The Vernon Parish School Board met on Tuesday with a full slate of items on the agenda. Some new state-mandated changes to Head Start policies and procedures were approved as were budget amendments related to personnel matters.
Dr. Gwile Freeman of Pelican Benefits presented the Employee of the Month award to early Head Start teacher, Ms. Sherrie Martin, of North Early Child Center. Administrator, Ramona Bennett, remarked that Martin’s youngsters are engaged and responsive to what she teaches them. Bennett said that Martin often lives on the floor with her students.
Brian Churchman, the Rosepine FFA sponsor and Vice President of the Vernon Parish Cattleman’s Association, reported on the annual “Ag Day” held in October at the Porter Ranch. This year, over 170 Vernon Parish students and kids from Oak Hill in Rapides Parish learned that agriculture is the largest industry in the world and full of career opportunities. Seminars were held by the LSU Ag Center, McNeese State University, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Farm Bureau Safety, and local veterinarian Dr. Jesse Brandon. The field tour this year included a working dog demonstration and lunch with 100% beef burgers. Churchman thanked the Board for their continued support and the many local sponsors who helped make it a success.
Transportation Committee Chair, Diedre Shell, briefed the Board meeting following a meeting with transportation supervisor Raymond Haymon. The parish bus fleet will be serviced over the Christmas break, according to Shell. The committee is looking into a new maintenance facility for the parish.
Personnel Director, Joey Bartz, updated Board members on the Simbli Board Management software training. The initial phase has been completed, and training for directors and supervisors will be next.
Superintendent James Williams noted an item had been left off the agenda from the last meeting. The Board will advertise for an Assistant Principal position at Rosepine High and a Principal position at Pitkin.
The Creating Tomorrow’s Experts newsletter for November/December noted a recent distinction earned by the Vernon Parish school system. Vernon Parish received an “A” on the ACT/Work Keys High School Index. This index is 25% of each high school’s accountability letter grade. The score indicates Vernon Parish juniors and seniors are prepared for post-secondary universities and technical colleges. Vernon Parish is the only “A” system in the state on the ACT/Work Keys Index.
The next meeting of the Vernon Parish School Board will be Thursday, December 5, at 10 a.m. Board officers for the 2025 school year will be named.