LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
SPECIAL CALLED SESSION
Tuesday, May 18, 1999 12:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Special Called Session on Tuesday, May 18, 1999 at 12:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were Mr. David Wright, Mr. Billy Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. Curtis Dowling (arrived after the meeting began), Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack (arrived after the meeting began), Mr. Joe Mitcham, and Mr. Rob Shadoin.
Absent was Mr. Allen Tuten.
President Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Anders. Mr. Wright led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. He welcomed special guests and members of the media and of the official staff to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda with an addendum of Further Business: Accept bids on duplicating paper and paper towels.
With regrets, Mr. Anders made a motion to adopt a Resolution expressing the Board's appreciation for the service of Mr. Wayne Barfield, Board member for Ward 4, who passed away on May 11, 1999. Dr. Beasley seconded the motion.
Mr. Dowling arrived at the meeting.
The Board unanimously voted to adopt the Resolution honoring Mr. Wayne Barfield.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following Proclamation calling for a special election to fill the vacancy in the office of school board member from Ward 4:
P R O C L A M A T I O N
I, David Wright, 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 Ward 4, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana.
Be it further proclaimed and announced that under the authority of Louisiana Revised Statute 18:402, 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 Ward 4, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, School Board, on Saturday, October 23, 1999; and a special general election, if necessary, is hereby called and ordered to be held in Ward 4, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, School Board, on Saturday, November 20, 1999; all for the purpose of filling the vacancy in the office of School Board member, Ward 4, 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 Tuesday, September 7, 1999, and shall close at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 9, 1999.
Mr. Wright explained the procedure to be used in selecting a replacement for Mr. Barfield and indicated that members should look in their portfolios for a list of those who had called the Superintendent's office to indicate their interest in the Ward 4 interim Board position. There were no additional nominations from the Board. After reading the list of the six names, he opened the floor for nominations.
Mr. Mitcham nominated Priscilla Barfield.
Mr. Dowling nominated Dinah Brazzel.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board decided by acclamation that nominations should cease.
Mr. Wright asked for a vote of those in favor of Dinah Brazzel. Voting for Ms. Brazzel by a show of hands vote: Mr. Dowling.
Voting for Priscilla Barfield by a show of hands vote: Mr. Abrahm, Mr. Anders, Dr. Beasley, Ms. Harrison, Mr. Kessler, Mr. Mitcham, Mr. Shadoin, and Mr. Wright.
This resulted in one vote for Ms. Brazzel and eight for Ms. Barfield.
Since Ms. Barfield had a majority of the votes, President Wright suggested that a motion be made making her the unanimous choice as an interim replacement for her husband, Mr. Barfield.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to accept Ms. Priscilla Barfield as an interim Board member for Ward 4.
To complete the items of business to name an interim board member, Mr. Wright read the following:
RESOLUTION
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That Mrs. Priscilla Barfield, resident of Ward 4, 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 Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the Resolution appointing Mrs. Priscilla Barfield to serve as Board Member from Ward 4 until the election.
Director of Auxiliary Services, Charles Owens, reminded Board members that bids received for duplicating paper and paper towels were taken under advisement at the last meeting. He contacted the companies who had submitted identical bids to determine if they would be willing to offer the same price for half the quantity. All four companies said they would; therefore, Mr. Owens recommended that Tri-Star Marketing of Lafayette and Unisource of Monroe be awarded the duplicating paper bid and Unisource of West Monroe and Xpedx of Shreveport be chosen to supply paper towels. Duplicating paper cost is $17.80 per unit, for 1000 cases, for a total cost of $17,800 to each company. Paper towels will cost $9.74 per case, for 275 cases, for a total of $2,678.50 to each company.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to award the bids on duplicating paper and paper towels as stated above.
Mr. Mack entered the meeting and voiced his support of Mrs. Barfield.
Board members expressed their thanks and appreciation to all six who indicated an interest in the children of the parish by submitting their names for the interim board member position.
After comments, the meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m.
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Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President