LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, May 2, 2000 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, May 2, 2000 at 6:00 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, Ms. Priscilla Barfield, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin, and Mr. Allen Tuten.
No one was absent.
President Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Mack. Mr. Wright led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed special guests, members of the official staff, and of the media.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Tuten, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on April 4, 2000 as distributed.
Because of outstanding contributions to school libraries in Louisiana, several of the parishes' librarians nominated Danny Bell, Elementary Supervisor, for the Sue Hefley Educator of the Year Award. He was presented with the Award at the March 15 annual awards luncheon of the Louisiana Library Association and was recognized again when Superintendent Gerald Cobb awarded a plaque to him in appreciation of his enthusiasm and support for the libraries. Mr. Bell thanked all involved librarians and recognized seven who were in attendance.
As has been the custom for the last few years, Supervisor of Auxiliary Programs, James Payton, declared that three buses would need to be purchased in order to continue to provide safe, high quality bus service to the students and to adequately provide for extra curricular activities such as athletics and field trips. He shared three main reasons for asking to purchase the new buses: 50% of the sixty-six board buses are '92 models or older; the '90 thirty-six passenger special lift bus has 106,000 miles and is in fair condition; and the transportation department must be prepared to provide buses for contract drivers that retire or become board drivers. He expects the two new seventy-two passenger buses to cost $50,000 each and the new special education lift bus to cost $60,000. He reported that Juanita Duke, Business Manager, said sufficient funds will be available to budget for the expenditure for the upcoming fiscal year and in fact, the price to purchase these three buses would still be a reduction of approximately $60,000 in next year's budget compared to this year's bus purchases. He closed by asking for permission to advertise for three new school buses.
After brief questions, upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for three new model year school buses as outlined by Mr. Payton.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to submit the Louisiana Educational Agency Application for IDEA FLOW-THROUGH FUNDS FOR FY 2001 as requested by Special Education Supervisor, Gloria Roebuck.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to send Letters of Continued Employment to employees as mandated by Act 745 of the 1977 Legislature. This request is presented annually by Ronnie Suggs, Assistant Superintendent.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed after Mr. Suggs presented 1.-2. and Brenda Theodos, School Food Service Supervisor, presented 3.-4.:
1. Resignation effective June 1, 2000 (unless otherwise specified) of the following:
Rebecca Sain, special education teacher at Glen View, effective August 1, 2000.
Barbara Tubre, computer proctor at I. A. Lewis.
Arabrian Lewis, alternative teacher at Lincoln Center.
Kathryn Arthur, special education teacher at the Methodist Children's Home.
Jennifer Owen, elementary teacher at Simsboro, effective April 18, 2000.
2. Retirement, effective June 1, 2000 (unless specified otherwise) of:
Cheryl Lamkin, P.E./Coach at Choudrant High.
Rosa (Goins) Roane, teacher at Cypress Springs Elementary.
Martha Callender, teacher at Ruston Elementary,
Oliver Sutton, ROTC instructor at Ruston High, effective July 20, 2000.
3. Resignation of the following School Food Service personnel:
Mary Boston, technician at Ruston Junior High, effective March 31, 2000.
Theresa Anderson, clerk/technician at Grambling High, effective April 1, 2000.
4. Retirement of the following School Food Service personnel:
Rose Hargrove, technician at Glen View, effective May 22, 2000.
Mary Cheeks, technician at Alma J. Brown, effective May 30, 2000.
Fannye Sherman, technician at Grambling High, effective May 31, 2000.
Charlesetta Young, clerk/technician at I. A. Lewis, effective July 1, 2000.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to rescind Cheryl Lamkin's May request for leave without pay for 00-01 and to accept the personnel recommendations as shown above.
In order to offer summer remediation to 4th and 8th grade students who score at the unsatisfactory level on either or both of the English/language arts and mathematics portions of the spring LEAP 21 tests, Mr. Bell has assembled a group of fifteen outstanding teachers and one director, Sandra Henderson, he announced. Professional development is already underway for the teachers with new reading and math programs which should interest the students and help with multi-sensory learning. Special education students will be included along with two inclusion teachers. Plans are to kick off the program for the 128-135 anticipated students with an Open House at Ruston Junior High School on June 2. Four buses have been arranged to transport the students to and from four common pick up and drop off points. A simple breakfast has been designed for 7:45 each morning followed by classes from 8:15 until 11:55 each day for 21-23 days. LEAP 21 retests will be given in early July and letters of notification will be sent to parents as soon as the test results are returned to the district. Total cost of the summer remediation program is expected to be about $75,000 with $25,000 to be reimbursed by the State. He closed by saying that only 4th and 8th graders who fail to meet criteria will be allowed to attend this summer school which he expects to be a model summer school remediation program.
Juanita Duke reported that April, 2000 was another good month with a 1.14% increase in collections over the same month last year. Collections in the 1967 and 1979 fund were $350,945 and $210,566 was collected in the 1993 fund. These are up about .09% for the year. Ms. Duke predicted that the July 1 salary supplement should be at least the same as last year's amounts as the collections are very close to last year's figures. Audit recoveries for the month totalled $12,623.
Ms. Duke called attention to the fund balances on the March, 2000 financial statement. She indicated that the general fund looks good for this time of the year and the sales tax balances are growing in anticipation of July checks. Utility costs continue to be paid out of the maintenance and operation accounts. The bulk of tax collections have now been paid for the remainder of the 2000 calendar year.
Following last month's mandate to enter into negotiations with Ruston Parks and Recreation concerning its use of the Greenwood School as a community recreation facility, Dr. Cobb presented a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement which was drawn up by the Assistant District Attorney. The agreement basically gives RPAR the right to improve and use the facility for a period of ten years with two, five year renewal options. RPAR will be responsible for all upkeep and applicable insurance needs and will pay the Board $250 a month. Jay Ellington, RPAR Director, will establish a Greenwood Recreational Board which will represent the community it serves and RPAR will cooperate with community groups pertaining to the use of the facility to implement other community service type programs. Superintendent Cobb asked for approval of the Agreement.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tuten, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, and with four suggestions from Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the City of Ruston concerning Ruston Parks and Recreation's lease of the Greenwood School.
Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, announced that bids were opened April 19, 2000 at 2:00 p.m. as stipulated in the advertisement for a mowing tractor for the maintenance department. He recommended that the Board accept the lowest bid of $13,787.63 from Ruston Farm Implements.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to accept the lowest bid of $13,787.63 from Ruston Farm Implements in order to purchase a mowing tractor.
Mr. Owens also reported on bid opening for the construction of two classroom buildings at the Secondary Alternative School. After considering the bids, a poll vote was taken to accept the bid from Vanderberg Construction, Inc. for $103,850. Board members unanimously voted to accept the bid. He asked for ratification of the poll vote.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to ratify the 12-0 poll vote accepting the low bid of $103,850 from Vanderberg Construction, Inc. for the construction of two classroom buildings at the Secondary Alternative School.
The Lincoln Parish Sales and Use Tax Commission passed three resolutions and is asking for the Board's support and passage, Dr. Cobb shared. The resolutions, concerning various issues which would or do impact our sales and use tax collection process, are as follows: opposing House Bill No. 38 which excludes tangible personal property that is purchased for lease or rental from being taxed locally, supporting continued local administration and collection of sales and use taxes, and requesting complete documentation from the State of Louisiana for checks received by the Lincoln Parish Sales and Use Tax Commission on the sale of all licensed vehicles. Administrator, Jerry Moore, added some additional comments and personally requested the Board's support.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to firmly support the resolutions concerning various issues impacting our sales and use taxes as outlined above.
In the report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb said that:
1) A graduation schedule was included in packets.
2) The next meeting of the Board would be held at 6:15 p.m. on June 6 to be preceded by a 6:00 reception for all Lincoln Parish School Board employees who retired during the year.
Ms. Barfield said goodbye to the Board as she plans an imminent move from Ward 4 to Ward 1-B. She said that she is sending a letter of resignation effective May 31, 2000 to the Secretary of State.
President Wright expressed the Board's appreciation to Ms. Barfield for her year of service to the children of the parish.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 7:28 p.m.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President