NOVEMBER 6, 2025
THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA VICE PRESIDENT DEIDRA SHELL CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
DISTRICT ONE:
KELLY K. GOODWIN
RHONDA MORRISON
ROBERT PYNES, JR.
JACKIE SELF
JIM SEAMAN
DISTRICT TWO:
ANGIE DAVIS
DISTRICT THREE:
DEIDRA SHELL
DISTRICT FIVE:
SHAD STEWART
DISTRICT EIGHT:
CANDACE BLACK
ABSENT:
FORT POLK GARRISON COMMANDER
COL. J. ADAM BARLOW
DISTRICT FOUR : - RANDY MARTIN
DISTRICT SIX VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.
DISTRICT SEVEN JOHN BLANKENBAKER
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 OCTOBER 7, 2025 MINUTES
On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the October 7, 2025 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Item #2: RECOGNITION OF EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Rodney Taylor with Pelican Benefit Advisors announced that Amanda Walker, bookkeeper, and secretary of Parkway has been chosen as Employee of the Month.
Rodney Taylor and Principal Ami Green spoke about Ms. Walkers attributes and dedication to her position. Amanda Walker is truly the heart and soul of Parkway. She began her employment as a Special Education Paraprofessional. Ms. Walker transferred to school secretary and bookkeeper. She has proved to be an excellent team member.
Item #3: HEAD START REPORT
Director of Head Start, Cheree Atkins reported to the Board on the Head Start policies presented at the Head Start Policy Council meeting held on November 4, 2025 at 8:30 am. The following policies were presented for approval:
1. Approval of Community Representative
2. VPHS Selection Criteria
3. VPHS Applications
4. VPHS Biting Policy
5. VPHS Birth to Five HS Exclusion & Re-Admission Policy for Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
6. Vernon Parish Birth to Five Head Start Exclusion for Diarrhea/Loose Stool Policy
(ages 3-4)
7. Vernon Parish Birth to Five Head Start Exclusion for Diarrhea/Loose Stool Policy
(ages 0-36 months)
8. VPHS Confidentiality Policy
9. VPHS Organizational Chart
10. VPHS Transportation Policy
11. Creative Curriculum/Resources (Heggerty, Progress Monitoring Literacy Skills)
12. VPHS Positive Guidance and Discipline Policy
13. Other
14. Adjournment
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to add the Head Start policies to the 11-13-25 agenda for approval.
Cheree Atkins reported to the Board on the ERSEA (eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance.
Item #4: 4H REPORT
Chad Hagan, Agent for Vernon Parish 4-H, presented the Board with a calendar of events taking place in November and also reported on the success of events in the 4H program since the beginning of school opening.
He noted that the Vernon Parish 4H program continues to grow and thanked the Vernon Parish School Board for their continued support in the 4H program.
Item #5: PARISH AGRICULTURE DAY REPORT
Brian Churchman reported to the Board on the 12th Annual Ag Day event held at Porters Ranch in October. Dereck Beason, Cattlemans Association President, McNeese students, Vernon Parish Game Wardens, Farm Bureau ATV safety and Jessie Brandon, Veterinarian from the Brandon Clinic also presented programs for the Ag Day. The event was a great success with 181 students attending.
Item #6: ALLEGIANCE HEALTH MANAGEMENT MOBILE CARE
Kevin Quinn, Byrd Hospital, discussed the Mobile Health Buses for students program in detail. On motion of Kelly Goodwin, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to add to the 11-13-25 agenda to accept the program offered by Byrd Hospital for Vernon Parish students who qualify. The mobile health bus provides critical access to healthcare for school-aged children, ensuring they receive preventive screenings and health education, especially in underserved communities where traditional healthcare is often out of reach.
Item:7: RECOGNITION OF LOUISIANA COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR FINALIST
Assistant Superintendent, Lisa Lohman presented the Counselor of the Year Finalist, Nancy Blalock from Leesville High School. Lisa Haymon, Principal at LHS, spoke to the Board about Ms. Blacklocks attributes and accomplishments as Counselor. Ms. Blalock is always available for any situation with a positive attitude. Leesville High School is blessed to have such a professional counselor to work with.
Item #8: POLICY UPDATE
Personnel Director, Joseph Bartz presented the Board with the following policy updates:
On motion of Kelly Goodwin, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to add to the
11-13-25 agenda for approval of policies.
Equal Opportunity Employment
FILE: GAAA Cf: GAE, GAEAA Cf: GAMC, GBC
Equal Education Opportunities
FILE: JAA
Education of Students With Exceptionalities
FILE; IDDF Cf: IDDFA, IDDFB IDDFC
Cameras in Special Education Classrooms
FILE: IDDFC Cf: EBCB, IDDF
Discipline
FILE: JD Cf: BD, IDDF, IHAD Cf: JBE, JCD, JDD, JDE
Corporal Punishment
FILE: JDA Cf: GAMC, JG
Item #9: ATHLETIC UPDATE
Athletic Director, Joseph Bartz presented the Board Members with a printout of the following:
2025-2026 Vernon Parish Winter Athletic schedules include basketball, wrestling, and powerlifting. He also discussed select and non- select school brackets. Mr. Bartz informed the Board that random drug testing is performed in the fall and spring and before Christmas break. LHS will be hosting playoff games this year.
Item #10: REPORT FROM THE SALARY/PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Salary/Personnel Committee Chairperson, Kelly Kaiama Goodwin reported to the Board on the information discussed by the Personnel Director, Joseph Bartz during the 9:30 Salary/Personnel meeting.
Personnel Transactions for November, 2025. On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Deidra Shell, the Board voted to add to the 11-13-25 agenda for approval. Mr. Bartz also
discussed current vacancies, new hires, Special Education and Head Start positions.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to add to 11-13-25 agenda for approval for Administrative contract at LJHS.
Item #11: SUPERINTENDENTS REMARKS
Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting. Mr. Willams announced that the next board meeting will be 11-13-25. November 11, 2025 is Veterans Day and schools and Central Office will be closed. Lunch will be at Foxes Pizza.
The meeting was turned over to Vice President, Deidra Shell.
Item #12: MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS
On motion of Bruce D. Westmoreland, 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 Bruce D. Westmoreland who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Westmoreland was a retired Vernon Parish Teacher and Assistant Principal; and
WHEREAS, the Board Members would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School District: Mr. Westmorelands wife is Alice Westmoreland, retired Vernon Parish teacher; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Westmoreland 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 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 Patricia (Pat) Bruce who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Bruce was a retired Special Education Paraprofessional; and
WHEREAS, the Board Members would like to acknowledge family members.
Employed by the Vernon Parish School District: Ms. Bruces daughter-in-law is Kristin Bruce, teacher at PHS; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Bruce 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 Kelly 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 Jenny Cedars Lawrence who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School District: Ms. Lawrences daughter is Carolyn Lawrence Mawae, Gifted Teacher at LHS, son-in-law Mark Mawae, retired Teacher, Assistant Principal and Principal and her sister-in-law is Wendy Cedars, Simpson High School bus driver; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Lawrence was a resident of Vernon Parish; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish 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 Vega LuAnn Williams who recently passed away;
and
WHEREAS, Miss Williams was a four year old student at Hornbeck High School
WHEREAS, Miss Williams 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 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 Jed Thomas Kersey who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School Board: Mr. Kerseys wife is Elizabeth Kersey, Parkway Elementary custodian, his stepdaughter is April Walker, Parkway Elementary custodian, and mother-in-law, Pearl Lynn retired Evans School cook; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kersey 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 Robert Pynes, Jr., 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 William Charles (Chuck) Hilton, Jr. who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School District: Mr. Hiltons mother was Sandra Hilton, former Superintendent Secretary and teacher, his father was Charles Hilton, former bus driver, and his brother is Joey Hilton, bus driver; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hilton 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 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 Shaunda Beasley who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by
the Vernon Parish School District: Ms. Beasleys stepmother is Kristi Beasley, WLE Principal; and
WHEREAS, Shaunda Beasley was a resident of Pittsburgh, PA; 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 #13: Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Authorized Officer
__________________
VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR., PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
__________________
JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT
11842866 11/19/25 ($230.24)