MAY 2, 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 Six:
Vernon L. Travis, Jr.
District Seven:
John Blankenbaker
District Eight:
Candace Black
Fort Johnson Garrison Commander:
Col. Clifton J. Lopez
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 of April 16, 2024 Meeting
On motion of Kelly Goodwin, seconded by Deidra Shell, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the April 16, 2024 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Item #2: Food Service Quotation Calendar for 2024-2025
On motion of Deidra Shell, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve the Food Service Quotation Calendar for 2024-2025.
Item #3: Student Recognition
Curriculum Supervisor, Karen Robertson recognized 59 students from the following schools: Leesville High School, Leesville Junior High, Pickering High School, Pitkin School, and Vernon Middle School. Each student was presented with a Certificate of Award for their accomplishments.
Item #4: Nurses Recognition
Hub Jordan, Personnel Director recognized nurses from the to the Board to congratulate them on their accomplishments:
Director of Nurses, Hub Jordan recognized all the nurses employed by the Vernon Parish School Board. Mr. Jordan informed the Board of each nurses name and school where they work and thanked them for their hard work.
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 2024-2025 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.
On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to add to the May 7th meeting to approve policies and procedures and COLA.
Item #6: Salary Personnel Report
Kelly Goodwin, Salary/Personnel Chairperson reported to the Board on the meeting held at 9:30 am on 5-2-24. The following items were discussed by Personnel Director, Hub Jordan:
1) Discussed Personnel Changes for May, 2024 and asked to add for approval on
5-7-24 agenda. On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Deidra Shell, the Board voted to add to the 5-7-24 agenda for approval of May, 2024 personnel changes.
2) Discussion for a vacant position for a promotional principal position at Parkway Elementary School. We will discuss later how to fill that position. There will also be a Personnel Director position open after June 30th.
3) Mr. Jordan also discussed other possible vacant positions for next school year.
4) 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.
Item #7: Discussion of Title IX Resolution
On motion of Candace Black, seconded by a full board vote, the Board voted to oppose the Title IX proposal and adopted a resolution to be sent to the Louisiana Department of Education. There was a unanimous vote; 11 yeas and 0 nays with one member absent.
Item #8: Superintendents 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, Vernon Middle School, Pickering High School, and Pitkin High School and congratulated the students on their awards.
He informed the Board that other schools would be receiving awards on Tuesday, May 7th. Thank you also to our nurses who do an outstanding service for our students.
He reminded the Board Members to complete their disclosure statements.
Mr. Williams asked Col. Lopez for an update on Fort Johnson Events.
Col. Lopez congratulated Emmalee Polk, Leesville High School State Winner for the Louisiana Boys and Girls Club.
He also thanked Mr. Williams for decisions on bad weather days. Col. Lopez informed the Board on that Fort Johnson soldiers were on rotation and deployments at this time.
Braden Sickles will also be the new Sargent Major and the General will be
Leaving 6-6-24.
Item #9: Memorial Resolutions
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 Freddie Ray Boswell who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Boswell was a retired VPSB Bus Driver; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School Board: Mr. Boswell was the brother-in-law of former retired Vernon Parish School Superintendent, John C. Burns and former retired Vernon Parish teacher Shirley Kitty Burns; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Boswell 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 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 Reverend Jimmy Harrell Evans, SR. who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Evans was a former bus driver for the VPSB; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School Board: Rev. Evans son is Rev. Edgar Evans, former bus driver and his daughter-in -law is Alycia Evans, VPSB technology secretary; and his grandson is Michael Snell, former teacher at Pickering High School
WHEREAS, Reverend Evans 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 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 Olivia Marie Johnson who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School Board: Mrs. Johnson was the mother of Trista Cheever, Vernon Parish teacher at Pickering Elementary and her daughter-in-law is Kendra Johnson, Rosepine High School bookkeeper; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Johnson 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 #10: Adjournment:
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Authorized Officer
SHAD STEWART, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT
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