AUGUST 4, 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:

 

ANGIE DAVIS

JIM SEAMAN

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

STEVE WOODS

RANDY MARTIN

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

JACKIE SELF

 

ABSENT:

 

SHAD STEWART

DAVID DETZ

DOUG BRANDON

LISA THOMPSON

                       

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   Jim Seaman

                       

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:     Jim Seaman     

 

Item #1:            Approval of Minutes

On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the August 4, 2022 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Item #2:            Edmentum Program Curriculum

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Vernon L. Travis, Jr., the Board voted to approve

Edmentum Program Curriculum.

 

Item #3:            Hicks High School Activity Bus

Tim Ward, Finance Director received one bid from Ross Bus Sales in the amount of $72,000 for the purchase of an activity bus for Hicks High School.  On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to accept the bid from Ross Bus Sales.  On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to purchase the activity bus for Hicks High School.

Bid Price

$ 72,000.00

   08/08/2022                                                                        

 

 

 

Ross Bus and Equipment Sales, L.L.C. 2913 North Bolton Avenue

Alexandria, LA 71303

 

08/04/2022

 

 

Item #4:            Revised Special Counsel Resolution

On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr. seconded by Jackie Self,  the Board voted to adopt the revised Special Counsel Resolution. The vote, in open meeting, on the resolution was as follows:

 8 yeas

 0 nays

 4 absent

 

RESOLUTION OF VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD REGARDING EMPLOYMENT OF SPECIAL COUNSEL

 

WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statutes 42:263 authorizes the retention of special counsel by any school board upon a statement of reasons why such counsel is necessary and upon the approval by the Attorney General; and

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board has employed the law firm Hammonds, Sills, Adkins, Guice, Noah & Perkins, LLP (formerly Hammonds & Sills) since 2008 as its special counsel with experience, training, and expertise in school law issues including, but not limited to, special education, school personnel matters, public bid law and general school board policy matters involving compliance with the federal and state laws and regulations, including due process hearings, tenure hearings, misconduct investigations and the handling of administrative hearings and litigation in state and federal courts; and

WHEREAS, through its representation of the Vernon Parish School Board and various school boards throughout the State of Louisiana, the law firm of Hammonds, Sills, Adkins, Guice, Noah & Perkins, LLP has special experience, training and expertise in those issues of school law.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED by the Vernon Parish School Board in regular session duly convened:

Section I — This School Board does hereby renew its employment of the law firm of Hammonds, Sills, Adkins, Guice, Noah & Perkins, LLP as special counsel with training, experience and expertise in school law issues including, but not limited to, special education, school personnel matters, public bid law and general policy matters to include administrative hearings and litigation with respect thereto for the purpose of advising, consulting with, and representing this School Board in connection with such legal matters involving the school system.

Section II — Said law firm shall be paid for their services at hourly rates equal to the maximum hourly fee schedule for special counsel published by the Attorney General of the State of Louisiana in effect at the time of the services except that the paralegal rate shall be $75.00 per hour and to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses for long distance telephone calls, document duplication, expert witness fees, court reporter fees, printing costs, travel expenses and other expenses as a result of the legal services to and for this School Board.

Section III — Said law firm shall keep itemized time records for presentation to the Superintendent with respect to services rendered at said hourly rates and the expenses incurred, and the Superintendent is hereby authorized and directed to pay same upon submission and receipt thereof.

Section IV — This employment shall continue and is effective immediately upon adoption of this resolution.

Section V — The School Board recognizes that claims brought in federal court seeking equitable relief against school boards implicate the interests of the State of Louisiana, and so the School Board agrees to provide advance written notice to the Louisiana Attorney General ten

(10)   business days before the School Board’s next meeting and an opportunity for the Attorney General to express concerns directly to the Board in writing or in executive session before the School Board:

(1)               proposes a settlement, accepts a proposed settlement, agrees to a consent decree, or enters any other agreement with any party in any federal action for declaratory or injunctive relief that is going to be or has been filed; or

(2)          files any document in any federal case in which (a) declaratory or injunctive relief has been granted against the School Board, (b) final judgment dismissing the case has not been entered, and (c) at least 3 years have passed since any party seeking relief, including the USDOJ in an amicus capacity, filed any document in the case.

 

Accordingly, the School Board authorizes and directs the law firm to provide the required notice to the Attorney General, release such information and documentation as the Attorney General may request in response to the notice, and generally cooperate with the Attorney General in regard to the notice.

The vote, in open meeting, on the resolution was as follows:

 

Yeas: 8

Nays: 0

Absent: 4

 

 

I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the Vernon Parish School Board in regular session duly convened on August 4, 2022 and that same

has not been rescinded or repealed.

LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA, this 4th day of August, 2022.

 

 

                 

JOHN BLANKENBAKER,        President Vernon Parish School Board

   JAMES WILLIAMS, Secretary-Treasurer Vernon Parish School Board

 

Item # 5:           Cenergistic Energy Award

Finance Director, Tim Ward introduced the representative from Cenergistic Energy to present the award to the Vernon Parish School Board.   Danielle Suddeth, representing Cenergistic,  informed the Board that since 2016, the Vernon Parish School Board has saved 4.4 million dollars through the Cenergistic Energy program.  Randy Lansdale, VPSB coordinator of the program and all our employees have contributed to the success of the program.  Without every employee from all schools, we could not have accomplished the savings.

 

Item #6:            Vernon Parish School Board Policy Updates

Child Welfare Director, Hub Jordan discussed the Legislative Update 2022: Part 1 and presented the Board with a copy of the policy update and changes.

Policies in this issue: 

School Board Ethics

School Bus Scheduling and Routing

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Education Opportunities

Employee Dress Code

Bullying and Hazing

Student Dress Code

Discipline

Expulsion

Expectant and Parenting Students

Student Absences and Excuses

Student Health Services

Administration of Medication

Student Voter Registration

 

There are also changes to the following:

School Board Ethics:  FILE:  BH Cf:  ABC

 

On motion of Jim Seamon, seconded by Vernon L. Travis, Jr., the Board voted to approve the VPSB policy updates and changes.

 

Item #7:            Opening of Schools

The following directors gave a detailed update on their departments for the opening of schools:

Hub Jordan, Child Welfare Director, Anne Smith, Curriculum Director, Tim Ward Finance Director, Dwain Ducote Transportation and Maintenance Director, Curtis Clay Head Start Director, and Mike Kay,  Assistant Superintendent overseeing Food Service at this time.

 

Item #8:            Report from Salary/Personnel

Angie Davis, Salary/Personnel chairperson reported to the Board on the topics discussed by Mike Kay, Assistant Superintendent during the 9:30 am meeting:

  1. Personnel changes for August, 2000

  2. Disclosure forms to be completed by Board members

  3. Performance contracts to be approved on Tuesday, August 9th

  4. Discussed vacant administrative positions and central office secretary positions

  5. School safety assessment calendar

  6. VPSB election guidelines

 

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to add to the 8-9-22 agenda for approval the performance contracts presented during the Salary/Personnel meeting.

 

Item #9:            Report from the Athletic Committee

Vernon L. Travis, Jr. reported to the Board on the topics discussed during the 9:00 am Athletic Committee meeting reported to the Board on the following information:

l.          Football Schedules for 2021

2.         LHSAA Updates

3.         Important sports dates

4.         COVID Guidelines

5.         Parish basketball tournament 22-23

 

Item #10:           Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting and reminded the Board to pray for Ms. Sandra Blakeway’s recovery, Principal at Parkway Elementary.

Mr. Williams thanked Col. Smith and Fort Polk from the VPSB and Ms. Blakeway’s family  for their quick medical response to Parkway to assist  Ms. Blakeway in her time of need. 

Col. Samuel P. Smith gave an update on Fort Polk events for opening schools.  He informed the Board concerning the change of command.  The new commander is General Gardner.  He updated the Board on the LSUA Star Base program which will open in September.  On 8-5-22 there will be a camp for 30 students on the Robots program and

 8-19-22 a movie night will be set up for back to school.

Mr. Williams  discussed the back-to-school open house/orientation schedule and urged all Board members to attend.

 

Item #11:          Memorial Resolution

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 Emma Harrison who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Harrison was a retired Leesville High School teacher; and          WHEREAS, Ms. Harrison 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 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 Lawrence Martin who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Martin was a retired bus driver, and his wife Ms. Abragail Martin was a former employee of the VPSB; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Martin 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 other business the meeting was adjourned

 

Authorized Officer

_________________________

JOHN BLANKENBAKER,  PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT