2023-02-02

FEBRUARY 2, 2023

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

District One:

KELLY KAIAMA GOODWIN

RHONDA MORRISON

ROBERT PYNES, JR.

JIM SEAMAN

JACKIE SELF

District Two:

ANGIE DAVIS

District Three:

DEIDRA SHELL

District Four:

RANDY MARTIN

District Five:

SHAD STEWART

District Six:

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.

District Seven:

JOHN BLANKENBAKER

District Eight:

CANDACE BLACK

Garrison Commander:

COL. SAMUEL P. SMITH, JR.

ABSENT:

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by: RANDY MARTIN/JON WELCH

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: RANDY MARTIN/JON WELCH

Item #1: January 10, 2023 Minutes

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 10, 2023 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2: Resolution Calling Special Elections to be Held for Renewal of Maintenance Taxes

Tim Ward, Director of Finance, briefed the Board about the resolution calling special elections to be held for renewal of maintenance taxes. He explained to the Board that there are no new taxes only renewal. On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted yes to the resolution.

Item #3: Discussion of Resolution to Cancel Lease With Vernon Parish Water & Sewer District #1

Mr. Ward discussed resolution to cancel lease with Vernon Parish Water & Sewer District #1. On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Shad Stewart, the Board voted to add to the 2-7-23 agenda for approval contingent on release of liability.

Item #4: Recognition of Vernon Parish “Teachers of the Year”

Karen Roberts, Curriculum Supervisor, discussed qualifications for receiving parish “ Teach of the Year” title and introduced teachers chosen along with their principals.

Elementary Teacher of the Year: Brittany Standifer, Hicks High School – Principal, Jennifer Wilbanks.

Middle School Teacher of the Year: Nichole Williams, Rosepine High School – Principal, Joseph Barts.

High School Teacher of the Year: Chris Deon, Rosepine High School – Principal, Joseph Barts

New this year is the “New” Teacher of the Year: Tiffany Martin, Parkway Elementary – Principal, Brandy Sanders.

Item #5: Board Member Certification Information

Mike Kay, Assistant Superintendent/Personnel Director presented the Board with the School Board Member Training Resolution and the 2023 Louisiana School Board Association Training Documentation. This documentation explains transcript hours of training to receive certification needed, dates, and locations to attend sessions for training.

Item #6: Head Start Report

Head Start Director, Curtis Clay presented the following items discussed during the Policy Council meeting held on 2-2-23:

VPHS Policies and Procedures for documenting non-federal Share (in-kind)
VPHS financial procedure manual
VPHS Early Head Strat transition plans
VPHS Transitions Plans

Cheree Atkins, Head Start Coordinator, updated the Board on enrollment, physicals, special services and food served.

Item #7: Report From Athletic Committee

Shad Stewart, Chairperson of the Athletic Committee reported to the Board the discussion held during the 9:30 Athletic Committee meeting the following:

Hub Jordan, Athletic Director discussed the following items:

LHSAA update
Basketball playoff scenarios
Spring Sports
Spring Sports Schedule
Vernon Parish Basketball Tournament

Item#8: Report From Salary Personnel Committee

Angie Davis, Chairperson of the Salary Personnel Committee reported to the Board the discussion during the meeting held at 9:00 meeting 2-2-23:

Mike Kay, Personnel Director discussed the following:

Personnel Changes for February
Employee contracts will be out in March
His replacements until the end of this school year in each area of his department. Mr. Kay reminded the Board of his retirement 2-10-23.

Item #9: Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent Williams all to the meeting. He asked Col. Smith for an update at Fort Polk. Col. Smith Discussed updates on the STEM and Starbase programs, complaints from military parents, rotation a success and changes for June.

Mr. Williams reiterated the importance of ethics to Board members. He informed the Board that Vernon L. Travis has received his LSBA certification and we congratulate him on this achievement and appreciate his representation for our parish and our board.

Mr. Williams also congratulated the newly chosen Teachers of the Year and how proud he is of their hard work and dedication to the Vernon Parish School System.

Mr. Williams reminded the Board about the Quiz Bowl scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 2023, 8:00 am in the LHS auditorium.

Mr. Williams also thanked Ms. Robert’s 2^nd grade class at WLE class for the poster displayed in the board room and the cards they made in their folders to honor the District One Board Members.

Mr. Williams informed the Board that the next scheduled meeting will be February 7^th.

Item #10: Memorial Resolutions

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt 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 Jerry Wayne Foshee who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Foshee was a retired Leesville High School and Pickering High School teacher and coach; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Foshee was a resident of Vernon Parish; now

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

On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt 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 Doris Welch who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Welch was a retired Pickering Elementary School Special Education Paraprofessional; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Welch was a resident of Vernon Parish; now

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

On motion of Shad Stewart., seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt 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 Martha Lou Paul who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Paul was a retired Pitkin High School bus driver and her daughter-in-law is Heather Paul current teacher at Pitkin High School; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Paul was a resident of Vernon Parish; now

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

Item # 11: Adjournment

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned by President, Jim Seaman

Authorized Officer

_________________________

JIM SEAMAN, PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

__________________________________

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT

The following resolution was offered by Randy Martin and seconded by Jackie Self:

RESOLUTION

A resolution ordering and calling special elections to be held in (i) the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana, for school purposes, (ii) Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (iii) Hornbeck School District No. 143 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana,(iv) Ward Five Wardwide School District No. 144 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (v) Orange School District No. 145 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (vi) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (vii) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (viii) Ward One Wardwide School District No. 162 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana to authorize the levy of special taxes therein.

BE IT RESOLVED by the Parish School Board of the Parish Vernon, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of (i) the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana, for school purposes,

(ii) Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (iii) Hornbeck School District No. 143 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana,(iv) Ward Five Wardwide School District No. 144 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (v) Orange School District No. 145 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (vi) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (vii) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (viii) Ward One Wardwide School District No. 162 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana (the "Parish and Districts"), that:

SECTION 1. Election Call. Subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission, and under the authority conferred by the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974, including Article VIII, Section 13(C) Third thereof, the applicable provisions of the Louisiana Election Code, and other constitutional and statutory authority, special elections are hereby called and ordered to be held in the Parish and Districts on SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2023, between the hours of seven o'clock (7:00) a.m. and eight o'clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541, and at the said elections there shall be submitted to all registered voters qualified and entitled to vote at the said elections under the Constitution and laws of this State and the Constitution of the United States, the following propositions, to-wit:

PARISHWIDE SCHOOL TAX PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

Shall the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), through the Vernon Parish School Board, the governing authority of the Parish for school purposes, continue to levy an eight and twelve hundredths (8.12) mills tax on all of the property subject to taxation in the Parish (an estimated $1,486,400 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 2025 and ending with the year 2034, for the purpose of giving additional support to the public elementary and secondary schools in the Parish, including paying the cost of operating and maintaining public school houses and buildings in the Parish?

PICKERING SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 142 (WARD 4) PROPOSITION (TAX CONTINUATION)

Shall Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "District"), continue to levy a fourteen and fifty-seven hundredths (14.57) mills tax on all of the property subject to taxation in said District (an estimated $240,400 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 2024 and ending with the year 2033, 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 forty-three hundredths of a mill (.43) increase (due to reappraisal) over the 14.14 mills tax authorized to be levied through the year 2023 pursuant to an election held on December 8, 2012?

HORNBECK SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 143 PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

Shall Hornbeck School District No. 143 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "District"), continue to levy a thirteen and eighty-three hundredths (13.83) mills tax on all of the property subject to taxation in said District (an estimated $91,400 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 2025 and ending with the year 2034, 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?

WARD FIVE WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 144 PROPOSITION (TAX CONTINUATION)

Shall Ward Five Wardwide School District No. 144 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "District"), continue to levy a nineteen and eleven hundredths (19.11) mills tax on all of the property subject to taxation in said District (an estimated $438,100 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 2024 and ending with the year 2033, 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 forty-six hundredths of a mill (.46) increase (due to reappraisal) over the 18.65 mills tax authorized to be levied through the year 2023 pursuant to an election held on December 8, 2012?

ORANGE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 145 PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

Shall Orange School District No. 145 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "District"), continue to levy a thirteen and twenty-four hundredths (13.24) mills tax on all of the property subject to taxation in said District (an estimated $186,600 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 2025 and ending with the year 2034, 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?

WARD SIX WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 161 PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

Shall Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "District"), continue to levy a twelve and sixty-eight hundredths (12.68) mills tax on all of the property subject to taxation in said District (an estimated $63,200 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 2024 and ending with the year 2033, 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?

WARD EIGHT WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 151 PROPOSITION (TAX CONTINUATION)

Shall Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "District"), continue to levy a fourteen and thirty-two hundredths (14.32) mills tax on all of the property subject to taxation in said District (an estimated $73,100 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 2024 and ending with the year 2033, 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 thirty-two hundredths of a mill (.32) increase (due to reappraisal) over the 14 mills tax authorized to be levied through the year 2023 pursuant to an election held on December 8, 2012?

WARD ONE WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 162 PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

Shall Ward One Wardwide School District No. 162 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana (the "District"), continue to levy a thirteen and three hundredths (13.03) mills tax on all of the property subject to taxation in said District (an estimated $900,100 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 2025 and ending with the year 2034, 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?

SECTION 2. Publication of Notice of Elections. A Notice of Special Elections shall be published in the official journal of the Parish and Districts once a week for four consecutive weeks, with the first publication to be made not less than forty-five (45) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the date of the elections, which Notice shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as "Exhibit A" and incorporated herein by reference the same as if it were set forth herein in full.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the publication of the Notice of Elections, the President is authorized and directed to make any amendments to the foregoing propositions that may be required to comply with any state or federal regulatory agencies.

SECTION 3. Canvass. This Governing Authority shall meet at its regular meeting place, the Parish School Board Office, 201 Belview Road, Leesville, Louisiana, on THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2023, 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.

SECTION 4. Polling Places. The polling places for the precincts in the Parish and Districts are hereby designated as the polling places at which to hold the said elections, and the Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners, respectively, will be the same persons as those designated in accordance with law.

SECTION 5. Election Commissioners; Voting Machines. The officers designated to serve as Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners pursuant to Section 4 hereof, or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and designated in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1287, shall hold the said special elections as herein provided, and shall make due returns of said elections for the meeting of the Governing Authority to be held as provided in Section 3 hereof. All registered voters in the Parish and Districts will be entitled to vote at the special elections, and voting machines shall be used.

SECTION 6. Authorization of Officers. The Secretary of the Governing Authority is hereby empowered, authorized and directed to arrange for and to furnish to said election officers in ample time for the holding of said elections, the necessary equipment, forms and other paraphernalia essential to the proper holding of said elections and the President and/or Secretary of the Governing Authority are further authorized, empowered and directed to take any and all further action required by State and/or Federal law to arrange for the elections.

SECTION 7. Furnishing Election Call to Election Officials. Certified copies of this resolution shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State, the Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio Parish Custodian of Voting Machines of Vernon Parish and the Registrar of Voters of Vernon Parish, as notification of the special elections, in order that each may prepare for said elections and perform their respective functions as required by law.

SECTION 8. Application to State Bond Commission. Application is made to the State Bond Commission for consent and authority to hold the special elections as herein provided, and in the event said elections carry for further consent and authority to continue to levy and collect the special taxes provided for therein. A certified copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the State Bond Commission on behalf of this Governing Authority, together with a letter requesting the prompt consideration and approval of this application.

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

YEAS: 12

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 0

And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 2^nd day of February, 2023.

/s/ James Williams /s/ Jim Seaman

Secretary President

EXHIBIT "A"

NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTIONS

Pursuant to the provisions of a resolution adopted by the Parish School Board of the Parish Vernon, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of i) the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana, for school purposes, (ii) Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana,

(iii) Hornbeck School District No. 143 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana,(iv) Ward Five Wardwide School District No. 144 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (v) Orange School District No. 145 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (vi) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (vii) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (viii) Ward One Wardwide School District No. 162 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana (the "Parish and Districts"), on February 2, 2023, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that special elections will be held within the Parish and Districts on SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2023, 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:

PARISHWIDE SCHOOL TAX PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

PICKERING SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 142 (WARD 4) PROPOSITION (TAX CONTINUATION)

HORNBECK SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 143 PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

WARD FIVE WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 144 PROPOSITION (TAX CONTINUATION)

ORANGE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 145 PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

WARD SIX WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 161 PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

WARD EIGHT WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 151 PROPOSITION (TAX CONTINUATION)

Shall Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "District"), continue to levy a fourteen and thirty-two hundredths (14.32) mills tax on all of the property subject to taxation in said District (an estimated $73,100 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 2024 and ending with the year 2033, 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 thirty-two hundredths of a mill (.32) increase (due to reappraisal)over the 14 mills tax authorized to be levied through the year 2023 pursuant to an election held on December 8, 2012?

WARD ONE WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 162 PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

Said special election for the Parishwide Proposition will be held at each and every polling place in Vernon Parish, 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.

Said special election for Pickering School District No. 142 Proposition will be held at the polling places at the following precincts of the District 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:

PRECINCTS

01-7B(PART)

01-08(PART)

01-08A(PART)

01-08C(PART)

04-01

04-02(PART)

04-03

04-03A(PART)

04-03C

04-03E

04-03F

04-03G

04-03J

04-03K(PART)

04-03L

04-03M

04-03N

07-02A(PART)

07-04(PART)

07-04A(PART)

07-05A(PART)

07-05C(PART)

Said special election for Hornbeck School District No. 143 Proposition will be held at the polling places at the following precincts of the District 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:

PRECINCTS

02-01(PART)

02-01A(PART)

02-02A(PART)

02-03

02-03A

Said special election for Ward Five Wardwide School District No. 144 Proposition will be held at the polling places at the following precincts of the District 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:

PRECINCTS

05-01

05-01A

05-02

05-02A

Said special election for Orange School District No. 145 Proposition will be held at the polling places at the following precincts of the District 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:

PRECINCTS

01-03(PART)

01-05A(PART)

02-01(PART)

02-01A(PART)

02-02(PART)

02-02A(PART)

02-04

02-04E

03-01(PART)

03-04(PART)

Said special election for Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 Proposition will be held at the polling places at the following precincts of the District 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:

PRECINCTS

06-01

06-02

06-03

06-04

Said special election for Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 Proposition will be held at the polling places at the following precincts of the District 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:

PRECINCTS

01-07(PART)

08-01(PART)

08-02

08-03

Said special election for Ward One Wardwide School District No. 162 Proposition will be held at the polling places at the following precincts of the District 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:

PRECINCTS

01-01

01-01B

01-02

01-02A

01-03(PART)

01-03B

01-03C

01-03D

01-04

01-04A

01-04B

01-04C

01-04D

01-05

01-05A(PART)

01-06

01-06A

01-06B

01-07(PART)

01-07A

01-07B(PART)

01-08(PART)

01-08A(PART)

01-08C(PART)

01-08E

01-08F

01-09

04-02(PART)

04-03K(PART)

08-01(PART)

The polling places at the precincts in the Parish and Districts 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.

The estimated cost of the Parishwide election as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the provisions of Chapter 8-A of Title 18 and actual costs of similar elections is $30,000.

The estimated cost of the Pickering School District No. 142 election as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the provisions of Chapter 8-A of Title 18 and actual costs of similar elections is $20,400.

The estimated cost of the Hornbeck School District No. 143 election as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the provisions of Chapter 8-A of Title 18 and actual costs of similar elections is $4,600.

The estimated cost of the Ward Five Wardwide School District No. 144 election as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the provisions of Chapter 8-A of Title 18 and actual costs of similar elections is $3,700.

The estimated cost of the Orange School District No. 145 election as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the provisions of Chapter 8-A of Title 18 and actual costs of similar elections is $9,300.

The estimated cost of the Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 election as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the provisions of Chapter 8-A of Title 18 and actual costs of similar elections is $3,700.

The estimated cost of the Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 election as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the provisions of Chapter 8-A of Title 18 and actual costs of similar elections is $3,700.

The estimated cost of the Ward One Wardwide School District No. 162 election as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the provisions of Chapter 8-A of Title 18 and actual costs of similar elections is $27,800.

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, JUNE 1, 2023, 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 Parish and 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 2^nd day of February, 2023.

ATTEST: /s/ Jim Seaman

President

/s/ James Williams

Secretary

STATE OF LOUISIANA PARISH OF VERNON

I, the undersigned Secretary of the Parish School Board of the Parish Vernon, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), the governing authority of (i) the Parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana, for school purposes, (ii) Pickering School District No. 142 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (iii) Hornbeck School District No. 143 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana,(iv) Ward Five Wardwide School District No. 144 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (v) Orange School District No. 145 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (vi) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (vii) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (viii) Ward One Wardwide School District No. 162 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana (the "Parish and Districts"), do hereby certify that the foregoing pages constitute a true and correct copy of the proceedings taken by the Governing Authority on February 2, 2023, ordering and calling special elections to be held in Parish and Districts to authorize the levy of special taxes therein. IN FAITH WHEREOF, witness my official signature at Leesville, Louisiana, on this, the 2^nd day of February, 2023.