MARCH 2, 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:

 

District One:

Kelly Kaiama Goodwin

Rhonda Morrison

Robert Pynes, Jr.

Jim Seaman

Jackie Self

 

District Two:

Angie Davis

 

District Three: 

Deidra Shell

 

District Four:

Randy Martin

 

District Six: 

Vernon L. Travis, Jr.

 

District Eight:

Candace Black

 

Fort Polk Garrison Commander:

Col. Samuel P. Smith, Jr.

 

ABSENT:

 

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

 

The meeting was opened in prayer by:               Jim Seaman

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:                 Jim Seaman

 

Item #1:             February 7, 2023 Minutes

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Deidra Shell, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the February 7, 2023 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Item #2:              Advertise for copy paper

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to advertise for copy paper.

 

Item #3:            Recognition of Students of the Year – Anacoco, Evans, Hicks, Hornbeck, Pickering Elem., Pickering High, and Pitkin

Curriculum Supervisor, Karen Robertson introduced the following students, parents, and principals to the Board for Students of the Year recognition:

Evans Principal, Kathy Bass

Evans 5th – Rivers Jordan

Evans 8th – Teagan Crocker

Evans 12th – Libby Craft

Hicks Principal, Jennifer Wilbanks

Hicks 5th – Corbin Wilbanks

Hicks 8th – McKenzie Wolff

Hicks 12th – Abigail Williams

Hornbeck Principal, Charlotte Hooks

Hornbeck 5th – Drew Downs

Hornbeck 8th – Sierra Martin

Hornbeck 12th – Kayleigh Park

Pickering Elementary Principal, Dana Donaldson

Pickering Elem. 5th – Ashlyn Fritts

Pickering High Principal, Jeffrey Odom

Pickering High 8th – Savanna Westbrooks

Pickering High 12th – Kaitlyn Robinson

Pitkin High Assistant Principal, Tiffany Holt

Pitkin 5th – Rorie Fee

Pitkin 8th – Victoria Norton

Pitkin 12th – Daniel Sauer

 

Item #4:              Head Start Policy/Procedure Updates

Director of Head Start, Curtis Clay reported to the Board on the recent items for approval presented at the March Policy Council Meeting.

1.  VPHS/VPEHS 2022-2023 Budget/Grant

2.  VPHS/VPEHS Long and Short Term Goals 2023/2024

 

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to add to the March 9th meeting for approval.

Mr. Clay also reported to the Board on the Vernon Parish Head Start  Birth to Five Summary.

 

Item #5:            Curriculum Testing Update

Curriculum Director, Lisa Lohman presented the Board with a 2022-2023 testing update chart explaining the test series, grade level and dates for testing.  She also presented them with a school performance score chart explaining the school performance score and letter grades.

 

Item # 6:           Vernon Parish Broadband Update

Technology Administrator, William Lohman discussed the future plans for the broadband installation including timelines, location, and companies the system will be working with.

 

Item #7:              Report from Salary/Personnel Committee

Salary/Personnel Chairperson, Angie Davis reported to the Board on the topics discussed by Hub Jordan/Personnel Director during the Salary/Personnel meeting at 9:30.

1.  Personnel changes for March 2023 to be approved on Thursday, March 9th

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to add to the Thursday, March 9th agenda for approval.

2. Calendar committee update and calendar chosen for 2023-2024 school year for approval on Thursday, March 9th.

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to add to the March 9th meeting for approval.

3.  Discussed Performance Contracts completed by the end of the school year

4.  Discussed Graduation dates and award dates and times

5.  Reminder that financial disclosure statements to be completed by Board Members

6.  Other business –

Discussed 2023 LSBA training documentation and transcript chart with conference dates listed to earn CLUs.

 

The committee also discussed pros and cons of the 4 day school week and presented the Board a chart showing projected annual savings.  After discussion of pros and cons the Board suggested that the Superintendent research and report back to them on all aspects of considering a 4 day work week such as academics and savings.  Superintendent Williams reminded the Board that the most important aspect is academics.

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Candace Black, the Board voted to approve the Superintendent to research the different aspects,  pros and cons, academic and financial, and the benefits for our school system.  Mr. Williams will report to the Board on all research.

 

Item #8:  Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting and reminded the Board Members

Superintendent Williams reminded the Board to complete their Tier 2 or Tier 3 Financial Disclosure Statements before the deadline in May.

Mr. Williams congratulated the Students of the Year. 

Mr. Williams asked the Board Members to look over the 2023-2024 school calendar to be voted on Thursday, March 9th.

The Superintendent reminded the Board that the 67th annual Vernon Parish Quiz Bowl tournament was held on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Leesville High School and the winner was Pitkin High School.

Mr. Williams turned the meeting over to President, Jim Seaman.

 

Item #9:  Memorial Resolutions

On motion of Kelly Kaiama 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 Gregory Burns Moore who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Moore was the husband of Tammy Moore, payroll clerk at West Leesville Elementary; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Moore was a 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 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 Lonnie Little who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School Board: brother-in-law of Beverly Rabalais, Special Education secretary; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Little was a resident in Texas; 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 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 Myrtle Maurice Thigpen who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Thigpen was a retired cafeteria technician; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Thigpen 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 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 Rose Arlene Terrell who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School Board: Ms. Terrell’s father was T.C. Terrell retired bus driver and her brother-in-law is Steve Dowden, warehouse manager at the Vernon Parish School Board office; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Terrell 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 was no other business and meeting was adjourned.

 

Authorized Officer_________________________

 

JIM SEAMAN, PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT