The Vernon Parsh School Board met Thursday, February 6, at 10 a.m., in the Board’s Central Office on Belview Road in Leesville.
One of the first orders of business was the introduction of Lt. Col. (USAF-Ret) Ron Kariker of the Louisiana Civil Air Patrol. Col. Kariker spoke to Board members about the supplies, lessons and plans available, at no cost, to science teachers in STEM technology. He noted that 25 teachers from the Vernon Parish system have already used the services. Commander Bill Pardue is the LA CAP liaison to the Vernon Parish School Board. The LA CAP has planes to fly students interested in aviation, with flights scheduled beginning in March from the Leesville Municipal Airport.
Karen Robertson with the Curriculum Department announced and introduced the Vernon Parish Teachers of the Year and Principals of the Year. The candidates for statewide honors move into the regional round of the state competition. Semi-finalists will be announced March 18. Selected as the New Teacher of the Year was Hannah Herrington of West Leesville Elementary. The Elementary Teacher of the Year, Kylie Weekley of West Leesville Elementary, was a former New T.O.Y. The Middle School Teacher of the Year was Claire Lee of Leesville Middle School. The High School Teacher of the Year was nineteen-year veteran, Roland Smith, of Pickering. Smith is the Band Director of the Big Red Marching Band.
Principals of the Year included Carolyn Bosley of Rosepine Elementary, Donita Poteat of Vernon Middle School, and Lisa Haymon of Leesville High School.
The Vernon Parish Head Start Program presented five new policies for the Board to consider adding to the agenda at the next meeting.
Ft. Johnson Garrison Commander, Colonel C.J. Lopez, told the Board, the Army expects around 180 families to return to post when deployed soldiers start transitioning back from Europe. Lopez also reported that the Department of Defense notified command at Ft. Johnson that funding for the Stargate Academy will be cut short. Lopez has hopes of securing funds for that program by May. Classes will continue for the near future.
The Salary and Personnel Committee reported to the Board a critical shortage of school psychologists. They are currently seeking to hire as soon as possible. The Committee also reported on the forming of a Realignment Assessment Committee that will report to the full Board in May on possible school realignment in the Vernon Parish system.
The next meeting of the Vernon Parish School Board will be Tuesday, February 11, at 10 a.m.