The first school board meeting of the summer was held Thursday, June 5.
Food Service Director, Roland Jones briefed board members on the Sun Bucks program which adds a one-time $120 credit to qualified SNAP and Medicaid accounts. The Vernon system is looking into a summer feeding program for 2026. The board is in the preliminary stages of looking into the idea.
A check for $5000 was donated to Hornbeck High from Energy Transfer. Energy Transfer operates the Gulf Run Pipeline, which has transported natural gas since 2022. The 135-mile pipeline passes through the Hornbeck community. Energy Transfer has donated over $165,000 to communities the pipeline impacts. Cassidy Lamb and Kade Jantz, with Energy Transfer, made the presentation to Hornbeck principal Charlotte Hooks. Hooks said the money would be earmarked for STEM programs at Hornbeck.
Personnel Director, Joey Bartz, told board members there are no changes to the employee handbook as it is, but cautioned, the state legislature has some policy items in front of them this summer session.
Kelly Goodwin, with the Salary and Personnel Committee reminded board members that June 16 is the deadline for transfer requests. The committee has assistant principal positions open at Leesville, Simpson and Pitkin. New principals are needed at Evans and Simpson.
Anne Smith with the Curriculum Department gave an overview of grants from the Rapides Foundation and how they impacted the Vernon system’s “A” rating. She also touched on plans to use teacher leaders to give their input on curriculum decisions in 2026.
Summer operating hours for schools are 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Monday-Thursday. The Board office will be open from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday-Thursday. Regular hours will resume on August 4, 2025.
June 10 Board Meeting is Historic
The Tuesday, June 10 meeting of the school board began with usual business. Employee retirements were approved, claims paid, and budget amendments related to personnel changes were approved.
Promotional Assistant Principal positions were named at Leesville High/Logan Maddox, Simpson High/Elliot West and Pitkin High/ Phillip George. The Board will also seek a promotional principal position at Anacoco Elementary, a non-promotional principal position at Evans, and a non-promotional principal position at Simpson.
Nearly 100 students from Anacoco, Leesville, Leesville Middle School, Leesville Jr. High, Rosepine, Simpson, Evans, Hicks, Pitkin, Parkway Elementary, and Rosepine Elementary were recognized for their achievements at the state level in various competitions.
District One Board member, Robert Pynes Jr., chairman of the Redesign/Realignment Committee, offered a motion to seek assistance from a professional consulting firm. This firm would offer input on the restructuring of the Vernon system. Board Member, Rhonda Morrison questioned the need for a new assessment pointing to one done in the last 2-3 years. Superintendent James Williams remarked that assessment was a broader look at the system. A new assessment would be more in depth in addressing issues before the board. A decision will be announced in July.
Finance Director, Tim Ward, shared exciting news with the board concerning an upturn in sales tax collections of 6% in May. This level amounted to over one million in revenue for the board. Ward reported that bonus checks would be mailed out June 20. Teachers can expect $12,155, support staff/aides will receive $8,785, secretaries can expect $9,324, janitorial staff will receive $8,785, bus drivers get an additional $9,904, cooks will earn $8,785, while all school board retirees will get a check for $488. Vernon is one of two school systems in the state to offer these bonuses to educators and system staff.
Curtis Clay, Director of Birth through 5 programs in the Vernon System announced his retirement from education, after 50 years of service. Clay received a standing ovation from the Board and those in attendance. Congratulatory remarks came from Board members who had worked with Clay since his days as a teacher. Clay commented that the Vernon School System had been very good to him and his family.
The next meeting of the Vernon Parish School Board is Thursday, July 10, due to the July 4th holiday.