JANUARY 12, 2021  

THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA.  PRESIDENT –JACKIE SELF CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:

JOHN BLANKENBAKER – VICE PRESIDENT

DOUG BRANDON

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JIM SEAMAN

STEVE WOODS

RANDY MARTIN

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

LISA THOMPSON

ABSENT:

SHAD STEWART

DAVID DETZ

ANGIE DAVIS

COL. RYAN K. ROSEBERRY

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:  DOUG BRANDON

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:    DOUG BRANDON

Item #1:            Approval of Minutes

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 7, 2021 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2:                Retirement Approval

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to approve retirements from the January personnel changes.

Item #3:                Authorization To Pay Claims          

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Vernon L. Travis, Jr., the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

Item #4:                Approval for Budget Amendments/Personnel Changes

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.

Item #5:    VPSB Policies & Procedures

On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve changes and additions to the Vernon Parish School Board policies and procedures presented at the January 7^th meeting.

Item #6:            COVID-19 Leave Extension

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Vernon L. Travis, Jr., the Board voted to approve the COVID-19 leave extension.

Item #7:            Head Start Policies/Procedures

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Vernon L. Travis, Jr., the Board voted to approve the Head Start policies/procedures.

Item #8:                Employee of the Month

Rodney Taylor from Taylor and Sons Insurance is the sponsor for our “Employee of the Month”.  Mr. Taylor introduced Ms. Treasure Manes, an elementary teacher from Hornbeck High School and her Principal, Mr. Raymond Jones to the Board. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Jones congratulated Ms. Manes and praised her excellent teaching skills, job performance, and the exceptional relationship she has with her students, parents, and co-workers at her school.

Item #9:            Insurance Update

Finance Director, Tim Ward asked Meredith Campbell, spokesperson for our insurance company to update the Board on progress of restoration from hurricanes.  Ms. Campbell introduced her two new associates assisting with her team, John Thomas and David Everly. 

Item #10:          Recognition and Resolution of LSBA School Board Member Appreciation

Superintendent Williams asked Curriculum Director, Renita Page to address the Board recognizing them for the outstanding job each of them perform for the Vernon Parish School System.  A copy of the LSBA code of conduct for Louisiana School Board Members was given to each member and a Louisiana School Board Member Recognition Month Resolution was made for January, 2021.  The following principals spoke at the board meeting thanking their district board member for their support and continued awareness of the needs at their schools:  Karen Robertson and Dionne Bradford (representing the Ward I principals), Raymond Haymon, Dana Donaldson, Jerome Henson, Johnny Bosley, Raymond Jones, and Ramona Bennett.  Each principal honored their board member and thanked them for always assisting when needed.

Item #11:    Food Service/Title Programs Update

Director of Federal Programs and Food Service, Joey Whiddon, gave the Board an update

Update on the Food Service program.  Mr. Whiddon stated that we continue to process free/reduced lunch applications (online).  East Leesville Elementary and West Leesville Elementary are CEP school and this is their last year of cycle.  We will apply for another cycle late spring/early summer and may be able to add other schools.  Mr. Whiddon also gave the Board a print-out of the state reimbursement comparison 2019-2020 to

 2020-2021.

Item #12:    Technology Update

Mr. Bill Lohman, Technology Administrator, gave an update for the Technology Department.  He informed the Board that all students in Vernon Parish have received their chrome books, outdoor access points installed at every school, and cameras will be complete next week for streaming.  He also answered questions and concerns about chrome books asked by board members.

Item #13:    Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting.  He reminded the Board to read the LSBA registration information in their folders.  January 2021 is Louisiana School Board Member recognition month and he thanked all the board members for their contribution to the community and outstanding dedication they show to the students and employees in their districts.  Mr. Williams informed the Board that The Vernon Parish School District has made a resolution declaring January 2021 as School Board Member Recognition Month and encourages local school and community leaders to appropriately recognize our state’s dedicated school board members.  He stated that a letter has been sent to stakeholders to inform them that January will be recognition of Board Members.

Item #14:   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 Jeanette Dowden Gill who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Gill was the mother-in-law of Melissa Gill, school office worker at East Leesville Elementary; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Gill 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 Jeremiah “Jewell” Davis who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Davis was the brother of retired VPSB  Supervisor, George Thomas, his nephew William Thomas retired Special Education Supervisor, niece Georgia Thomas, retired teacher; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Thomas 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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Item #15:   Adjournment  

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned

Authorized Officer

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JACKIE SELF,  PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

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JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT