AUGUST 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:

SHAD STEWART –  PRESIDENT

JACKIE SELF – VICE PRESIDENT

DOUG BRANDON

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JIM SEAMAN

JACKIE SELF

STEVE WOODS

ANGIE DAVIS

DAVID DETZ

RANDY MARTIN

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

LISA THOMPSON

COL. RYAN K. ROSEBERRY

ABSENT: ALL PRESENT

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   JOHN BLANKENBAKER          

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:     JOHN BLANKENBAKER          

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 August 6, 2020 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2:           Budget Amendments Related to Personnel Changes

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.

Item #3:           Pay the Claims

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

Item #4:           Approve Updated School Calendar for 2020-2021

Assistant Superintendent Mike Kay and Superintendent James Williams discussed the changes on the 2020-2021 school calendar and explained the reasons.  On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the updated school calendar for 2020-2021.  All Board members voted yes with one no by Lisa Thompson.

Item #5:             Performance Contracts

On motion of Vernon L. Travis, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to approve the

Performance contracts for our two new assistant principals.

Item #6:              Motion to Approve Policy Updates

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the following policy updates:

EBBI, GAEAA, JAAA, JCEA, GAAA, GAE, GAEAA, and GAMC

Item #7:           Pitkin High School Bleachers

Tim Ward informed the Board that he had only received one bid for Pitkin High bleachers from Insight, Inc. in Alexandria, LA for $97,640.On motion of David Detz, seconded by John Blankenbaker the Board voted to receive the bid from Insight, Inc. On motion of Vernon L. Travis, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to take the bid under advisement.

Item #8:           Update for Opening of School 2020-2021

Superintendent, James Williams discussed his concerns and plans for the opening of schools that have been made to accommodate teachers, students, and parents.  Mr. Williams informed the Board of the many safety measures taken to provide our students and staff a safe environment.  He also had each director speak in detail one by one to the Board and explain their departments’ preparation for opening school and the role they play for safety with students and school staff.  In attendance were the following directors:

Tom Neubert –Director of Transportation, Maintenance, and Nursing

Renita Page and Anne Smith – Directors of Curriculum

Curtis Clay – Director of Head Start

Joey Whiddon – Director of Food Service and Title Programs

William Lohman – Supervisor of Technology

Charlotte Cooper – Director of Special Education

Hub Jordan – Director of Child Welfare and Athletics

Tim Ward – Director of Finance

Item #9:            Superintendent’s Remarks

 Superintendent, James Williams thanked all the directors for their hard work and

continued resolve to ensure that school opening will be safe and ready to meet the needs of students and staff at each school.  He reminded the Board that his main concern is the safety of students and staff. Mr. Williams stated that communication is the key to success for opening schools.  He asked Col. Roseberry for an update from Fort Polk. Col. Roseberry thanked the Board and Superintendent for their continued support and assured the Board that Fort Polk will continue to do their part to assist in any way to make the opening of schools a success.  Mr. Williams welcomed Representative Charles Owens and thanked him for his support to the Vernon Parish School Board and the needs of the community.

Item #10:          Memorial Resolution

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 Margie Jeane Bowen  who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Bowen was a retired paraprofessional at Pickering Elementary; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Bowen was a resident of Vernon Parish

            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.

Item #11:  Adjournment

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned

Authorized Officer

_________________________

SHAD STEWART, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT