MARCH 9, 2023     

THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA.

VICE -PRESIDENT JOHN BLANKENBAKER CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:

PRESENT:

District One:

Kelly Kaiama Goodwin

Rhonda Morrison

Robert Pynes, Jr.

Jackie Self

District Two:

Angie Davis

District Three:

Deidra Shell

District Four:

Randy Martin

District Seven:

John Blankenbaker

District Eight:

Candace Black

Fort Polk Garrison Commander:

Col. Samuel P. Smith, Jr.

ABSENT:

Shad Stewart – District Five and Vice-President

Jim Seaman – District One and Board President

Vernon L. Travis, Jr. – District Six

Col. Samuel P. Smith, Jr. – Garrison Commander

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   Jackie Self       

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:     Jackie Self       

Item #1:            Approval of Minutes:

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2023 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2:            Approval of Employee Retirements:

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to approve employee retirements.

Item #3:            Head Start Policies/Procedures:

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Rhonda Morrison, the Board voted to approve Head Start policies and procedures presented to the March 2nd board meeting.

Item # 4:           Authorization to Pay Claims

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

Item #5:            Approval of Budget Amendments

On motion of Rhonda Morrison, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.

Item #6:            Approval of 2023- 2024 School Calendar

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Candace Black, the Board voted to approve Calendar ”B“for the 2023-2024 school year.

Item #7:            Students of the Year and District Level

Students of the Year

Principal, Angela Schraven

Anacoco Elementary – Elizabeth Hyatt 5th grade

Principal, Raymond Haymon

Anacoco High – Cadence Emery – 8th grade

Anacoco High – Peyton Lemieu 12th grade

Principal, Donita Poteat

Vernon Middle School – Beckham Hajghassem – 5th grade

Principal, Roger Atkins

Leesville Junior High School – Alethea Vaseliades – 8th grade

Principal, Lisa Haymon

Ann “Mackie” Koury

Principal, Carolyn Bosley

Rosepine Elementary – Brantley Landreneau – 5th

Principal, Joseph Bartz

Rosepine High- Hunter Vaughn – 8th

Emma Williamson – 12th

Principal, Ramona Bennett

Simpson – Christian Alexis “Lexi” Baker – 5th

Simpson – Abigail Martin – 8th

Simpson – 12th no name submitted

District Level Students of the Year

Elementary Student of the Year: Elizabeth Hyatt – 5th grade Anacoco Elementary School

Middle School Student of the Year: Alethea Vaseliades – 8th grade Leesville Junior High

High School Student of the Year:  Ann “Mackie” Koury – 12th grade Leesville High School

Item #8:              Employee of the Month

Director of Finance, Tim Ward introduced Rodney Taylor with Taylor and Sons Insurance, sponsor of “Employee of the Month” to the Board.  Mr. Taylor introduced Nancy Tarver, cook technician, as the “Employee of the Month”.  Assistant Principal, Catherine Altenburger spoke to the board about what an amazing employee Ms. Tarver is and that she is proud to have her as an employee at her school.  Mr. Taylor presented Ms. Tarver with a plaque as a token of Taylor and Sons appreciation for the outstanding performance completing her duties and her dedication to her co-workers and principal.

Item #9:             Recognition of PCAL Bus Driver of the Year

Director of Transportation, Dwain Ducote introduced Mike Martin, Board Owned Bus Driver as the Parish and Regional PCAL Bus Driver of the Year. Mr. Martin’s school base is Vernon Middle School. Principal, Donita Poteat spoke to the Board about what an excellent employee Mr. Martin is. Mr. Martin relates to the students who ride his bus and has a great attitude towards others.  He is an excellent driver and always reports to work. Mr. Martin was presented with a certificate along with other awards and for being the Parish and Regional Bus Driver of the Year.  Logan Morris and Malcolm Morris with Morris Insurance along with Lauren Young with PCAL,  also reiterated the importance of excellent bus drivers such as Mr. Martin.

Item #10:           Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting. He congratulated the Students of the Year, the Rosepine Lady Eagles basketball state champions, Haley Wolff the American Legion Oratorical competition parish and state winner and now going on to the national competition, PCAL Parish and Regional Bus Driver of the Year, Mike Martin and Nancy Tarver, Employee of the Month.  Mr. Williams also wished the Anacoco High School boys’ basketball team good luck in the playoffs this coming Friday night.

Mr. Williams reminded the Board that the Academic Achievement Awards Banquet, co-sponsored by the Vernon Parish School Board and the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce held to honor parish seniors will be Monday, May 1^st at East Leesville Baptist Church Family Life Center beginning at 6:00 pm

Superintendent Williams asked Lisa Lohman, Curriculum Director to present the advantages and disadvantages of a 4-day school week to the Board.  Mrs. Lohman has done extensive research with other school districts considering or implemented the 4 day week and compiled her findings for the Board to review. 

Mr. Williams asked the Finance Director, Tim Ward to inform the Board on the renewal of maintenance taxes.  Mr. Ward informed the Board that districts 3 & 7 are not up for renewal.  Only districts 1, 2, 4,5,6, & 8 will be up for renewal, not a new tax increase. Election will be held on April 29, 2023 from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Mr. Williams announced that the Board Meetings next month will be April 6 and the second meeting will be April 18^th, due to Easter/Spring Break being April 7-14.

He then turned the meeting over to Vice-President, John Blankenbaker who asked for memorial resolutions.

Item #11:          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 MARY LOUISE TUCKER who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Tucker was a former teacher at Pickering Elementary School; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs.Tucker 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 her 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 JARED LEWANDOWSKI who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Jared Lewandowski was a ninth grade student at Leesville High School and an active member of the JROTC program; and

            WHEREAS, Jared Lewandowski 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 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 ALINE CRYER who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Cryer was the mother of retired PHS cook, Joyce Ray and mother-in-law of retired PHS cafeteria manager, Cheryl Sheppard and Susan Brown, retired PES teacher; and

            WHEREAS, Ms. Cryer 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 # 12: Adjournment

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

Authorized Officer

_________________________

JIM SEAMAN, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT