John Blankenbaker
Republican · LA · Vernon Parish School Board Member, District 7
John Blankenbaker has served on the Vernon Parish School Board since 2006.
Where John Blankenbaker stands, based on their records
Supports
Public Education Quality (1 record), Public Infrastructure (9 records)
Opposes
Government Spending Reduction (9 records)
Track record
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 9 oppose
Made the motion to approve stipends, which are extra payments, for all Vernon Parish School Board employees; it passed.
August 6, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Seconded the motion to buy the existing maintenance shop, as the transportation committee recommended; it passed 9-1.
May 7, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Made the motion to accept the low bid for additions and alterations at Rosepine Elementary School; it passed.
August 6, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Offered the resolution to borrow $7,000,000 through school bonds that Ward Seven voters approved on November 18, 2023. The money was for building and improving schools. He voted yes, and it passed with no votes against.
January 9, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Made the motion to call a special election asking Ward Seven voters to approve school bonds, a form of public borrowing; it passed.
September 12, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Called for a public meeting on a planned bond election for Rosepine schools and said new buildings were badly needed. The bond was for a new cafeteria and kitchen at Rosepine Elementary and a new roof at Rosepine High.
August 3, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: vernonparishjournal.com
Made the motion to buy eight new school buses. The motion passed, with board member Vernon Travis voting no.
January 18, 2018Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: gabbart-caps.s3.amazonaws.com
Made the motion to accept a $382,000 low bid from United Sports Systems to build a new track at Rosepine High School. The board approved it.
March 10, 2015Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: gabbart-caps.s3.amazonaws.com
Voted yes to adopt the school district's 2014-15 budget. The budget planned about $117.1 million in spending. No member voted no.
September 9, 2014Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: gabbart-caps.s3.amazonaws.com
Track record — Public Education Quality
Public Education Quality · 1 support
Seconded the motion for the school board to join a lawsuit against the State of Louisiana. The suit sought a 2.75% school funding increase the state did not pay in 2012-13. The motion passed with one no vote.
December 10, 2013Supports Public Education Quality
Source: gabbart-caps.s3.amazonaws.com
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 9 support
Seconded the motion to buy the existing maintenance shop, as the transportation committee recommended; it passed 9-1.
May 7, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Made the motion to approve a change order, a change to the contract, for school construction in Ward 7; it passed. Board member Vernon Travis Jr. voted no.
April 3, 2025Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Made the motion to seek bids to replace the roof at Rosepine High School; it passed.
September 10, 2024Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Made the motion to accept the low bid for additions and alterations at Rosepine Elementary School; it passed.
August 6, 2024Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Offered the resolution to borrow $7,000,000 through school bonds that Ward Seven voters approved on November 18, 2023. The money was for building and improving schools. He voted yes, and it passed with no votes against.
January 9, 2024Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Made the motion to call a special election asking Ward Seven voters to approve school bonds, a form of public borrowing; it passed.
September 12, 2023Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Called for a public meeting on a planned bond election for Rosepine schools and said new buildings were badly needed. The bond was for a new cafeteria and kitchen at Rosepine Elementary and a new roof at Rosepine High.
August 3, 2023Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: vernonparishjournal.com
Made the motion to accept the only bid, from Pat Williams Construction, to repair storm damage at Hicks High School. The board approved it.
June 3, 2021Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: gabbart-caps.s3.amazonaws.com
Made the motion to accept a $382,000 low bid from United Sports Systems to build a new track at Rosepine High School. The board approved it.
March 10, 2015Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: gabbart-caps.s3.amazonaws.com
Track record — General
General · 22 records
Seconded the motion to approve the 2026-27 pay scale (salary schedule) for school employees; it passed.
August 6, 2026
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Made the motion to let the superintendent negotiate and sign grant agreements with The Rapides Foundation; it passed.
July 14, 2026
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Seconded the motion to form a one-time committee to negotiate the new superintendent's contract; it passed. The board president and the finance and salary committee chairs made up the committee.
June 9, 2026
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Made the motion to set the school district's property tax (millage) rates for tax year 2026; it passed 9-0, with 3 members absent.
May 12, 2026
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Seconded the motion to name Mark H. Smith as an interim board member to fill the District 1/6 vacancy; it passed.
May 12, 2026
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Seconded the motion to keep the superintendent job application period open 30 more days, to May 13, 2026; it passed 7-1.
April 14, 2026
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Made the motion to change the student dress code so shorts, skirts, and dresses must reach mid-thigh when seated; it passed.
August 12, 2025
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Made the motion to approve select and non-select attendance zones for school sports; it passed unanimously.
April 8, 2025
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Made the motion to delay a decision on plans for the school bus barn for more discussion; it passed. The transportation committee had shown several price quotes and options.
February 11, 2025
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Seconded the motion to approve the 2024-25 pupil progression plan, the rules for moving students up to the next grade; it passed.
August 6, 2024
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Asked the board to wait until its next meeting to vote on a $4.915 million low bid to renovate Rosepine Elementary. He wanted time to review the bids.
August 1, 2024
Source: vernonparishjournal.com
Seconded the motion to approve an industrial tax exemption, a property tax break, for Koppers Utility and Industrial Products; it passed.
September 12, 2023
Source: louisianapublicnotice.com
Made the motion asking the superintendent to study a four-day school week. The study was to weigh the pros and cons for learning and for money.
March 2, 2023
Source: gabbart-caps.s3.amazonaws.com
Led the board's Uniform and Dress Code Committee. He reported the committee's review of student dress code changes to the full board.
June 2, 2022
Source: gabbart-caps.s3.amazonaws.com
Was elected president of the Vernon Parish School Board for 2022.
November 9, 2021
Source: gabbart-caps.s3.amazonaws.com
Moved to put a resolution on the next agenda to leave the National School Boards Association. The resolution copied one from the St. Tammany Parish School Board. The board approved adding it.
November 4, 2021
Source: gabbart-caps.s3.amazonaws.com
Was elected vice president of the Vernon Parish School Board for 2021.
November 10, 2020
Source: gabbart-caps.s3.amazonaws.com
Made the motion to extend Superintendent James Williams's contract. The board approved it unanimously.
January 12, 2016
Source: gabbart-caps.s3.amazonaws.com
Was chosen as the school board's vice president for 2015. No member objected to his nomination.
December 4, 2014
Source: gabbart-caps.s3.amazonaws.com
Was elected vice president of the Vernon Parish School Board for 2013. The board vote was unanimous.
December 6, 2012
Source: gabbart-caps.s3.amazonaws.com
Voted yes to name Renita Page as the district's elementary curriculum and technology supervisor. The board approved her 8-4.
June 12, 2012
Source: gabbart-caps.s3.amazonaws.com
Voted no on a change to the school board's policy on teaching students with disabilities. The change passed, and the minutes name him as voting no.
February 7, 2012
Source: gabbart-caps.s3.amazonaws.com
Past race John Blankenbaker ran in:
- Member of School Board District 7 · November 3, 2026 · Vernon Parish School District, Louisiana · incumbent