JUNE 2, 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:

 

District One:

Doug Brandon

Robert Pynes, Jr.

Jackie Self

Steve Woods

 

District Two:

Angie Davis

 

District Four:

Randy Martin

 

District Five:

Shad Stewart

 

District Six:

Vernon L. Travis, Jr.

 

District Seven:

John Blankenbaker

 

District Eight:

Lisa Thompson

 

ABSENT:

Doug Brandon:  District One

Jim Seaman:      District One

David Detz:       District Three

 

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

 

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   Chris Fox, Cannon Baptist Church Staff

`

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:     Randy Martin    

 

Item #1:            Approval of Minutes

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the May 10, 2022 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Item #2:            School Safety Update

Hub Jordan, Director of Child Welfare, presented the Board Members with a copy of the Crisis Management Plan and School Safety Procedures to be performed in Vernon Parish Schools as needed.

Mr. Jordan also introduced Sheriff Sam Craft and Sammy Edwards, Supervisor of the SRO officers who work as security officers in the schools.  Sheriff Craft informed the Board of the procedures to be conducted in the event of a crisis.  Mr. Edwards explained to the Board the training and duties  the SRO officers receive to enforce safety in our schools.

 

Item #3:            Report from Salary/Personnel Committee

Angie Davis, Chairperson for the salary/personnel committee reported to the Board on the discussion at the 9:00 committee meeting.  Personnel Director, Mike Kay discussed the following:

1.         Personnel transactions for June, 2022

2.         Vacant administrative positions (four vacant positions)

3.         Tax check information to be completed for the June 7th meeting

On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to add to the June 7th meeting to advertise for a promotional Assistant Principal position at Vernon Middle School.

On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Vernon L. Travis Jr., the Board voted to add to the June 7th meeting to advertise for a promotional Principal position at West Leesville Elementary.

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to add to the June 7th meeting to advertise for a Principal position at Leesville High School.

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to add to the June 7th meeting to advertise for a promotional Secondary Curriculum Supervisor.

 

Item #4:            Report from Uniform/Dress Code Committee

John Blankenbaker, Chairperson for the Uniform/Dress Code Committee reported to the Board about the discussion presented by Child Welfare Director, Hub Jordan.  Mr. Jordan presented the proposed changes to student dress code listed in the Vernon Parish Student Handbook and Code of Conduct.  Change made on page 9 and no changes on page 10 and 40. On motion of Doug Brandon , seconded by Vernon Travis the Board voted to change made on page 9 and no changes on pages 10 and 40.’

A survey will be sent to parents concerning uniforms at each school.

 

Item #5:            Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent Williams welcomed all to the meeting.  He asked Col. Smith for an update on Fort Polk information.  Col Smith thanked Sheriff Craft and Supervisor Edwards for their report on safety in our schools and explained to the Board on military security.  He informed the Board that the community car wash, bowling & putt putt golf course, swimming pool and STEM Base center would soon be completed.  Three summer camps given by LSUA will be conducted for 5th graders.

Col. Smith informed the Board that approximately 175 families would be transferring to Fort Polk. He then turned the announcements over to Superintendent Williams.

Mr. Williams discussed the handbook concerns and the crisis plan.  He presented the Board with a 2022 Elections Schedule, which included type of election and deadline dates, etc.  He informed the Board of the next meeting, which will be on June 7.

Mr. Williams turned the meeting over to President, John Blankenbaker and he asked for memorial resolutions to be read.

 

Item #6:              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 Johnny Grubb who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge the following family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mr. Grubb’s daughter is Terri Mayberry, teacher at Pickering Elementary School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Grubb was a resident of  Athens, Tennessee; 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.

 

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 Richard Bailes who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Bailes was a Vernon Parish School Board Member from 1989 to 1993; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Bailes daughter is Christie Tuck, retired secretary/bookkeeper at North Polk Elementary; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Bailes 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 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 Beverly Barnes Vitale who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge the family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Ms. Vitale’s daughter is Laura Vitale, Special Education Homebound Teacher, granddaughters; Tracy Lack, Special Education secretary and retired Gifted Teacher, Kelly Norwood-Gray; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Vitale was a resident of Colorado; 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 Pastor Paul L Sowells who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Pastor Sowells  was a retired Bus Driver, and

            WHEREAS, The Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System:  Pastor Sowells’ nephew is Joe Sowells, Administrative Assistant, Leesville High School and Vanilla Sanders, retired teacher; and

            WHEREAS, Pastor Sowells 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 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 Jeannie S. Hicks who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Hicks was the secretary/bookkeeper at Evans High School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Hicks 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 Robert Pynes, 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 Laverne Marshall Jackson who recently passed away:

            WHEREAS, Ms. Jackson was a retired Librarian at West Leesville Elementary; and

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

 

On motion of Lisa Thompson and Shad Stewart, 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 Patricia Ann Poe Robinson who recently pass away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Robinson was a retired Special Education paraprofessional; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Robinson’s daughter is Dedra Morrison, Special Education paraprofessional at Pitkin High School  and her  sister is Sally Poe Meade retired bus driver at Hicks High School; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Robinson 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 in this time of sadness.

 

On motion of John Blankenbaker, 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 Thomas Byrd who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Byrd was a bus driver at Rosepine High and Rosepine Elementary schools; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Byrd 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 John Blankenbaker, 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 Elma Gaye Woodard McKee who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. McKee retired after teaching for 30 years at Rosepine Elementary and then served 11 years as District 7 Board Member.  Ms. McKee’s husband was Bernard McKee, former Board Member in District 7 and her sister is Patty Cupit, retired Teacher and Principal at Rosepine Elementary.

            WHEREAS, Ms. McKee 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.     

 

Item #7:  Adjournment

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

 

Authorized Officer

 

_________________________

JOHN BLANKENBAKER, PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT