MAY 4, 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 Eight:
Candace Black
Absent
John Blankenbaker – District Seven
Jackie Self – District One
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: Rhonda Morrison
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: Rhonda Morrison
Item #1: Approval of Minutes of April 18, 2023 Meeting
On motion of Deidra Shell, seconded by Candace Black, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the April 18, 2023 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Item #2: Food Service Quotation Calendar for 2023-2024
On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to approve the Food Service Quotation Calendar for 2023-2024.
Item #3: Receive bids for bread, milk, and juice
Tim Ward, Finance Director received one bid for milk and juice and one bid for bread.
Received a bid from Mid State Marketing, LLC and notification from Oak Farms – unable to submit a bid at this time.
Received a bid from Flowers Baking Company of Baton Rouge for bread.
After the bids were read, a motion by Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Randy Martin was made to accept bids received.
Mid-State Marketing, LLC was awarded the bid for milk and juice and Flowers Baking Company of Baton Rouge was awarded the bid for bread.
Bids attached at the end of the minutes.
Item #4: Student Recognition
Curriculum Supervisor, Connie Britt presented students from Leesville High School, Leesville Junior High School, Pickering High School, Rosepine Elementary School, Vernon Middle School, and West Leesville Elementary School, certificates for accomplishments for the 2022-2023 school year.
Item #5: Head Start Update
Director of Head Start, Curtis Clay and Head Start Program Coordinator, Cheree Atkins gave an update on Head Start enrollment, funding and preparation for the 2023-2024 school year.
Mr. Clay gave the Board a summary of the Head Start and Birth to Five enrollment, family and community partnerships, health services, fiscal, licensing, education, disabilities and meals by USDA.
Mrs. Atkins discussed the funding for the Head Start and Early Head Start program.
Item #6: Salary Personnel Report
Angie Davis, Salary/Personnel Chairperson reported to the Board on the meeting held at 9:30 am on 5-4-23. The following items were discussed by Personnel Director, Hub Jordan:
1) Discussed Personnel Changes for May, 2023 and asked to add for approval on 5-9-23 agenda. On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Deidra Shell, the Board voted to add to the 5-9-23 agenda for approval of May, 2023 personnel changes.
2) Advertising for a non- promotional principal position at Anacoco Elementary School: On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Deidra Shell the Board voted to add to the May 9th agenda to advertise for a non-promotional position at AES.
Advertising for a promotional assistant principal at Rosepine Elementary School:
On motion of Kelly Goodwin, seconded by Candace Black the Board voted to add to the May 9th agenda to advertise for a promotional principal position at RES.
Advertise for a promotional Director of Special Education:
On motion of Kelly Goodwin, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to add to the ,May 9th meeting to advertise for a promotional Director Special Education.
3) Mr. Jordan also reminded the Board Members who have not completed their Financial Disclosure Statements to do so as soon as possible. The deadline is May 15th.
4) Mr. Jordan informed the Board that the Naming List will be finalized and ready for the July meeting.
5) Performance contract will be ready in June – two year contracts for administration
6) Hub Jordan asked Mr. Ward to give a break-down of how the sales tax for retirees is calculated.
7) On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Rhonda Morrison the Board voted to increase Superintendent William’s travel expense by $500 since he has not had an increase in 9 years. This item had been tabled in a previous meeting.
A full board vote was taken:
0 nays
10 yeas
2 members absent
Item #7: Superintendent’s Remarks
Superintendent, James Williams welcomed all to the meeting.
Mr. Williams thanked all the principals, parents and students who attended the meeting today from Leesville Junior High, Leesville High, and West Leesville Elementary, Vernon Middle School, Rosepine Elementary, Pickering High School, Pickering Elementary, and Parkway Elementary and congratulated the students on their awards.
He informed the Board that other schools would be receiving awards on Tuesday, May 9th.
Mr. Williams informed the Board that the State Superintendent, Cade Brumley visited our Purple Star Schools last Thursday.
He thanked everyone for voting and informed the Board that the millage tax received 80% approval.
Next Tuesday we will show appreciation to our teachers, nurses and students.
Congratulations to Anacoco High School and Pitkin High School baseball teams. They are in the semi-finals.
Mr. Williams informed the Board that we are hoping to receive a Homeland Security Safe School Grant to complete safety measures we have in place for our schools.
He reminded the Board Members to complete their disclosure statements.
Item #8: Memorial Resolutions
On motion of Rhonda Morrison, 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 Emerson DePaiva who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. DePaiva was the brother-in-law of Garrison Commander, Col. Samuel P. Smith, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Mr. DePaiva was a resident of Texas; 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 Rhonda Morrison, 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 Ruth DePaiva who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. DePaiva was the mother-in-law of Garrison Commander, Col. Samuel P. Smith, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Ms. DePaiva was a resident of Texas; 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 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 Jody Shapkoff who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Shapkoff was the mother of Felicia Cavanaugh, retired Vernon Parish teacher; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Shapkoff 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 #9: Adjournment:
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Authorized Officer
_________________________
JIM SEAMAN, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
__________________________________
JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT
