OCTOBER 6, 2016
DRAFT
THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. PRESIDENT DETZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
DAVID DETZ, PRESIDENT
STEVE WOODS, VICE-PRESIDENT
DOUG BRANDON
VERNON L. TRAVIS JR.
RANDI GLEASON
JIM SEAMAN
ROBERT PYNES JR.
ANGIE DAVIS
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
RANDY MARTIN
SANDRA WHITLOCK
GERALD COOLEY
COL. DAVID G. ATHEY
There was also present Mr. James Williams, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Sandra Whitlock.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sandra Whitlock.
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the September 6, 2016 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Anne Smith gave an update on Testing and Accountability. She noted that the School and District Performance Scores are scheduled to be released in late November or early December. Mrs. Smith also said that the raw data received shows improvement in our schools and district scores. Testing dates have been set by the state and principals are preparing testing schedules for their schools. Vernon Parish has also received The Rapides Foundation Strategic Solutions Competitive Grant award of $240,458. This is the fifth major grant award that the Vernon Parish School District has received in the past two years.
Hub Jordan presented an update on Vernon Parish athletics and noted that the Athletic Committee will meet again in November. Mr. Jordan is holding monthly Athletic Director’s meetings and they are working on a parish football jamboree and a parish basketball tournament – more information will be released when details are available. Mr. Jordan is also reviewing athletic policies for the parish.
On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Randi Gleason, the Board voted to receive bids for propane for Evans, Hicks and Simpson Schools. On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to accept the low bid from Jim’s South Butane and Propane in Alexandria for .98 per gallon.
The following resolution was offered by Steve Woods and seconded by Randy Martin:
RESOLUTION
A resolution giving preliminary approval to the issuance of not exceeding One Million Eight Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,850,000) of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds of Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, 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 State of 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, Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "Issuer"), has heretofore issued $2,225,000 of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2008, as authorized at an election held on February 9, 2008 (the “Series 2008 Bonds”); and
WHEREAS, in order to provide debt service savings to the Issuer, this Parish School Board desires to refund all of the callable maturities of the Series 2008 Bonds (the “Refunded Bonds”) 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"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Act, and subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission, this Parish School Board wishes to accomplish the refunding by authorizing the issuance of not exceeding One Million Eight Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,850,000), of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds of the Issuer (the “Bonds”), to be payable from unlimited ad valorem taxes in the same manner as the Series 2008 Bonds to be refunded; 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 “Governing Authority”), acting as the governing authority of Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, that:
SECTION 1. Preliminary Approval of the Bonds. Preliminary approval is given to the issuance of not exceeding One Million Eight Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,850,000) of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds of the Issuer for the purpose of refunding all or any of the callable maturities of the Issuer’s General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2008, and paying the costs of issuance of the Bonds, the 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 in the same manner as the Series 2008 Bonds to be refunded. The Bonds shall bear interest at a rate or rates not to exceed four percent (4%) per annum, to be determined by subsequent resolutions of this Governing Authority at the time of the sale of the Bonds, and shall mature in annual principal payments due no later than March 1, 2033. The Bonds shall be issued in fully registered form, shall be sold to the purchasers thereof at a price of not less than 98% of par, plus accrued interest, if any, and shall have such additional terms and provisions as may be determined by this Governing Authority.
SECTION 2. State Bond Commission. Application is hereby made to the State Bond Commission, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for approval of the issuance and sale of the Bonds and for consent and authority to proceed with the issuance and sale of the 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.
SECTION 3. Compliance with State Bond Commission Policy. By virtue of applicants/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.
SECTION 4. Employment. This Governing Authority finds and determines that a real necessity exists for the employment of special counsel in connection with the issuance of the Bonds, and accordingly, Foley & Judell, L.L.P., of New Orleans, Louisiana, as Bond Counsel, is hereby employed to do and perform work of a traditional legal nature as bond counsel with respect to the issuance and sale of the 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 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 Bonds. The fee of Bond Counsel for the Bonds shall be fixed at a sum not exceeding the fee allowed by the Attorney General's fee guidelines for such Bond Counsel work in connection with the issuance of general obligation bonds and based on the amount of the Bonds actually issued, sold, delivered and paid for, plus "out-of-pocket" expenses, said fee to be contingent upon the issuance, sale and delivery of the Bonds.
SECTION 5. Appointment of Placement Agent. Crews & Associates, Inc., of Little Rock, Arkansas, is hereby appointed as placement agent in connection with the sale and delivery of the Bonds, any compensation to be subsequently approved by the Issuer and to be paid from the proceeds of the Bonds and contingent upon the issuance of the Bonds; provided that no compensation shall be due to said underwriter/placement agent unless the Bonds are sold and delivered.
SECTION 6. Engagement Letter. The Issuer hereby acknowledges that it has named Foley & Judell, L.L.P. of New Orleans, Louisiana, as bond counsel for the Bonds and in connection therewith the President is hereby authorized and directed to execute, and the Governing Authority hereby agrees to and accepts the terms of, the engagement letter (attached as Exhibit A) of Bond Counsel.
The foregoing resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
MEMBERS YEAS 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 6th day of October, 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, do hereby certify that the foregoing pages constitute a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by said Parish School Board on October 6, 2016, giving preliminary approval to the issuance of not exceeding One Million Eight Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,850,000) of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds of Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, making application to the State Bond Commission for approval of said Bonds and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
IN FAITH WHEREOF, witness my official signature and the impress of the official seal of said Parish School Board on this, the 6th day of October, 2016.
_______________________
Secretary
(SEAL)
Vernon Travis reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and discussed personnel changes for October. Mr. Kay noted that Jerald Jeane, bus maintenance, obtained Bluebird Certification required for Level III. No action taken.
Superintendent Williams reminded the Board of the mandatory Headstart training for Board members on Tuesday at 9:00 and also noted the LSBA Training Session to be held in Bossier City on November 7th. Superintendent Williams stated that Anacoco High School was chosen as a Blue Ribbon School – this is the second school in Vernon Parish to receive this honor. Colonel Athey reported that several events would be taking place at Fort Polk including a fishing tournament, Heritage Family Fall Tours, Box Tour, and Military Retiree Appreciation Day. Colonel Athey also reported on security measures relating to gate passes at Fort Polk.
On motion of Robert Pynes, 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 Millard “Mel” Harris who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Harris was a former District I Board Member with twelve years of dedicated service to the schools and students of Vernon Parish; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Harris 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 David Detz, 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 Faye Gandy who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Gandy was a retired secretary at Evans High School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Gandy was a longtime resident of Evans 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 Sandra Whitlock, 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 send their condolences to the family of Mickey Cooley who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Cooley was a former paraprofessional at Pitkin High School; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Cooley was a longtime resident of Pitkin 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 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 wish to send their condolences to the family of William Thomas Ford who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ford was the father-in-law of Tom Reeks, maintenance employee; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ford was a lifelong 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 John Blankenbaker, 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 Carole Lynell Johnson who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Johnson was a retired secretary in the Finance Department at the Central Office and the husband of Damon Johnson, bus driver at Pickering Elementary; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Johnson was a 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 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 Bonnie Martin who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Martin was the mother of Lannis Martin, retired bus driver/bus aide and the mother-in-law of Theresia Martin, paraprofessional at Anacoco; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Martin was a resident of Mora 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:
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 Lydia McKee who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McKee was a retired secretary at Rosepine High and the mother of Ted McKee, teacher at Rosepine High and Jo Anne McKee, secretary at Rosepine High and the grandmother of Michele Goins, teacher at Anacoco High; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McKee was a longtime resident of Rosepine 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 Sandra Whitlock, 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 Charles Alcorn who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Alcorn was a retired bus driver for Pitkin High with many years of dedicated service; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Alcorn was a longtime resident of Vernon Parish 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.
_______________________
DAVID DETZ, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
__________________________________
JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT