.         Number of route buses – board owned and operator owned

2.         Fleet Condition

3.         Plan to start school

4.         Sanitizing and cleaning

Mr. Neubert also had the VPSB head nurse Mandie Johnson and nurse Shelby Wedgeworth speak to the Board concerning procedures for reopening of schools.

Item #13:          Technology Update

Supervisor of Technology Bill Lohman discussed the following to the Board:

1.         Google Classroom – Virtual Training, Independent learning modules, and teachers completing  level - I.

2.         Survey options discussed

3.         Devices – existing chromebooks

4.         Connectivity – options

Item #14:          Special Education Update

Director of Special Education, Charlotte Cooper reported to the Board the LEA Determination Results for Vernon Parish.

Total points possible – 33/ total points earned – 32/ total performance 97%

Graduation – 83% 

Item #15:          Report from Curriculum Committee

Curriculum Committee Chairperson, Angie Davis reported to the Board the information given during the Curriculum Committee meeting concerning the Strong Start 2020 procedures for the beginning of school.  Ms. Page provided a detailed booklet covering all information about reopening school and the procedures for COVID-19 precautions.

Item #16:          Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent Williams welcomed all to the meeting and asked Col. Ryan K. Roseberry to report Fort Polk events.  Col. Roseberry continued to encourage all about the

 COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Williams thanked the Curriculum, Technology, Transportation, Special Education and all departments for the hard work they do to keep the Board informed on procedures to reopen our schools. Mr. Williams said he appreciates all school employees working hard to accomplish our goals during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Mr. Williams also thanked State Representative Rodney Schamerhorn for his attendance and support for our Board and school system.  Mayor Rick Allen was also present and Mr. Williams thanked him for his involvement in Fort Polk Progress and presented  the check received from Fort Polk Progress.

Item # 17:         Memorial Resolutions

There were no memorial resolutions.

Item #18:          Adjournment

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned

Authorized Officer

_________________________

SHAD STEWART, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT