The Vernon Parish School Board met at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 3, 2022. All members were present.
The Board recognized Katie Hines (West Leesville Elementary), Leah Stone (Vernon Middle School), and Tammie Wilbur (Rosepine High School) as the 2022 Teachers of the Year.
The Board also recognized students from Rosepine High School, Leesville High School, Simpson High School , and Hornbeck High School for awards, including those received last year that were missed due to COVID-19.
The Salary Personnel committee added a two-year performance contract for a Principal at Pickering High School to the agenda for the meeting on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, as well as a $1500 stipend for staff who were employed during 2020.
The Head Start report shared that there are 641 students currently enrolled in the HeadStart program. They have been awarded a one-time state grant that funds $1000 per student in the K-4 program, for a total of $234,000. This will be used to meet COVID-19 impacts. HeadStart has logged 1174 volunteer hours which equals $14,751. At this point in the school year they have served 20,479 breakfasts and lunches.
The COVID update shows last weeks numbers are 117 positive tests for students, down from 169 3-weeks ago. For teachers and staff there were 29 this week down from 50 3 weeks ago. The Board is working on a contract program for parents to opt their children out of quarantines for close exposure only (those who test positive or have symptoms must still quarantine). Those contracts will hopefully be ready next week.
Hurricane recovery bids for Phase 3 for Pitkin and Hicks will go out next week and will hopefully be opened on 2 March, 2022, although it seems likely contractors might ask to extend the time for the bid to ensure they have all the necessary data.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in the School Board Building.
