DECEMBER 8, 2015

THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 5:00 P.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA.  PRESIDENT BRANDON CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:

DOUG BRANDON, PRESIDENT

DAVID DETZ, VICE-PRESIDENT

MICHAEL PERKINS

VERNON L. TRAVIS JR.

JIM SEAMAN

ROBERT PYNES JR.

ANGIE DAVIS

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

RANDY MARTIN

MICHAEL PERKINS

GERALD COOLEY

ABSENT:          STEVE WOODS, COL. DAVID ATHEY

There was also present Mr. James Williams, Secretary of the Board.

The meeting was opened in prayer by Michael Perkins.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Michael Perkins.

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the December 3, 2015 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Superintendent Williams on behalf of the Board recognized Dr. Brandon for his service as President of the Vernon Parish School Board for the year 2015.  Superintendent Williams thanked him for his dedication and his sincere concern for the students of Vernon Parish.

The following resolution was offered by John Blankenbaker and seconded by Gerald Cooley:

RESOLUTION

A resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special elections held in (i) Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and (ii) Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, on Saturday, November 21, 2015, to authorize the levy of special taxes therein.

                  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 (i) Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and (ii) Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, that:

                  SECTION 1.  Canvass.  This Governing Authority does now proceed in open and public session to examine the official tabulations of votes cast at the special elections held in (i) Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and (ii) Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015, to authorize the levy of special taxes therein, and said Governing Authority does further proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the results of the special elections.

                  SECTION 2.  Procès Verbal.  A Procès Verbal of the canvass of the returns of said elections shall be made and a certified copy thereof shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who shall record the same in his office; another certified copy thereof shall be forwarded to the Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio Recorder of Mortgages in and for the Parish of Vernon, who shall record the same in the Mortgage Records of said Parish; and another copy thereof shall be retained in the archives of this Governing Authority.

                  SECTION 3.  Promulgation of Election Results.  The re­sults of said elections shall be promulgated by publication in the manner provided by law.

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

MEMBERS                          YEAS             NAYS               ABSENT       ABSTAINING

Randi Gleason                         X                                                                               

Jim Seaman                             X                                                                               

Robert Pynes, Jr.                     X                                                                               

Angie Davis                              X                                                                               

Steve Woods                                                                           X                               

Doug Brandon                          X                                                                               

David Detz                               X                                                                               

Randy Martin                           X                                                                               

Michael Perkins                        X                                                                               

Vernon L. Travis, Jr.                 X                                                                               

John Blankenbaker                   X                                                                               

Gerald Cooley                          X                                                                               

                  And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 8^th day of December, 2015.

                              /s/ James Williams                                                                            /s/ Doug Brandon                                             

                             Secretary                                                             President

PROCÈS VERBAL AND PROCLAMATION OF THE CANVASS OF THE VOTES CAST AT THE SPECIAL ELECTIONS HELD IN (I) WARD THREE WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 160 OF VERNON PARISH, LOUISIANA AND (II) WARD SEVEN WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF VERNON PARISH, LOUISIANA, ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015.

            BE IT KNOWN AND REMEMBERED that on Tuesday, December 8, 2015, at five o'clock (5:00) p.m., at its regular meeting place, the Parish School Board Office, 201 Belview Road, Leesville, Louisiana, the Parish School Board of the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of (i) Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and (ii) Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana (the "Districts"), and being the authority ordering the special elections held therein on Saturday, November 21, 2015, with the following members present:

            Randi Gleason, Jim Seaman, Robert Pynes, Jr., Angie Davis,  Doug Brandon, David Detz, Randy Martin, Michael Perkins, Vernon L. Travis, Jr., John Blankenbaker, Gerald Cooley;

            There being absent:  Steve Woods;

did, in open and public session, examine the official certified tabulations of votes cast at the said elections, and did examine and canvass the returns of the said elections, there having been submitted at said elections the following propositions, to wit:

WARD THREE WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT

NO. 160 OF OF VERNON PARISH, LOUISIANA

PROPOSITION (TAX CONTINUATION)

Shall Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana (the "District"), be authorized to continue to levy a special tax of eighteen and seventy-seven hundredths (18.77) mills on all of the property subject to taxation in said District (an estimated $241,644 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2017 and ending with the year 2026, for the purpose of giving additional support to the public elementary and secondary schools in the District, including paying the cost of operating and maintaining public school houses and buildings in the District, said millage to represent a five and sixty-three hundredths mills (5.63) increase over the 13.14 mills tax authorized to be levied through the year 2016 pursuant to an election held on April 29, 2006?

WARD SEVEN WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT

OF VERNON PARISH, LOUISIANA

 PROPOSITION (TAX CONTINUATION)

Shall Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana (the "District"), levy a seventeen and forty-two hundredths (17.42) mills tax on all of the property subject to taxation in said District (an estimated $315,735 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2017 and ending with the year 2026, for the purpose of giving additional support to the public elementary and secondary schools in the District, including paying the cost of operating and maintaining public school houses and buildings in the District, said millage to represent a four and forty-two hundredths mills (4.42) increase over the 13 mills tax authorized to be levied through the year 2016 pursuant to an election held on April 29, 2006??

            There was found by said count and canvass that the following votes had been cast at the said special elections IN FAVOR OF and AGAINST, respectively, the proposi­tions as hereinabove set forth at the following polling places, to-wit:

            The polling places above specified being the only polling places designated at which to hold the said elections, it was therefore shown that:

(i) there was a total of 406 votes cast IN FAVOR OF Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 Proposition and a total of 239 votes cast AGAINST Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 Proposi­tion, as hereinabove set forth, and that there was a majority of 167 votes cast IN FAVOR OF Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 Proposition as hereinabove set forth; and

(ii) there was a total of 626 votes cast IN FAVOR OF Ward Seven Wardwide School District Proposition and a total of 467 votes cast AGAINST Ward Seven Wardwide School District Proposi­tion, as hereinabove set forth, and that there was a majority of 159 votes cast IN FAVOR OF Ward Seven Wardwide School District Proposition as hereinabove set forth.

            Therefore, the Governing Authority did declare and proclaim and does hereby declare and proclaim in open and public session that Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 Proposition and Ward Seven Wardwide School District Proposition as herein­above set forth were duly CARRIED by a majority of the votes cast by the qualified electors voting at the said special elections held in the Districts on Saturday, November 21, 2015.

            Exhibit "A" attached hereto and made a part of this Procès Verbal is a copy of the Notice of Special Elections and proof of publication thereof.

            THUS DONE AND SIGNED at Leesville, Louisiana, on this, the 8^th day of December, 2015.

ATTEST:                                                                                                     /s/ Doug Brandon            

                                                                                                        President

                      /s/ James Williams                     

                             Secretary

                                                                                                  EXHIBIT "A"

NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTIONS

                  Pursuant to the provisions of a resolution adopted by the Parish School Board of the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of (i) Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and (ii) Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana (the "Districts"), on August 11, 2015, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that special elections will be held within the Districts on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015, and that at the said elections there will be submitted to all registered voters in the respective Districts qualified and entitled to vote at the said elections under the Constitution and Laws of the State of Louisiana and the Constitution of the United States, the following propositions, to-wit:

WARD THREE WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT

NO. 160 OF OF VERNON PARISH, LOUISIANA

PROPOSITION (TAX CONTINUATION)

Shall Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana (the "District"), be authorized to continue to levy a special tax of eighteen and seventy-seven hundredths (18.77) mills on all of the property subject to taxation in said District (an estimated $241,644 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2017 and ending with the year 2026, for the purpose of giving additional support to the public elementary and secondary schools in the District, including paying the cost of operating and maintaining public school houses and buildings in the District, said millage to represent a five and sixty-three hundredths mills (5.63) increase over the 13.14 mills tax authorized to be levied through the year 2016 pursuant to an election held on April 29, 2006?

WARD SEVEN WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT

OF VERNON PARISH, LOUISIANA

 PROPOSITION (TAX CONTINUATION)

Shall Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana (the "District"), levy a seventeen and forty-two hundredths (17.42) mills tax on all of the property subject to taxation in said District (an estimated $315,735 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2017 and ending with the year 2026, for the purpose of giving additional support to the public elementary and secondary schools in the District, including paying the cost of operating and maintaining public school houses and buildings in the District, said millage to represent a four and forty-two hundredths mills (4.42) increase over the 13 mills tax authorized to be levied through the year 2016 pursuant to an election held on April 29, 2006??

                  The said special elections will be held at the following polling places situated within the Districts, which polls will open at seven o'clock (7:00) a.m., and close at eight o'clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541, to-wit:

                  The polling places set forth above are hereby designated as the polling places at which to hold the said elections, and the Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners, respectively, shall be those persons designated according to law.

                  Notice is further given that a portion of the monies collected from the taxes described in the Propositions shall be remitted to certain state and statewide retirement systems in the manner required by law.

                  The said special elections will be held in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 5 and Chapter 6-A of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority, and the officers appointed to hold the said elections, as provided in this Notice of Special Elections, or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and designated in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1287, will make due returns thereof to said Governing Authority, and NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Governing Authority will meet at its regular meeting place, the Parish School Board Office, 201 Belview Road, Leesville, Louisiana, on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015, at FIVE O'CLOCK (5:00) P.M., and shall then and there in open and public session proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the results of the said special elections.  All registered voters of the Districts are entitled to vote at said special elections and voting machines will be used.

                  THUS DONE AND SIGNED at Leesville, Louisiana, on this, the 11^th day of August, 2015.

ATTEST:                                                                                                     /s/ Doug Brandon            

                                                                                                        President

                      /s/ James Williams                     

                             Secretary

PROCLAMATION

                  I, the undersigned President of the Parish School Board of the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana, the governing authority of (i) Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and (ii) Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana (the "Districts"), do hereby declare, proclaim and announce that Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 Proposition and Ward Seven Wardwide School District Proposition submitted at the special elections held in the Districts on Saturday, November 21, 2015 were CARRIED by a majority of the votes cast at the said special elections, all as described and set out in the above Procès Verbal.

                  THUS DONE AND SIGNED at Leesville, Louisiana, on this, the 8^th day of December, 2015.

                                                                                                                  /s/ Doug Brandon            

                                                                                                        President

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to accept the following retirement:

Burns, Randal, custodian/WLE

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the following revised budget for 2015-2016:

VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

December 03, 2015

FISCAL YEAR 2015-2016

BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS

   FUND                                           CURRENT          INCREASE               REVISED

NUMBER                                          BUDGET         ( DECREASE)            BUDGET

165 8-G Early Childhood                 $128,026                10,173                 $138,199

The FY 2016 grant award allocation for Early Childhood was received in the amount of $138,199. The original budget was an estimate and is being increased by $10,173.

166 Healthy Behaviors Grant         $9,229                      3,096                  $12,325

The FY 2016 grant award allocation for Healthy Behaviors Grant was received in the amount of $12,325. The original budget was an estimate and is being increased by $3,096.

281 LA4 TANF                                   $893,100               724,971              $1,618,071

The FY 2016 grant award allocation for LA4 Tanf was received in the amount of $1,618,071.  This was an increase of $724,971 which was a result of a shift from LA4 State funding.

291 DOD Educational Activity Gr      $0                     290,457                 $290,457

The FY 2016 grant award allocation for DOD Educational Activity Grant was received in the amount of $290,457 for year 1. This is a new award and was not budgeted.

568 LA4 State                                  $893,100              (724,971)               $168,129

The grant award for the 2016 LA 4 State grant was revised and $724,971 was shifted to TANF funding.

FUND                                    CURRENT                INCREASE               REVISED

NUMBER                                  BUDGET           ( DECREASE)              BUDGET

104 SALES TAX FUND

        REVENUE                         $21,965,635                            0             $21,965,635

        EXPENDITURES                 21,770,637                   (28,022)               21,742,615

        EXCESS(DEFICIENCY)

        OF REVENUE                         194,998                     28,022                    223,020

        FUND BAL: BEGINNING        2,012,368                              0                2,012,368

        FUND BAL:  ENDING             2,207,336                     28,022                2,235,388

An adjustment was made to the Sales Tax Fund to decrease expenditures by $28,022. This was an adjustment for current trends.

FUND                                    CURRENT                INCREASE               REVISED

NUMBER                                  BUDGET           ( DECREASE)              BUDGET

510 LUNCH FUND

        REVENUE                          $5,953,113                         0                $5,953,113

        EXPENDITURES                 5,935,348                 14,995                 5,950,343

        EXCESS(DEFICIENCY)

        OF REVENUE                           17,765                (14,995)                       2,770

        FUND BAL: BEGINNING             491                            0                         491

        FUND BAL: ENDING         $    18,255               (14,995)                     $3,260 

An adjustment was made to the Lunch Fund to increase expenditures by $14,995 to reflect increases in current year expenses.

   FUND                                    CURRENT                INCREASE              REVISED

NUMBER                                  BUDGET               ( DECREASE)            BUDGET

514 EVANS PROCESSING PLANT

        REVENUE                              $48,321                     (12,000)                $36.321

        EXPENDITURES                       44,389                      (13,644)                  30,745

        EXCESS(DEFICIENCY)

        OF REVENUE                            3,932                         1,644                    5,576

        FUND BAL: BEGINNING             1,835                                0                   1,835

        FUND BAL: ENDING                 $5,767                           1,644                 $7,511

An adjustment was made to the Evans Processing Plant Fund to decrease revenues by $12,000 and decrease expenditures by $13,644 due to decreased spending.

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve a request for permission to post an RFP (Request for Proposal) for E-Rate Funding Year

2016-2017 for POTS and LDPOTS.

On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Randi Martin, the Board voted to approve the following Headstart Policies/Procedures:

Grievance Procedures

Health Plan Policy

Reduction in Force

Dual Language Policy and Procedures

Monthly Enrollment Reporting Procedures

Video Surveillance Policy

Classroom Volunteer Minimum Age

Policy for Obtaining Volunteer and Substitute in Classroom

Career Opportunity Statement

Policy of Employee Discipline

Policy of Tuition Payments

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to approve the naming of Parkway Elementary School.

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve a request to rescind the following retirement:

Pinegar, Richarde, teacher/SPE

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to enter into an agreement with Business Health Partners.

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to advertise for an assistant principal at South Polk Elementary School.

Randi Gleason reported that the Curriculum Committee had met and Renita Page gave an update on testing information – projected scores were discussed and official scores will be received from the state next week.  Anne Smith gave an update on the testing schedule  and reported on the Standards Committee.  Charlotte Cooper stated that the Special Education Department was the recipient of an Opportunity Grant in the amount of $75,000.  This grant provides funding to the school district to implement new programs or enhance current programs that will provide meaningful career opportunities for students with disabilities.

On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.

On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by David Detz, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

Superintendent Williams noted that the next Board meeting will be January 7, 2016.  

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

R E S O L U T I O N

            WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Sylvester Lucius who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Lucius was the husband of Linda Lucius, cook at West Leesville Elementary School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Lucius was a longtime resident of Leesville and he will be 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 Gerald Cooley, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

R E S O L U T I O N

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

            WHEREAS, Mr. Merchant was the husband of Bobbie Jean Merchant, retired cafeteria manager at Hicks High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Merchant was a resident of LaCamp and he will be 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 Angie Davis, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

R E S O L U T I O N

            WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their condolences to the family of Nadine Ellis who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Ellis was a retired paraprofessional at Hornbeck High School with twenty years of dedicated service; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Ellis was a longtime resident of Hornbeck 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 memorial resolution be sent to her family at this time of sadness.

On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

R E S O L U T I O N

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

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Reeks was the mother of Tom Reeks, Central Office Maintenance Department; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Reeks was a longtime resident of Hornbeck 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 memorial resolution be sent to her family at this time of sadness.

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

R E S O L U T I O N

            WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt sympathy to the family of Faith L. Bishop who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Bishop was the mother of Colonel David G. Athey and the mother-in-law of Wendy Athey, teacher at Leesville High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Bishop was a retired educator with thirty years of dedicated service and she will be sadly missed by her family and 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.

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

_____________________________

DOUG BRANDON, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT