NOVEMBER 3, 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 JBRANDON

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JIM SEAMAN

JACKIE SELF

STEVE WOODS

 

DISTRICT TWO:

ANGIE DAVIS

 

DISTRICT THREE:

DAVID DETZ

 

DISTRICT FOUR:

RANDY MARTIN

 

DISTRICT FIVE:

SHAD STEWART

 

DISTRICT SIX:

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

 

DISTRICT SEVEN:

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

 

DISTRICT EIGHT:

LISA THOMPSON

 

FORT POLK REPRESENTATIVE:

COL. SAMUEL P. SMITH, JR.

 

ABSENT:

COL. SAMUEL P. SMITH, JR.

                       

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

 

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   Jackie Self       

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:                 Jackie Self

 

Item #1:            Approval of October 11, 2022, Minutes

On motion of David Detz, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2022, regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.    

 

Item #2:            Head Start Report

Director of Head Start, Curtis Clay reported to the Board on the Head Start policies presented at the Head Start Policy Council meeting held on November 1, 2022.

The following policies were discussed for approval:

1.  Approval of Community Representative

2.  VPHS Birth Certificate Documentation Policy

3.  VPHS Selection Criteria

4.  VPHS Biting Policy

5.  VPHS Applications

6.  VPHS Loose Bowel Policy

7.  VPHS Temporary Exclusion Policy

8.  VPHS Confidentiality Policy

9.  VPHS Organizational Chart

10. Creative Curriculum and Literacy Plans (ARC, PELI/Acadience)

11. Annual Report

 

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to add the   policies to the November 10th board meeting for approval.

Cheree Atkins report to the Board on the ERSEA (eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance. She also reported on number count for H.S. PreK4, and EHS.

Simpson School opened their Head Start class with 15 - 3 year old and 13 – 4 year old.

 

Item #3:            Technology Update

Technology Coordinator, Bill Lohman reported to the Board on progress being made on setting up internet in Vernon Parish.  He discussed wide area network explaining how this will benefit Vernon Parish.  He also discussed the Dark Fiber Project and grants connected to funding for the project which will accommodate our system greatly.

Mr. Lohman informed the Board that cameras have been installed in all schools except two.  Work orders are be completed.

 

Item #4:            ACT Update

Director of Secondary Curriculum, Lisa Lohman reported to the Board on the ACT performance highlighting three important facts:

1.  Vernon Parish has consistently ranked among the top 10 districts for overall ACT performance for the past 3 years.

 

2.  Vernon Parish has ranked #1 on LDOE ACT accountability index scores for the past two years.

 

3.  Vernon Parish consistently performs above the state ACT average.

 

Ms. Lohman also discussed NAEP (The Nation’s Report Card)

 

Louisiana shows country’s largest gains on Nation’s Report Card.  This recent article shared by State Superintendent Cade Brumley indicates that Louisiana ranks #1 in the nation for improvement in 4th grade reading scale scores and proficiency rates. (Comparison of 2019-2022).

In Vernon Parish, we are extremely proud of our 4th grad teachers and students and applaud them for their academic efforts in making this award possible.  An unofficial analysis of 21-22 LEAP scores, shows that our 4th ELA scores are approximately 8 points higher that the state average.  Vernon Parish is making a significant contribution to the overall growth of student performance in Louisiana.

 

Item #5:            Food Service Update

Interim Director of Food Service, Mike Kay updated the board on processing free and reduced lunch applications for all students (online applications).  Mr. Kay informed the Board that all students do not eat free for the 2022-2023 school year and applications must be completed to be approved for free lunch.  There are three schools with school wide free lunch approval: West Leesville Elementary, East Leesville Elementary and Pitkin High School.  We are having problems with the Heartland software and completing syncs.  We are exploring other options at this time. We currently serve 3,649 student free lunches and 943 student reduced lunches. We are in the process of filling sub cook shortages.

 

Item #6:            Report from Salary/Personnel Committee

Salary/Personnel Committee Chairperson, Angie Davis reported to the Board on the information discussed during the meeting from Assistant Superintendent, Mike Kay at the 9:30 Salary/Personnel meeting.

Mr. Kay discussed personnel transactions for November.  

Mr. Kay also discussed adjusting the pay scale and job descriptions for support employees. On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to add to the Tuesday, November 9th meeting for approval.

 

Item #7:             Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting.  Col. Samuel P. Smith, Jr., the Fort Polk representative was not present at the meeting.

 Mr. Williams presented the Board with a copy of the Accountability Information from Michael W. Faulk, LASS Executive Director.  Mr. Williams reminded the Board Members on the required training for school board members 2022 Governmental Ethics training.  Training will be November 10th, next Thursday conducted by Jon Guice.

Mr. Williams thanked the Board for their continued support for his family and asked for continued prayer.

The meeting was turned over to the President, John Blankenbaker.

 

Item #8:  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 Lenda Lou Bates-Frazier who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Frazier was a retired teacher with 30 plus years and a school administrator at Pickering Elementary; and

            WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System:  Ms. Frazier’s  brother-in-law is David Gibson, former teacher at Leesville High School and Pickering High School and her nephew is Mike Kay, Assistant Superintendent, VPSB; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Frazier was a resident of Rose Hill, Kansas; 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 express their sympathy to the family of Jeanna Louise Ann Southard who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System:  Ms. Southard’s sister is Tracy L. Smith, Head Start Instructional Coach, brother-in-law Rick Smith, Central Office I.T. Technician, and nephew Tye Smith, Central Office Technician  

            WHEREAS, Ms. Southard was a resident of Boyce, LA; 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 express their sympathy to the family of Leslie Leroy Roshong who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System:  Mr. Roshong’s daughter is Tracy L. Smith, Head Start Instructional Coach, son-in-law Rick Smith, Central Office I.T. Technician, and grandson Tye Smith, Central Office Technician; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Roshong 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 Rachelle Provost who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Ms. Provost’s mother is Lucille Simmons, cook technician at East Leesville Elementary; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Provost 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 Harold Gene Warren who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System:  Mr. Warren’s sister is Mickie Seastrunk, former counselor and Drug Free School Coordinator, brother-in-law Regionald Seastrunk, former Vernon Parish School Board Member, nephew Ronald Seastrunk, VPSB Attorney; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Warren was a former VPSB employee; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Warren was a former 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

 

Authorized Officer

 

_________________________

JOHN BLANKENBAKER, PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT