AUGUST 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:
SHAD STEWART – PRESIDENT
JACKIE SELF – VICE PRESIDENT
ROBERT PYNES, JR.
JIM SEAMAN
STEVE WOODS
VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.
RANDY MARTIN
LISA THOMPSON
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
DAVID DETZ
COL. RYAN K. ROSEBERRY
ABSENT:
ANGIE DAVIS
DOUG BRANDON
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: Approval of Minutes
On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the July 14, 2020 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Item #2: Vernon Parish School Board Policy Updates
Child Welfare Director, Hub Jordan presented to the Board the new policy on Public Health Emergency – File: EBBI
New regulations:
Title VII Employee Sexual Harassment – FILE: GAEAA
Title IX Sexual Harassment -FILE: JAAA
Sexually Related Student Misconduct – FILE: JCEA
Changes:
Equal Opportunity Employment – File: GAAA
Cf: GAE, GAEAA Cf: GAMC, GBC
Non-Title IX Complaints and Grievances – File: GAE
Cf: JAAA, JCEA
Title VII Employee Sexual Harrassment – File GAEAA
Cf: GAAA, GAE, GAMC Cf: GBRA, GBK, JAAA, JCEA
Investigations – File: GAMC
Cf: GAK, GBRA, JAAA Cf: JCEA, JDA, JGCE
Title IX Sexual Harassment – File: JAAA
Cf: GAEAA, JCDAF, Cf: JCEA, JGCE
Item #3: Athletic Updates
Athletic Director, Hub Jordan presented the Board with a Memorandum from LHSAA Executive Director/ Eddie Bonine which included revised important dates grid for the fall sports of Cross Country, Football, Swimming and Volleyball. He informed the Board that a thorough descriptive fall sport by sport permissive and non-permissive activities document will be forthcoming. This comes after the Governor’s decision to remain in Phase II for an additional 21 days, with a potential expiration date of August 28th 2020.
Item #4: Discussion of Updated School Calendar
Assistant Superintendent, Mike Kay presented the Board with an updated school calendar for the 2020-2021 school year.
Item #5: Technology Updates for 2020-2021 School Year
Supervisor of Technology, Bill Lohman discussed how the process of virtual classes will be performed and how teachers have been trained on teaching virtual classes. He also discussed chrome book orders and how the process will be done to distribute and the number of students to receive the chrome books.
Item #6: Curriculum Updates for 2020-2021 School Year
Directors of Curriculum, Renita Page and Anne Smith presented the Board with an 81 page binder of vital information for re-opening schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
The information covers safety measures, food service information, virtual learning procedures, face to face procedures, technology, COVID 19 information, etc.
Ms. Page also presented the Board with a number count of students from each school of virtual and face to face learning.
Item #7: Vernon Parish School Board Vital Clean Schedule
Finance Director, Tim Ward and Title Programs Director, Joey Whiddon presented the Board with a schedule of schools completed with vital clean and a list of schools to be cleaned. They also discussed the contract with ORKIN for the vital clean service being done in our schools and all the central offices.
Item #8: Report from Salary/Personnel Committee
Vernon L. Travis, Jr. filled in for the Salary/Personnel Chairperson and reported to the Board the discussion during the committee meeting.
The following topics were discussed:
l. Personnel changes for August, 2020
2. COVID 19 Absences and procedures
3. Disclosure Statements for Board Members
4. Performance Contracts for Virginia Hopewell and Kayla Hopkins
Item #9: Superintendent’s Remarks
Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting and explained the COVID 19 procedures for seating during the meeting. Mr. Williams asked Col. Roseberry to report on Fort Polk events. Col. Roseberry thanked the Board for allowing him to serve on the Board. He also thanked the Technology Department for the job they do in the schools. Col. Roseberry informed the Board that the new General will be here
September 10, 2020, General David Doyle. He discussed the success of the cafeteria conversation, Quality of Life plans on housing and education enhancement and the North Polk Elementary lease and possible funding in the future.
Item #10: Memorial Resolutions
On motion of John Blankenbaker, 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 Rufus Edward Goins who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Goins retired as a Vernon Parish School System Educator and Administrator; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Goins is the Father of retired VPSB teacher Darla Solinsky; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Goins is a long time 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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Frank “Frankie” Alden Howard who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Howard was the husband of deceased Hornbeck High School secretary, Betty Howard and is survived by retired VPSB teacher Macel Howard; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Howard 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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Gerald M. Vincent who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Vincent was the Brother of retired VPSB Special Education Paraprofessional, Alma Dowden; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dowden 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Lillian Faye Littleton who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Littleton was a retired Vernon Parish School cook technician; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Littleton was the Mother of retired VPSB maintenance employee Larry Littleton and former bus driver Jeff Littleton and Mother-in-law of retired teacher Tammy Littleton and Cathy Littleton previous general fund paraprofessional; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Littleton 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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Mildred Moore who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Moore was a Vernon Parish School cook technician; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Moore 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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Brenda Knapp Corley who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Corley was the Wife of Leesville Junior High Special Education teacher Mike Corley, Sister of Susie Neubert retired Vernon Parish teacher, and Brother-in-law Tom Neubert, VPSB Transportation Director;
WHEREAS, Ms. Corley 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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Gaye Fetting who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Fetting was a former Special Education Paraprofessional at Leesville High School; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Fetting was the Sister of Faye Dhane former VPSB bus driver
WHEREAS, Ms. Fetting was a resident of Vernon Parish; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy sent to her family at this time of sadness.
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 express their sympathy to the family of Aaron Richardson who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Richardson was the Son of Keith Richardson retired VPSB Head Custodian, Anacoco High School and Grandson of retired VPSB Special Education Paraprofessional, Rose McInnis; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Richardson was a former 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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item #11: Adjournment
There being no other business the meeting was adjourned
Authorized Officer
_________________________
SHAD STEWART, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
__________________________________
JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT