NOVEMBER 4, 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

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JIM SEAMAN

STEVE WOODS

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

ANGIE DAVIS

DAVID DETZ

RANDY MARTIN

SAMUEL P. SMITH, JR.

 

ABSENT:

DOUG BRANDON

LISA THOMPSON

                       

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   SHAD STEWART         

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:                 SHAD STEWART

 

Item #1:            Approval of October 19, 2021 Minutes

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the October 19, 2021 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, 2021.

The following policies were discussed for approval:

1.  Approval of Community Representative

2.  VPHS Birth Certificate Documentation Policy

3.  VPHS Selection Criteria

4.  VPHS Biting Policy

5.  VPHS Applications

6.  VPHS Loose Bowel Policy

7.  VPHS Temporary Exclusion Policy

8.  VPHS Confidentiality Policy

9.  VPHS Organizational Chart

10. Creative Curriculum and Literacy Plans (ARC, PELI/Acadience)

11. Personnel Changes

12. Annual Report

 

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to add the above mentioned policies to the November 9th board meeting for approval.

 

Item #3:            Technology Update

Technology Coordinator, Bill Lohman updated the Board on ECF funding for chrome books, work orders and usage statistics on websites.

 

Item #4:            Food Service Update

Director of Food Service, Joey Whiddon updated the board on processing free and reduced lunch applications for all students (online applications).  Mr. Whiddon informed the Board that all students eat free which is sponsored by the USDA and LDOE.  Mr. Whiddon also discussed future food shortage problems and assured the Board that he has talked with all vendors and our program will not have a shortage.

 

Item #5:            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 at the 9:30 meeting.

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 also informed the Board of the request for increase in hourly rates for Jon. K. Guice, APC as special counsel on his renewal of salary. On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to add to the Tuesday, November 9th meeting for approval.

Mr. Kay also discussed the Stipends to be paid to teachers for their SLT ratings.  The stipends will be $250.00.  Only highly effective ratings will be approved for the stipends.

 

Item #6:            Discussion of LSBA/NSBA

Mr. Williams and Vernon L. Travis discussed the issue concerning the NSBA.

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to add to the Tuesday, November 9th meeting to mirror St. Tammany Parish School Board’s resolution to withdraw from the NSBA.

 

Item #7:            Nominations for 2022 School Board Officers

Vernon L. Travis, Jr. nominated John Blankenbaker as Vernon Parish School Board President for 2022 and Jim Seaman as Vice President for 2022.

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to accept the nomination of President and Vice President of the Vernon Parish School Board and to add to the Tuesday, November 9th meeting for approval.

 

Item #8:  Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting and asked Col. Samuel P. Smith, Jr.  for an update on Fort Polk events.

 Col. Smith discussed the success of the Educational Summit held on Wednesday, November 3rd at Fort Polk and appreciates the support from the Vernon Parish School Board and Superintendent Williams.  Col. Smith discussed the impact aide, Veteran’s video at LHS and the DOED grants.

Superintendent Williams asked Finance Director, Tim Ward to explain amendment 1 concerning the sales tax issue.

Mike Kay discussed the Strategic Demographics, LLC and presented the Board with a printout explaining the process to take place in the future.

Mr. Williams also presented the Board with a letter sent to all parents/stakeholders concerning the mandates, protocols, and procedures to keep our schools as safe as possible.  Mr. Williams announced that the Ethics Training will be held after the meeting today.  Next board meeting will be Tuesday, November 9th.

 

Item #9:  Memorial Resolutions

On motion of Randy Martin, 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 Ada Marie Wilson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System:  Ms. Wilson’s two sons:  Wallace Wilson, retired teacher, assistant principal, and principal; Al Wilson, retired custodian.  Ms. Wilson’s two daughter-in-laws:  Vickie Wilson, retired counselor and Renee Wilson, retired central office secretary; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. 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 her family at this time of sadness.

 

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On motion of Randy Martin 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 Verna Rosa Sumler Jones who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Jones served as a Vernon Parish School Board teacher, counselor, and assistant principal; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Jones was the mother of Raymond Jones, Principal at Hornbeck High School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Jones 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.

 

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 Bernadine Haynes who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Haynes was a retired Vernon Parish Special Education paraprofessional; and

            WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System:  Ms. Haynes’ brother-in-law, Hirl Haynes, retired teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Ms. Haynes’ sister-in-law, Opalene Haynes, retired teacher and Special Education Supervisor; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Haynes was a previous 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 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 Roger Lynn Hilton who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS,  the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System:  Mr. Hilton’s brother is Bobby Hilton, retired Anacoco High School custodian and his sister-in-law is Brenda Hilton, cafeteria manager at Anacoco Elementary School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Hilton 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 Rachel Jean Singleton who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Singleton was the daughter of retired teacher, Reda Coleman; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Singleton 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 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 Joshua Cornelius Cecil who recently passed away; and

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

            WHEREAS, Mr. Cecil was a graduate of Anacoco High School and Valedictorian of his class; and

            WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System:  Mr. Cecil’s mother is Tammy Cecil, teacher at Anacoco High School, his grandmother Vernia Lenahan retired LHS counselor and his grandfather Leland Lenahan was also a Vernon Parish educator. Mr. Cecil’s aunt is Michelle Lenahan, teacher at West Leesville Elementary; 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.

 

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 Doug McRae who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System:  Mr. McRae’s wife is Georgia McRae, retired Special Education Paraprofessional and his brother was Wallace McRae, former District 8 Board Member; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. McRae 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.

 

Item #10:  Adjournment

There was no other business and meeting was adjourned.

 

Authorized Officer

 

_________________________

JACKIE SELF PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

 

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JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT