The Vernon Parish School Board met Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the central office on Belview Road.
Board members accepted employee retirements and approved budget amendments related to personnel changes. The board adopted millage rates for 2025. Board Finance Director, James Ward, reported maintenance millages are the same but other millages will be lower due to the Board paying off some building notes.
Ward opened bids on cafeteria and janitorial supplies, noting there were eight bidders and bids were lower overall than last year’s. The lowest bids were accepted in a variety of categories. There was only one bidder for the bread/roll contract, Flowers Baking Company of Baton Rouge. Ward noted there are very few commercial bakeries left in Louisiana, but he did reach out to some in Texas, but to no avail. Oak Farms of Houston, Texas declined to bid on the milk/juice contract. Mid-South Marketing was the winning bidder. Prices were up in some categories but stayed the same in others overall.
The Board voted to advertise for Assistant Principal positions at Leesville High, Pitkin High, and Simpson High.
Board President, Vernon Travis, reported for the Finance Committee there was a reduction in Head Start funding for the year. Travis said that was a little misleading because the Board had the money allocated already. The LA-Four program had an increase of $270,000 in funding. General Fund revenue was up, due to increases in sales tax collections. State Funding was less because of a decline in students. The final 2024-2025 budget was amended and approved.
Student Recognition Day continued from last week, as Anacoco, Leesville, Pitkin, Simpson, and Rosepine students were recognized. They competed in academic and athletic disciplines and finished from sixth to first statewide in their respective fields. The board recognized their achievements with certificates. They were given to the Leesville football team, the State Champion Simpson Lady Broncos basketball team, and the Rosepine boys basketball squad. The top finishers included contestants from the State Literary Rally, Academic All-State, power lifting, wrestling, band, BETA, FFA and 4-H. Karen Robertson with the curriculum department reminded board members she would have another group of students next month. State competitions are ongoing late in the school year.
Scott Walker with Pelican Benefits presented the Employee of the Month award to Ms. Valena Haymon. Haymon is a bus driver and then some. She substitutes, volunteers for everything, and is a board member for the Head Start program in the parish.
Personnel Director Joey Bartz, on behalf of the Board, recognized Mandy Johnson and Shelby Ford, directors of the Vernon Parish school nurses. The board thanked the entire staff of school nurses for their work in the system daily.
Anne Smith gave a Curriculum Committee update and discussed grant funding. There are funds forthcoming for additional teacher training. Superintendent James Williams will execute those grants on behalf of the system.
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and many school board community partners are showing extra love and support to teachers and staff. The Vernon Parish School Board next meets Thursday, June 5, at 10 a.m.