DECEMBER 2, 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

ANGIE DAVIS

DAVID DETZ

RANDY MARTIN

 

ABSENT:         

LISA THOMPSON

SHAD STEWART

COL. SAMUEL P. SMITH, JR.

                       

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   DAVID DETZ

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:                 DAVID DETZ

Roll Call

 

Item #1:            November 9, 2021 Minutes

On motion of David Detz, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the November 9, 2021 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Item #2:            Recognition of Parish Principals of the Year 

Curriculum Supervisor, Carolyn Bosley introduced the Parish Principals of the Year to the Board.  Kristie Beasley, East Leesville Elementary Principal is the Elementary Parish Principal of the Year.  Sandra Blakeway, Rosepine Elementary Principal is the Middle School Parish Principal of the Year. Jennifer Wilbanks, Hicks High School Principal is the High School Parish Principal of the Year

 

Item #3:            Head Start Report:

Mr. Curtis Clay, Director of Head Start gave the Head Start report and presented the following Head Start Policies for approval:

VPHS Grievance Procedures

VPHS Health Plan Policy

VPHS Reduction in Force

VPHS Dual Language Policy and Procedures

VPHS Monthly Enrollment Reporting Procedures

VPHS Video Surveillance Policy

VPHS Classroom Volunteer Minimum Age

VPHS Policy for Obtaining Volunteers and Substitutes in Classrooms

VPHS Career Opportunity Statement

VPHS Policy of Employee Discipline

VPHS Readiness Goals

VPHS Policy of Tuition Payments

VPSB Intra-Agency Agreement between Head Start and SPED

Disability Referral Procedures

Income Eligibility Procedure

 

 On motion of David Detz, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to add the Vernon Parish Head Start policies to the December 7th agenda for approval.

Director of Head Start, Curtis Clay also reported to the Board on student count, reductions, lunch information, and other important Head Start operating topics and presented the Board with a 24-page report on operating procedures of the Head Start program.

Cheree Atkins, Head Start Coordinator also reported to the Board on ERSEA: Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance.

 

Item #4:            Discussion of upcoming bid for Reconstruction and Restoration of Schools

 

Director of Finance, Tim Ward gave an update on the continuing restoration in schools due to the hurricanes.  Mr. Ward introduced the Vernon Parish School Board Architect, Mike Holt and asked him to update the Board on reconstruction completed and ongoing reconstruction.

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to add to the Tuesday meeting for approval to advertise for the upcoming bid for reconstruction and restoration of schools.

 

Item #5:            Policy Update

Assistant Superintendent/Personnel Director, Mike Kay reported to the Board on the following policy changes:

Purchasing:  File: DJE

Bids and Quotations:  File: DJED

Sabbatical Leave:  File: GBRHA

Sick Leave: File:  GBRIB

Parent Conferences: File:   IHAD

Student Welfare: File:  JG

Expectant and Parenting Students:   File:  JQE

This final installment of the Legislative Update Series of Policy Alert addresses the final two Acts of the 2021 Louisiana Legislature Update Series:   ACT 102 and ACT 275

The effective date of the Act was August 1, 2021.

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to add to the Tuesday meeting for approval.

 

Item #6:            Report From Salary/Personnel Committee

Angie Davis, Salary/Personnel Chairperson reported to the Board on the discussion during the Salary/Personnel Committee Meeting.  Ms. Davis informed the Board that Assistant Superintendent, Mike Kay discussed the following:

1)         personnel changes for December, 2021

2)         advertising for a promotional Principal at Rosepine High School

3)         advertising for a promotional Director of Transportation and Maintenance

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to add to the Tuesday agenda for approval.

 

Item #7:            Report From Finance Committee

Steve Woods, Finance Chairperson updated the Board on the Finance Committee’s meeting.  He informed the Board on the Budget Revisions presented by Director of Finance, Tim Ward.  On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to add to the December 7th meeting for budget approval.

 

Item #8:              Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent Williams welcomed all to the meeting.

He informed the Board that Col. Smith will be attending the December 7th meeting for Fort Polk updates.

Mr. Williams reminded the Board that there is a Curriculum meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 7th and that Bill Blair will be attending representing the Strategic Demographics, LLC discussing information pertaining to Malapportionment Report.

 

Item #9:            Memorial Resolutions

 

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 Regina Ann Wells who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Wells was a Vernon Parish retired teacher; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Wells’ brother is Rodney Wells, teacher at the Optional School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Wells was a resident of Vernon Parish; now

            BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to her family at this time of sadness.

 

On motion of Jim Seaman, 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 Linda Robertson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Robertson’s grandson is Dylan Solice, Academic Support Coach at Leesville Junior High School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Robertson was a resident of Baytown, Texas; 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 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 Clyde Howard Price, Jr. who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Price is the husband of Lynda Jean Foster Price, former Special Education Paraprofessional at West Leesville Elementary; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Price 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.

 

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 James “Jimmy” Darrell Walters who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Walters’ daughter is Tammy Walters Gavin, counselor at Parkway Elementary School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Walters 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.

 

 

Item #10:          Adjournment

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

 

Authorized Officer

_________________________

 

JACKIE SELF, PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT