MAY 10, 2016

DRAFT

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:

STEVE WOODS, VICE-PRESIDENT

DOUG BRANDON

RANDI GLEASON

VERNON L. TRAVIS JR.

JIM SEAMAN

ANGIE DAVIS

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

SANDRA WHITLOCK

GERALD COOLEY

COL. DAVID G. ATHEY

ABSENT:          DAVID DETZ, ROBERT PYNES, RANDY MARTIN

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by John Blankenbaker.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by John Blankenbaker.

On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the May 5, 2016 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Mr. Travis reported that the Finance Committee had met and Tim Ward discussed revisions to the 2015-2016 Budget.  There was also discussion on the school lunch program and ways to reduce costs-Food Service Committee meeting will be held in June.

Revised Budget will be placed on June 2^nd Agenda for approval.  No action was required.

On recommendation of the Salary/Personnel Committee and on motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to advertise for a non-promotional Child Welfare/Attendance Supervisor.

On recommendation of the Salary/Personnel Committee and on motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to advertise for a curriculum supervisor.

On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to purchase nine (9) 2012 buses coming off lease from Ross Bus Sales.

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

Anacoco High                           Evans High                   Simpson High              

Hicks High                               Leesville High               Hornbeck High

Rosepine High                          Pitkin High                    Pickering High             

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to accept the following employee retirements:

Eaves, Martha, lease bus driver/PES

Jeane, Janet, lease bus driver/PES

Clark, Debbie, supervisor/CO

Thompson, Bobbie, teacher/RES

Smith, Debbie, teacher/LHS

Arrington, Debra, teacher/RES

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Gerald Cooley, the Board voted to approve the Headstart Content Area Plans.

            On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Jim Seaman, the following resolution was offered:

RESOLUTION

A resolution retaining an Independent Registered Municipal Advisor pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and provide for other matters in connection therewith.

            WHEREAS, Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana (the “District”), proposes to issue not exceeding $2,500,000 of its General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2016; and

            WHEREAS, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Investor Protection Act (the “Act”) provides that certain professionals giving certain advice relative to the issuance of such Certificates must be registered as an Independent Registered Municipal Advisor; and

            WHEREAS, the Parish School Board of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, the governing authority of the District,   finds it necessary and beneficial to retain the services of an Independent Registered Municipal Advisor in conjunction with the issuance of Certificates and in accordance with the provisions of the Act;

            NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that:

            SECTION 1.     The District, acting through the Governing Authority, hereby retains Lucius McGehee of Argent Trust Company, Registered Municipal Advisors, to act as its Independent Registered Municipal Advisor (“IRMA”) with regard to the sale, issuance and delivery of the Bonds pursuant to the provisions of the Act and the Final Rule adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commissioners on September 20, 2013 and the adopted final release (the “Release”).  The District hereby acknowledges that it is represented by Lucius McGehee to serve in the capacity as an IRMA,d he shall offer advice on structure, timing, terms and other matters in relation to the Bonds, upon which the District may rely.  The fee for such services shall, whenever possible, be payable from the proceeds of the Bonds and the amount thereof shall be subject to approval by the District and subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission.

            SECTION 2.     The District or the Municipal Advisor may terminate this retention at any time upon written notification to the other party.

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

            Members:                     Yea                  Nay                  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                      __________

            Sandra Whitlock           X                      _____               ______             __________

            Vernon L. Travis, Jr.     X                      _____               ______             __________

            John Blankenbaker       X                      _____               ______             __________

            Gerald Cooley               X                      _____               ______             __________

                        And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 10th day of May, 2016.

                      /s/ James Williams                                               /s/ David Detz

                             Secretary                                                                President

STATE OF LOUISIANA

PARISH OF VERNON

            I, the undersigned Secretary of the Parish School Board of the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), the governing authority of Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "District"), do hereby certify that the foregoing pages constitute a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by the Governing Authority on May10, 2016, retaining Lucius McGehee of Argent Trust Company to act as the District’s financial advisor.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have subscribed my official signature as Secretary of this District on this, the 10th day of May, 2016.

                                                                                        __________________________________                                                                                                                                    Secretary

(SEAL)

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to advertise for bids for air conditioners and lockers at Pickering Schools.

Randi Gleason reported that the Curriculum Committee had met and Renita Page and Anne Smith gave updates on Grants, Testing, Summer School and Textbook Policy.

Textbook Policy will be placed on June 2^nd Agenda for approval.

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Angie Davis, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.

On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Jim Seaman, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.

Superintendent Williams noted that the next Board meeting will be June 2, 2016 at 10:00AM.  Superintendent Williams also expressed his appreciation to the students, teachers, administrators and parents for their dedication and hard work – the Board recognized over 200 students at the meeting this morning.

Colonel Athey reported that the Box Tour was very successful and that there would be a Recognition Ceremony at 5:00 today to recognize Vernon Parish Principals and Teachers of The Year.

On motion of Randi Gleason, 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 Linda Simmons who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Simmons was a former teacher at Leesville Jr. High School; and

            WHEREAS, Mrs. Simmons was a 1958 graduate of Leesville High School and was very active in the community and the Alumni Association; 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:

R E S O L U T I O N

            WHEREAS, the Vernon Parish School Board members wish to express their sympathy to the family of Tommy Jack Landrum, Jr. who recently passed away; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Landrum was a retired Lieutenant with the Leesville City Police Department and was also a DARE Officer for Vernon Parish Schools; and

            WHEREAS, Mr. Landrum was a longtime resident of Leesville and he will be sadly 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.

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

________________________________

STEVE WOODS, VICE- PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

___________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT