2023-01-05

JANUARY 5, 2023

THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. PRESIDENT JIM SEAMAN CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:

KELLY K. GOODWIN

RHONDA MORRISON

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JIM SEAMAN

JACKIE SELF

ANGIE DAVIS

DEIDRA SHELL

SHAD STEWART

RANDY MARTIN

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

CANDACE BLACK

VERNON L.TRAVIS, 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: JOHN BLANKENBAKER

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: JOHN BLANKENBAKER

Item #1: Swearing In Of Board Members

The swearing in of the Board Members was performed by Jeff Skidmore, Vernon Parish Clerk of Court.

Item #2: Approval of December 6, 2022 Minutes

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Vernon L. Travis, Jr., the Board voted to approve the minutes of the December 6, 2022 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #3: Announcement of Public Meeting

Director of Finance, Tim Ward, explained the reason for the announcement of a public meeting to call an election to renew millages.

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to add to the

1-10-23 meeting for approval to call for a public meeting.

Announcement of Public Meeting

Notice is hereby given that at its meeting to be held on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Parish School Board Office, 201 Belview Road, Leesville, Louisiana, the Parish School Board of the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana, plans to consider adopting a resolution ordering and calling elections to be held (i) the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana, for school purposes, (ii) Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (iii) Hornbeck School District No. 143 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana,(iv) Ward Five Wardwide School District No. 144 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (v) Orange School District No. 145 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (vi) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana,(vii) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (viii) Ward One Wardwide School District No. 162 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, to authorize the renewal/continuation of ad valorem taxes therein.

Item #4: Federal Funding P.L. 81-874

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to authorize the Superintendent to request and sign all federal funding P.L. 81-874 for the Vernon Parish School Board.

Item #5: Head Start Report

Director of Head Start, Curtis Clay discussed the policies presented at the Council Meeting on Tuesday, 1-2-23:

1) VPHS Child Abuse Policy and Procedures

2) VPHS Child Attendance and Tardiness Policy and Procedures

3) VPSB Personnel Policies

4) VPSB Intensive Coaching Plan

5) VPSB PBC Action Plan

6) VPHS Coaching Agreement

Cheree Atkins, Head Start Coordinator presented enrollment for each age group and also presented updates on the content areas of Head Start. She reported to the Board on the audit results

Mr. Clay also gave the Board Members a copy of policies to be approved. On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to add to 1-10-23 agenda for approval.

Item #6: Report from Salary/Personnel

Angie Davis, Salary/Personnel Chairperson reported to the Board about topics of discussion during the 9:30 meeting 1-5-23.

Mike Kay, Personnel Director presented the personnel changes for January, 2023 and requested that the changes be put on the agenda for 1-10-23 for approval. On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to add to the 1-10-23 agenda for approval.

Mr. Kay also discussed the Vernon Parish School Board salary and stipend formula checks (SLT’s) to be distributed in February. Mr. Kay presented the Board with a form explaining the eligibility to receive payment for SLT’s. Mr. Kay also distributed the substitute pay schedules.

Angie Davis, Chairperson for the Salary/Personnel Committee recommended to the Board that Superintendent Williams’ contract be extended two years after his current contract ends December, 2024. On motion of Robert Pynes, Jr. seconded by John Blankenbaker the Board voted to add to the Tuesday agenda 1-10-23 for approval.

Item #7: LSBA School Board Recognition

Superintendent Williams informed the Board that January, 2023 is School Board Member Recognition Month. A packet was provided to the members with the following information:

LSBA Code of Conduct for LSB Members

Sample Resolution for Local School Boards

Sample Video – Role of the School Board for Elementary Students

Sample News Release

Sample Public Service Announcements

Ideas to Get You Started

Board members were encouraged to focus on the crucial role an elected school board plays in our communities and schools by studying the above information.

Item #8: Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent Williams welcomed all to the meeting with a special welcome to our new Board President, Jim Seaman, Vice-President, Shad Stewart and the 4 newly elected members.

Mr. Williams informed the board that the LSBA Conference will be held in March.

Also our new board members will attend a conference in Baton Rouge on 1-6-23.

Mr. Williams asked Mr. Travis to update the Board on upcoming LSBA important dates.

Mr. Travis informed the Board that Senator Reese and Representative Owens will be recognized at the LEADS conference on February 9^th. March 7-9 will be the Annual LSBA Conference in Lake Charles. He informed the new Board Members that they can receive their CLU’s at that time. Mr. Travis announced that our Board President, Jim Seaman has been appointed as a LSBA Board Member.

Mr. Williams thanked Mr. Travis for his dedication and accomplishments as a Vernon Parish Board member. Mr. Travis is the Vice President on the Board of Directors, LSBA, and newly appointed member of the LHSAA Board of Directors

Item # 9: Memorial Resolutions

On motion of Candace Black 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 Wanda Sue Ray who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Ray was a retired custodian at Simpson High School; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Ray 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 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 Cynthia Sue O’Banion Martin who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Martin’s husband is Randy Martin, District Four Board Member and her father was Murphy O’Banion former District Four Board Member; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Martin 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 Rodrick Xavier Wilson who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson was the son of Barney and Zenobia Wilson,; and

WHEREAS, Barney Wilson is a retired teacher and assistant principal and Zenobia Wilson is a retired central office secretary; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson 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 Amy Lois Davis who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Ms.. Davis was the mother of Norma Bush, VMS bus driver, Dorothy Treme retired ELE bus driver, mother-in-law of Keith Bush, retired maintenance supervisor, grandmother of Kim Poe, H.S. teacher ELE and Robin Craft ELE bus driver; and

WHEREAS, Ms.Davis 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 Kelly K. Goodwin, 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 Dillion Michael Yates who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Yates was a graduate of Leesville High School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Yates 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 Angie Davis, 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 Roy Lee Snell who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Snell’s daughter-in-law is Lannette Snell teacher at Leesville Junior High School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Snell 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 Lennie Faye Pourteau who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Pourteau’s daughter in-law is Roxanne Wiggins, retired Pitkin High teacher and her grandson is “Boo” Davis, husband of Ward Two Board Member, Angie Davis; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Pourteau was a resident of Vernon Parish; now

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy be sent to her 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 Mary Lambright who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Lambright was a retired teacher and her husband, Reginald Lambright was a retired teacher, coach and principal; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Lambright’s sons are Kevin Lambright, retired teacher, coach, and principal and Terry Lambright, Vernon Parish District Attorney. Terry’s wife is Amanda Lambright, Hicks High School Head Start Para; now

WHEREAS, Ms. Lambright 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 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 with to express their sympathy to the family of Agnes Anita Cain who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Cain was a retired Pitkin High School teacher; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Cain 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

_________________________

JIM SEAMAN, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT