DECEMBER 1, 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:

DOUG BRANDON

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JIM SEAMAN

JACKIE SELF

STEVE WOODS

RANDY MARTIN

LISA THOMPSON

SHAD STEWART

COL. SAMUEL P. SMITH, JR.

ABSENT:         

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT

DAVID DETZ

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

ANGIE DAVIS              

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   JIM SEAMAN

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:                 JIM SEAMAN

Roll Call

Item #1:            November 10, 2022 Minutes

On motion of Jackie Self , seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the November 10, 2022 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2:            Recognition of Parish Principals of the Year 

Curriculum Supervisor, Karen Robertson introduced the Parish Principals of the Year to the Board.  Angela Schraven, Anacoco Elementary, Roger Atkins, Leesville Junior High, and Lisa Haymon, Leesville High School. 

Item #3:            Head Start Report:

Mr. Curtis Clay, Director of Head Start gave the Head Start report and presented the following Head Start Policies for approval:

VPHS Grievance Procedures

VPHS Health Plan Policy

VPHS Reduction in Force

VPHS Dual Language Policy and Procedures

VPHS Monthly Enrollment Reporting Procedures

VPHS Video Surveillance Policy

VPHS Classroom Volunteer Minimum Age

VPHS Policy for Obtaining Volunteers and Substitutes in Classrooms

VPHS Career Opportunity Statement

VPHS Policy of Employee Discipline

VPHS Readiness Goals

VPHS Policy of Tuition Payments

VPSB Intra-Agency Agreement between Head Start and SPED

Disability Referral Procedures

Income Eligibility Procedure

 On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to add the Vernon Parish Head Start policies to the December 6^th agenda for approval.

Cheree Atkins, Head Start Coordinator also reported to the Board on ERSEA: Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance.

Item #4:            Nominations of Board Officers for 2023

President of the Board, John Blankenbaker asked for nominations for Board Officers for the 2023 year.  John Blankenbaker nominated Jim Seaman as President of the Board for 2023.  On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Shad Stewart the Board voted to add to the 12-6-22 agenda for approval,   Jim Seaman as President 2023.

Jackie Self nominated Shad Stewart as Vice-President of the Board for 2023.  On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to add to the 12-6-22 agenda for approval,  Shad Stewart as Vice-President of the Board for 2023.

Item #5:            Policy Update

Child Welfare Director, Hub Jordan reported to the Board on the following policy changes:

Purchasing:  File: DJE - Purchasing

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Lisa Thompson, the Board voted to add to the 12-6-22 meeting for approval.

Item #6:            Report From Salary/Personnel Committee

Jackie Self reported to the Board on the discussion during the Salary/Personnel Committee Meeting.  Mr. Self  informed the Board that Assistant Superintendent, Mike Kay discussed the following:

1)         Personnel changes for December, 2022. On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by    Steve Woods, the Board voted to add for approval at the 12-6-22 meeting.

2)          Presented the Board with a recommendation for changes to substitute pay 

 Schedules.  A full board vote was made with 9 yeas, 0 nays 0 abstained. On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to add to the 12-6-22 meeting for approval.

3)         Informed the Board that on Friday, 12-2-22 from 9:00 – 11:45 at LHS annex gym is the Transition Fair for Vernon Parish High School students with IEPs and 504 plans.  All 9 high schools will have students, teachers, and parents/guardians attending.

Item #7:            Report From Finance Committee

Tim Ward, Finance Director updated the Board on the Finance Committee’s meeting. 

Mr. Ward presented the Board with a Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget Adjustments Report on state and local funding.  Also presented the General Operating Fund for fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.  On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to add to the 12-6-22 meeting for approval.

Item #8:            Recognition of Outgoing Board Members

Assistant Superintendent, Mike Kay recognized the outgoing Board Members:

Steve Woods, Doug Brandon, Lisa Thompson, and David Detz.  Mr. Kay thanked them for their years of service and presented them with a plaque. President John Blankenbaker was also recognized for service and presented a plaque as the outgoing Board President for 2022.

 Senator Mike Reese,  State Representative Charles Owens, and State Representative Rodney Schamerhorn presented the outgoing Board Members an Expression Of Commendation from the State of Louisiana House of Representatives.

Item #9:              Superintendent’s Remarks

 Assistant Superintendent Mike Kay welcomed all to the meeting.

Mr. Kay thanked all for their attendance and asked Col. Samuel P. Smith, Jr. for an update on Fort Polk events.

Col. Smith discussed the following:

l.          Success for the fitness competion

2.         Informed the Board on PCSing of soldiers

3.         Special Education needs (hiring)

4.         Jr. JRTC a success

5.         Tree Lighting at Fort Polk

6.         Starbase hiring

7.         DCIP – meeting with local officials

8.         Progress of Care Center for younger children/autism

9.         Success of the Education Summit in October

Mr. Kay announced that the next meeting will be held on 12-6-22.

Also the Central Office Christmas Luncheon will be on 12-14-22 and everyone is invited to attend.  He reminded the Board about the Special Education Transition Fair 12-2-22 at LHS.

Item #10:          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 James Hardin who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Hardin was a Vernon Parish retired teacher, coach, counselor, PHS principal, supervisor and director; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Hardin was a former resident of Vernon Parish; 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 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 Marsha Mayo who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Mayo was a retired cafeteria worker at East Leesville Elementary; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Mayo 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 Jim Seaman 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 Joseph Randall Dowden who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Dowden was the son of Randall Dowden, retired maintenance employee; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Dowden 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 Jim Seaman, 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 Pam Brack who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Brack’s three sisters-in-law are Angie Brack, retired teacher, Kathy Bonner board owned bus driver and Becky Riley, board owned bus driver; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Brack 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 Betty Jo Parker who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Parker’s daughter is Elizabeth Ann“Missy” Creasey, retired  LA -4 teacher; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Parker was a resident of Vernon Parish; and

            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 #11:          Adjournment

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

Authorized Officer

_________________________

JOHN BLANKENBAKER, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT