OCTOBER 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

DOUG BRANDON

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JIM SEAMAN

ANGIE DAVIS

STEVE WOODS

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

RANDY MARTIN

DAVID DETZ

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

ABSENT:

LISA THOMPSON

COL. RYAN K. ROSEBERRY

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by: VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:  VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

Item #1:            Approval of Minutes

On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2020 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2:            Employee Retirements

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to accept employee retirements.

Item #3:            Budget Amendments

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

Item #4:            Authorization to Pay Claims   

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve

the authorization for the president and secretary to pay the claims.

Item #5:            Bids for Propane

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Vernon L. Travis, Jr., the Board voted to accept the one bid received from Jim South for propane for Simpson, Hicks, and Evans schools.

Item #6:            VPSB Meeting Dates 2021

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to approve the Vernon Parish School Board meeting dates for 2021.

Item #7:            VPSB Revised School Calendar 2020-2021 School Year

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the revised 2020-2021 school calendar.

Item #8:            Approval for VPSB Policy Revisions and Updates

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the following Vernon Parish School Board policy updates and revisions:

File:      BCAD

File:      CED

File:      DJE

File:      DJED

File:      EFC

File:      GBDA

File:      IDFAB

File:      JBH

File:      JGC

File:      JGCE

Item #9:            LSBA Art Contest

Renita Page, Director of Curriculum updated the Board on the winners of the LSBA Art Contest.  Janiella Weeks 4^th grade at West Leesville Elementary (last year), Madelyn Weatherford 6^th grade at Simpson High School (last year), and Destony Bryant, senior at Pickering High School last year.

Item #10:          Insurance Update

Director of Finance, Tim Ward introduced Meredith Campbell to the Board who is the Executive General Adjuster for Sedgwick, the insurance company covering the hurricane damage for our school system.  Ms. Campbell gave a thorough update on the process and progress of our claim and informed the Board concerning the probable cost, completion time, and amount of damage so far. 

Item #11:          Finance Certificate of Achievement

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.  Superintendent Williams presented Director of Finance, Tim Ward with the Certificate of Achievement award.

Item #12:          Report From Curriculum Committee

Shad Stewart reported to the Board for the Curriculum Committee in the absence of the Chairperson.  He gave an update on the accountability report given by Curriculum Directors, Renita Page and Anne Smith.  Mr. Stewart also reminded the Board that the district and school performance scores should be released by November 6^th.

Item #13:          Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting.  He reminded the Board that the ethics in-service training will be conducted after the next meeting on

November 11^th.  Mr. Williams reminded the Board members to complete their disclosure statements and to complete the information and profile form.  He informed the Board members to read over the resolution to be proposed to BESE adopt adjustments to the MFP formula.

Mr. Williams congratulated our LSBA Art Contest winners on their art work.

Item #14:          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 Cynthia Miller who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Miss Miller was a Freshman at Hicks High School; and

            WHEREAS, Miss Miller 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 Jim Seaman, 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 Sharon Annette Monk Charrier who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Charrier was the Mother of Hicks High School teacher/coach Michael Charrier; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Charrier 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 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 Rhonda Stimac McGlothlin who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. McGlothlin was the step mother of  the Leesville High School bookkeeper, Laney McGhee and the daughter of retired teacher Linda Stimac; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. McGlothlin 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 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 Maxine McGraw who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. McGraw was the wife of retired (1971) Principal of Hornbeck

High School, William S. McGraw and the grandmother of Anacoco High School and Elementary counselor, Jennifer Carroll; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. McGraw 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 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 Mable Grafton who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Grafton was a retired Vernon Parish School System bus driver; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Grafton 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 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 Darla Parker who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Parker was a former Vernon Parish School Board employee employed as a secretary and bookkeeper in the Special Education department; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Parker is the Daughter of Dona Dowden former Secretary for the Superintendent of Vernon Parish Schools; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Parker was a resident of Vernon Parish; now

            BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this resolution be sent to her family at this time of sadness.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Dana Parker who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Miss Parker was the Daughter of Darla Parker, former Vernon Parish School Board employee and the Granddaughter of Dona Dowden retired Secretary for the Superintendent of Vernon Parish Schools; and

            WHEREAS, Miss Parker 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 Doug Brandon, 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 Magda McCormick who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. McCormick was a retired school counselor and the sister of Guinell Smart, also a retired school counselor; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. McCormick was a resident of Vernon Parish; now

            BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of her memorial be sent to her family at this time of sadness.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On motion of Shad Stewart, 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 Mammie Sue Nolen who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Nolen was 1967 graduate of Pitkin High and a retired bus driver of the Vernon Parish School System; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Nolen 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 Shad Stewart, 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 the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Christopher Luke Ware who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Ware was the Son of Tracy Ware, custodian at Pitkin High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Ware 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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Item #15:          Adjournment

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned

Authorized Officer

_________________________

SHAD STEWART, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:__

________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT