
The last two Vernon Parish School Board meetings in December highlighted many positives for 2023.
Finance Director Tim Ward reviewed the budget and adjustments at the December 7 meeting. He reported $87.3 million in revenue and $87.3 million in expenses. This marks two years of Zero Net Change. The Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) is the major source of Board funding. A new round of MFP funding occurs in February 2024, and Ward anticipated some extra state and federal funding from other sources.
Transportation Director Dwain Ducote reported at the December 7 meeting on new state-mandated upgrades to school policies, including public postings, probations, parent conferences recess, Automatic External Defibrillators (AED), and a cardiac response team. The Board adopted those new policies at the December 12 meeting, with the exception of the AED’s. A committee has been formed to put together a plan by the state-mandated deadline in June 2024.
Lisa Lohman with the Curriculum Department briefed the Board on the latest District Performance Scores for 2022-23. Those scores show Vernon Parish with an ”A” rating once more. Vernon Parish is one of only 10 out of 70 school districts in the state to earn that rating. Those schools were in the same order for 2021-22, showcasing the job the Vernon system is doing for the kids. Vernon Parish had five schools rated A: Anacoco High, Evans, Leesville High, Rosepine High, and Simpson. They also had five B- rated schools. According to the state ACT Index, Vernon Parish is number one in the state in preparing students to be college or career ready.
Jeff Taylor, with Taylor and Sons Insurance, presented the Vernon School Board Employee of the Month for December to Tamara Jackson, a Special Needs Para-Professional from Pickering Elementary.
Outgoing School Board President Jim Seaman handed over his gavel to incoming 2024 President Shad Stewart of District Five. Vernon Travis of District Six will serve as the Board’s Vice President.
The first meeting of the Vernon Parish School Board in 2024 will be Thursday, January 4, at 10 a.m.