2010-10-07

THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. PRESIDENT PERKINS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:

On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the September 7, 2010 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Mr. Elsee Ashworth was recognized by Taylor and Sons as Employee of the Month. Mr. Ashworth is the Assistant Principal at South Polk Elementary School. Mr. Ashworth was presented a plaque and gift card and was congratulated by the Board for his dedication and hard work.

Mrs. Raetta Harvey recognized the Vernon Parish Forestry Festival Queens. They were all congratulated by the Board for their achievement

On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve a Change Order for Evans High School in the amount of $10,723.56 for roofing repairs, electrical additions, and flooring changes.

After discussion from Mr. Alan Offner, the following resolution was offered by Ricky Reese and seconded by Randi Gleason:

A resolution providing for a reduction of the interest rates on the callable maturities of the General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2001, of Hornbeck School District No. 145 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Article VI, Section 33 of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974, Sub-Part A, Part III, Chapter 4, Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority, and a special election held on January 20, 2001, the result of which was duly promulgated in accordance with law, Hornbeck School District No. 145 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, has heretofore issued $600,000 of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2001 (the "Series 2001 Bonds"); and

WHEREAS, Sabine State Bank & Trust Company, the registered owner of the Series 2001 Bonds (the "Owner"), has offered to reduce the interest rates on the callable maturities of said issue (the March 1, 2012 to March 1, 2021 maturities) as set forth in its Commitment Letter attached as Exhibit A hereto; and

WHEREAS, this Parish School Board wishes to accept and agree to the interest rate reduction and provide for other matters in connection therewith;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Parish School Board of the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of Hornbeck School District No. 145 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana:

SECTION 1. The reduction in the interest rates on the callable maturities (2012-2021) of the General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2001, of Hornbeck School District No. 145 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana (the "Bonds"), in accordance with the terms and conditions of the commitment letter of the Owner annexed as Exhibit "A" hereto is hereby accepted and approved, said interest rate reduction to be effective December 1, 2010 and to be as follows:

SECTION 3. Qualified Tax-Exempt Obligations. The Bonds are hereby designated "qualified tax-exempt obligations" pursuant to Section 265 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, such designation to be effective immediately upon the reduction of the interest rates on the Bonds.

SECTION 4. Effect on Resolution Except as herein expressly provided in this resolution with respect to the reduction of the interest rates and redemption provisions, all other provisions of the resolution adopted by this Governing Authority on April 10, 2001, authorizing the issuance of the Bonds shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. Bond Counsel. In order to consummate the interest rate reduction set forth in this Resolution and in Exhibit "A" hereto, it is hereby recognized, found and determined that a real necessity exists for the employment of Bond Counsel to the Issuer to render the opinions referred to in said Exhibit "A." Accordingly, Foley & Judell, L.L.P. ("Bond Counsel"), is hereby retained by the Issuer to render the opinions referred to in Exhibit "A." The fee of said Bond Counsel shall be contingent upon the completion of the interest rate reduction and shall not exceed 35% of the Attorney General's Bond Counsel Fee Schedule and other guidelines for comprehensive, legal and coordinate professional work in the issuance of revenue bonds applied to the remaining principal amount of the Bonds, together with reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.

SECTION 6. Authorization of Officers. The President and the Secretary of the Governing Authority are hereby further authorized and directed on behalf of the Issuer, to do all things necessary, on the advice of said Bond Counsel to the Issuer, to effectuate and implement this resolution, including, but not limited to, executing a non-arbitrage certification and executing and filing an IRS Form 8038G.

This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:

Member

Yea

Nay

Absent

Abstaining

Randi Gleason

Mel Harris

Robert Pynes, Jr.

Mark H. Smith

Steve Woods

Ricky Reese

Beryl Ford

Randy Martin

Michael Perkins

Vernon Travis

Gaye McKee

Kay Wilbanks

The following resolution was offered by Kay Wilbanks and seconded by Mel Harris:

A resolution giving preliminary approval to the issuance of not exceeding Four Hundred Nine Thousand Dollars ($409,000) of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds of Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana; making application to the State Bond Commission for approval of said Bonds; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Article VI, Section 33 of the Constitution of the Louisiana of 1974, Sub-Part A, Part III, Chapter 4, of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority, and an election held on May 5, 2001, Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "Issuer") has heretofore issued $450,000 of General Obligation School Bond, Series 2002 (the "Refunded Bond"); and

WHEREAS, in order to provide debt service savings to the taxpayers of the Issuer, this Parish School Board desires to prepay the Refunded Bond pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 14-A of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority (the "Act"), through the issuance of refunding bonds of the Issuer; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Act, and subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission, the Issuer desires to accomplish the refunding by authorizing the issuance of not exceeding Four Hundred Nine Thousand Dollars ($409,000) of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds of the Issuer (the "Bonds"), to be payable from unlimited ad valorem taxes; and

WHEREAS, the Issuer desires to make application to the State Bond Commission for approval of the issuance of the Bonds:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Parish School Board of the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana (the AGoverning Authority@), acting as the governing authority of Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the AIssuer@), that:

SECTION 1. Preliminary Approval of the Bonds. Preliminary approval is given to the issuance of not exceeding Four Hundred Nine Thousand Dollars ($409,000) of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds (the "Refunding Bonds") of the Issuer for the purpose of refunding the Issuer's outstanding General Obligation School Bond, Series 2002, and paying the costs of issuance of the Refunding Bonds, the Refunding Bonds to be payable from and secured by unlimited ad valorem taxes now being levied and collected annually in excess of all other taxes on all the property subject to taxation within the territorial limits of the Issuer. The Refunding Bonds shall bear interest at a rate or rates not to exceed four percent (4%) per annum, to be determined by subsequent resolution of this Governing Authority at the time of the sale of the Refunding Bonds, and shall mature in annual principal installments falling due no later than March 1, 2030. The Refunding Bonds shall be issued in fully registered form, shall be sold to the purchasers thereof at a price of not less than par, plus accrued interest, if any, and shall have such additional terms and provisions as may be determined by this Governing Authority.

SECTION 2. Employment. This Governing Authority finds and determines that a real necessity exists for the employment of special bond counsel in connection with the issuance of the Refunding Bonds, and accordingly, Foley & Judell, L.L.P., is hereby employed to do and perform comprehensive legal and coordinate professional work as bond counsel with respect to the issuance and sale of the Refunding Bonds. Said Bond Counsel shall prepare and submit to this Governing Authority for adoption all of the proceedings incidental to the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of such Refunding Bonds, shall counsel and advise this Governing Authority as to the issuance and sale thereof and shall furnish its opinion covering the legality of the issuance of the Refunding Bonds. The fee of special bond counsel in connection with the issuance of the Refunding Bonds is hereby fixed at a sum not to exceed that allowed by the Attorney General's fee guidelines for comprehensive legal and coordinate professional services in the issuance of general obligation bonds, based on the amount of the Refunding Bonds actually issued, sold, delivered and paid for, plus "out-of-pocket" expenses, said fees to be contingent upon the issuance, sale and delivery of the Refunding Bonds. A certified copy of this resolution shall be submitted to the Attorney General of the State of Louisiana for his written approval of said employment and of the fees herein designated, and the Secretary is hereby empowered and directed to issue vouchers in payment for the work herein provided for upon completion of the work herein specified and under the conditions herein enumerated.

SECTION 3. State Bond Commission. Application is hereby made to the State Bond Commission, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for approval of the issuance and sale of the Refunding Bonds and for consent and authority to proceed with the issuance and sale of the Refunding Bonds as provided above, and Bond Counsel is directed to make application to the State Bond Commission in accordance with the foregoing on behalf of the Governing Authority.

By virtue of applicant/issuer's application for, acceptance and utilization of the benefits of the Louisiana State Bond Commission's approval(s) resolved and set forth herein, it resolves that it understands and agrees that such approval(s) are expressly conditioned upon, and it further resolves that it understands, agrees and binds itself, its successors and assigns to, full and continuing compliance with the "State Bond Commission Policy on Approval of Proposed Use of Swaps, or other forms of Derivative Products Hedges, Etc.", adopted by the Commission on July 20, 2006, as to the borrowing(s) and other matter(s) subject to the approval(s), including subsequent application and approval under said Policy of the implementation or use of any swap(s) or other product(s) or enhancement(s) covered thereby.

The foregoing resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:

Member

Yea

Nay

Absent

Abstaining

Randi Gleason

Mel Harris

Robert Pynes, Jr.

Mark H. Smith

Steve Woods

Ricky Reese

Beryl Ford

Randy Martin

Michael Perkins

Vernon Travis

Gaye McKee

Kay Wilbanks

And the resolution was declared adopted, on this, the 7^th day of October, 2010.

Mark Smith reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for October and would make its recommendation to the Board on Tuesday, October 12, 2010. Mr. Smith reported that Curtis Clay, Headstart Director, had requested to elevate North Polk and East Leesville’s Headstart Center Directors to full time. This is due to increased duties and they will now work the same hours as regular teachers. On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by Robert Pynes, the Board voted to approve their salary and full time position. Randi Gleason voted NAY to this request.

In other business, Superintendent Self discussed the Education Job Fund Program, and student enrollment. Mr. Self also stated that the request for construction on South Polk Elementary will likely be on the Bond Commission Agenda for October. Superintendent Self also informed the Board members that Mr. Guice, attorney from Hammond & Sills, will in-service Board members on November 4, 2010 and invited all to attend. This will meet the Board members requirement for four hours of training. Mr. Vernon Travis discussed the Oratorical Contest sponsored by the American Legion and asked for help with getting this information to students. Mr. Mel Harris welcomed Reverend Maurice Johnson and thanked him for his dedication with ”r;Operation We Care”. Reverend Hank Hamilton will be the new president of the Leesville Ministerial Association.

On motion of Beryl Ford, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board takes this means to express their condolences to the family of Lisa Renae Kennedy who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Kennedy was a retired teacher having taught at Evans High School for twenty years; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Kennedy was a longtime resident of Evans and she will be greatly missed by her family and many friends; now

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to her family at this time of sadness.

On motion of Mark Smith, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Kelly Mahon Connolly; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Connolly was a part of our Fort Polk family and she will be sadly missed by her many friends and family; now

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to her family at this time of sadness.

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board take this means to express their condolences to the family of Otis Williams who passed away on January 19, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was the husband of Patricia J. Williams, retired teacher and the father of Crystal Williams, secretary at Headstart; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was a resident of Leesville and he has been greatly missed by his family and friends; now

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to his family at this time of sadness.

On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Sandra Hopewell who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Hopewell was the mother of Angela Schraven, Assistant Principal at Anacoco Elementary and Ginger Hopewell, teacher at Anacoco Elementary; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Hopewell was a resident of Slagle and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends; now

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this resolution be sent to her family at this time of sadness.

On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express their sympathy to the family of Melvin Berry who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Berry was a longtime resident of Leesville and he will be greatly missed by his family and many friends; now

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to his family at this time of sadness.

There being no further business, and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.