Keywords:
Lake Charles, Louisiana
November 4, 2025
The Calcasieu Parish School Board of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana (the Board), governing authority of School District No. 34 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, met in regular session at 5:00 oclock p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the regular meeting place of said Board in the Calcasieu Parish School Board Office, 3310 Broad Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, pursuant to the provisions of written notice given to each and every member thereof and duly posted in the manner required by law.
Vice-President, Aaron Natali, called the meeting to order and on roll call, the following members were present:
Karen Hardy-McReynolds, Glenda Gay, Patrick Pichon, Mary Fontenot, Dean Roberts, Dr. Betty Washington, Eric Tarver, Damon Hardesty, Tony OBanion, Russel Castille, Billy Breaux, Shawn Baumgarten
ABSENT: Rev. Desmond Wallace, Phyllis Ayo
The meeting was called to order and the roll called with the above results.
Thereupon, upon motion made by Mr. Hardesty and seconded by Mr. Baumgarten, the following resolution was adopted, the vote thereon being as follows:
YEAS: 13
NAYS: 0
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION ORDERING AND CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 34 OF CALCASIEU PARISH, LOUISIANA, ON APRIL 18, 2026, OR SUCH OTHER ELECTION DATE PRESCRIBED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO SUCH DATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW, AUTHORIZING THE INCURRING OF DEBT AND ISSUANCE OF BONDS OF SAID DISTRICT; AND MAKING APPLICATION TO THE STATE BOND COMMISSION AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
WHEREAS, it is deemed necessary and desirable by the Calcasieu Parish School Board, governing authority of School District No. 34 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, (the District), that bonds of the District be issued in the sum of not to exceed EIGHTY-EIGHT MILLION AND NO/100 ($88,000,000) DOLLARS, for the purpose of acquiring and/or improving land and playgrounds, purchasing, erecting, enlarging and/or improving school buildings and other school related facilities within and for said District, and acquiring the necessary equipment and furnishings therefor, title to which shall be in the public for the purpose of operating and maintaining the Districts school facilities (the Bonds);
WHEREAS, authority for issuance of the Bonds of the District for such purpose is granted by Article 6, Section 33 and Article 7, Section 26(E) of the Constitution of 1974 of the State of Louisiana, by Subpart B of Part II of Chapter 4 of Sub-Title II of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority supplemental thereto, provided issuance of such bonds is first authorized by a majority of the qualified electors of the District voting on the proposition at an election to be held for such purpose;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of La. R.S. 39:1421, et seq., the bonds, if authorized by the Districts electorate, may be sold at private sale in the manner determined by the Calcasieu Parish School Board, governing authority of the District provided issuance and private sale of the general obligation bonds is approved by the State Bond Commission by two-thirds of the members present and voting thereon; and
WHEREAS, the Calcasieu Parish School Board desires to provide for the holding of an election at which the proposition of issuing such Bonds may be submitted.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Calcasieu Parish School Board, acting as the governing authority of School District No. 34 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana:
SECTION 1. The statements of fact expressly contained within the preamble to this Resolution have been specifically reviewed by the Districts Board of Commissioners and are found to be factually true and correct, and are made resolutions of the District.
SECTION 2. Subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission, and under the authority conferred by Article 6, Section 33 and Article 7, Section 26(E) of the Constitution of 1974 of the State of Louisiana, and Subpart B of Part II of Chapter 4 of Sub-Title II of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority supplemental thereto, a special election be and is hereby called and ordered to be held in School District No. 34 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana (the District), on Saturday, the 18th day of April, 2026, or such other election date prescribed by the Legislature of the State of Louisiana as an alternative to such date in accordance with law, between the hours of seven (7:00) oclock a.m. and eight (8:00) oclock p.m., in compliance with the provisions of Section 541 of Title 18 and of Chapter 6-A of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and that at said special election there be submitted to all the qualified electors of the District entitled and qualified to vote at said election under the Constitution and laws of the United States, the following proposition:
BOND
PROPOSITION
Shall School District No. 34 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana (District), incur debt and issue bonds in an amount not exceeding Eighty-Eight Million ($88,000,000) Dollars, in one or more series, for a period not exceeding twenty-five (25) years from date thereof, with interest at a rate or rates not exceeding seven (7.0%) percent per annum, for the purpose of acquiring and/or improving lands for buildings and playgrounds, purchasing, erecting, enlarging and/or improving school buildings and other related facilities and necessary equipment and furnishings therefor, title to which shall be in the public, which bonds shall be general obligations of the District and will be retired with, paid from and secured by ad valorem taxes estimated to be 9.5 mills for the first year, on all taxable property within the District sufficient in rate and amount to pay said bonds in principal and interest, as provided by Article VI, Section 33 of the 1974 Louisiana Constitution, as amended, and statutory authority supplemental thereto?
SECTION 3. The polling places set forth in the Notice of Special Election annexed hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference, the same as if it were set forth herein in full, be and the same are hereby designated as the polling places at which to hold such election. There shall be published notice of said election in the American Press, a daily newspaper of general circulation within Calcasieu Parish, published in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and being the official journal of the District, 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 fixed for the election, which notice shall be substantially in accordance with the Notice of Special Tax Election.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to publication of the Notice of Election, the President or the Secretary of the Board is authorized and directed to make any amendments to the foregoing proposition that may be required to comply with any laws, regulations, or requirements of the State of Louisiana or its agencies.
SECTION 4. Officers designated or such substitutes as may be selected, designated and sworn in compliance with Sections 1286 through 1289 of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, shall hold the said election substantially in accordance with the general election laws of the State of Louisiana, except that the election is called and shall be conducted, canvassed, and promulgated, and notice thereof given in accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 6-A of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended. Said election officers shall make due returns of said election at a regular meeting of the Calcasieu Parish School Board, to be held at its regular meeting place, the School Board Office, Lake Charles, Louisiana, following the date of the election and on a date and a time in compliance with State law, at which time said School Board will, then and there, in open and public session, examine and canvass the returns and declare the result of said special election. The compensation of election officials be and the same is hereby fixed at the sum as specified in Sections 424 and 425 of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended. Assessed valuations shall not be voted in this election, and all qualified electors of the District are entitled to vote therein. Voting machines shall be used in this election, and voters shall not be required to sign a ballot or vote assessed valuation of property. The permanent registration law of the State of Louisiana being in force in Calcasieu Parish, said election shall be conducted in accordance with applicable provisions thereof.
SECTION 5. The Secretary of the Calcasieu Parish School Board be and he is hereby empowered, authorized and directed to arrange for furnishing said election officers, in ample time for holding of said election the necessary equipment, forms and other election paraphernalia essential to the proper holding of said election.
SECTION 6. Application is hereby formally made to the State Bond Commission, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in compliance with the requirements of Chapter 2, Title 47 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and in compliance with Article 6, Sections 29, 24 and 32 of the Constitution of 1974 of the State of Louisiana, and other Constitutional and statutory authority supplemental thereto, for consent, approval and authority to hold the aforesaid election in the District under the provisions of Article 6, Section 22 and Article 7, Section 26(E) of the Constitution of 1974 of the State of Louisiana, and Sub-Part B of Part II of Chapter 4 of Sub-Title II of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other Constitutional and statutory authority supplemental thereto, and in the event such election carries, for its consent and authority to levy and collect the ad valorem taxes therein provided, and to issue Bonds to be retired with, paid from and secured by said ad valorem taxes on all taxable property within the limits of the District sufficient in rate and amount to pay said Bonds in principal and interest as they respectively mature. The Secretary is empowered, authorized and requested to forward to the State Bond Commission a certified copy of this resolution which shall constitute a formal application to said Commission as herein provided.
SECTION 7. By virtue of the Districts application for, acceptance and utilization of the benefits of the Louisiana State Bond Commissions approval(s) resolved and set forth herein, the District 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 sway(s) or other product(s) or enhancement(s) covered thereby.
SECTION 8. There being a real public necessity for the retention and employment of legal counsel to provide specialized legal services in connection with acquiring and/or improving land and playgrounds, purchasing, erecting, enlarging 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, for the benefit of all its citizens, requiring issuance of General Obligation Public School Improvement Bonds by School District No. 34 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, and it appearing that the public interest requires obtaining such specialized legal services, Jones Walker LLP, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, is hereby employed for such purposes (Bond Counsel). The fee for the work to be performed hereunder is contingent upon issuance, sale and delivery of the Bonds, and shall be in accordance with the maximum fee schedule of the Attorney General of the State of Louisiana for comprehensive legal and coordinate professional work of bond attorneys and bond counsel in issuance of bonds. Should the election provided for herein fail one or more times, Bond Counsel nevertheless shall continue to provide legal services until the project contemplated herein is successfully accomplished. It is intended that acceptance and approval of this resolution by entering upon performance by Bond Counsel of the legal services provided herein shall constitute this resolution a contract in accordance with the provisions hereof. Upon delivery and payment in full for the Bonds, payment of the fee and expense of Bond Counsel is authorized to be made as herein provided.
SECTION 9. The employment of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as underwriter and investment banker or placement agent in connection with the Bonds is hereby approved. The compensation of the Underwriter or placement agent shall be payable from proceeds of the Bonds and shall be subject to approval of the governing authority of the District and the Louisiana State Bond Commission.
SECTION 10. The employment of Government Consultants, Inc., of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as Municipal Advisor in connection with the Bonds is hereby approved. The compensation of the Municipal Advisor shall be payable from proceeds of the Bonds and shall be subject to approval of the governing authority of the District and the Louisiana State Bond Commission.
SECTION 11. Pursuant to the provisions of La. R.S. 39:1421, et seq., the Bonds may be sold at private sale in the manner determined by the Calcasieu Parish School Board, as governing authority of the District provided issuance of such general obligation bonds is approved by the State Bond Commission by two-thirds of the members present and voting thereon.
SECTION 12. Certified copies of this Resolution shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State, the Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio Custodian of Voting Machines in and for the Parish of Calcasieu, and the Registrar of Voters, as notification of the special election herein called in order that each may prepare for said election and perform their respective functions as authorized and required by law.
SECTION 13. This resolution is an adoption of an official intent of the District relative to issuance of its Bonds as contemplated herein in accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana and the United States Treasury Regulations, Section 1.150-2(e). The Bonds are not expected to exceed an aggregate principal amount of $88,000,000. Reimbursement of expenditures of the District from proceeds of the Bonds, if any, will be for reimbursement of expenditures made from time to time in connection with the Project.
SECTION 14. In the event the Districts electorate approves issuance of general obligation bonds at the election provided for herein, the Calcasieu Parish School Board, as governing authority of the District, does hereby approve private sale of the general obligation bonds, provided such private sale of the general obligation bonds is approved by the State Bond Commission by two-thirds of the members present and voting thereon, pursuant to the provisions of La. R.S. 39:1421 et seq.
SECTION 15. As provided for and conditioned in Section 14 above, private sale of the general obligation bonds to Stifel, Nicolaus and Company, Incorporated, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is approved and authorized.
SECTION 16. All resolutions, ordinances, or orders in conflict herewith, be, to the extent of such conflict, and they are hereby repealed.
Adopted and approved on this 4th day of November, 2025.
/s/ REV. DESMOND WALLACE
REV. DESMOND
WALLACE,
President
Calcasieu Parish
School Board
ATTEST:
/s/ JASON VANMETRE JASON VANMETRE, Ed.D., Secretary
Calcasieu Parish
School Board
(Other business not pertinent to the present excerpt may be found of record in the official minute book.)
Upon motion duly made and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned.
/s/ REV. DESMOND WALLACE
REV. DESMOND
WALLACE,
President
Calcasieu Parish
School Board
ATTEST:
/s/ JASON VANMETRE JASON VANMETRE, Ed.D., Secretary
Calcasieu Parish
School Board
NOTICE TO VOTERS OF SPECIAL BOND ELECTION
To the qualified electors of School District No. 34 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana:
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on the 4th day of November, 2025, the Calcasieu Parish School Board, acting as the governing authority of School District No. 34 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, ordered that a special election be held in School District No. 34 on Saturday, the 16th day of May, 2026, or such other election date prescribed by the Legislature of the State of Louisiana as an alternative to such date in accordance with law, for the purpose of submitting to all qualified electors of said School District No. 34, the following proposition:
BOND
PROPOSITION
Shall School District No. 34 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana (District), incur debt and issue bonds in an amount not exceeding Eighty-Eight Million ($88,000,000) Dollars, in one or more series, for a period not exceeding twenty-five (25) years from date thereof, with interest at a rate or rates not exceeding seven (7.0%) percent per annum, for the purpose of acquiring and/or improving lands for buildings and playgrounds, purchasing, erecting, enlarging and/or improving school buildings and other related facilities and necessary equipment and furnishings therefor, title to which shall be in the public, which bonds shall be general obligations of the District and will be retired with, paid from and secured by ad valorem taxes estimated to be 9.5 mills for the first year, on all taxable property within the District sufficient in rate and amount to pay said bonds in principal and interest, as provided by Article VI, Section 33 of the 1974 Louisiana Constitution, as amended, and statutory authority supplemental thereto?
A portion of the monies collected shall be remitted to certain state and statewide retirement systems in the manner required by law.
Said election will be held at all polling places which are situated within the boundaries of School District No. 34 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. All registered voters in each of the following precincts shall be eligible to vote on the proposition:
PRECINCTS POLLING PLACES
316E Barbe Elementary School
400 Penn Street, Lake Charles 70601
316W Barbe Elementary School
400 Penn Street, Lake Charles 70601
317 Barbe Elementary School
400 Penn Street, Lake Charles 70601
325 Prien Lake Elementary School
3741 Nelson Road, Lake Charles 70605
326 College Oaks Elementary School
3618 Ernest Street, Lake Charles 70605
331 College Oaks Elementary School
3618 Ernest Street, Lake Charles 70605
333 S.J. Welsh Middle School
1500 West McNeese Street, Lake Charles 70605
334 S.J. Welsh Middle School
1500 West McNeese Street, Lake Charles 70605
335 Gayle Hall, McNeese State University Campus
4380 Ryan Street, Lake Charles 70605
336 A.A. Nelson Elementary School
1001 Country Club Road, Lake Charles 70605
337 Dolby Elementary School
817 Jefferson Drive, Lake Charles 70605
340 Positive Connections
5282 Weaver Road, Lake Charles 70605
362 Prien Lake Elementary School
3741 Nelson Road, Lake Charles 70605
363 Prien Lake Elementary School
3741 Nelson Road, Lake Charles 70605
366 St. John Elementary School
5566 Elliott Road, Lake Charles 70605
367 St. John Elementary School
5566 Elliott Road, Lake Charles 70605
368 A.A. Nelson Elementary School
1001 Country Club Road, Lake Charles 70605
372 St. John Elementary School
5566 Elliott Road, Lake Charles 70605
ONLY THOSE REGISTERED VOTERS IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING PRECINCTS WHO RESIDE WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 34 OF CALCASIEU PARISH, LOUISIANA, SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ON THE PROPOSITION:
PRECINCTS POLLING PLACES
302* 901 Lakeshore Drive Building
901 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles 70601
(No Voters in this Area)
306* Drew Park Pavilion
416 Dr. Michael DeBakey Drive, Lake Charles 70601
338* Forest K. White Middle School
1000 E. McNeese Street, Lake Charles 70607
339* Dolby Elementary School
817 Jefferson Drive, Lake Charles 70605
365* St. John Elementary School
5566 Elliott Road, Lake Charles 70605
369* M.J. Kaufman Elementary School
301 Tekel Road, Lake Charles 70607
371S* Calcasieu Agricultural Services Center
7101 Gulf Highway, Lake Charles 70607
The polls will be open at seven (7:00) oclock a.m. and shall remain open until not later than eight (8:00) oclock p.m. The said special election will be held substantially in accordance with the general election laws of the State of Louisiana, except that the election is called and shall be conducted, canvassed, and promulgated, and notice thereof given in accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 6-A of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended. The officials appointed to hold the election or such substitutes therefor as may be selected, designated and sworn in compliance with Sections 1286 through 1289 of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, will make due returns thereof to the Calcasieu Parish School Board, acting as the governing authority of School District No. 34 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. Voting machines will be used in the conduct of the election. All qualified electors of School District No. 34 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, will be entitled to vote. No voter shall be required to sign a ballot or vote assessed valuation of property.
Notice is hereby given that on Tuesday, the 9th day of June, 2026, at 5:00 oclock p.m., the Calcasieu Parish School Board will meet in open and public session at the regular meeting place of the Calcasieu Parish School Board, 3310 Broad Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, and will, then and there, examine and canvass the returns and declare the result of said election.
The estimated cost of the election to be paid by the Board as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the provisions of Chapter 8-A of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and on actual costs of similar elections, is approximately $4,200.00.
THUS DONE AND SIGNED in Lake Charles, Louisiana, by authority of a Resolution adopted by the Calcasieu Parish School Board, acting as the governing authority of School District No. 34 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, on the 4th day of November, 2025.
/s/ REV. DESMOND WALLACE
REV. DESMOND
WALLACE,
President
Calcasieu Parish
School Board
ATTEST:
/s/ JASON VANMETRE JASON VANMETRE, Ed.D., Secretary
Calcasieu Parish
School Board
May 27 1t
2120685
Notice Cost- $608.50