JANUARY 6, 2022
THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. PRESIDENT JOHN BLANKENBAKER CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
ROBERT PYNES, JR.
STEVE WOODS
JIM SEAMAN
JACKIE SELF
ANGIE DAVIS
DAVID DETZ
SHAD STEWART
RANDY MARTIN
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
LISA THOMPSON
VERNON L.TRAVIS, JR.
ABSENT:
DOUG BRANDON
COL. SAMUEL P. SMITH, JR.
There was also present Mr. James Williams, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by: STEVE WOODS
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: STEVE WOODS
Item #1: Approval of December 7, 2021 Minutes
On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the December 7, 2021 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Item #2: Alexandria Town Talk/ Official Journal
On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to name the Alexandria Town Talk as the official journal of the Vernon Parish School Board.
Item #3: Federal-Funding Authorization
On motion of David Detz, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to authorize the Superintendent to request and sign all federal funding P.L. 81-874 for the Vernon Parish School Board.
Item #4: Head Start Report
Director of Head Start, Curtis Clay discussed the policies presented at the Council Meeting on Tuesday, 1-4-22:
1) VPHS Child Abuse Policy and Procedures
2) VPHS Child Attendance and Tardiness Policy and Procedures
3) VPSB Personnel Policies
4) VPSB Intensive Coaching Plan
5) VPSB PBC Action Plan
6) VPHS Coaching Agreement
7) New Hire at North Polk Head Start
Mr. Clay also gave the Board Members a copy of policies to be approved. On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to add to 1-11-22 agenda for approval.
Item #5: COVID Protocol Update
Hub Jordan, Director of Child Welfare and Attendance, presented the Board Members with a printout from the Louisiana Department of Health on updated quarantine guidance. Mr. Jordan informed the Board that all procedures will be the same as before January 1st except the quarantine time. Instead of 10 days it has been changed to 5 days.
Below 1% of our student population has tested negative. Superintendent Williams urges all employees and students to use safety at all times: We do not have a mask mandate but feel free to wear a mask if you feel more comfortable. It will be your choice.
Item #6: Reapportionment Update/Plan
Assistant Superintendent, Mike Kay discussed the reapportionment update and plans with the Board. He presented the Board with maps furnished by the Police Jury Office outlining boundaries. Mr. Bill Blair with the Census Office will meet with the Board in January again to answer questions.
Item #7: Report from Salary/Personnel
Angie Davis, Salary/Personnel Chairperson reported to the Board concerning the discussion during the 9:30 meeting.
Mike Kay, Personnel Director presented the personnel changes for January, 2022 and requested that the changes be put on the agenda for 1-11-22 for approval. On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to add to the 1-11-22 agenda for approval.
Mr. Kay announced two positions filled. Rosepine High School Principal and Transportation and Maintenance Director. On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by David Detz the Board voted to accept the person named for the RHS principal position.
On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Lisa Thompson the Board voted to accept the person named for the Director of Transportation and Maintenance position.
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to add to the 1-11-22 agenda for approval the performance contracts for the new Director of Transportation/Maintenance, Dwain Ducote and the new Rosepine High School Principal, Joseph Bartz.
On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to add to the
1-11-22 agenda to advertise for a Secondary Curriculum Supervisor position.
Other Business: Discussion on maintenance adjustment allowance for bus drivers.
On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to add to 1-11-22 agenda for approval.
Item #8: Superintendent’s Remarks
Superintendent Williams welcomed all to the meeting with a special welcome to our new Board President, John Blankenbaker and Vice-President, Jim Seaman.
The following information discussed:
1) COVID procedures and updates.
2) Cancellation of student recognitions at the board meeting scheduled for today due to safely reasons.
3) January 10, 2022 will be virtual learning day for all K-12 students.
4) 2nd semester starts on January 11, 2022.
5) LSBA 2022 Annual Convention will be March 6-8, 2022 and the registration packet is in your folder.
6) Discussed continuing restoration at schools
Item # 9: Memorial Resolutions
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 Allie Mae Brister Johnson who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson’s granddaughter is Angela Gilcrease, teacher at East Leesville Elementary: and
WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson 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 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 Kenneth Allan Gordan who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gordan was a graduate of Pickering High School and his daughter is Melissa Koonce, a teacher at Pickering High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gordan 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 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 Doris Marie Kay who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Kay was a retired teacher and her daughter Penny Kay Williams is a retired teacher; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Kay 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 Shad Steward, 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 David Houston Maddox who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Maddox was a retired custodian at Pitkin High School; and WHEREAS, Mr. Maddox 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 #12: Adjournment
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Authorized Officer
_________________________
JOHN BLANKENBAKER, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
__________________________________
JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT