LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
SPECIAL CALLED SESSION
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 1:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Special Called Session on Tuesday, February 28, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were Ms. Debbie Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Michael Barmore, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison (arrived after the meeting began), Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. Eddie Jones, and Mr. Joe Mitcham.
Mr. Danny Hancock and Ms. Lynda Henderson were absent, and Mr. George Mack was deceased.
President Otha Anders called the meeting to order and turned the floor over the Superintendent Danny Bell. As he began to speak, Ms. Harrison arrived at the meeting.
Mr. Bell told board members it was necessary to adopt a proclamation calling for a special election on November 6, 2012, to fill the vacancy in District 11 created by the death of Mr. Mack.
With regrets, upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:
P R O C L A M A T I O N
I, Otha Anders, President of the School Board of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, do hereby announce and proclaim that the Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, School Board does hereby and herewith order a special election to fill the vacancy in the office of School Board member from District 11, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, created by the death of Mr. George Mack on February 22, 2012.
Be it further proclaimed and announced that under the authority of Louisiana Revised Statute 18:402 and 18:406, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority supplemental thereto, a special primary election be, and the same is hereby called and ordered to be held in District 11, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, School Board, on Tuesday, November 6, 2012; and a special general election, if necessary, is hereby called and ordered to be held in District 11, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, School Board, on Saturday, December 1, 2012; all for the purpose of filling the vacancy in the office of School Board member, District 11, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana.
It is further proclaimed and announced that in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute 18:467, as amended, the qualifying period for candidates in the special election, hereinabove called and ordered, shall open on Wednesday, August 15, and shall close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 17, 2012.
Otha Anders declared the floor open for nominations to fill the vacancy in District 11 until an election could be held. He turned the floor over to Mr. Bell.
Mr. Bell asked for nominations from board members for the interim position.
Ms. Harrison nominated George Mack, Jr.
Superintendent Bell asked for further nominations. Hearing none, he declared that nominations were closed.
The Board unanimously voted to name George Mack, Jr. to fill the vacancy in District 11 until an election could be held.
To complete the items of business necessary to name an interim board member, Mr. Bell presented the following:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Mr. George Mack, Board Member representing District 11, of the Lincoln Parish School Board has died on February 22, 2012; and
WHEREAS, under the authority of the Louisiana Revised Statutes 18:402 and 18:602, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority supplemental thereto, a special primary election be, and the same is hereby called and ordered to be held in District 11, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, School Board, on Tuesday, November 6, 2012; and a special general election, if necessary, is hereby called and ordered to be held in District 11, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, School Board, on Saturday, December 1, 2012; all for the purpose of filling the vacancy in the office of school board member, District 11, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the people of District 11 need representation now on the Lincoln Parish School Board.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That Mr. George Mack, Jr., resident of District 11, be appointed to serve in this capacity until the voters select their representative at the polls.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That copies of this resolution be sent by certified mail to the Secretary of State's Office in Baton Rouge and to the Clerk of Court's Office in Lincoln Parish, Ruston, Louisiana.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the Resolution appointing Mr. George Mack, Jr. to serve as Board Member from District 11 until the voters select their representative at the polls.
Mr. Bell said the administration is continuing to address the desegregation case and working closely with the attorneys. He noted that Bob Hammonds from Hammonds and Sills law firm was in attendance as Pam Dill could not be present.
Bob Hammonds suggested that the board go into executive session to discuss strategy and/or action regarding the pending litigation, United States of America v. Lincoln Parish School Board, et al, Civil Action number 12,071.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to go into executive session at 1:13 p.m.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to return to open session at 2:34 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 2:35 p.m. on a motion by Ms. Best.
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Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President