APRIL 6, 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

 

District Two:

ANGIE DAVIS

 

District Three:

DEIDRA SHELL

 

District Four:

RANDY MARTIN

 

District Five:

SHAD STEWART

 

District Six:

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

 

District Seven:

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

 

District Eight:

CANDACE BLACK

 

ABSENT:         

JACKIE SELF, DISTRICT ONE

SAMUEL P. SMITH, JR. – FORT POLK, GARRISON COMMANDER

                       

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   SHAD STEWART

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:                 SHAD STEWART

 

Item #1:            March 9, 2023 Minutes

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the March 9, 2023 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

 

Item #2:            Bids for Copier Paper

On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to receive bids for copier paper.  Tim Ward, Finance Director proceeded to open the bids and read each one.

1.  Economical – 37.85 per case

2.  CPG – 35.88

3.   Quill – 40.99

4.  Veritiv – 35.54 per case

5.   Sage – 38.45

Tim Ward recommended to the Board to accept the low bid which was Veritiv $35.54. On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to accept

the low bid for copier paper.

 

Item #3:              Janitorial/Cafeteria Supplies

On motion of  John Blankenbaker,  seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to advertise for janitorial/cafeteria supplies.

 

Item #4:            Bread, Milk, and Juice

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to advertise for bread, milk, and juice.

 

Item #5:            Louisiana Armed Forces Alliance

Mayor Rick Allen presented the Board with a check from the Louisiana Armed Forces Alliance, formerly named Fort Polk Progress, in the amount of $51,980.00.

 

Item #6:            Head Start Update

Head Start Director, Curtis Clay gave an update on the Vernon Parish Head Start & Birth to Five Summary of enrollment and attendance, health services, fiscal amounts, etc.

Head Start Coordinator, Cheree Atkins reported to the Board on early registration for the 2023-2024 school year.  She gave the Board a schedule of dates, times, schools, and documents needed for registration.  On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to add to the April 18th meeting for approval:

Head Start April 7th minutes and COLA/Quality Improvement/Narrative and Grant.

 

Item #7:            Transportation Update

Director of Transportation, Dwain Ducote presented the Board with a copy of the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol National Clearinghouse procedures for bus drivers.  This process has been in effect since 1-6-20.  The Vernon Parish School Board has entered Into a contract with Business Health Partners regarding random drug and alcohol screening for bus drivers and student athletes.  BHP will be our Third Party Administrator.  This information will be sent out to all Vernon Parish route drivers, substitute bus drivers, and activity drivers.

 

Item #8:            Report from Salary/Personnel Committee

Salary/Personnel Chairperson, Angie Davis reported to the Board on the discussion during the 9:00 salary/personnel meeting.  Ms. Davis reported that Personnel Director, Hub Jordan discussed the following:

1.         April personnel changes

2.         Mr. Jordan explained his procedure for interviewing applicants

3.         2023-2024 school calendar

4.         Graduation dates and time

5.         Performance contracts will be completed and presented at May meeting

 

6.         Reminder to complete the Tier 2 or Tier 3 Personal Financial Disclosure Statement

 

7.         Request for Transfer deadline is June 15th

 

8.         Encouraged Board Members to talk to people about voting yes for the millage tax coming up for vote April 29th.  This is not a new tax or additional tax.  It is only to renew to keep our schools in good shape

 

Item #9:            Report from Curriculum Committee

Vernon L. Travis, Jr. reported to the Board on the Curriculum Committee’s 9:30 meeting for the Chairperson Jackie Self, who was not present.  Mr. Travis informed the Board that Lisa Lohman, Curriculum Director, presented each member with a 2022-2023 LEAP 2025 District Testing Calendar and the Vernon Parish School Board 21-22 District Snapshot that is sent out to all military families moving to our area.  The snapshot explains our academic “A” rated school district in the following areas:

1.         Ranked in the top 10 of all LA school districts

2.         One of only 20 districts in the state to earn “A” for overall student growth

3.         ACT performance

4.        Strength of diploma

5.         Graduation rate

6.         Dropout credit (accumulation index (DCAI)

7.         K-8 and high school interest and opportunities

8.         10 schools are top gains honorees “A” in student growth

9.         5 schools received “Equity Honoree (“A” in growth for students with disabilities)

 

Two Vernon Parish schools received the Purple Star Award, which represents their commitment to service military students and their families.  Leesville High School and Parkway have earned the Purple Star of Excellence.  The Purple Star is awarded to schools who have demonstrated a strong commitment to military students and their families by providing resources, programs and supports that enable military students to be college, career and life-ready.

Our State Superintendent, Dr. Cade Brumley will be coming to Vernon Parish April 27th to visit installation and school sites. During the April 18th BESE meeting, Dr. Cade Brumley will officially recognize Leesville High and Parkway Elementary as Purple Star Schools.

 

Item # 10:         Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed the Board Members and visitors to the meeting and introduced Chad Hagan, with the Vernon Parish LSU 4/H/ Ag Center and

Mr. Williams reminded the Board members to complete their financial statements in a

timely manner.

Mr. Williams asked Director of Special Education, Leslie Ortiz to speak to the Board about her events.  Ms. Ortiz informed the Board that the Special Olympics event at Rosepine High School was a great success and she is looking forward to the Talented Student Spring Showcase which will be tonight at 6:30 at Cuore Coffee in Leesville.

Superintendent Williams reminded the Board that April is Autism Aware Month.

Mr. Williams reminded the Board about upcoming events:  The Academic Achievement Awards Banquet, Monday, May 1st, Louisiana State Social Studies Fair on April 21st in Lake Charles, and the tax millage voting on April 29th.

 

Item #11:          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 Dana Scoggins who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Scoggins was a former teacher a Hicks High School; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Scoggins 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 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 Michael Hyatt who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mr. Hyatt’s daughter-in-law is the Librarian at Anacoco Elementary School and;

WHEREAS, Mr. Hyatt 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 Deidra Shell, 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 Roger Dale Jeane who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System:  Mr. Jeane’s mother is Peggy Jeane, retired bus aide at West Leesville Elementary; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jeane 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 #12: Adjournment

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned.

 

Authorized Officer

 

_________________________

JIM SEAMAN, PRESIDENT

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT