OCTOBER 19, 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

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

SHAD STEWART

JIM SEAMAN

ANGIE DAVIS

LISA THOMPSON

STEVE WOODS

RANDY MARTIN

ABSENT:

DAVID DETZ

DOUG BRANDON

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

COL. SAMUEL P. SMITH, JR.

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by: JACKIE SELF

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:  JACKIE SELF

Item #1:            Approval of Minutes

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the October 14, 2021 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2:            Employee Retirements

On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to accept employee retirements.

Item #3:            Leave Without Pay Request

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to accept an employee leave without pay request.

Item #4:            Budget Amendments

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.

Item #5:             Paying Claims

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

Item #6:              VPSB Meeting Dates for 2022 Calendar Year

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the VPSB meeting dates for the 2022 calendar year.

Item #7:            Approval of VPSB Policy Updates and Revisions

On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the VPSB policy updates and revisions presented to the Board at the 10-14-21 meeting. 

Policies approved:

School Board Ethics  FILE:  BH 

Curriculum   FILE:  ID

Kindergarten   FILE:  IDCC

Compulsory School Attendance Ages   FILE:  JBA

Cameras in SpEd Classrooms   FILE:  IDDFC

School Admission    FILE:  JBC

Public School Choice    FILE:  JBCE

Student Records    FILE:  JR

Item #8:            Approval for Non-Promotional AP Contract

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve a contract for a non-promotional Assistant Principal position at Pickering Elementary School.

Item #9:            Renewal of COVID Leave

On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to approve the renewal of COVID leave.

Item #10:          Bids for Campus Roof Replacement Repairs

Director of Finance, Tim Ward presented the Board with two bids received for roof replacement repairs for (9) schools.  After discussion of the bids, President Jackie Self called for a full board vote which was (6) yeas and (3) nays, passing with the (6) yea votes for Pat Williams’ low bid.

Item #11:           Employees of the Month

Finance Director, Tim Ward and Rodney Taylor with Taylor and Sons Insurance introduced the “Employees of the Month”.  Sonny Chad Boone, Hicks High School teacher was chosen as September, 2021 employee of the month and Tara Humphrey, custodian at Hicks High School was chosen as the October employee of the month. Mr. Taylor read a list of qualities describing Mr. Boone and Ms. Humphrey written by Principal Jennifer Wilbanks.

Principal Jennifer Wilbanks also spoke to the Board about the worth of these two employees and how dedicated they are to their positions.

Item #12:          Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting.  He reminded the Board that the Ethics in-service would be after the next meeting on November 4^th. 

Mr. Williams asked Vernon L. Travis, Jr. to explain to the Board the news update on the National School Boards Association’s letter sent to President Biden and what it means to Board Members in Louisiana.  Discussion will continue and decision made to withdraw from organization at next meeting.

Item #13:            Memorial Resolutions

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 Brent Lee Thompson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Thompson’s wife is Carolyn Sue Thompson, retired school secretary at Rosepine High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Thompson was a long time 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 Herman Gayland Mitchell who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Mitchell is the Father of Gayla Goodin, Special Education Paraprofessional at Hornbeck High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Mitchell was a long time 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 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 Earl “Buddy” James, Jr. who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. James is the father-in-law of Edie James, Special Education Paraprofessional at Leesville High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. James was a long time resident of Vernon Parish; now

Item #14:  Adjournment

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned

Authorized Officer

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JACKIE SELF, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:_

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JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT