NOVEMBER 10, 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.

JIM SEAMAN

JACKIE SELF

STEVE WOODS

District Two:

ANGIE DAVIS

District Three:

DAVID DETZ

District Four:

RANDY MARTIN

District Five:

SHAD STEWART

District Seven:

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

Fort Polk Representative:

COL. SAMUEL P. SMITH, JR.

ABSENT:

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.,   District Six

LISA THOMPSON, District Eight

COL. SAMUEL P. SMITH, JR.,   Fort Polk Representative

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 Minutes

On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the November 3, 2022 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2:            Head Start Policy /Procedures

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve Head Start policies/procedures presented to the Board at the November 3rd meeting.

Item #3:            Budget Amendments Related to Personnel Changes

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the budget amendments related to personnel changes.

Item #4:            Authorization to Pay the Claims

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

Item #5:            Recognition of Employee of the Month

Tim Ward, Director of Finance, welcomed Scott Walker with Taylor and Sons Insurance to introduce our Employee of the Month to the Board.  Taylor and Sons Insurance sponsors this program for the Vernon Parish School Board, presenting the Employee of the Month a plaque and a gift bag. The November Employee of the Month is Terri Elizabeth Ferguson, Kindergarten teacher at North Polk Elementary.  Assistant Principal, Christina Heather also spoke to the Board about Ms. Ferguson’s outstanding teaching skills and what makes her a great teacher. Ms. Ferguson teaches with kindness, patience and she finds teachable moments to teach her students that will benefit her students.

Item #6:            Athletic Update

Parish Athletic Director, Hub Jordan gave an update on the Memorandum received from the LHSAA Executive Director, Eddie Bonine.  The Board also received a copy of the memorandum and the 2022 LHSAA volleyball playoff bracket – Division III and the LHSAA football playoff brackets (1-4).

Item #7:            Insurance Update

Finance Director, Tim Ward updated the Board on insurance repairs at Hicks High School and Pitkin High School.  Mr. Ward presented the Board with a list of completed repairs and incomplete repairs.

Item #8:              Superintendent’s  Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting. Mr. Williams reminded the Board that Friday, November 11^th is Veteran’s Day and Vernon Parish schools will observe the holiday.  Some of our schools had special programs this week. if anyone would be interested in attending.

Mr. Williams presented the Board with a copy of the School Law from Jon Guice and reminded the Board that the ACT 705 Training Session will be after the meeting today.

Mr. Williams turned the meeting over to the President, John Blankenbaker.

Item #9:              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 A.L. “Buddy” Scott who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Scott was a retired bus driver at Pickering Elementary School, serving for over 40 years; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Compton 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 Paula Coats Hoer who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Hoer was a retired Leesville Junior High teacher; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Hoer 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 #10:  Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Authorized Officer

_________________________

JOHN BLANKENBAKER,  PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT