NOVEMBER 5, 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:

 

JACKIE SELF – VICE PRESIDENT

DOUG BRANDON

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JIM SEAMAN

STEVE WOODS

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

ANGIE DAVIS

DAVID DETZ

RANDY MARTIN

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

LISA THOMPSON

COL. RYAN K. ROSEBERRY

 

ABSENT:         

                       

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   LISA THOMPSON        

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:     LISA THOMPSON

 

Item #1:            Approval of October 6, 2020 Minutes

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the October 6, 2020 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Item #2:              Head Start Report

Director of Head Start, Curtis Clay reported to the Board on the Head Start policies presented the Head Start Policy Council meeting held on November 2, 2020.

The following policies were discussed:

1.  VPHS By-Laws

2.  VPHS Birth Certificate Documentation Policy

3.  VPHS Selection Criteria

4.  VPHS Biting Policy

5.  VPHS Applications

6.  VPHS Loose Bowel Policy

7.  VPHS Discipline Policy

8.  VPHS Temporary Exclusion Policy

9.  VPHS Confidentiality Policy

10. VPHS Organizational Chart

 

Mr. Clay also asked for approval to hire Natalie Velez as a floating paraprofessional.

 

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to add the above mentioned policies and a hiring request to the November 10th board meeting for approval.

 

Item #3:            COVID Update

Child Welfare Director, Hub Jordan and VPSB Head Nurse Mandie Johnson explained to the Board the procedure for COVID-19 isolation and quarantine flowchart for Vernon Parish schools.  They also discussed the tracking charts covering student positive cases, staff positive cases, students quarantined, and staff quarantined since September 14th to date from all Vernon Parish schools. Procedures and charts covering the information was given to all board members.

 

Item #4:            Storm Damage Update

Director of Finance, Tim Ward and Meredith Campbell, Executive General Adjuster for Sedgwick gave an update of the progress being done on hurricane damages to our schools and next steps to be taken. The next step will involve hiring of architects and engineers.

 

Item #5:            Discuss RFP for DCIP Grant

Director of Finance, Tim Ward discussed the DCIP grant and the next steps to begin upgrading on the military schools.  On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to add to the November 10th board meeting agenda to advertise for RFP for an engineering firm to begin planning for construction on the military schools under the grant.

 

Item #6:            Report from Salary/Personnel Committee

Salary/Personnel Committee Chairperson Angie Davis reported to the Board on the information discussed during the meeting from Assistant Superintendent, Mike Kay.

Mr. Kay discussed personnel transactions for November and possible new hires in some of the positions.  He also discussed money being saved from not hiring new employees which is due to enrollment dropping because of COVID-19.  Mr. Kay stated that we will have to hire a technology person and a bus mechanic at the bus barn due to the overwhelming work in those areas.

 

Item #7:            Nominations for 2021 School Board Officers

Vernon Parish School Board President, Shad Stewart nominated Jackie Self as Vernon Parish School Board President for 2021.

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to except the nomination of President of the Vernon Parish School Board.

 Randy Martin also nominated John Blankenbaker as Vernon Parish School Board Vice-President for 2021.

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to add the nominations to the November 10th meeting for approval.

 

Item #8:  Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting and Col. Ryan K. Roseberry for an update on Fort Polk events.  Col. Roseberry discussed the previous visits made by

Dr. E. Casey Wardynski, assistant secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and Edith K. Pickens, highly qualified expert for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, attending meetings and touring Fort Polk and Leesville schools on October 27th Col. Roseberry also informed the Board that he and General David Doyle visited Superintendent Williams on Wednesday, November 4th.  General Doyle is the new General replacing General Frank. Col. Roseberry also discussed the Veteran’s Day programs and activities to be held next Wednesday, November 11th.

Superintendent James Williams also asked Renita Page, Curriculum Director to discuss the Veteran’s Day programs and dates to be held virtually at each Vernon Parish school.  Ms. Page gave the Board Members a schedule of events with dates and times.  Ms. Page informed the board that ACT scores will be reported at the November 10th meeting

 Mr. Williams also thanked the Curriculum Directors on the curriculum handbook covering the following information: 

1.         Accountability

2.         Curriculum

3.         DODEA Grants

4.         Special Education

5.         Pre K

6.         High School

7.         Personnel & Finance Information

 

Mr. Williams called on Hub Jordan to report to the Board on the 16 member disciplinary committee to be chosen to report to the Louisiana School Board Association on disciplinary actions for virtual students.

Tuesday, November 10th will be the LSBA training after the regular meeting.

Mr. Vernon L. Travis, Jr. attended the LSBA Trailblazer meeting and reported to the Board on the topics discussed at the meeting.

 

Item #9:  Memorial Resolutions

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 Ricky Wayne West who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. West was a graduate of Leesville High School; and

            WHEREAS,  Mr. West was the father of Ian McDonald, Assistant Principal at Parkway Elementary and father-in-law of Terry McDonald, former bus driver for the Vernon Parish School System; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. West 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.

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On motion of David Detz, 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 Nena Faye Carver who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Carver was the mother of retired Vernon Parish Principal, William Carver and grandmother of Amanda Lambright, teacher at Pitkin High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Carver 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 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  Lola Waldrup who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Waldrup was a retired Vernon Parish teacher and the wife of retired teacher Will Waldrup (deceased); and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Waldrup 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 Lisa Thompson, 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 Melba Nadine Jackson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Jackson was the Mother of retired teacher Elizabeth Pope and mother-in-law of retired Vernon Parish School Board Supervisor, Joseph Pope; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Jackson 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 Phillip D. Crowell,  Sr. who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Crowell was the father-in-law of Sharon Crowell, special education paraprofessional and the brother of Shirley Orange, retired Vernon Parish teacher; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Crowell was a resident of Vernon Parish; now

            BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish Board requests a copy of this memorial 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 Thomas Toney who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Toney was the brother-in-law of maintenance secretary, Callie Toney; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Toney was a graduate of Leesville High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Toney was a former 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.

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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  William T. Lohman who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Lohman was the father of Bill Lohman, VPSB Technology Supervisor and father-in-law of Lisa Lohman, VPSB  Curriculum Supervisor; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Lohman was a resident of Dallas, Texas; 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.

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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 with to express their sympathy to the family of James Matthew Wilson who recently passed away;

            WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson was the father of Lensie Stanley, a teacher at Anacoco Elementary School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson 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.

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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 Joseph Martin Hoer, Jr. who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Hoer was the husband of retired teacher Paula Hoer; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Hoer 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.

 

Item #10:  Adjournment

There was no other business and meeting was adjourned.

 

Authorized Officer

 

_________________________

SHAD STEWART, PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT