Bastrop, Louisiana

July 23, 2015

The Morehouse Parish School Board held a Board Member Retreat on July 23, 2015 beginning at 5:30 P. M. at the campus of University of Louisiana at Monroe with the following members present: Karen Diel and Rick Hixon. Absent: Louis Melton, Colby Daniels, Chip Rawls, Chastity Kennedy, and Rose Thompson. Also present were Kay King, Morehouse Economic Development Director, Bob Hammett and Joe Mansur, Louisiana Delta Community College, Dr. Eric Pani and Dr. Bruce Walker from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Mr. Dean Blackett, Ms. Mary Cooper, and Dr. George Noflin, Superintendent.

Dr. Noflin, the secretary to the board, called the meeting to order and gave the invocation. Karen Diel led the pledge of allegiance.

The next item on the agenda was a presentation from Mr. Rick Hixon outlining a proposed school improvement plan.

The next item on the agenda was to discuss planning a trip to Hutto, TX to tour East Williamson County Higher Education Center. Mr. Scott Martinez, president of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership, gave a presentation regarding the East Williamson County Higher Education Center. There was discussion regarding a trip to Hutton to visit the Education Center. Mr. Dean Blackett stated that he would pay travel expenses for three individuals from Morehouse Parish School Board to visit the facility.

Dr. Bruce Walker from the University of Louisiana at Monroe led in a discussion regarding the implementation of a strategic plan for designing an Education Park in Morehouse Parish. There was discussion regarding the game players to be included in the process which included representatives from the City of Bastrop, Morehouse Economic Development, Chamber of Commerce and the Morehouse Parish School System.

There was discussion about the possible funding sources which included grants and loans that are available at both through the state and federal government.

There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:00 p.m.

Karen Diel, President

George Noflin, Jr., Secretary