2021-04-15

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:

On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the March 9, 2021 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to receive bids for copier paper. Tim Ward, Finance Director proceeded to open the bids and read each one. On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr, seconded by Randy Martin the Board voted to accept the lowest bid (23.10 per case) which is Economical located in New Orleans.

On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to advertise for janitorial/cafeteria supplies.

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Vernon L. Travis, Jr., the Board voted to advertise for bread, milk, and juice.

In recognition of the LSBA art students and district winners, Ms. Renita Page, Curriculum Director asked Curriculum Supervisor, Carolyn Bosley to introduce the three winners to the Board and the visitors. Ms. Bosley announced to the Board the three winners: Brystol Mitcham, Kindergarten student at Hornbeck High, Bhavi Patel, a 7^th grader at Leesville Junior High, and Shelby Green, a senior at Pickering High School.

Each student received a certificate and their Principal, Board Member and Superintendent Williams took a picture with each student for the newspaper. Mr. Williams congratulated each student and encouraged him or her to continue with their art talent.

Curriculum Supervisor, Carolyn Bosley introduced the Vernon Parish 2021 Counselors of the Year to the Board and presented them with a plaque honoring their exceptional hard work and their outstanding job performance. Jennifer Carroll is the Elementary Counselor of the Year from Anacoco Elementary School, Nancy Blalock is the Middle School Counselor of the Year from Simpson High School, and Chasity Cryer is the High School Counselor of the Year from Leesville High School. Their principals, Board Members and Superintendent Williams congratulated each counselor and praised them for the excellent work they do.

Head Start Director, Curtis Clay reported to the Board concerning the policy council meeting held on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Mr. Clay asked the Board to add to the Tuesday meeting for approval of the Head Start policy/procedures and to accept the new federal grant they have received for the preschool ages 3 & 4 years old and birth to 3 years old. On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to add to the Tuesday agenda for approval. Cheree’ Atkins gave an update on the procedures of the new grant.

Director of Child Welfare Services, Hub Jordan presented the Board with a policy change on the following: FILE:GBQ retirement. On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to add to Tuesday, April 20, 2021 agenda for approval.

Meredith Campbell gave an update to the Board on the status of the insurance payment and continued restoration. Ms. Campbell explained to the Board the reasons for incomplete and delayed repairs on the damaged school buildings.

Salary/Personnel Chairperson, Angie Davis reported to the Board on the discussion during the 9:30 meeting. Ms. Davis reported that Personnel Director, Mike Kay discussed the April personnel changes.

Superintendent James Williams welcomed the Board Members, Col. Ryan K. Roseberry, and visitors to the meeting. Mr. Williams asked Col. Roseberry to update the Board on Fort Polk events.

Col. Roseberry thanked Superintendent Williams, the Board, and all school counselors on the great job they do accommodating military parents and students. Col. Roseberry stated how impressed he is with the Vernon Parish School System and encourages military families to consider being stationed at Fort Polk because of the outstanding school system in Vernon Parish. Col. Roseberry explained to the Board the life changes for military children and the effects of the changes the child may experience. We are celebrating Month of the Military Child in our parish. Terri Whiddon is serving as the Military Student Transition Consultant and Sandy Jordan and Ruby Smith are serving as Military Family Life Counselors. They are employed by the Military Child Education Coalition, a nonprofit whose mission is to support all military-connected students in the educational setting. In this position, they will work directly with parents, students and school personnel to provide personalized support and problem-solving to military students and their families throughout their stay in the Vernon Parish School system.

Col. Roseberry also explained to the Board that restoration from the hurricanes has been slow at Fort Polk. Continued progress is being made on the STEM initiatives by working with senators, representatives, and community leaders.

Superintendent Williams presented Vernon L. Travis, Jr. an award for certification as a Louisiana School Board Member that he received after attending the LSBA conference. Mr. Travis is also on the Board of Directors for the Louisiana School Board Association.

Mr. Williams announced that West Leesville Elementary Principal Karen Robertson is a state semifinalist for Principal of the Year.

Superintendent Williams reminded the Board that the LSBA 2021 Capitol Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, May 4, 2021.

On motion of Robert Pynes, Jr., seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:

WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Shirley Mae Pearce Smith who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Smith was a retired teacher of the Vernon Parish School System; and

WHEREAS, the following family member was employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Ms. Smith’s brother-in-law, George Smith retired teacher/coach; and

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:

WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Bobby Ray Parker who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, the following family member was employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Barbara Parker wife of Mr. Parker is a retired bus driver; and

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.

On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:

WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Thurman Ray Davis who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, the following family members were employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mr. Davis’ wife, Betty Davis, former special education para, his daughter Denise Davis Smith, bus aide at Parkway, his son Daniel Davis, bus driver at AHS, and his son-in-law, retired bus driver, Robert Smith; and

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.

On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:

WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Sherry Ann Hardwick Paris who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, the following family members were employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Ted Paris husband of Ms. Paris, was a retired teacher, coach, principal, supervisor, and board member, Dale Hardwick brother of Ms. Paris, is a retired teacher and assistant principal, and Sharon Hardwick, sister-in-law of Ms. Paris is a retired teacher; and

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 Steve Woods, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:

WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Claude Ely “Dinks” Lawrence who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, the following family members are employed by the Vernon Parish School System: His daughter, Carolyn Lawrence Mawae, teacher at AHS and son-in-law, Mark Mawae, principal at LHS; and

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.

On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:

WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Robert L. Brown who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, the following family member was employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mr. Brown’s daughter, Hannah Brown was a former Vernon Parish teacher at Parkway Elementary; and

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.