OCTOBER 1, 2020 

 

THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA.  VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.  CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:

 

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

RANDY MARTIN

JIM SEAMAN

STEVE WOODS

DAVID DETZ

JIM SEAMAN

COL. RYAN K. ROSEBERRY

 

ABSENT:         

DOUG BRANDON

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

ANGIE DAVIS

SHAD STEWART

JACKIE SELF

LISA THOMPSON

                       

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   MIKE KAY

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:     MIKE KAY

 

Item #1:   September 10, 2020 Minutes

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the September 10, 2020 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.  This motion will be considered on October 6, 2020 due to only six board members present.

 

Item #2:   Recognition of Louisiana Principal of the Year 

Curriculum Supervisors Carolyn Bosley and Joan Simmons and Curriculum Director Anne Smith each introduced Alanta Deon Bradford to the Board as the 2020 Louisiana Principal of the Year. 

 

Item #3:   Cenergistic Energy Report 

Finance Director, Tim Ward introduced Doug Bilyeu, Regional Vice President of Cenergistic- The Sustainability Company to the Board and asked him to update the Board on our savings.  Mr. Bilyeu presented the Board with a certificate of energy savings after achieving $2,730,000 saved through energy conservation efforts. After cutting energy use 32 percent under a conservation partnership, Vernon Parish School Board received the Chairman’s Sustainability Award from Cenergistic, a national conservation company.  The program, in place since 2015, has seen 10 of 19 district facilities earn Energy Star Building Certifications.

 

Item #4:   Discussion of VPSB School Calendar for the 2020- 2021 School Year

Mike Kay, Assistant Superintendent/Personnel Director presented the Board with 2 proposed school calendars for the 20-21 school year and asked that they review the two calendars to be placed on the October 6th agenda for approval.

 

Item #5:   Discussion of VPSB Meeting Dates for 2021

Mike Kayalso presented the Board with a meeting dates schedule for 2021 and asked the Board to review the schedule to be placed on the October 6th agenda for approval.

 

Item #6:   Discussion of Department of Defense DCIP Grant

Tim Ward, Director of Finance discussed the DCIP Grant, also called the Campus Connections and Learning Spaces, and informed the Board of the five school sites for improvements which are:  Leesville High School, Leesville Junior High, Vernon Middle, Pickering High, and Pickering Elementary.  A technology center and STREAM spaces, outdoor learning classrooms, security/technology, parking areas, earthways, and pedestrian areas are some of the projects planned.  The Vernon Parish School Board recognizes more space and facilities are needed to accommodate and deploy innovative strategies to address the critical installation needs for service members and their families that improve quality of life.

 

Item #7:            Hurricane Restoration Update

Finance Director, Tim Ward informed the Board on the hurricane restoration and projects completed and not completed.  He updated the Board on projects completed by the Cotton Company crews working to restore damaged schools and working with the insurance company and adjusters on receiving money needed for repairs.  Mr. Ward is also working with FEMA to assist with finances not covered by the insurance.

 

Item # 8:           COVID-19 Update

Mike Kay, Personnel Director and Hub Jordan, Child Wellfare Director discussed the COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Flowchart for Schools which is required by the Louisiana Department of Health.  The flowchart explains the procedure each school must follow.  A letter has also been sent home with each child’s parent/parents in our school system from the Louisiana Office of Public Health concerning disease control measures following contact with a suspected COVID -19 case.

 

Item #9:            Policy Updates and Revisions

Hub Jordan informed the Board of the following policy updates and revisions:

1.         File:  BCAD new policy.  Teleconference/Remote participation in school board meetings

2.         File:  CED  Employment of Superintendent ACT 292 addresses the selection of interim

3.         FILE:  DJE  Purchasing

4.         FILE:  DJED Bids & Quotations

5.         FILE:  EFC  Business Continuity and Technology Disaster Recovery  ACT 155

6.         FILE:  GBDA  Employment of Retired Personnel

7.         FILE:  IDFAB  Sports injury management and Concussions  ACT 259

8.         FILE:  JBH  Attendance Reposts for Student Drivers

9.         FILE:  JGC  Student Health Services

10.        FILE:  JGCE  Child Abuse ACT 272

 

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to add the new policies and revisions to the October 6th agenda for approval.

 

Item # 10:    Report from Salary/Personnel Committee

In the absence of Angie Davis, Salary/Personnel Committee Chairperson, Vernon L. Travis reported to the Board the topics discussed by Mike Kay, Personnel Director during the meeting:

 

1.         Personnel transactions for October, 2020

2.         Nursing and mechanic openings

3.         November 10th LSB training after 10:00 board meeting

4.         Reminder to Board to turn in ethics training and disclosure statements

5.         Discussed proposed school calendars and 2021 board meeting dates

6.         Student count in schools

7.         Head Start Policy Council Training October 6th 9:00

 

Item # 11:         Superintendent’s Remarks

 

Superintendent, James Williams welcomed all to the meeting.  Mr. Williams introduced Terry Lambright, Vernon Parish District Attorney and Ronald Seastrunk, Vernon Parish Assistant District Attorney to the Board and asked Mr. Lambright to address the Board on his position.  Mr. Lambright informed the Board that Mr. Seastrunk will be the Board Attorney and that he will assist when needed.

 Mr. Williams asked Col. Roseberry for his Fort Polk update.

 Col. Roseberry congratulated the Board and Superintendent Williams for a great school opening.  He commented that there were minimal problems, no bus problems, and military parents were very pleased with the opening of schools.   He also congratulated Ms. Bradford for receiving her award as Louisiana Principal of the Year and how thankful he and Fort Polk parents are to have her as Principal at  Parkway Elementary.

 Col. Roseberry also expressed his appreciation to Mr. Ward for his work on the DCIP grant and that he is looking forward to the use of the funds for school improvements.

Col. Roseberry announced that the JRTC and Fort Polk Educational Summit will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at the Warrior Community Center next Tuesday, October 6th with the Army Wide Educational Operation Planning Team.  Discussion will contain Quality of Life installation plan.

Mr. Williams thanked Col. Roseberry for his attendance and contribution to the Board.

Mr. Williams thanked Ms. Bradford for the excellent job she does at Parkway and congratulated her on be chosen as Louisiana Principal of the Year.

He reminded the Board of the following:  Head Start Policy Council Training on Tuesday, October 6th at 9:00 and November 10th LSB training in the board room.

 

ITEM # 12:        Memorial Resolutions

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 Joyce Ann Hearn who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Hearn was the Mother of Kimberly Gene Stevens Vernon Parish School Board Special Education Programming & Curriculum Specialist; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Hearn 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 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 Amy Tyrelle Boone Navarro who recently passed away;

            WHEREAS, Ms. Navarro was a former teacher for the Vernon Parish School System and the sister of Chad Boone, teacher at Hicks High School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Navarro 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 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 Johnny Henry who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Henry was the husband of retired custodian Ms. Mary Louise Henry and the father of retired custodian Leon Jackson;

            WHEREAS, Mr. Henry 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 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 Paula Evette Jackson Willis who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms.Willis was a graduate of Leesville High School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Willis was the daughter of retired custodian Ms. Mary Louise Henry and the sister of retired custodian Leon Jackson; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Willis 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 # 13:   Adjournment

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned.

 

Authorized Officer

 

_________________________

SHAD STEWART, PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT