JANUARY 8, 2026

THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. 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.

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 Eight:

CANDACE BLACK

ABSENT:

COL. J. ADAM BARLOW

GARRISON COMMANDER, FORT POLK

JOHN BLANKENBAKER -DISTRICT SEVEN BOARD MEMBER

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by: ANGIE DAVIS/PASTOR MARK CHRISTIAN

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: ANGIE DAVIS/PASTOR MARK CHRISTIAN

Item #1: Approval of December 9, 2025 Minutes

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the December 9, 2025 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2: Federal Funding P.L. 81-874

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to authorize the Superintendent to request and sign all federal funding P.L. 81-874 for the Vernon Parish School Board.

Item #3: HB71 Resolution

On motion of Candace Black, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to pass a resolution for supporting HB71, Act 676

Item #4: Leadership Change Ceremony

Superintendent, James Williams presented Mr. Vernon L. Travis, Jr., 2025 Board President with a plaque of appreciation for his service as Board President. President Vernon Travis, Jr. passed the gavel to Ms. Deidra Shell, 2026 Board President.

Ms. Kelly Kaiama Goodwin will be serving as Vice President for 2026.

Item #5: Policy Updates

Personnel Director, Joseph Bartz presented the Board with the following policy updates.

This final installment of the 2025 Legislative Update series provided additional policy revisions prompted by bills enacted during the 2025 Regular Session. Included is a federal update related to Purchasing based on a recommendation from FEMA. Please note that some updates apply to select school boards with relevant programs.

1. Sale of Surplus Equipment and supplies

2. Behavioral Health Support for Students

3. Emergency/Crisis Management

4. Employee Conduct

5. Recruitment

6. Dismissal of Employees

7. Advertising in Schools (Optional)

8. Notification of Board Meetings (Effective 2027)

9. Purchasing and Procurement

Item #6: Recognition of Student of the Year

Curriculum Supervisor, Karen Robertson recognized the following students, winners of the school level Student of the Year:

Evans 5th Heidi Linaweaver

Evans 8th Rivers Jordan

Evans High 12th Cayleigh Kay

Hicks 5th Hadlee Smith

Hicks 8th Charleigh Ann Wilson

Hicks High 12th Kylie Wolff

Hornbeck 5th Calvin Trenton McWhorter

Hornbeck 8th Drew Downs

Hornbeck High 12th Carter Ward

Pickering 5th Zoey Ryan Fears

Pickering High 8th Ashlyn Fritts

Pickering High 12th Alura Hough

Simpson 5th Vivian Coffman

Simpson 8th Paisley Rollins

Simpson High 12th Kassidy Dowden

Item #7: Head Start Report

Director of Head Start, Cheree Atkins discussed the policies presented at the Council Meeting on 1-6-26:

1) VPHS Child Abuse Policy and Procedures

2) VPHS Child Attendance and Tardiness Policy and Procedures

3) VPSB Personnel Policies

4) VPSB Intensive Coaching Plan

5) VPSB PBC Action Plan

On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to add to the 1-13-26 meeting for approval.

Cheree Atkins, Head Start Director, presented enrollment for each age group and also presented updates on the content areas of Head Start. She reported to the Board on the federal programs and applying for grants to expand classrooms to accommodate the needs of the Head Start Program. She also gave an update on classrooms needed and at school sites.

Item #8: Report from Salary/Personnel

Kelly Kaiama Goodwin, Salary/Personnel Chairperson reported to the Board about topics of discussion during the 9:30 meeting 1-8-26.

Joseph Bartz, Personnel Director presented the personnel changes for January, 2026 and requested that the changes be put on the agenda for 1-13-26 for approval. On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to add to the

1-13-26 agenda for approval.

Mr. Bartz also discussed the Personnel Forecast for 2026/2027 and presented a printout of each category.

Item #9: Superintendents Remarks

Superintendent Williams welcomed all to the meeting with a special welcome to our new Board President, Deidra Shell and thanked Vernon L Travis, Jr. for his service as President for the 2025 school year. He also recognized Kelly Kaiama Goodwin as the 2026 Board Vice President.

Mr. Williams asked Jerome Henson to present the Parish Art Winners:

Zoey Fears is the Pickering Elementary Parish Winner K-5th grades LSBA Art Contest

Jerian Rodriguez is the Simpson High School Parish Winner 6th-8th grades LSBA Art Contest.

Lola Hardy is the Leesville High School Parish Winner 9th-12th LSBA Art Contest.

Mr. Williams presented the Board Members a letter with information on his future retirement.

Item #10: Memorial Resolutions

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 Judy Lynn Summerell who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Summerell was a Vernon Parish retired teacher; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Summerell was a previous 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 Candace Black, 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 Jimmy Reese Smith McRae who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School Board: Ms. McRaes husband was Wallace McRae, for District 8 Board Member, her daughter is Amy Dalme, retired Simpson High School teacher; and

WHEREAS, Ms. McRae 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 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 David Awa Mawae who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System; Mr. Mawaes son was John Mawae, former LHS coach and teacher, his son Mark Mawae, former teacher, coach, and principal at LHS, daughters-in-law, Whitney Mawae, principal at AHS, Carolyn Mawae, teacher at LHS, and granddaughter Macy Mawae, former student worker at the Central Office, and grandson, Nathan Mawae, former Curriculum student worker; and;

WHEREAS, Mr. Mawae 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 Franklin Fairchild who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System; Mr. Fairchilds daughter-in-law is Donna Fairchild, secretary at VMS; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Fairchild 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 Vernon L. Travis, 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 Karl Howard who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School Board: His two nephews are Jerry Howard retired custodian at LHS and Bruce Howard, retired ELE custodian; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Howard 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 Jackie Self, seconded by 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 Bimbo West who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School Board: Mr. Wests niece is Jamie Hagan, Special Education Homebound teacher and his nephew is Chad Hagan, Associate County Agent/VPSB 4-H representative; and

WHEREAS, Mr. West 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 #9: Adjournment

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

Authorized Officer

__________________

DEIDRA SHELL, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT

12017777 1/23/26 ($188.48)