SECTION 1: The School Board hereby declares that, due to the passing of Jesse Dale Skinner, the office of School Board Member, District 9, Sabine Parish School Board, is vacant.
Many, Louisiana 71449
December 30, 2024
1. Meeting Opening:
The Parish School Board of Many, Louisiana, Sabine Parish, met in a Special Called public session on December 30, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. at 265 Middle Creek Road, Many, Louisiana, with the following members present: Kowonno Greene, Board President; John Stewart, Board Vice President; Stacy Alford, Everett Guidry, Josh Jenkins, Donald Remedies, and Terrell Snelling.
Absent: Dr. Leah Byles
President Kowonno Greene called the meeting to order. Josh Jenkins led the invocation and Kowonno Greene led the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Recognition of Visitors:
No visitors were recognized at this time.
3. Consent Agenda:
On motion by Josh Jenkins and second by John Stewart, it was carried to approve and adopt the Consent Agenda as follows:
A. Approve and adopt the Regular Board Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2024;
B. Approve and adopt Consent Agenda Items 3A – 3B.
4. Regular Agenda Items:
A. Board President Kowonno Greene read aloud the Declaration of Vacancy and Proclamation for Special Election School Board Member, District 9, Sabine Parish School Board. On motion by Stacy Alford and second by Donald Remedies, it was carried to Adopt and Approve Declaration and Proclamation as presented.
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DECLARATION OF VACANCY AND PROCLAMATION FOR
SPECIAL ELECTION
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, DISTRICT 9,
SABINE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
WHEREAS, due to the passing of Jesse Dale Skinner on December 15, 2024, a vacancy now exists in the office of School Board Member, District 9, Sabine Parish School Board.
WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute 18:602 requires that the Sabine Parish School Board formally declare the vacancy in its membership and appoint an individual to fill the vacancy until a special election is conducted.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Sabine Parish School Board does hereby declare and proclaim as follows:
SECTION 1: The School Board hereby declares that, due to the passing of Jesse Dale Skinner, the office of School Board Member, District 9, Sabine Parish School Board, is vacant.
SECTION 2: A special election shall be held for the purpose of electing a qualified individual to fill the vacancy in the office of School Board Member, District 9, Sabine Parish School Board.
SECTION 3: Any qualified person desiring to become a candidate for the office shall file a notice of candidacy, accompanied by a qualifying fee or a nominating petition, as required or authorized by law, with the appropriate election official in the manner and form and under the procedures and conditions set forth in the Louisiana Election Code during the period commencing Wednesday, January 29, 2025 and ending at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025.
SECTION 4: The special election shall be held and conducted under the applicable provisions of the Louisiana Election Code.
SECTION 5: The primary election shall be held Saturday, March 29, 2025 and the general election, if necessary, shall be held Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the times and places and in the manner prescribed by law.
SECTION 6: The Secretary of State, Commissioner of Elections, Parish Board of Election Supervisors, Clerk of Court, Registrar of Voters and all other persons charged with any power, function, right, duty or responsibility in conducting elections in the jurisdiction of the vacant position described herein are hereby authorized, requested, directed and empowered to exercise every lawful function and to do every act necessary to conduct the special election, to cause the returns to be made, to canvass and promulgate the results and to perform all related and incidental functions.
SECTION 7: Superintendent Shane Wright will take all action necessary to immediately publish this proclamation in the School Board's official journal.
SECTION 8: Superintendent Shane Wright will send a copy of this proclamation to the Clerk of Court for the 11th Judicial District and the Secretary of State by registered or certified mail no later than twenty-four (24) hours after this proclamation is issued.
RESOLVED by the Sabine Parish School Board at a special board meeting on the 30th day of December, 2024.
/s/Shane Wright
Shane Wright, Board Secretary
/s/Kowonno Greene
Kowonno Greene, Board President
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B. Ms. Sheryl Scott, candidate for Interim Board Member, addressed the Board before the vote. Superintendent Shane Wright explained voting procedure to the Board. Board President, Kowonno Greene called for the Board to vote for Interim Board Member for District 9. A paper ballot was collected from each voting Board Member. President Kowonno Greene read aloud the ballots collected as follows:
Donald Remedies – Mr. Benny Bell
Terrell Snelling – Rev. Dean Johnson
Everett Guidry – Rev. Dean Johnson
Stacy Alford – Rev. Dean Johnson
John Stewart – Mr. Benny Bell
Josh Jenkins – Rev. Dean Johnson
Kowonno Greene – Rev. Dean Johnson
On motion by John Stewart and second by Stacy Alford, it was carried to Appoint Interim School Board Member for District 9 and adopt formal resolution as follows:
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The following resolution was offered by John Stewart and seconded by Stacy Alford:
RESOLUTION
A resolution to select and appoint interim school board member to fill the vacancy for District 9.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Parish School Board of the Parish of Sabine, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority Sabine Parish School Board hereby selects and appoints Rev. Dean Johnson as the Interim School Board Member, District 9, Sabine Parish School Board.
THUS DONE AND SIGNED at Many, Louisiana on this, 30th day of December 2024.
/s/Kowonno Greene
President
ATTEST:
/s/Shane Wright
Secretary
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5. Superintendent’s Report:
Informational only.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
ATTEST:
/s/Kowonno Greene
Kowonno Greene, President
/s/Shane Wright
Shane Wright, Secretary