JANUARY 10, 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

RANDY MARTIN

SHAD STEWART

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

CANDACE BLACK

COL. SAMUEL P. SMITH, JR.

ABSENT:

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:  ANGIE DAVIS

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:    ANGIE DAVIS

Item #1:               Approval of Minutes

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 5, 2023 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2:                Retirement Approval

On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Deidra Shell, the Board voted to approve retirements from the January personnel changes.

Item #3:               LWOP Requests Approval

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to approve

Leave without pay requests from the January personnel changes.

Item #4:                Authorization to Pay Claims           

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

Item #5:               Budget Amendments Related to Personnel Changes

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.

Item #6:               Contract Extension

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to approve Superintendent James Williams’ contract for two years. A full board vote was called

District One:                                                      District Five:

Kelly K. Goodwin – yea                                      Shad Stewart- yea

Rhonda Morrison – nay

Robert Pynes, Jr. – yea                                     District Six:

Jim Seaman – yea                                             Vernon L. Travis, Jr.- yea

Jackie Self – yea

District Two:                                                      District Seven:

Angie Davis – yea                                              John Blankenbaker-yea

District Three:                                                    District Eight:

Deidra Shell – yea                                             Candace Black - nay

District Four:

Randy Martin – yea

Item #7:            Progression Plan Addendum 2022-2023         

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to approve the 2023-2023 Progression Plan Addendum.

Item #8:            Head Start Policies/Procedures

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve Head Start Policies/Procedures.

Item #9:                Employee of the Month

Director of Finance, Tim Ward introduced Jeff Taylor, spokesperson from Taylor and Sons Insurance who is our sponsor for “Employee of the Month”.  Mr. Taylor introduced Mr. Joshua Midkiff, Optional school teacher as the Vernon Parish Employee of the Month. Raymond Jones, Optional School Principal, also commented about Mr. Midkiff’s excellent teaching skills, job performance, and the exceptional relationship he has with his students, parents, and co-workers at the Optional school. He informed the Board that the Optional School goal is “Be a Change Maker” and Mr. Midkiff has certainly accomplished that goal.   Mr. Taylor presented Mr. Midkiff with a plaque and thanked him for his service to the Vernon Parish School System.

Item #10:          Proclamation of LSBA School Board Member Appreciation

Superintendent Williams presented the Board with two proclamations, one from the Vernon Parish School System and a proclamation from the city of Leesville declaring January as School Board Member Recognition Month.  The Vernon Parish Police Jury will also be presenting a proclamation to the Board on January 17^th. 

Item #11:          Special Education/Title Programs Update

Special Education Update:

Director of Special Education/Title Programs, Leslie Ortiz discussed the following:

Special Education:

1. Enrollment

2.  Mastery in ELA and math progress

3.  Working with 3^rd and 4^th grades to improve scores and VMS & LJHS receiving support with the School Support Institute, NIET Coaches and Tiffany McMullen who is our school improvement person from LDOE

4.  Camera Policy for Sped Ed classrooms finalized and turned into LDOE

5.  Advertising for a Social Worker

6.  Contracted a School Psychologist to do cognitive testing

7.  Tentative date for Special Olympics/ 3-31-23

 8.  Successful Career Fair at LHS       

Title Programs Update:

Ms. Ortiz discussed Title I laws and changes made over the years to improve student needs.  Traditionally, children were “pulled out” of their regular school classes to receive supplementary instruction in reading/language arts and math in separate classes.  However, there is a distinct trend toward other service models (such as in-class tutoring or after-school programs) and a new focus on training in higher-order thinking skills.

At this time we have 15 schools for 2022-2023 that are Title I Schools.

Item #12:          Athletic Update

Child Welfare Director, Hub Jordan updated the Board on power rankings for Vernon Parish Schools.  He informed all about the LHSAA Conference January 25, 26, & 27.  Our principals will attend this conference in Baton Rouge.  We will have a principal’s meeting 1-11-23 and discuss the following:

l.          Behavior of coaches and fans

2.         Added Social Media Comments (addressed to coaches)

Item #13:              Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting.

Mr. Williams asked Col. Samuel P. Smith, Jr., Fort Polk Garrison Commander  to give the Board an update on Fort Polk events.

Col. Smith acknowledged the winner of the “Student of the Year” who is a military student.  The LSU STEM Center is progressing along with the high school pilot system.

Col. Smith welcomed the new board members. Also thanked the Board for the SRO at Parkway.  Col. Smith welcomed the new board members and offering his assistance when needed.

Mr. Williams  discussed the following:

1.  3^rd and 4^th grade literacy approved by BESE

2.  TicToc apps can not be accessed on school computers ordered by State Superintendent

3. Welcomed new board members and acknowledged and reminded all that this is Board recognition month.

Item #14:   Memorial Resolutions

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 Bryant Thompson who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Thompson was the grandfather of Leslie Cloud Ortiz, Special Education Director; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Thompson 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 #15:   Adjournment  

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned

Authorized Officer

_________________________

JIM SEAMAN, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT

Vernon Parish School Board Member’s Recognition Month

PROCLAMATION

            WHEREAS, the mission of public schools is to meet the diverse educational needs of all children and to empower them to become competent, productive contributors to a democratic society and an everchanging world; and

            WHEREAS, local school board members are committed to children and believe that all children can be successful learners and that the best education is tailored to the individual needs of the child; and

            WHEREAS, local school board members work closely with parents, educational professionals, and other community members to create the educational vision we want for our students; and

            WHEREAS, local school board members are responsible for ensuring the structure that provides a solid foundation for our school system; and

            WHEREAS, local school board members are strong advocates for public education and are responsible for communicating the needs of the school district to the public and the public’s expectations to the district;

            NOW, THEREFORE, I James Williams, Superintendent, Vernon Parish School Board, do hereby declare my appreciation to the members of the Vernon Parish School Board and proclaim January 2023 as

            SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH  in Vernon Parish Schools.  I urge all citizens to join me in recognizing the dedication and hard work of local school board members and in working with them to mold an education system that meets the needs of both today’s and tomorrow’s children.

            IN OFFICIAL RECOGNITION WHEREOF, I hereby affix my signature this 10th day of January, 2023.

_______________________________________

Superintendent of Vernon Parish Schools,

James Williams