MARCH 3, 2022                                                           

                                                                       

THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. VICE- PRESIDENT JIM SEAMAN CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:

 

District One:Doug Brandon, Robert Pynes, Jr., Jim Seaman, Jackie Self, Steve Woods

Doug Brandon

 

District Three:  David Detz

 

District Four:Randy Martin

 

District Six:  Vernon L. Travis, Jr.

 

District Eight:  Lisa Thompson

 

 

ABSENT:

 

District Two:Angie Davis

District Five:  Shad Stewart

District Seven:  John Blankenbaker

Fort Polk Representative:  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:             February 8, 2022 Minutes

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the February 8, 2022 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Item #2:              Advertise for copy paper

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to advertise for copy paper.

 

Item #3:            Recognition of Students of the Year – Anacoco, Evans, Hornbeck, Leesville and Pitkin

Curriculum and Special Education Supervisor, Leslie Ortiz introduced the following

students and their Principals to the Board for Students of the Year recognition:

Anacoco Elementary:

 Pam Dowden, Assistant Principal

Steely Spoor – 5th grade Student

Anacoco High:

Principal, Raymond Haymon

Skye Buentello – 12th grade Student

Hicks:

Jennifer Wilbanks, Principal

Harleigh Welch – 5th grade Student

Kylie Wolff – 8th grade Student

Simpson:

Ramona Bennett, Principal

Sean Meshell – 5th grade Student

Natalie Somers – 8th grade Student

Haley Robertson – 12th grade student

Vernon Middle School:

Henry Lacking, Principal

Camryn Smith – 5th grade Student

Leesville Junior High School:

Roger Atkins, Principal

Audrey Robbins – 8th grade Student

Leesville High School:

Mark Mawae, Principal

Faith Blakeney, 12th grade

 

Item #4:              Head Start Policy/Procedure Updates

Director of Head Start, Curtis Clay reported to the Board on the recent items for approval presented at the Policy Council Meeting on March 2, 2022:

1.  February 2, 2022 minutes

2.  VPHS 2022-2023 Budget/Grant

3.  VPHS Long and Short Term Goals 2022/2023

 

On motion of Dave Detz seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to add to the March 8th meeting for approval.

Cheree Atkins, Head Start Coordinator reported to the Board on the Vernon Parish Head Start & Birth to Five Summary.

 

Item #5:            COVID Update

Child Welfare Director, Hub Jordan updated the Board on COVID-19 vaccinations and presented a schedule of times, dates, schools, and a number count on tracing in schools. 

 

Item # 6:           Special Olympics

Kelly Goodwin, Special Education Secondary Transition Coordinator, reported to the Board on the Vernon Parish Special Olympics schedule of events to begin April 1, 2022 at the Rosepine High School football stadium.  Local law enforcement will begin the Torch Run and enter the stadium between 9:15 and 9:30 to pass the Torch to one of our athletes and opening ceremonies will begin.   All 18 schools will have athletes participating.  Ms. Goodwin invited the Board Members and Mr. Williams to attend.

 

Item #7:              Report from Salary/Personnel Committee

Salary/Personnel Chairperson, Angie Davis was absent so Vernon L. Travis, Jr. reported to the Board on the topics discussed by Mike Kay/Personnel Director during the Salary/Personnel meeting at 9:30.

1.  Personnel changes for March 2022 to be approved on Tuesday

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to add to the Tuesday, March 8th agenda for approval.

2. Calendar committee update and calendar chosen for 2022-2023 school year for approval on Tuesday

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to add to the March 8th meeting for approval for personnel changes and 2022-2023 calendar.

3.  Performance Contracts –approval for Curriculum Supervisor, Jerome Henson’s contract and PHS Principal, Jeffrey Odom’s contract

On motion of  Doug Brandon, seconded by Randy Martin,  the Board voted to add to the March 8th meeting for approval.

4.  Discussed Graduation dates and award dates and times

5.  Financial disclosure statements to be completed by Board Members

6.  Other business – discussed reapportionment meetings with Bill Blair

 

Item #8:  Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting and reminded the Board Members that Bill Blair will return for another meeting on the reapportionment.  The date will be announced later.

Superintendent Williams reminded the Board to complete their Tier 2 or Tier 3 Financial Disclosure Statements before the deadline in May.

Mr. Williams congratulated the Students of the Year and the basketball teams in the playoffs. 

Mr. Williams asked the Board Members to look over the 2022-2023 school calendar to be voted on Tuesday, March 8th.

Mr. Williams turned the meeting over to Vice President, Jim Seaman.

 

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 Christopher Russell Bainer who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Bainer was the brother of Melissa Koonce, Pickering High School teacher; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Bainer 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 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 James Foraker who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, James Foraker was a 13 year old student at Hicks High School; and

            WHEREAS, James Foraker 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 his 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 Ruby Green who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Green was a retired cafeteria technician; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Green 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 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 Peggy Firestine who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Firestine was the mother-in-law of Callie Toney, Maintenance secretary at the Central Office; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Firestine 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  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 Randy Kent Nichols who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS,  Mr. Nichols was the husband of June Nichols, cook at Rosepine High School and father of Watson Nichols, Band Director at Rosepine High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Nichols was a resident of Vernon Parish; now

            BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED 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

 

_________________________

JOHN BLANKENBAKER, PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT