SEPTEMBER 1, 2022
THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. THE PRESIDENT JOHN BLANKENBAKER CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
ROBERT PYNES, JR.
JIM SEAMAN
ANGIE DAVIS
DAVID DETZ
RANDY MARTIN
SHAD STEWART
VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.
JACKIE SELF
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
LISA THOMPSON
ABSENT:
JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT
DOUG BRANDON
STEVE WOODS
COL. SAMUEL P. SMITH, JR.
The Secretary of the Board, James Williams was not present.
The meeting was opened in prayer by: Vernon L. Travis, Jr.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: Vernon L. Travis, Jr.
Item #1: Approval of 8-9-22 Minutes
On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the August 9, 2022 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Item #2: Advertise for Propane
On motion of Lisa Thompson, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to advertise for propane for Evans, Hicks and Simpson Schools. On motion of Lisa Thompson, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to add to the 9-6-22 meeting to advertise for propane.
Item #3: Additions and Updates to Policies
Director of Child Welfare, Hub Jordan presented the Board with the final installment of the Legislative Update series of the policies for 2022. He also discussed changes to various policies, including policies in the employee, instruction and student sections of policy manuals. In addition to the various policy revisions, we have included a few additional notes for the Acts which did not require policy changes but of which School Boards should take note.
1. Employment of Retired Personnel Act 549 -rehiring of retired teachers
2. Dismissal of Employees Act 332 – receipt of the Superintendent’s disciplinary action, if any.
3. Sick Leave – Act 648 – In addition to use for personal illness and emergencies, the statutes now allow the use of sick leave for “special circumstances” for school employees.
4. Military Leave- Act 373 – years of service not interrupted due to military service.
5. Special Education Advisory Council Act 576 – In addition to changing the percentages of certain members to be included, the Act now mandates that a council shall be comprised of at least 8 members. The annual written repost of the council which was already mandated is now also to be posted on the School Board’s website and reported to the State Department of Education.
6. Cameras in Special Education Classrooms – Act 588 –
Revised the statute making it mandatory for each School Board to adopt policies relative to the installation and operation of cameras that record both video and audio in a classroom no later than 12-31-22.
7. Public School Choice – Act 533 – effective June 17, 2022, allows for students to enroll in a “program of choice” in his or her school system without regard to attendance zones under certain conditions.
8. Child Abuse – Act 180 – Age and grade appropriate classroom instruction be provided to all students relative to child assault awareness and prevention.
9. Patriotic Organizations – Act 485 – Principals are required are required to grant representatives of Patriotic Organizations the opportunity to speak with and recruit students to participate during school hours for the purpose of informing them how the organization my further the students’ educational interests and civic involvement.
Additional Notes: Acts amended: 337, 333, 387, 466, & 323
On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to add to the 9-6-22 meeting for approval.
Item #4: School Opening Update
Hub Jordan, Child Welfare Director reported to the Board on the status of school opening. He informed the Board that there were no problems and school opened very smoothly. Mr. Jordan also gave an update on COVID – no faculty or employees with COVID and only 9 students.
Curriculum Director, Lisa Lohman also updated the Board
on goals set for the Curriculum Department with teachers. She informed the Board that instructional school manuals for principals are now on their laptops instead of binders for easy access. Ms. Lohman informed the Board that virtual enrollment is down due to students returning to classrooms.
Item #5: Report from Salary/Personnel Committee
Salary/Personnel Chairperson, Vernon L. Travis reported to the Board on topics discussed by Mike Kay during the 9:00 Salary/Personnel meeting.
Mr. Kay discussed the September Personnel Changes to be approved at the September 6th meeting. The following motion were made after discussion of changes for approval.
On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Shad Stewart the Board voted to add the personnel changes for approval to the September 7th meeting.
On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to add to the 9-6-22 meeting to approve the Performance Contracts for a 2 year promotional contract for Hornbeck High School Principal, 2 year promotional contract for Assistant Principal at Pitkin High School and one year non-promotional contract for Special Education Director.
Mr. Kay asked for a motion to advertise for a vacant administrative position.
On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to advertise for a 2 year promotional Assistant Principal position at Hornbeck High School.
He also discussed campaign finance training, ethics training, enrollment, and presented a copy of the letter sent to Mayor Rick Allen on the bus barn lease.
Item #6: Report from Finance Committee
Finance Committee Chairperson, Steve Woods was absent, and Vernon L. Travis reported to the Board on the Finance Committee’s discussion during the 9:30 meeting. Director of Finance, Tim Ward presented the Board with the Consolidated Budget and General Fund for 2022-2023. Mr. Travis explained the expenditures and balances of each.
On motion of David Detz, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to add to the September 6th agenda for approval.
Mr. Ward also gave the Board an Executive Summary for the 2022-2023 Operating Budget explaining the general fund, special revenue fund, debt service fund and capitol projects fund.
On motion of David Detz, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to add to the 9-6-22 meeting for approval
Item #7: Superintendent’s Remarks
Assistant Superintendent, Mike Kay filled in for Superintendent Williams in his absence. Mr. Kay welcomed all to the meeting. He informed the Board that he has visited schools every day since start-up and everything is going very smoothly.
Teachers and students are happy to be back and all schools are in good operating condition.
Item # 8: Memorial Resolutions
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 Rolf Kuhlow who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kuhlow was a retired teacher and coach for the Vernon Parish School System; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kuhlow 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 Owen Keith Roberts who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Roberts was a custodian at Rosepine High School and his daughter is Tammy Allardyce, VPSB payroll clerk; and
WHEREAS Mr. Roberts 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 #9: Adjournment
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned.
Authorized Officer
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
ATTEST:
JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT