FEBRUARY 10, 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:
RHONDA MORRISON
ROBERT PYNES
JIM SEAMAN
KELLY GOODWIN
District Two:
ANGIE DAVIS
District Three:
DEIDRA SHELL
District Four:
RANDY MARTIN
District Six:
VERNON L. TRAVIS, Jr.
District Eight:
CANDACE BLACK
ABSENT:
Col. J. Adam Barlow Fort Polk Garrison Commander
Jackie Self District One
Shad Stewart - District Five
John Blankenbaker District Seven
There was also present Mr. James Williams, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by: Rhonda Morrison
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: Rhonda Morrison
Item #1: Approval of Minutes
On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the February 5, 2026 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Item #2: Approval of Budget Amendments/Personnel Changes
On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
Item #3: Authorization to Pay Claims
On motion of, Rhonda Morrison, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
Item #4: Employee Retirements
On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to accept employee retirements.
Item #5: Leave Without Pay Requests
On motion of Rhonda Morrison, seconded by Candace Black, the Board voted to approve leave without pay requests.
Item #6: Headstart Policies/Procedures Approval
On motion of Rhonda Morrison, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to approve the policies and procedures presented to the Board at the February 2nd meeting.
Item #7: Advertise for Superintendent
On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to advertise for the Superintendents position.
Item #8: Fort Polk Progress
Curriculum Director Anne Smith introduced Avon Knowlton and Logan Morris with Fort Polk Progress. Ms. Knowlton presented the Vernon Parish School Board with a check in the amount of 30,469.30 which is used to purchase VPSB web site costs and funds for Teacher Leaders, Teachers of the Year, and Principals of the Year. We have been partners with Fort Polk Progress for 20 years.
Item #9: Employee of the Month
Scott Walker, with Pelican Benefit Insurance, sponsor of the Vernon Parish School Board Employee of the Month, introduced Februarys Employee of the Month to the Board. Ms. Shanda Busby, Cafeteria Manager at North Elementary was selected as Employee of the Month for February, 2026. Cheree Atkins, Head Start Director, praised Ms. Busby for her excellence as an employee and always willing to go the extra mile in her duties. Ms. Busby always keeps her kitchen under control and is very organized in her duties. She works well with the students, faculty and staff always willing to help in any situation.
Item #10: Black History Month Overview
Curriculum Supervisors Karen Robertson presented the Board with the events planned for Black History Month from all 13 schools in Vernon Parish. Vernon Parish has a rich history of celebrating Black History Month. We recognize that our diversity contributes to our strengths. In your folder is a summary of the events scheduled for each school.
Item #11: Report from Transportation Committee
Jim Seaman, Chairperson for the Transportation Committee informed the Board on the topic of discussion from Raymond Jones, Transportation Director, during the 2-10-26 meeting. The Board watched a zoom meeting by Student First and discussed topics presented during the meeting.
Item #12: Superintendents Remarks
Superintendent Williams welcomed all the visitors to the meeting and thanked the bus operators for their attendance. Mr. Williams also announced the schools that would have a day off for being awarded the A School title.
Vernon L. Travis, Jr. asked to make the following announcement: COSSBA National Conference - Education Evolution will be held March 13-15, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky.
The meeting was turned over to the President, Deidra Shell.
Item #13: Memorial Resolutions
On motion of Angie Davis, 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 Allen Austin who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mr. Austins wife is Stacy Allen, teacher at Hornbeck High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allen 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 Candace Black, 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 Kim Walker who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Walker was a retired Rapides Parish Teacher; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Ms. Walkers Mother is Viva Grant, retired Hicks High School librarian and her Father is Don Grant, retired teacher, formerly employed at Hicks High School, her aunt is Naomi Roy retired Hicks High School office worker and paraprofessional and her uncle is Ron Roy, retired teacher, coach, and Assistant Principal at Simpson, Hicks, and Pitkin schools; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Walker was a resident of Rapides 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:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Gail Andrews Jackson who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Jackson was a retired cook technician at LJHS; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Jackson 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 #14: Adjournment
There being no other business the meeting was adjourned by President Shell.
Authorized Officer
_________________
DEIDRA SHELL, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
_________________
JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT
12152754 3/11/26 ($133.76)