APRIL 14, 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 Kaiama Goodwin
Rhonda Morrison
Robert Pynes, Jr.
DISTRICT THREE:
Deidra Shell
DISTRICT FIVE:
Shad Stewart
DISTRICT SIX:
Vernon L. Travis, Jr.
DISTRICT SEVEN:
John Blankenbaker
DISTRICT EIGHT:
Candace Black
ABSENT:
Col. J. Adam Barlow Fort Polk Garrison Commander
Jackie Self, District One
Jim Seaman, District One
Angie Davis, District Two
Randy Martin, District Four
There was also present Mr. James Williams, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by: Vernon L. Travis, Jr.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: Vernon L. Travis, Jr.
Item #1: April 9, 2026 Minutes
On motion of Kelly Goodwin, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the April 9, 2026 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Item #2: Employee Retirements
On motion of Rhonda Morrison, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to accept employee retirements.
Item #3: Leave Without Pay Requests
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to accept leave without pay requests.
Item #4: Amendments Related to Personnel Changes
On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
Item #5: Authorization to Pay the Claims
On motion of Rhonda Morrison, seconded by Candace Black, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
Item #6: Approve Head Start Policies
On motion of Kelly Goodwin, seconded by Rhonda Morrison, the Board voted to approve Head Start Policy & Procedures presented at the 4-9-26 board meeting.
Item #7: Motion to Extend Superintendent Application Process for 30 Days
On motion of Rhonda Morrison, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to extend the Superintendent application process for 30 days, ending May 13, 2026 A full board vote was called: 7 yeas, 1 nay.
Item #8: Recognition of Counselors of the Year
Lisa Lohman, Curriculum Director presented the 2026 Counselors of the Year plaques to the following counselors:
Melissa Maddox Pickering Elementary School
Shirlee Sturm Vernon Middle School
Robin Fritts Pickering High School.
Item #9: Recognition of Employee of the Month
Tim Ward, Finance Director and Jeff Taylor with Pelican Benefits Insurance, present Sara Boyd with a plaque and gift bag for Employee of the Month. Ms. Boyd is a 1st grade teacher at Evans High School. Ms. Boyd is a very worthy employee to receive this award. She is a very effective teacher. Ms. Boyd is very connected with her students and parents and works well with her co-workers. She has been a blessing to our staff.
Item #10: Leading for Better Instruction (Rapides Foundation)
Leading for Better Instruction is a three year program presented by the Orchard Foundation and funded by the Rapides Foundation. Vernon Parish uses this program as our Leadership Training for principals and assistant principals.
This year we have one principal who has completed the program and receiving an award, Mrs. Sherre Morse, Principal Simpson High School.
Item #11: Report from Transportation Committee
1. Discussion of a New Facility:
Director of Transportation, Raymond Jones introduced representatives from First Student a transportation service company to maintain operations of the VPSB school buses. At this time, we will not require their services.
On motion of Kelly Goodwin, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to purchase the existing transportation facility and to add to the May 7th agenda for approval. The vote was 7 yeas and 1 nay.
Item # 12: Superintendents Remarks
Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting and congratulated Counselors of the Year and Employee of the Month and thanked them for being outstanding employees. He thanked the Board Members for all they do and how hard they work for the community, students, and schools. It is an honor to serve with this Board.
He reminded everyone that the Academic Banquet will be Tuesday, May 5th at the
Leesville High School Auditorium at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Williams turned the meeting over to the President, Deidra Shell.
Item #13: Memorial Resolutions
On motion of Shad Stewart, 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 Richard Sherlock who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mr. Sherlocks daughter and son-in-law are Gina and Raymond Jones. Raymond is the VPSB Director of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sherlock was a resident of Baton Rouge, LA; 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 Shad Stewart, 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 David Anding who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mr. Andings mother is Joann Pollard, Pitkin High School secretary; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Anding 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:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Robert F. Bobby McClain III who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mr. McClains father was Robert F. McLain, Jr., retired bus driver; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McClain 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:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Mary Katherine Duff who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Ms. Duffs sister is Sandy Seaman, retired bus operator and her brother-in-law is Jim Seaman, District One Board Member and also a retired bus operator; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Duff is not 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 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 Mary Hughes who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Hughes was a retired business teacher at Leesville Junior High School; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mrs. Hughes husband was C.A. Hughes, retired teacher, coach principal and District One Board Member, her daughter-in-law is Sheri Hughes, retired elementary teacher; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Hughes was a former 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.
AUTHORIZED OFFICER
__________________
DEIDRA SHELL, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
__________________
JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT
12365309 5/31/26 ($159.44)