MAY 5, 2022

                                                                

THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. VIC 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

 

District Two:

Angie Davis

 

District Four:

Randy Martin

 

District Five:

Shad Stewart

 

District Six:

Vernon L. Travis, Jr.

 

District Eight:

Lisa Thompson

 

Absent:

District Three:

David Detz

 

District Seven:

John Blankenbaker

 

Fort Polk Garrison Commander:

Samuel P. Smith, Jr.

 

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

 

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   Reverend Darin Worthington     

                                                                        Leesville First Baptist Church

                                                           

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:     Jackie Self                   

 

Item #1:            Approval of Minutes of April 12, 2022 Meeting

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the April 12, 2022 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Item #2:            Food Service Quotation Calendar for 2021-2022

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to approve the Food Service Quotation Calendar for 2022-2023.

 

Item #3:            Student Recognition

Curriculum and Special Education Supervisor, Leslie Ortiz and Secondary Curriculum Supervisor Lisa Lohman presented students from Pitkin High, West Leesville Elementary, and Leesville Junior High with certificates for accomplishments in the following areas:

Pitkin High School:

1.  Brylee McKee – 1st place yearling bull, 1st place yearling heifer, 3rd place spring heifer, Intermediate Grand Champion Showman and Elementary 4-H, LSU AG State Show

2.  Austin Johnson – 1st place early junior yearling bull, 2nd place Angus Showmanship, and Jr. High 4-H LSU AG State Show

3.  Amelia Lewis – 4th place in English 1 @ State Literary Rally

4.  3rd place in Principles of Business @ State Literary Rally

5.  Daniel Sauer – 1st place in Spanish 111 @ State Literary Rally

6.  Shae Wetzel – 6th place in Human Resource Management @ State FBLA

 

West Leesville Elementary School:

Sarah Blanco – State Social Studies Fair

 

Leesville Junior High:

FBLA Leadership Conference

1.  Freddy Stafford- 4th place     Digital Citizenship

2.  Jaelyn Hood and Jerry Chen 3rd place Exploring Business Issues

3.  Carson Hanson – 1st place in Career Exploration and 5th place in Business Etiquette

           

 

Item #4:            Head Start Update

Director of Head Start, Curtis Clay and Head Start Program Coordinator, Cheree Atkins gave an update on Head Start enrollment, funding and preparation for the 2022-2023 school year.  Mr. Clay gave the Board a summary of the Head Start and Birth to Five enrollment, family and community partnerships, health services, fiscal, licensing, education, disabilities and meals by USDA. Mr. Clay asked the Board to add the Policy Council 5-3-22 meeting to the 5-10-22 agenda for approval.  On motion of Shad Stewart seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to add the 5-3-22 H.S. Policy Council Meeting to the 5-10-22 agenda for approval.

 Ms. Atkins also discussed the funding for the Head Start and Early Head Start program.  Ms. Atkins also requested that the Vernon Parish Head Start & Birth to Five Selection Criteria Point System be added to the 5-10-22 agenda for approval. On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr. seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to add the Selection Criteria Point System to the 5-10-22 meeting for approval.

 

Item #5:  Salary Personnel Report

Angie Davis, Salary/Personnel Chairperson reported to the Board on the meeting held at 9:00 am on 5-5-22. The following items were discussed by Personnel Director, Mike Kay:

1)         Discussed Personnel Changes for May, 2022 and asked for approval on 5-10-22 agenda.  On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to add to the 5-10-22 agenda for approval of May, 2022 personnel changes.

2)         Advertising for a two year promotional principal position at Vernon Middle School, two year promotional Secondary Curriculum Director, and a two year promotional Elementary Curriculum Supervisor.  On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to add to the Tuesday, May 10th meeting for approval to advertise for the three positions.

3.         Mr. Kay also reminded the Board Members who have not completed their Financial Disclosure Statements to do so as soon as possible.  The deadline is May 15th.

 

Item #6:            Report from Finance Committee

Finance Chairperson, Steve Woods reported to the Board on the discussion of the 9:30 Finance Committee meeting.  He informed the Board that Finance Director, Tim Ward discussed the Vernon Parish School Board Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget Adjustment and presented the Board with an itemized statement of all grants and monies. 

He also presented the Board with the Vernon Parish School Board Revised Budget General Operating Fund for May 2022.  On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to add to the Tuesday, May 10th agenda for approval.

 

Item #7:            Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent, James Williams welcomed all to the meeting. 

Mr. Williams thanked all the principals, parents and students who attended the meeting today from Leesville Junior High, Pitkin High, and West Leesville Elementary

and congratulated the students on their awards.  He informed the Board that other schools would be receiving awards on Tuesday, May 10.

Mr. Williams recognized the Principals and schools who are still in the baseball playoffs and congratulated them on their success.

Elementary Curriculum Director Anne Smith informed the Board that this is Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2-6.  Teacher Appreciation Week is designated each year to thank our teachers for their hard work and dedication to Vernon Parish students.  Each school celebrates in different ways. Every day at every school, a special treat is provided for the teachers.

He reminded the Board Members to complete their disclosure statements. 

A “Thank You Luncheon” for the Vernon Parish School Board will be given today at the Hickory Smokehouse from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm.

The next Board meeting will be Tuesday, May 10th at 10:00. There will be an Athletic Committee meeting at 9:30 am.

 

Item #8:            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  Phyllis Mae Cheek who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Cheek was the mother of Cynthia Fallon (Todd), Vernon Parish School Board Speech Therapist; and

            WHEREAS, Ms.  Cheek was a resident of Rapides 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 expresstheir sympathy to the family ofMyron David Vinson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System:  Mr. Vinson’s daughter-in-law is Martha Vinson, former Head Start teacher.  His sister-in-laws are Annette Vinson, retired bus driver, Peggy Vinson, active bus driver and brother-in-law Sammy Hinson, retired Vernon Parish School Board Superintendent of Schools.

            WHEREAS, Mr. Vinson 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 Shad Stewart, 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 Keven Jackson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson’s wife is Joan Jackson, retired Rosepine High School custodian; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson 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 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 Dianetta Smith who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Smith was a retired secretary at Vernon Middle School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Smith’s sister is Lillie Allen, Vernon Parish Central Office Food Service Assistant; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Smith 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 Jackie Self, 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 Elsee Ashworth who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Ashworth was a retired teacher, assistant principal, and principal for the Vernon Parish School System for 53 years; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Ashworth was a resident of Merryville, LA; 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 #9:  Adjournment:

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

 

Authorized Officer

 

_________________________

JOHN BLANKENBAKER, PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT