2016-05-05

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

On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by Randi Gleason, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the April 12, 2016 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Students from the following schools were recognized and congratulated by the Board for their achievement(s) at State Competition:

On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to change the November 8, 2016 Board meeting date to November 10, 2016 due to Election Day.

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to receive bids for janitorial and cafeteria supplies. On recommendation of Mr. Tim Ward, Finance Director, and on motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Gerald Cooley, the Board voted to accept the low bid for cafeteria and janitorial supplies if it meets specifications.

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to receive bids for copier paper. On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to accept the low bid of $22.37 per case from CPG (Contract Paper Group) if it meets specifications.

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to advertise for bids for bread, milk and juice.

On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board voted to approve the Food Service Quotation Calendar for 2016-2017.

The following resolution was offered by Randy Martin and seconded by Gerald Cooley:

A resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the special elections held on Saturday, April 9, 2016, in (i) Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein, and (ii) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (iii) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, 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) Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (ii) Ward SixWardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (iii) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, 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 on SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2016, in (i) Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein, and (ii) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (iii) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, to authorize the levy of special taxes therein, and said Governing Authority does further proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the result 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 Result. The result 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:

PROCÈS VERBAL AND PROCLAMATION OF THE CANVASS OF THE VOTES CAST AT THE SPECIAL ELECTIONS HELD IN (I) PICKERING SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 142 OF THE PARISH OF VERNON, LOUISIANA, (II) WARD SIXWARDWIDE CHOOL DISTRICT NO. 161 OF THE PARISH OF VERNON, LOUISIANA AND (III) WARD EIGHT WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 151 OF THE PARISH OF VERNON, LOUISIANA, ON SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2016.

BE IT KNOWN AND REMEMBERED that on Thursday, May 5, 2016, at ten o'clock (10:00) a.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) Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (ii) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (iii) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "Districts"), and being the authority ordering the special elections held therein on Saturday, April 9, 2016, with the following members present:

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 proposition, to wit:

Shall Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "District"), incur debt and issue bonds to the amount of not exceeding $2,500,000, to run not exceeding 15 years from date thereof, with interest at a rate or rates not exceeding 7% per annum, for the purpose of acquiring and/or improving lands for building sites and playgrounds, including construction of necessary sidewalks and streets adjacent thereto; purchasing, erecting and/or improving school buildings and other school related facilities within and for the District and acquiring the necessary equipment and furnishings therefor, title to which shall be in the public, which bonds will be general obligations of the District and will be payable from ad valorem taxes to be levied and collected in the manner provided by Article VI, Section 33 of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974 and statutory authority supplemental thereto, with an estimated increase of 11.27 mills to be levied in the first year of issue above the 13.73 mills currently being levied to pay General Obligation Bonds of the District?

Shall Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "District"), be authorized to levy a special tax of ten (10) mills on all of the property subject to taxation in said District (an estimated $34,500 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 2016 and ending with the year 2025, 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?

Shall Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "District"), be authorized to levy a special tax of ten (10) mills on all of the property subject to taxation in said District (an estimated $34,000 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 2016 and ending with the year 2025, 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?

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 proposition as hereinabove set forth at the following polling places, to-wit:

PICKERING SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 142 POLLING PLACES			VOTE TABULATION
Ward	Precinct	Location	FOR	AGAINST
1	7B	(IN PART) Castor - Police Jury Maintenance Bldg., 602 Alexandria Hwy., Leesville	0	0
1	8	(IN PART) New Llano City Hall, 211 Stanton Street, New Llano	0	2
1	8A	(IN PART) New Llano City Hall, 211 Stanton Street, New Llano	0	0
1	8C	(IN PART) New Llano City Hall, 211 Stanton Street, New Llano	0	0
4	1	Savage Forks Fire Station #6, 4078 Savage Forks Road, Savage Forks Community	29	39
4	2	(IN PART) Savage Forks Fire Station #6, 4078 Savage Forks Road, Savage Forks Community	10	6
4	3	Pickering High School Gym, 180 LeBleu Road, Pickering Community	11	6
4	3A	(IN PART) Pickering High School Gym, 180 LeBleu Road, Pickering Community	22	25
4	3C	Pickering High School Gym, 180 LeBleu Road, Pickering Community	2	3
4	3E	Pickering High School Gym, 180 LeBleu Road, Pickering Community	0	0
4	3F	Pickering High School Gym, 180 LeBleu Road, Pickering Community	0	0
4	3G	Pickering High School Gym, 180 LeBleu Road, Pickering Community	13	10
4	3J	Pickering High School Gym, 180 LeBleu Road, Pickering Community	5	7
4	3K	(IN PART) Pickering High School Gym, 180 LeBleu Road, Pickering Community	0	3
4	3L	Pickering High School Gym, 180 LeBleu Road, Pickering Community	0	0
4	3M	Pickering High School Gym, 180 LeBleu Road, Pickering Community	0	0
4	3N	Pickering High School Gym, 180 LeBleu Road, Pickering Community	0	0
7	2A	(IN PART) Elementary School Gym, 1208 Texas Avenue, Rosepine	0	0
7	4	(IN PART) Marlow Fire Station, 118 Marlow Road, Marlow Community	12	6
7	4A	(IN PART) Marlow Fire Station, 118 Marlow Road, Marlow Community	14	6
7	5A	(IN PART) Elementary School Gym, 1208 Texas Avenue, Rosepine	0	0
7	5C	(IN PART) Elementary School Gym, 1208 Texas Avenue, Rosepine	0	0
ABSENTEE			21	8
TOTALS			139	121
MAJORITY FOR			18

WARD SIX WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 161 POLLING PLACES			VOTE TABULATION
Ward	Precinct	Location	FOR	AGAINST
6	1	Alco-Hutton Fire Station #13, 111 Brady Road, Hutton Community	11	3
6	2	Simpson School Gym, 4262 Hwy. 8, Simpson	7	11
6	3	Simpson School Gym, 4262 Hwy. 8, Simpson	12	7
6	4	Simpson Town Hall, 4464 Hwy. 8, Simpson	52	15
ABSENTEE			11	7
TOTALS			93	43
MAJORITY FOR			50

WARD EIGHT WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 151 POLLING PLACES			VOTE TABULATION
Ward	Precinct	Location	FOR	AGAINST
1	7	(IN PART) Castor - Police Jury Maintenance Bldg., 602 Alexandria Hwy., Leesville	0	0
8	1	(IN PART) Slagle Community Center, 8841 Hwy. 8, Slagle Community	6	0
8	2	Hicks School, 1296 High School Drive, Hicks Community	57	0
8	3	Leander Voting Building, Hwy. 121 East, Leander Community	61	12
ABSENTEE			7	6
TOTALS			131	18
MAJORITY FOR			113

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 139 votes cast IN FAVOR OF Pickering School District No. 142 Proposition and a total of 121 votes cast AGAINST Pickering School District No. 142 Proposition, as hereinabove set forth, and that there was a majority of 18 votes cast IN FAVOR OF Pickering School District No. 142 Proposition as hereinabove set forth;

(ii) there was a total of 93 votes cast IN FAVOR OF Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 Proposition and a total of 43 votes cast AGAINST Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 Proposition, as hereinabove set forth, and that there was a majority of 50 votes cast IN FAVOR OF Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 Proposition as hereinabove set forth; and

(iii) there was a total of 131 votes cast IN FAVOR OF Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 Proposition and a total of 18 votes cast AGAINST Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 Proposition, as hereinabove set forth, and that there was a majority of 113 votes cast IN FAVOR OF Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 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 the (i) Pickering School District No. 142 Proposition, (ii) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 Proposition and (iii) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 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 respective Districts on Saturday, April 9, 2016.

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 5^th day of May, 2016.

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) Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (ii) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (iii) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "Districts"), on December 3, 2015, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that special elections will be held within the Districts on SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2016, and that at the said elections there will be submitted to all registered voters in the 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:

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 THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016, at TEN O'CLOCK (10:00) A.M., and shall then and there in open and public session proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the result 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 3^rd day of December, 2015.

I, the undersigned President of the Parish School Board of the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana, the governing authority of the (i) Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (ii) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (iii) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (collectively, the "Districts"), do hereby declare, proclaim and announce that Pickering School District No. 142 Proposition, Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 and Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 Proposition submitted at the special elections held in the respective Districts on Saturday, April 9, 2016, 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 5^th day of May, 2016.

I, the undersigned Secretary of the Parish School Board of the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), the governing authority of (i) Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (ii) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (iii) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "Districts"), do hereby certify that the foregoing pages constitute a true and correct copy of the proceedings and Procès Verbal made by said Governing Authority on Thursday, May 5, 2016, providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the special elections held on Saturday, April 9, 2016, in (i) Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein, and (ii) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (iii) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, to authorize the levy of special taxes therein.

IN FAITH WHEREOF, witness my official signature at Leesville, Louisiana, on this, the 5^th day of May, 2016.

Curtis Clay presented the Headstart Director’s Report and noted that the Headstart Area Content Plans will be on the May 10^th Agenda for approval.

Mr. Travis reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and Mr. Kay reviewed the personnel changes for May. Mr. Travis also noted that the committee recommended advertising for a promotional curriculum supervisor position and a non-promotional supervisor position to replace Mr. Neubert. These positions will be placed on the May 10^th Agenda.

Mr. Cooley reported that the Transportation Committee had met and Mr. Whiddon discussed the nine buses coming off lease from Ross Bus Sales. The committee is recommending the purchase of these buses and this will be on the May 10^th Agenda.

Colonel Athey commented on the Change of Command Ceremony on May 4^th and the recognition of Vernon Parish Principals and Teachers of the Year which will be held on Tuesday, May 10^th at 5:00PM. Colonel Athey also noted that they were in total support of the Grants and would help in any way.

Superintendent Williams reminded Board Members of the Finance Committee meeting at 8:45 and the Curriculum Committee meeting at 9:30 on Tuesday, May 10^th. Superintendent Wiliams also noted the Awards Days and Graduation dates of parish schools and urged all to attend.

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to express their heartfelt sympathy to the family of Linda Elizabeth “Betsy” May Scoggins who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Scoggins was the mother of Susan Gautreaux and the grandmother of Elizabeth Gautreaux; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Scoggins was a former music teacher at Anacoco Schools and and very active in the community; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Scoggins was a longtime resident of Leesville 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 John Blankenbaker, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board takes this means to express their sympathy to the family of Leroy Garst who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Garst was a retired teacher and principal at Rosepine Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Garst was a longtime resident of DeRidder 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:

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

WHEREAS, Mrs. Gibson was the mother of Sharon Ford, teacher at Anacoco High School; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Gibson was a longtime resident of DeRidder 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.

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

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to extend their sincere sympathy to the family of Maurice “Mickie” Deon who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Deon was the mother of Willie Deon, Vernon Parish Clerk of Court and the grandmother of Christopher Deon, teacher at Rosepine High School; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Deon was a graduate of Simpson High School 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 Randy Martin, 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 Gerald Blackwell who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Blackwell was the husband of Irma Blackwell, retired bus driver and the father-in-law of Brandie Blackwell, paraprofessional at Pickering; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Blackwell was a longtime resident of Vernon Parish 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 Sandra Whitlock, 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 Zetta Johnson who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Johnson was a resident of Pitkin 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.

On motion of Sandra Whitlock, 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 Dorothy Snell who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Snell was a resident of Pitkin 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.

On motion of Sandra Whitlock, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:

WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board wishes to extend their sympathy to the family of A. Michelle Gomez who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Gomez was the sister of Michael Gomez and the sister-in-law of Sabri Gomez, teachers at Pitkin High School; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Gomez was a resident of Carencro 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 Steve Woods, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.