SEPTEMBER 9, 2025   THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. THE PRESIDENT WAS ABSENT AND THE VICE-PRESIDENT, DEIDRA SHELL CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:  District One: Kelly Kaima-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 Seven: John Blankenbaker Fort Polk Garrison Commander: Col. J. Adam Barlow  ABSENT: Vernon L. Travis, Jr. – District Six Candace Black – District Eight Col. J. Adam Barlow  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 9-4-25 MINUTES On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the 9-4-25 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.  ITEM #2: ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE CONSOLIDATED AND GENERAL FUND BUDGETS On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to adopt a resolution to approve the Consolidated and General Fund Budgets for 2025-2026.  ITEM #3: EMPLOYEE RETIREMENTS On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to accept employee retirements.  ITEM #4: BUDGET AMENDMENTS RELATED TO PERSONNEL CHANGES On motion of Rhonda Morrison, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes. ITEM #5: AUTHORIZE THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY TO PAY THE CLAIMS On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.  ITEM #6: ADVERTISE FOR PROMOTIONAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT AES On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to advertise for a promotional assistant principal position at AES.  ITEM #7: ADVERTISE FOR PROMOTIONAL TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISOR/OPTIONAL SCHOOL COORDINATOR On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to advertise for bids to replace the roof at RHS.  ITEM #8: MOTION TO AMEND THE EXTENDED SICK LEAVE POLICY On motion of Kelly Goodwin, seconded by Rhonda Morrison, the Board voted to amend the Extended Sick Leave Policy. FILE: GBRIB Cf: EGAA, GBRIBA, GBRIBB The School Board shall permit employees to take up to ninety (90) days of extended sick leave in each six-year period of employment which may be used for a medical necessity at any time the employee has no remaining regular sick leave balance at the time the extended sick leave is set to begin. The initial six-year period of employment shall begin after 6 full months of continuous employment with the Vernon Parish School Board. All decisions related to the granting of extended sick leave shall be made by the Superintendent.  ITEM #9: EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH Tim Ward, Director of Finance announced to the Board that Demetrius Bell, custodian at North Elementary was named “Employee of the Month”. The “Employee of the Month” program is sponsored by Taylor and Sons Insurance. Ms. Ramona Bennett, Principal at NE, asked Mr. Ward to read to the Board Members about the qualities Mr. Bell has. He is an amazing employee, working well with students, parents, and fellow co-workers. Mr. Bell enjoys working with students and seeing them achieve their goals and dreams. He is always available to help out any place needed or with any school activity. Mr. Bell has a positive workplace attitude. He is very dependable, always the first person at work and the last person to leave. He keeps our floors shining and everything is always very clean. Thank you for your hard work and always keeping our school in the best shape ever.  ITEM #10: SUPERINTENDENT’S REMARKS Superintendent James Williams updated the Board Members on school opening and wanted to focus on good things happening. He asked Lisa Lohman, Assistant Superintendent, to comment on positive points. Ms. Lohman presented the Board with a print-out on positive changes and discussed the following: We offer the following educational sources for our students: Associate Degree program Dual Enrollment (Northwestern) New Program - Drone Enrollment (working with military on 10-9-25 in competition) Updated laptops for students with auto-elevate added for Associate Degree and Dual Enrollment classes In 2025, we have 165 students from all 9 high schools taking dual enrollment courses. Mr. Williams also provided the Board Members a copy of the LSBA 2025 Guidance Memos booklet. These memos are designed to interpret and summarize legislative developments from the 2025 legislative session related to education in clear, practical terms, helping members understand how new laws may affect their school district.  Mr. Williams reminded the Board about the October training with Karee Wahid, Head Start training at 8:30 and Jon Guice after the 10:00 meeting.  ITEM #11: MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS There were no memorial resolutions presented at the meeting.  ITEM #12: ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.  Authorized Officer  _________________ VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR., PRESIDENT  ATTEST:  _________________ JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT 11746083 10/12/25 ($112.64)