DECEMBER 6, 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

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

COL. SAMUEL P. SMITH, JR.

ANGIE DAVIS

RANDY MARTIN

SHAD STEWART

COL. SAMUEL P. SMITH, JR (FORT POLK REPRESENTATIVE)

ABSENT:

LISA THOMPSON

DAVID DETZ

STEVE WOODS

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   REVEREND JASON NOLDE

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:    LUCAS BRANDON

Item #1:            Approval of Minutes

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the December 1, 2022, regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2:            Budget Revisions 2022-2023

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve Budget Revisions for 2022-2023.

Item #3:            Head Start Policies/Procedures

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to approve the Head Start policies/procedures presented at the December 2nd meeting.

Item #4:            Budget Amendments/ Personnel Changes

On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve the budget amendments related to personnel changes presented at the December 2nd meeting.

Item #5:            Authorization to Pay the Claims

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

Item #6:            Approval of Policy Changes

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve the policy changes presented at the December 2^nd meeting.

Approved:

File:  DJE -  PURCHASING / CREDIT CARD CHANGES

Cf:  BH, DIA

Cf:  DJED, DJEG

Item #7:            Election of Board Officers for 2023

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to approve the election of board officers for 2023.  Superintendent Williams thanked John Blankenbaker for his service as President for 2022 and acknowledged the passing of the gavel to Jim Seaman, President for 2023.

Item #8:            Substitute Pay Schedule

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to approve the purposed substitute pay schedule presented to the Board on 12-1-22.

Item #9:            Recognition of Employee of the Month

Tim Ward, Finance Director and Rodney Taylor with Taylor & Sons Insurance, sponsor for Employee of the Month, introduced our Employee of the Month Laurie Brown.

Mrs. Brown is a 9-12 English Teacher at Anacoco High School.  Ms. Angie Davis, District Two Board Member spoke to the Board about her accomplishments, her effective teaching skills, and how her relationships with students and other employees make her a great teacher.

Item #10:          Report from Curriculum Committee

Curriculum Chairperson, Jackie Self reported to the Board on information discussed during the 9:30 curriculum meeting.

Curriculum Directors, Lisa Lohman and Anne Smith discussed the District Summary of 2021-2022 SPS.  Vernon Parish is an “A” rated school district.  The Board was given a chart explaining the top 10 districts SPS, surrounding districts SPS and the Rapides Foundation SPS, top gains honoree, and opportunity honoree.  The goals for the 2022-2023 were discussed and information about programs set up to encourage each school to meet their goals.

Item #11:          Superintendent’s Remarks

Mr. Williams welcomed all to the meeting and asked Col. Samuel P. Smith, Jr. for an update on Fort Polk events.  Col. Smith thanked Mr. Blankenbaker and Mr. Seaman for their support and to all the Board members for their support concerning Fort Polk and school board business.  Col. Smith announced that the Snowflake Festival and the Lighting of the Tree was a great success especially with the schools’ participation.  He informed the Board that housing, education, and spousal employment are still top priorities with military families moving to Fort Polk and he is continually presenting positive information to encourage families to choose Fort Polk.

 Col. Smith also reported on the STAR project – hiring and equipment and hopefully will be up and running soon.

Col. Smith also informed the Board that he is looking forward to working on school business in January and February.

Superintendent Williams asked Mr. Travis, LSBA State Board of Directors to inform the Board to complete the LEADS survey recognizing our legislators.  Mr. Travis also informed the Board that a luncheon will be given honoring Mike Reese, Charles Owens, and Rodney Schamerhorn by the LSBA.

Superintendent Williams asked Jerome Henson, Curriculum Supervisor to present to the Board the winners of the LSBA Art Contest.  The Board allocates funds for art education to each school to help support education beyond the traditional curriculum and we would like to thank you for that.  The LSBA sponsors a statewide student art contest each year.  Each district submits one piece of artwork representing Louisiana in the three age groups of K-5, 6-8, and 9-12.  For K-5 the top honor goes to Hornbeck’s 2^nd grader, Brystol Mitcham, 6-8^th top honor goes to Leesville Junior High’s 8^th grader Elliana Hayes, and 9^th – 12^th goes to Pickering High’s 10^th grader, Karla Howel.

Mr. Williams reminded the Board about the Christmas Luncheon on December 14^th at 11:30 am at the school board office.

Item #12:          Memorial Resolution

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 Joseph Pope who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Pope was a retired teacher, principal and curriculum supervisor; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Pope’s wife is Elizabeth Pope, retired teacher; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Pope 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 William Houston “Junior” Dowden who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Dowden was a bus driver for 30 plus years; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Dowden’s wife is Opal Dowden retired cook,  and his son is William Alvin Dowden Anacoco High School bus driver; 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 Shad Stewart, 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 Jean Farrabe who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Farrabe was the daughter of Burrell Harvey former coach principal and past school board member of district 5; now

            WHEREAS, Ms. Farrabe 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 # 14:         Adjournment

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned

Authorized Officer

_________________________

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

ATTEST:

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT

VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

December 01, 2022

FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023

BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS

   FUND                                           CURRENT          INCREASE               REVISED                  

NUMBER                                          BUDGET         ( DECREASE)             BUDGET

229 Early Childhood Lead Agency  $13,282                  (2,541)                  $10,741

The FY 2023 grant award allocation for Early Childhood Lead Agency was received in the amount of $10,741.  The original budget was an estimate and is being decreased by $2,541.

233 Head Start                               $2,482,000                 68,515              $2,550,515

The FY 2023 grant award allocation for Head Start was received in the amount of $2,550,515.  There was a COLA received in the amount of $68,515.

250 Early Head Start                      $2,225,000             (424,108)            $1,800,892

The FY 2023 grant award allocation for Early Head Start was received in the amount of $1,800,892.  There difference was no startup money received this year.

269 ESSERF II Incentive                  $58,944               191,056                $250,000

The FY 2023 grant award allocation for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund II Incentive was received in the amount of $250,000. 

270 ESSERF III Incentive                  $2,816                 91,771                $155,771

The FY 2023 grant award allocation for ESSERF III Incentive was received in the amount of $155,741. This is roll over money from the prior year.

271 IDEA 611 ARP                          $19,339                371,470                $390,809

The FY 2023 grant award allocation for IDEA 611 ARP was received in the amount of $390,809.  This is roll over money from the prior year.

   FUND                                           CURRENT          INCREASE                REVISED                  

NUMBER                                          BUDGET         ( DECREASE)              BUDGET

272 IDEA 619 ARP                          $254                        24,183                    $24,437

The FY 2023 grant award allocation for IDEA 619 ARP was received in the amount of $24,437.  This is roll over money from the prior year.

297 Early Head Start-Am Rescue    $150,000               220,744                  $370,744

The FY 2023 grant award allocation for Early Head Start-American Rescue was received in the amount of $370,744.  This is roll over money from the prior year.

 298 Covid HA/EHS                             $41,902              (14,581)                   $27,321

The FY 2023 grant award allocation for Covid HA/EHS was received in the amount of $27,321.  This is roll over money from the prior year.

571 Early Childhood Lead Agency       $7,190                (606)                      $6,584

The FY 2023 grant award allocation for Early Childhood Lead Agency State was received in the amount of $6,584. The original budget was an estimate.

647 Title IV REAP                                 $178,420            26,613                  $205,033

The FY 2023 grant award allocation for Title IV REAP was received in the amount of $205,033. The original budget was an estimate.

 649 Title III                                              $12,213             5,142                   $17,355

The FY 2023 grant award allocation for Title III was received in the amount of $17,355. The original budget was an estimate.

654 CSLD-K to 5                                     $55,000          101,000                 $156,000

The FY 2023 grant award allocation for Title III was received in the amount of $156,000. The original budget was an estimate.