JULY 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:

KELLY GOODWIN

MARK H. SMITH

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JIM SEAMAN

RHONDA MORRISON

DEIDRA SHELL

SHAD STEWART

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

CANDACE BLACK

ABSENT:

ANGIE DAVIS District Two

SHAD STEWART District Five

RANDY MARTIN

COL. J. ADAM BARLOW Fort Polk Garrison Commander

There was also present Mr. Joseph M. Bartz, Secretary of the Board.

The meeting was opened in prayer by: Jim Seaman

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: Jim Seaman

Item #1: Approval of Minutes

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the July 9, 2026 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2: Motion to approve the Superintendents Contract

On motion of Rhonda Morrison, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board

voted to approve the Superintendents Contract.

Item #3: Approval of Employee Retirements

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Mark H. Smith, the Board voted to approve employee retirements.

Item #4: Budget Amendments Related to Personnel Changes

On motion of Rhonda Morrison, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.

Item #5: Pay the Claims

On motion of Candace Black, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

Item #6: Motion to approve two year administrative contracts for 12 month employees

On motion of Candace Black, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to

approve two year administrative contracts for 12 month employees.

Item #7: Motion to authorize the Superintendent to negotiate and execute grant agreements on behalf of the Board with The Rapides Foundation

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted

to negotiate and execute grant agreements on behalf of the Board with The Rapides Foundation.

Item #8: 2026-2027 School Calendar Review

Mrs. Leigh Lansdale, Personnel Director presented the Board with 2026-2027 hybrid school calendar and explained the 4-day week schedule.

Item #9: Superintendents Remarks

Superintendent, Joseph Bartz welcomed all to the meeting.

Mr. Bartz reminded the Board members to fill out their Family Disclosures 403

form due by September 15th.

Item # 10: Memorial Resolutions

On motion of Mark H. Smith, 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 T. Barrett Porter who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Porter was a former VPSB bus driver and also served as School Board Member; and

WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Retired teacher Judy Weisgerber, Cathy Bennett former teacher, retired bus driver Linday Todd and granddaughter Miranda Taylor , teacher at AHS; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Porter 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 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 Sara Elizabeth Nichols Damadzic who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Ms.Damadzics Father is David Nichols, retired VPSB teacher and Assistant Principal, her Mother is Linda Benge, retired VPSB teacher, and her sister is Lisa Nichols Yates, Special Education Occupational Therapist; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Damadzic 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 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 Bianka Matlock Smith who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Smith was a LHS graduate; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Smith 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 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 Kristin Paige Hurst Linn who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Linn was a former teacher at East Leesville Elementary; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Linn was a resident of Tennessee; and

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 James Larry Skinner who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Skinner was a retired teacher, coach, principal, and Superintendent in Sabine parish; and

WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Larrys brother is Asa Skinner, retired Vernon Parish DA and School Board Attorney and his sister-in-law is Karen Skinner, retired Vernon Parish teacher; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Skinner was a resident of Shreveport, 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 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 Glenda Jean Funderburk Dowden who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mrs. Dowdens brother is Jimmy Funderburk, retired VPSB teacher, coach, principal, and Assistant Superintendent/Personnel Director; and sister-in-law, Sonja Funderburk, retired VPSB teacher and Title Supervisor; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Dowden 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 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 Hirl W. Haynes, Jr. who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Haynes was a retired VPSB teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal; and

WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mr. Haynes former wife, Opalene Haynes, retired VPSB teacher and Special Education Supervisor, and sister-in-law, Bernadine Haynes retired Special Education paraprofessional; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Haynes 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 #13: Adjournment

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned

Authorized Officer

__________________

DEIDRA SHELL, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________

JOSEPH M. BARTZ, SUPERINTENDENT

12558602 8/16/26 ($157.28)