JUNE 8, 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:
DOUG BRANDON
JIM SEAMAN
STEVE WOODS
LISA THOMPSON
DAVID DETZ
RANDY MARTIN
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
ANGIE DAVIS
COL. RYAN K. ROSEBERRY
ABSENT: SHAD STEWART
ROBERT PYNES, JR.
There was also present Mr. James Williams, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by: JOHN BLANKENBAKER
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: JOHN BLANKENBAKER
Roll Call
Item #1: Approval of Minutes
On motion of, Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the June 3, 2021 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Item #2: Employee Retirements
On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve the employee retirements.
Item #3: Leave Without Pay Requests
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to approve Leave Without Pay Requests.
Item #4: Pickering High School Assistant Principal Position
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to advertise for the Pickering High School vacant promotional assistant principal position.
Item #5: Pitkin High School Assistant Principal Position
On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to advertise for the Pitkin High School vacant non- promotional assistant principal position.
Item #6: Pupil Progression Plan 2021-2022
On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the 2021-2022 pupil progression plan.
Item #7: Budget Amendments related to Personnel Changes
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve budget amendment related to personnel changes.
Item #8: Authorization for President and Secretary to Pay Claims
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
Item #9: 2021-2022 Handbook Policy Changes
Director of Child Welfare Services, Hub Jordan discussed the changes made to the handbook policy and presented a copy of the changes to each Board Member.
On motion of David Detz, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to approve the changes made to the handbook policy.
Item #10: DCIP Project-Campus Connections and Learning Spaces
Tim Ward, Director of Finance discussed the DCIP Project. On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to accept bids for the DCIP Project.
Item #11: cRate
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Jim Seaman the Board voted to advertise for eRate application for leased-lit fiber optic cable for the 2022-23 school year.
Item #12: Resolutions
On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the following resolutions: Rapides Foundation, Community Support, Federal Accountability Waiver, and Index Changes.
Item: #13: Tax Supplement Report
Tim Ward, Finance Director reported to the Board on the tax supplement amounts and that the mailing date will be on June, 18th. Mr. Ward also explained to the Board about the new centralized sales tax proposal if it passes.
Item #14: Superintendent’s Remarks
Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting. Mr. Williams welcomed Col. Roseberry and thanked him for his service to the Board and presented him with a plaque. Mr. Williams informed the Board that this will be Col. Roseberry’s last meeting with us due to his military move. Col. Roseberry thanked the Board and Mr. Williams for allowing him to be a part of this School Board and how much he has enjoyed the community and appreciates the Vernon Parish School System. He thanked Mr. Ward for working with him on grants. Col. Roseberry presented Superintendent Williams with a hammer representing the hard work and excellent supervision of his job as Superintendent. Col. Roseberry introduced Col. Sam Smith to the Board. Col. Smith will be the new Garrison Commander.
Mr. Williams reminded the Board about the upcoming Southern Region Conference in July.
Item #15: Memorial Resolution
On motion of John Blankenbaker, 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 Darren Miller who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mr. Miller was the husband of Lisa Miller, paraprofessional at Rosepine Elementary: and
WHEREAS, Mr. Miller was a resident of Vernon Parish; now
BE IT THEREFOR RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to his family at this time of sadness.
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 Steve Kennedy, Jr. who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mr. Kennedy is the son of retired bus driver Steve Kennedy, Sr., brother of Pam Anderson teacher at ELE, and grandson of Ada Thomas, retired cook; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kennedy was a resident of Vernon Parish; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOVED 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 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 Wesley Ann LaFleur who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Ms. LaFleur’s daughter-in-law is Roxanna Harvey, Special Education Paraprofessional at Evans High School; and
WHEREAS, Ms. LaFleur 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 further business the meeting was adjourned.
Authorized Officer
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JACKIE SELF, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT
