Notice

Publication Date

2025-05-11

Subcategory

Miscellaneous Notices

APRIL 8, 2025

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

DISTRICT ONE:

Kelly Kaiama Goodwin

Rhonda Morrison

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

ABSENT:

Robert Pynes, Jr. District 1/6

Col. Clifton Lopez Garrison Commander

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

The meeting was opened in prayer by: Vernon L. Travis, Jr.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: Vernon L. Travis, Jr.

Item #1: April 3, 2025 Minutes

On motion of Jackie Self seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the April 3, 2025 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

Item #2: Employee Retirements

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to accept employee retirements.

Item #3: Leave Without Pay Requests

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Rhonda Morrison, the Board voted to accept leave without pay requests.

Item #4: Amendments Related to Personnel Changes

On motion of Deidra Shell, seconded by Rhonda Morrison, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.

Item #5: Authorization to Pay the Claims

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

Item #6: Motion to receive bids for copy paper

On motion of Jackie Self, seconded by Rhonda Morrison the Board voted to accept bids for copy paper. The following bids were opened by the Director of Finance, Tim Ward:

Contract Paper Group - 28.69 per case, Quill 37.99 per case, Economical 29.20 per case, Coast to Coast Computers 32.50 per case, Imperial Dade 29.25 per case, Varitive declined. On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Deidra Shell, the Board voted to accept the lowest bid. Contract Paper Group was the low bid accepted.

Item #7: Approve Head Start Policies

On motion of Rhonda Morrison, seconded by Candace Black, the Board voted to approve Head Start Policy & Procedures presented at the 4-3-25 board meeting.

Item #8: Approve the 2025-2026 School Calendar

On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Deidra Shell, with one nay vote (Vernon L. Travis, Jr., the Board voted to approve the 2025-2026 School Calendar..

Item #9: Motion to approve a resolution to authorize the renewal and continuation of special taxes

Motion to approve a resolution ordering and calling special elections to be held in (i) Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, (ii) Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana (iii) Hornbeck School District No. 143 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (iv) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (v) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, to authorize the renewal and continuation of special taxes therein.

On motion of Deidra Shell, seconded by Jackie Self, the Board voted unanimously to approve the renewal and continuation of special taxes therein. The resolution is attached.

Item #10: Motion to approve select/non-select attendance zones

On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to approve select/non-select attendance zones.

Item #11: Recognition of Vernon Parish Counselors of the Year

Anne Smith, Curriculum Directors Anne Smith and Lisa Lohman presented the 2024-2025 Vernon Parish Counselors of the Year awards to the following counselors:

l) Elementary Counselor of the Year Kayla Bush ( ELE and NE)

2) Middle School Counselor of the Year Jennifer Carol (AES)

3) High School Counselor of the Year Nancy Blalock (LHS)

Item #12: Employee of the Month

Director of Finance, Tim Ward along with employee of the month sponsor, Jeff Taylor with Taylor and Sons Insurance, recognized Lynette Meyers, RES SIS secretary as Employee of the Month. She was presented with a plaque and Principal, Carolyn Bosley spoke to the Board about Ms. Meyers being an essential employee for RES. She always completes her tasks in a timely manner with a smile and continues to help others finish their duties. Her dedication to RES employees is outstanding and she is always at work, on time, and humble when asked to do a job. Many thanks to Lynette for the great job she does for our school.

Item #13: Leading for Better Instruction (Rapides Foundation)

Anne Smith, Curriculum Director congratulated Ami Green, Sedric Clemons and Donna Adams for their completion in the Leading for Better Instruction administrator program. Ms. Green, Mr. Clemons and Ms. Adams gave a brief summary of the training they received and how it has influenced their performance in a positive way to bring back what they learned and share with their staff.

Item #14: What Makes Vernon Parish Schools Great

Curriculum Director, Lisa Lohman presented the Board with five points that makes Vernon Parish Schools great:

1. Academic A District

2. Cutting Edge Classroom Technology Infrastructure

3. Collaborative Partnerships to enhance CT and Stem programs

4. Athletics, and extracurricular

5. Advanced Academic Opportunities (associate degree, dual enrollment, CLEP and AP,

6. Gifted and talented

Item #15: Starbase Update

Jessika LaCaze, Fort Johnson Starbase representative, updated the Board on the DoD Starbase program. The program engages students through the inquiry-based curriculum with its hands-on, mind-on experiential activities. They study Newtons Laws and Bernoullis Principle and learn about the wonders of space and the properties of matter. Technology captivates the children as they use the computer to design space stations, all-terrain vehicles, and submersibles. Math is embedded throughout the curriculum and student use metric measurement, estimation, calculation, and geometry to solve questions. Teamwork is stressed as they work together to explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate concepts.

The military volunteers apply abstract principles to real world situations by leading tours and giving lectures on the use of STEM in different settings and careers. STARBASE Fort Johnson is a highly interactive enrichment program for both public and private school students at no cost.

Item # 16: Superintendents Remarks

Superintendent James Williams welcomed all to the meeting and congratulated counselors of the year and employee of the month and thanked them for being outstanding employees. Topics discussed by Mr. Williams:

1) Reminder of the Academic Banquet will be April 28th for seniors at East Leesville Baptist Church Family Life Center a6 6:00 pm

2) List of 2025 Graduation and Awards Day dates

3) Reminder of the Spring Musical & Visual Arts showcase (Talented Program)

Friday, April 11, 2025 6:00 pm Christian Living Fellowship

4) Reminder of the Pilot Club of Leesville walk for Alzheimers awareness in honor of former employee Donna Williams

5) Month of Military Child celebrated in April

Mr. Williams turned the meeting over to the President.

Item #17: Memorial Resolutions

There were no memorial resolutions.

Item #18: Adjournment

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned.

AUTHORIZED OFFICER

___________________

VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR., PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT

VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

COPY PAPER BIDS FOR

2025/2026 SCHOOL YEAR

BIDDER

CONTRACT PAPER GROUP

PRICE BID $28.69

BIDDER

Economical Janitorial and Paper Supplies, LLC

PRICE BID $28.70

BIDDER

Imperial Dade

PRICE BID 29.25

BIDDER

Coast to Coast Computer

PRICE BID 32.50

BIDDER

Quill, LLC

PRICE BID 37.99

The following resolution was offered by Diedra Shell and seconded by Jackie Self:

RESOLUTION

A resolution ordering and calling special elections to be held in (i) Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, (ii) Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, (iii) Hornbeck School District No. 143 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (iv) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (v) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, to authorize the renewal and continuation 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) Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, (ii) Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, (iii) Hornbeck School District No. 143 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (iv) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (v) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "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 Districts on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2025, 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:

WARD THREE WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT

NO. 160 PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

Shall Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana (the "District"), be authorized to continue to levy a special tax of 18.77 mills on all of the property subject to taxation in the District (an estimated $830,400 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2027 and ending with the year 2036, 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 buildings in the District?

WARD SEVEN WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT

PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

Shall Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana (the "District"), be authorized to continue to levy a 17.42 mills tax on all of the property subject to taxation in the District (an estimated $453,400 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2027 and ending with the year 2036, 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 buildings in the District?

HORNBECK SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 143

PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

Shall Hornbeck School District No. 143 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "District"), be authorized to continue to levy a 10.39 mills tax on all of the property subject to taxation in the District (an estimated $93,700 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2026 and ending with the year 2035, for the purpose of maintaining the gymnasium and other K through 12 school buildings at Hornbeck High School?

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"), be authorized to continue to levy a special tax of 10 mills on all of the property subject to taxation in the District (an estimated $56,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2026 and ending with the year 2035, 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 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"), be authorized to continue to levy a special tax of 10.21 mills on all of the property subject to taxation in the District (an estimated $61,500 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2026 and ending with the year 2035, 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 buildings in the District, said millage to represent a .21 mill increase (due to reappraisal) over the 10 mills tax authorized to be levied through the year 2025 pursuant to an election held on April 9, 2016?

SECTION 2. Publication of Notice of Elections. A Notice of Special Elections shall be published in the official journal of the 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, NOVEMBER 13, 2025, at 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 set forth in the aforesaid Notice of Special Elections 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 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.

SECTION 9. Employment of Counsel. This Governing Authority finds and determines that a real necessity exists for the employment of special counsel on matters related to the special election, and accordingly, Foley & Judell, L.L.P., is hereby employed as special counsel for said purpose for a term not exceeding one (1) year from the date of this resolution. The fee to be paid said special counsel shall be an amount computed at hourly rate based on the Attorney General's then current Maximum Hourly Fee Schedule, not to exceed $1,000 in the aggregate, together with reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, and the Director of Finance is authorized to pay such invoices as and when presented. The scope of this legal representation does not involve federal claims.

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

YEAS: 11

NAYS:0

ABSENT: 1

And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 8th day of April, 2025.

____________________

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) Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, (ii) Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, (iii) Hornbeck School District No. 143 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (iv) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (v) Ward Eight Wardwide School District No. 151 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana (the "Districts"), on April 8, 2025, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that special elections will be held within the Districts on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2025, 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:

WARD THREE WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT

NO. 160 PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

WARD SEVEN WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT

PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

HORNBECK SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 143

PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

WARD SIX WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 161

PROPOSITION (TAX RENEWAL)

WARD EIGHT WARDWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 151

PROPOSITION (TAX CONTINUATION)

Said special election for Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 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)

02-02(PART)

03-01(PART)

03-02

03-03

03-04(PART)

03-05

Said special election for Ward Seven Wardwide School District 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

04-03A(PART)

04-03B(PART)

07-01

07-02(PART)

07-02A(PART)

07-02B(PART)

07-03

07-04(PART)

07-04A(PART)

07-05

07-05A(PART)

07-05D

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

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

The polling places at the precincts in the 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 Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 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 $1,300.

The estimated cost of the Ward Seven Wardwide School District 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 $1,400.

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 $900.

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 $900.

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 $900.

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, NOVEMBER 13, 2025, at 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.

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) Ward Three Wardwide School District No. 160 of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, (ii) Ward Seven Wardwide School District of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, (iii) Hornbeck School District No. 143 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana, (iv) Ward Six Wardwide School District No. 161 of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana and (v) 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 taken by the Governing Authority on April 8, 2025, ordering and calling special elections to be held in the Districts to authorize the renewal and continuation of special taxes therein.

IN FAITH WHEREOF, witness my official signature at Leesville, Louisiana, on this, the 8th day of April, 2025.

___________________

Secretary

11301985 5/11/25 ($455.52)