DECEMBER 9, 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 IN MR. TRAVIS ABSENCE AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
District One:
Rhonda Morrison
Robert Pynes, Jr.
Jim Seaman
Jackie Self
Kelly K. Goodwin
District Two:
Angie Davis
District Three:
Deidra Shell
District Four:
Randy Martin
District Five:
Shad Stewart
District Seven:
John Blankenbaker
Fort Polk Garrison Commander
Col. J. Adam Barlow
ABSENT:
Vernon L. Travis, Jr. District Six
Candace Black District Eight
The meeting was opened in prayer by: Randy Martin
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: Randy Martin
Roll Call
Item #1: Approval of December 4, 2025 Minutes
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the December 4, 2025 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Item #2: Approval of Budget Revisions 2025-2026
On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve Budget Revisions for 2025-2026.
Item #3: Approval for Head Start Policies/Procedures:
On motion of Rhonda Morrison, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the Head Start Policies presented on December 5, 2025..
Item #4: Approval of Budget Amendment /Personnel Changes
On motion of Rhonda Morrison, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to approve budget amendments/personnel changes presented on December 4th.
Item #5: Authorize President & Secretary to Pay Claims
On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by John Blankenbaker , the Board voted to authorize
the president and secretary to pay claims.
Item #6: Approval of Policy Changes for December, 2025
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to approve policy changes presented to the Board on December 4, 2025.
Item #7: Approval of Board Officers for 2026
On motion of Rhonda Morrison, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to approve Deidra Shell for 2026 Board President and Kelly Kaiama Goodwin for 2026 Board Vice President.
Item #8: Approval to authorize the purchase of land at Evans
On motion of Rhonda Morrison, seconded by Kelly Goodwin the Board voted to authorize the purchase of land at Evans.
Item #9: Recognition of Employee of the Month
Finance Director, Tim Ward asked Rodney Taylor with Pelican Benefits Insurance to introduce the Employee of the Month. Mr. Taylor introduced Ms. Emily Benevage, 1st grade teacher at AES, as the Employee of the Month. Catherine Altenburger, AES Principal, spoke about Ms. Benevages accomplishments and qualities as an exceptional 1st grade teacher, always willing to go the extra mile outside her duties. She reports early to work and works well with administrators, teachers, and students. She is appreciative of her job and shows it every day in the way she performs her duties. Anacoco Elementary is very blessed to have Emily Benevage on our staff since 2003.
Item #10: Report from Curriculum Committee (Accountability Update)
Curriculum Director, Lisa Lohman reported to the Board on the discussion of the Accountability Update during the 9:00 Curriculum Committee meeting.
Ms. Lohman gave a summary of the 24-25 SPS. She announced that once again Vernon Parish has earned an Academic A rating and is among the top 10 school districts in the state. Vernon Parish is ranked #8 out of the 70 school districts receiving an SPS. Ms. Lohman also presented detailed highlights and information from the 24-25 SPS results:
Eight schools earned an Academic A rating (2 more schools than the prior year)
K-8 progress index increased by 4.7 points from the prior year.
K-8 and High School combined student progress index rated Academic A
Nine schools received Top Gains recognition (Academic A for student progress)
Six schools received Opportunity Honoree recognition (Academic A in student progress for students with disabilities)
Vernon is the #1 rated school district in the state for ACT/WorkKeys index. (Index 103.1)
Vernon also received an overall Academic A rating for the following High School indexes:
ACT, Strength of Diploma, Graduation Rate, Student Progress, Interest and Opportunities, DCAI.
Ms. Lohman also presented Louisiana Accountability for 2025-2026
Last but not least, Leesville High School was ranked #1 for our district.
Also the Curriculum Supervisors were introduced to the Board and each Supervisor explained their duties and responsibilities.
Curriculum Supervisors: Leigh Lansdale, Joan Simmons, Karen Robertson, Connie Britt, and Jerome Henson. The reason for the growth and achievements in our schools is due to the hard work of our Curriculum Supervisors.
Director of Special Education, Leslie Ottiz and Head Start Director, Cheree Atkins explained their growth and accomplishments and plans to further their growth next year.
Item #11: Vernon Parish Basketball Tournament Update
Personnel and Athletic Director, Joseph Bartz presented the Board with the 2025 Boys and Girls Vernon Parish Basketball Tournament schedule which begins December 18 & 19 at Evans High School. He invited the Board Members to attend.
Item #12: Superintendents Remarks
Superintendent, James Williams welcomed all to the meeting.
Mr. Williams reminded the Board of upcoming Christmas events: The Central Office Christmas luncheon will be served at 11:30 on December 18th. and invited all to attend.
Mr. Williams thanked President, Vernon L. Travis, Jr. and Vice-President, Deidra Shell for their service on the Board for the 2025 year.
The 2026 Board President is Deidra Shell and the 2026 Vice President is Kelly Kaiama Goodwin.
We look forward to having Ms. Shell and Ms. Goodwin serving our Board as President and Vice President.
Mr. Williams reminded the Board of the Transition Agency Fair held at the Leesville Junior High STEAM Building with area high schools attending, Friday 12-12-25.
He also reminded the Board Members that the 2026 LSBA Convention will be held in Baton Rouge 3-29-25 through 3-31-25 and the LSBA Capitol Conference will be March 31, 2025 in Baton Rouge.
The meeting was then turned over to the Vice President, Deidra Shell who called for memorial resolutions.
Item #13: Memorial Resolutions
On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Major Amos Ray Ezell who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Major Ezell was a retired bus operator; and
WHEREAS, Major Ezell 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 his family at this time of sadness.
Item #14: Adjournment
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Authorized Officer
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VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR., PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
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JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT
BOARD RESOLUTION
On the 9th day of December, 2025 at a meeting of the Vernon Parish School Board held in Leesville, Louisiana a quorum of the Board present, the following business was conducted:
It was duly moved and seconded that the following resolution be adopted:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board does hereby authorize Mr. James Williams, Superintendent, the terms and conditions that he may deem advisable, to negotiate and execute grant agreements on behalf of the Board, and further we do hereby give him the power and authority to do all things necessary to implement, maintain, and amend said documents with the Land Purchase at Evans located at Pt. W/2 SW/4 Sec. 9,T1s,R11w.
I certify that the above and foregoing constitutes a true and correct copy of a part of the minutes of a meeting of the Vernon Parish School Board.
Subscribed and sworn before me,
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Board Secretary
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Board President
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Superintendent
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Date
12017712 1/23/26 ($156.08)