APRIL 11, 2024
THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. PRESIDENT SHAD STEWART 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 Five:
SHAD STEWART
District Seven:
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
District Eight:
CANDACE BLACK
ABSENT:
VERNON L TRAVIS, JR., DISTRICT SIX
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: Approval of March 12, 2024 Minutes
On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the March 12, 2024 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Item #2: Bids for Copier Paper
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Deidra Shell, the Board voted to receive bids for copier paper. Tim Ward, Finance Director proceeded to open the bids and read each one to the Board:
1. Economical 31.49 per case
2. CPG 28.77 per case
3. Quill 39.99
4. Veritiv 32.95 per case
5. Liberty 29.10
6. Office Depot 37-99
Tim Ward recommended to the Board to accept the low bid which was CPG for 28.77 per case. On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Deidra Shell, the Board voted to accept the low bid for copier paper.
Item #3: Janitorial/Cafeteria Supplies
On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Deidra Shell, the Board voted to advertise for janitorial/cafeteria supplies.
Item #4: Bread, Milk, and Juice
On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Deidra Shell, the Board voted to advertise for bread, milk, and juice.
Item #5: ESA Resolution
On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve the Resolution opposing the ESAs. President Shad Stewart called for a full Board vote which was 11 yays 0 nays. The full Board vote unanimously passed.
Item #6: Head Start Update
Head Start Director, Curtis Clay and Coordinator, Cheree Atkins gave an update on the Vernon Parish Head Start & Birth to Five Summary of enrollment and attendance, health services, fiscal amounts, etc.
Mr. Clay requested that the 2024-2025 Expansion Grant Request be added to the
4-16-24 meeting for approval. On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to add to the April 16th meeting for approval.
Item #7: 2024-2025 School Calendar
Personnel Director, Hub Jordan informed the Board that Calendar B has been chosen for the 2024-2025 school year and asked for approval at the Tuesday meeting. On motion of Kelly Goodwin, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to add to the 4-16-24 meeting for approval.
Item #8: Report from Salary/Personnel Committee
Salary/Personnel Chairperson, Kelly Goodwin reported to the Board on the discussion during the 9:30 salary/personnel meeting. Ms. Goodwin reported that Personnel Director, Hub Jordan discussed the following:
1. April personnel changes
2. Mr. Jordan explained his procedure for interviewing applicants
3. 2024-2025 school calendar
4. Graduation dates and time
Item #9: Report from Transportation Committee
Supervisor of Transportation, Raymond Haymon reported to the Board on the following items:
1. Discussion of New Facility
2. Bus Driver Stipends (discussed differences between contract bus driver and board owned bus drivers such as salaries, maintenance of buses and future thoughts on issues).
3. Bus Maintenance updates
4. Other Business
Item # 10: Superintendents Remarks
Superintendent James Williams welcomed the Board Members, Col Lopez, and visitors to the meeting. Mr. Williams asked Col Lopez for an update on Fort Johnson business.
Col. Lopez informed the Board on dates of the Quality of Life Conference to be held on May 20th from 9:30 to 1530. He also informed the Board that the new BG Jason Curl will be arriving at Fort Johnson soon. Col. Lopez also discussed soldier deployment, army restructuring, reduction of MPs, and no training changes. There may be about 1100 personnel changes but with the Army, everything can always change.
Superintendent Williams reminded the Board of the Academic Banquet to be held on
April 29th at the East Leesville Baptist Church Family Life Center beginning at 6:00 PM.
He also commented on the ESA Resolution, 2024-2025 school calendar, and the previous solar eclipse schedules for schools.
Item #11: 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 Marianne Stotter Hood who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Ms. Hoods son is Glen Hood, retired Leesville Junior High teacher, two daughters-in-law, Shandra Hood, retired Hicks High Counselor, and Martha Hood, retired Librarian at Parkway Elementary; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Hood 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 Jim Seaman, 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 Belle LaJune Carr Wilson who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Wilson was a retired cook technician; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Ms. Wilsons husband was John Wilson, retired Central Office custodian and her son is Marlin Wilson, former custodian at Leesville Junior High and;
WHEREAS, Ms. Wilson 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 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 Jack M. Causey who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mr. Causeys sister is Rene Duhon, secretary for the VPSB Sales Tax office; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Causey 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 Lillian Minnie McBride who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Ms. McBrides two daughters are Cindy Smith and Geraldine Mitcham, both of whom are retired VPSB retired teachers and her daughter-in-law is Betty McBride, former custodian at Evans High; and
WHEREAS, Ms. McBride 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 Octivee Bush who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Ms. Bushs daughter is Sherrie Sterling who teaches at Hornbeck High School; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Bush 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 David Wayne Bennett who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mr. Bennetts wife is Cathy Porter Bennett retired Anacoco High School teacher, two sisters-in-law, Judy Weisgerber retired Anacoco High School teacher and Lindy Todd, retired bus driver. Also Mr. Bennetts father-in-law is.
T. Barrett Porter, retired bus driver and Board Member; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bennett 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
SHAD STEWART, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT
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