JUNE 1, 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 Goodwin

Rhonda Morrison

Robert Pynes, Jr.

Jim Seaman

Jackie Self

District Three:

Deidra Shell

District Four:

Randy Martin

District Six:

Vernon L. Travis, Jr.

District Eight:

Candace Black

Absent:

Angie Davis – District Two

Shad Stewart – District Five

John Blankenbaker – District Seven

James Williams - Superintendent

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by:   Candace Black

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The Pledge of Allegiance was led by:     Candace Black 

Item #1:            Approval of Minutes

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Deidra Shell, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the May 9, 2023 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2:            Resolution to Canvas April 29, 2023 Election Returns

On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to adopt a resolution to Canvas April 29, 2023 Election Returns.

Item #3:            DCIP Grant Update

Mike Holt, VPSB architect for the buildings being constructed by the DCIP grant, presented the Board with an update and possible completion on the construction for four campuses. Mr. Holt presented a video of the four campuses showing the inside and outside of structures and the progress at this time.

Item #4:            Nurse Appreciation

Hub Jordan, Personnel Director and Child Welfare Director, introduced Mandie Johnson, Head Nurse for the Vernon Parish School Board and presented her with a certificate of appreciation.  Mr. Jordan also named all the nurses in the Vernon Parish School System and their school sites and asked Ms. Johnson to present them with their certificates. Ms. Johnson informed the Board that we have 15 nurses assigned to 18 campasses.

Item #5:            Report from Transportation Committee

The Transportation Committee met at 9:00 6-1-23 and the newly appointed Chairperson, Deidra Shell reported to the Board the following:

The Transportation Committee met this morning to discuss the need for a new location for our bus maintenance facility due to the termination of our current lease with the City of Leesville.  Mr. Ducote, Director of Transportation, presented three new location options to the committee for consideration.  After much discussion, a motion was made by Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Jackie Self  to allow Mr. Ducote and Mr. Ward to negotiate on option #1 in regards to the length of the lease.

Item #6:            Report from Salary/Personnel Committee

In the absence of Angie Davis, Salary/Personnel Chairperson, Vernon L. Travis, Jr. reported to the Board on the discussion presented during the Salary/Personnel Committee meeting held at 9:30 on 6-1-23.  The following was discussed by Personnel Director, Hub Jordan and to accept for approval at 6-6-23 meeting:

l.          Personnel Changes for June, 2023

2.         Positions Named:

            Pam Dowden – AES non promotional Assistant Principal for 2023-2024

            Lensie Stanley – promotional Assistant Principal at RES

            Leslie Ortiz – Director of Special Education

On motion of Deidra Shell, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to add to 6-6-23 agenda for approval.

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Candace Black, the Board voted to add to

6-6-23 agenda for approval.

Item #7:            Superintendent’s Remarks

Personnel Director, Hub Jordan presented the Superintendent’s Remarks in Mr. Williams’ absence.  Mr. Jordan asked Col. Samuel P. Smith for an update on Fort Polk.

Col. Smith informed the Board that this will be his last meeting and thanked the Board for making his assignment serving as the Garrison Commander at our board meetings a great pleasure. Col. Smith invited the Board to attend his Change of Command Ceremony

June 15, 10:00 AM at Warrior Field, Fort Polk.  Colonel Clifton J. Lopez will be our new Garrison Commander.

Col. Smith thanked the Board for results on the DCIP program and hopes it will continue.

He discussed the renaming of Fort Polk to Fort Johnson and renaming North Polk Elementary.

Col. Smith turned the discussion over to Mr. Jordan and at that time Mr. Jordan asked Vernon Travis to discuss the CTE  program to the Board.  On motion of Deidra Shell, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to add the CTE Resolution to the 6-6-23 agenda for approval.

Item #8:              Memorial Resolutions

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 Annie Rose Wilson Cryer who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge the following family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mrs. Cryer’s husband was John Edward Cryer, former bus driver.  Her sons are Johnny Cryer,  retired teacher and coach and his wife Susan Cryer retired teacher/Librarian, Bo Cryer, former para/coach/bus driver and his wife Cheri Cryer, former payroll clerk.  Mrs. Cryer’s sister is Florence Endris, retired Central Office secretary and her husband Bill Endris retired Finance Director; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Cryer 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.

Item #9:  Adjournment

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

Authorized Officer

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JIM SEAMAN,  PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

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JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT