LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, July 11, 2000 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 11, 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, Dr. Marty Beasley, Ms. Dinah Brazzel, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham (arrived late), and Mr. Allen Tuten.
Mr. Jim Kessler and Mr. Rob Shadoin were absent.
President David Wright called the meeting to order and Mr. Anders gave the invocation. Mr. Wright led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed special guests, members of the official staff and media to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda with an addendum containing one Request, one item of Unfinished Business, and one item of New Business.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on June 6, 2000.
Randy Moore, Secondary Supervisor, reminded the Board that each year the system must submit a revised copy of the Pupil Progression Plan (PPP) to the State Department of Education for their approval. The PPP is based on regulations from the state and local policies having to do with promotion and retention. The changes to be considered were: 1) The retention limit for scoring Unsatisfactory on the fourth grade LEAP 21 is one school year. However, a student retained in fourth grade for scoring Unsatisfactory on the LEAP 21 will be required to meet all other progression requirements in order to progress to fifth grade. 2) A student who scores Unsatisfactory on the fourth or eighth grade LEAP 21 may appeal to the Superintendent of the Lincoln Parish School System for progression to grade five or nine provided that certain criteria are met. Mr. Moore asked for approval of the revised document.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tuten, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revisions to the Pupil Progression Plan.
Mr. Mitcham joined the meeting during the beginning of Mr. Moore's PPP report and was involved in the vote.
Because of present and growing concerns in the area of school business, Juanita Duke, Business Manager, feels the need to design the business staff in order to allow the department to continue to implement fiscal changes as timely and efficiently as possible and, as always, in accordance with state and federal law and generally accepted accounting principles. She requested permission to replace the business office secretarial position with that of a fiscal accountant who would report directly to her and would be responsible for maintaining the district's general ledger and assisting in the preparation of all fiscal reports, in addition to numerous other designated responsibilities. She would like to advertise for the position July 24-August 4, 2000, conduct interviews on August 9 or August 10, 2000, and present a recommendation to the Board no later than the September 5, 2000 board meeting.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise and interview for the fiscal accountant position as outlined by Ms. Duke.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed.
Mr. Ronnie Suggs, Assistant Superintendent, presented background information on the selection process followed with the unanimous recommendation of the Interview Committee and Superintendent Gerald Cobb of Mr. David Ferguson as principal of Lincoln Center effective July 17, 2000. Previous principal, Ray Bratton, resigned effective November 1, 1999.
He told the Board that he chaired the Committee which consisted of Danny Bell, Sandra Henderson, Judy Mabry, Mary Null, and Charles Owens.
The top three scoring applicants were: Rik Cason, David Ferguson, and Perry Anderson.
Upon a motion by Ms. Harrison, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to employ Mr. David Ferguson as principal of Lincoln Center effective July 17, 2000.
Mr. Suggs presented items 1.-4.; Director of Auxiliary Services, Mr. Charles Owens, presented 5.; and Coordinator of Auxiliary Programs and School Food Service, Mr. James Payton, presented 6.-7.
1. Resignation of the following, effective June 1, 2000, unless otherwise stated:
Kelly Gunn, teacher at Choudrant Elementary, effective June 13, 2000.
Monabeth Milliron, teacher at Choudrant Elementary.
Charles Patterson, math at Choudrant High, effective June 30, 2000.
Amanda Pierot, English at Choudrant High, effective July 1, 2000.
Traci Kraeszig, teacher at Cypress Springs, effective June 26, 2000.
Sandra Maddry, English at Dubach High, effective June 14, 2000.
Sherri Rogers, teacher at I. A. Lewis, effective July 1, 2000.
Marita Crowder, itinerant elementary teacher, effective June 13, 2000.
Leah Hall, itinerant speech therapist, effective June 5, 2000.
Robert Arvie, English/coach at Ruston High.
Mary Hooper, choir at Ruston High.
Tamara Lee, science at Ruston High, effective June 7, 2000.
Melissa Harvey, teacher at Ruston Junior High, effective June 26, 2000.
Kevin Bethea, math at Simsboro High.
2. Retirement, effective August 1, 2000 of Jack Thigpen, Jr. who served as athletic director/coach at Ruston High School.
3. Points of Reference/Transfers not requiring a vote but for information purposes and all effective August 17, 2000:
Jane Watson from Cypress Springs to Choudrant Elementary replacing Monabeth Milliron who resigned.
Laureen Mayfield from Ruston Elementary to Cypress Springs replacing Janet Hammock who transferred.
Virginia Suggs from Hillcrest to Cypress Springs replacing Traci Kraeszig who resigned.
Shauna Vallery from Ruston Elementary to Cypress Springs replacing Martha Price who retired.
Pat Albritton from Simsboro Elementary to Glen View replacing Carolyn James who retired.
Polly Durrett from Simsboro Elementary to Glen View replacing Lisa Duncan who resigned.
Jennifer Martin from Choudrant Elementary to Glen View replacing Gaile Clary who retired.
Carole Roberts from I. A. Lewis to Glen View in a new special education position.
Kelly Caldwell from Ruston Elementary to special education at Hico Elementary replacing Alexa Ginn who resigned.
Bobbi Conner from Cypress Springs to I. A. Lewis replacing Carole Roberts who transferred.
Sarah Almond from Hico Elementary to Ruston Elementary replacing Kelly Caldwell who transferred.
Martie Clary from Choudrant Elementary to art at Ruston Elementary replacing Kay Campbell who resigned.
Donna Walters from Lincoln Center to a vacant special education slot at Ruston Elementary.
Colleen Bridges from I. A. Lewis/Ruston Jr. High to music at Ruston High replacing Mary Hooper who resigned.
Earnestine Layton from Dubach High to Ruston Junior High replacing Veronica Ellis who transferred.
Janet Hammock from Cypress Springs to a vacant special education position at Simsboro.
4. Employment of the following teachers, effective August 17, 2000:
Brandie Kent at Choudrant Elementary replacing Barbara Einsel who resigned.
Kelly Nugent at Choudrant Elementary replacing Jennifer Martin who transferred.
Destina Paige, art at Hico, Simsboro, and Choudrant Elementary replacing Martie Clary who transferred.
Elaine Beard as P.E./coach at Choudrant High replacing Cheryl Lamkin who retired.
Keith Beard as English at Choudrant High replacing Amanda Pierot who resigned.
Robert Penland as math at Choudrant High replacing Charles Patterson who resigned.
Lori Varner as science at Choudrant High replacing Mollie Allen who transferred.
Ronnie Yates in a new social studies position at Choudrant High.
Wendy DelRio in a new teaching slot at Cypress Springs.
Johnette Forbes at Cypress Springs replacing Terri Phillips who was granted sabbatical leave.
Carole James at Cypress Springs replacing Rosa Goins Roane who retired.
Janet Minyard at Cypress Springs replacing Jane Watson who transferred.
Debbie Hollimon as English at Dubach High replacing Sandra Maddry who resigned.
Wanda Mays as math at Dubach High replacing Donna Doss who was granted leave without pay.
Lisa Coleman at Hillcrest Elementary replacing Louise Adams who was granted sabbatical leave.
Susan Richardson at Hillcrest Elementary replacing Carla Evans who resigned.
Pam Owen at Hillcrest Elementary replacing Virginia Suggs who transferred.
Doris Bacon at I. A. Lewis replacing Sherri Rogers who resigned.
Kristie Richardson as special education at the Methodist Children's Home replacing Kathryn Arthur who resigned.
Lindsey Husted at Ruston Elementary replacing Carla DiMento who resigned.
Carol Johnson at Ruston Elementary replacing Shauna Vallery who transferred.
Charles Hampton as ROTC at Ruston High replacing Oliver Sutton who retired.
Jerry Hornsby as social studies/coach at Ruston High replacing Robert Arvie who resigned.
Ernie Jones as special education at Ruston High replacing Ernie Jones who resigned.
John Small as ROTC at Ruston High replacing Charles Mathis who resigned.
Wendy Cox in a new special education position at Ruston Junior High.
Jacqueline Estes as math at Ruston Junior High replacing Darene Larance who retired.
Tina Grigsby as math at Ruston Junior High replacing Curley Bordelon who retired.
Michelle Northcott as social studies at Ruston Junior High replacing Melissa Harvey who resigned.
Deanna Singleton as language arts at Ruton Junior High replacing Mymie Caldwell who retired.
Chris Campbell at Simsboro replacing Polly Durrett who transferred.
Julie Jones at Simsboro replacing Jennifer Owen who resigned.
Tracy King at Simsboro replacing Pat Albritton who transferred.
Cindy Putnam as math at Simsboro replacing Kevin Bethea who resigned.
Mandy Russell in a new elementary position at Simsboro.
Trish Spione in a new special education slot at Simsboro.
5. Resignation of Central Office secretary Terri Russell effective July 3, 2000.
6. Resignation of Ruston bus driver Max Barrett effective July 1, 2000.
7. Employment of Charissa Barrett as Ruston bus driver effective July 1, 2000 replacing Max Barrett who resigned.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to grant/accept the personnel requests.
Juanita Duke told the Board that sales tax monies for the month ending June 30, 2000 rose 8.41% over the same month last year. The year ended with a 1.427% increase over all. Total sales tax collections for the 99-00 fiscal year in the 1967 and 1979 fund were $3,780,388; $2,268,228 was collected in the 1993 fund; and two months of the new 2000 sales tax added $345,974 to the coffers. Audit recoveries were down this month compared to the same month last year, but 102.19% of last year's total monies was collected - $112,344.
A financial update for the month ending May, 2000 was also presented by Ms. Duke. As the year is winding down, she said the general and child nutrition funds have good healthy balances but the 5 mill fund is low. She anticipates making a transfer into that fund in three or four months. The four sales tax funds are large in anticipation of June sales tax supplement checks. Presently utilities are being paid out of ad valorem and maintenance and operating funds.
Mr. Suggs shared the following highlights from two pages of Spring test scores on the LEAP 21, IOWA, and GEE.
LEAP for the 21st Century - grades 4 and 8
Lincoln 1999 Lincoln 2000 State 1999 State 2000
Grade 4 English/Language Arts
Unsatisfactory 15% 14% 21% 21%
Grade 4 Math
Unsatisfactory 18% 18% 35% 29%
Grade 8 English/Language Arts
Unsatisfactory 12% 13% 21% 14%
Grade 8 Math
Unsatisfactory 26% 25% 40% 33%
He did point out that Lincoln Parish opted to test special education students this year instead of waiting until next year's mandated testing. Since other parishes chose to wait, it's difficult to compare this year's scores.
IOWA - grades 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9
1999 2000
Grade 3 - Composite scores 51% 55%
Grade 5 - Composite scores 48% 50%
Grade 6 - Composite scores 50% 50%
Grade 7 - Composite scores 53% 51%
Grade 9 - Composite scores 49% 50%
GEE - grades 10 and 11
Lincoln 1999 Lincoln 2000 State 2000
English/Language Arts 94 89 81
Mathematics 79 83 74
Written Composition 94 96 93
Science 84 87 81
Social Studies 94 91 87
Mr. Suggs reminded the Board that next year will see the beginning of accountability at the high school level. Overall, it was his opinion that students in Lincoln Parish continue to test well.
According to Superintendent Gerald Cobb negotiations with the Department of Transportation and Development concerning two small parcels of Board-owned land in Dubach were authorized by the Board at the June 6, 2000 meeting. Their offer of $8,400 for less than 10,000 square feet of property was felt to be just compensation. A poll vote was conducted on June 8 and the eleven members contacted agreed to sell the land to the DOTD for $8,400. He recommended that the Board approve the poll vote.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Ms. Brazzel, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to approve the unanimous poll vote of June 8, 2000 authorizing the sale of parcels 10-2 and 10-4 in Dubach to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for $8,400.
Ms. Duke shared her annual revisions to the budget that are a result of changes that have occurred in revenue and expenditures throughout the year and in order to align the budget to the actual figures. The beginning 99-00 budget contained conservative figures, she reminded, which have been revised to be closer to the year's activities. Revenue figures changed from $35,093,543 to $36,788,083; expenditures from $35,023,055 to $36,848,411; and the estimated ending fund balance on June 30, 2000 from $4,867,963 to $4,765,071. This resulted in a projected deficit for the year of $60,328 in general funds. She requested adoption of the 99-00 revised budget.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tuten, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the revised budget for fiscal year 99-00 as presented.
Through the use of occasional sod and hay barricades, the erosion of the embankment at the south end of James Stadium has been controlled, related Superintendent Cobb. As a result of the volume and force of water coming primarily from the newly resurfaced tennis courts during heavy rains, the embankment has now eroded to a point where it has become very dangerous and could cause severe damage to the retaining wall and all-weather track. On July 10, 2000 a poll vote was taken to adopt a resolution declaring an emergency to exist at James Stadium in order to expedite the repair of the embankment. All ten members contacted voted to do so. Dr. Cobb asked for ratification of the poll vote.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to ratify the July 10, 2000 unanimous poll vote adopting a resolution declaring an emergency to exist at James Stadium.
The State Legislative Auditor's office requires all Louisiana governmental units to complete a Systems Survey & Compliance Questionnaire and submit it to the independent auditor at the beginning of the financial and compliance audit, Ms. Duke informed the Board. She recommended approval of the questionnaire.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Systems Survey & Compliance Questionnaire for fiscal year 99-00 as presented.
Dr. Cobb related that the Sales Tax and Use Commission voted at its June 20, 2000 meeting to tentatively approved an adjusted 99-00 budget and a proposed 00-01 budget. The adjusted 99-00 budget is $20,940 higher than the original $143,275 budget that the Board adopted in May, 1999. The proposed 00-01 budget has an increase of $59,875 over last year's initial budget which is primarily due to the employment of an additional in-house auditor and new computers and software. The total 00-01 proposed budget is $203,150. He asked the Board to approve the budgets.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Lincoln Parish Sales and Use Tax Commission's adjusted 99-00 budget and 00-01 proposed budget.
After twenty-seven and one half years, Mr. Tuten announced that he has built a home in another district and plans to retire from the Lincoln Parish School Board effective August 31, 2000. He expressed his appreciation and thanks to the: constituents in Ward 1-C who have allowed him to serve, teachers and students and for his relationship with them and their efforts to improve the school system, the Superintendent and his staff with whom he has had the pleasure to work, and his fellow board members with whom he feels proud to say he has worked and served.
President Wright commended Mr. Tuten on behalf of the Board for his many years of service. As the remaining member who began his term at the same time as Mr. Tuten, Mr. Mack expressed the respect he feels for Mr. Tuten and pleasure he has derived from working with him. Mr. Tuten was wished the best of luck.
Dr. Cobb said a Special Election Proclamation detailing procedures to be followed in electing a permanent replacement to fill Mr. Tuten's position must be adopted within ten days of notification of the vacancy. Further, if adopted on or before July 21, 2000, the Ward 1-C vacancy can be filled during the same election as Mrs. Barfield's Ward 4 slot. Although an interim cannot be named until ten days after the effective date of Mr. Tuten's retirement, Dr. Cobb announced that any interested persons meeting qualifications should contact his office by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2000 to have their name placed on a list of prospective candidates. Appointment of an interim replacement and a resolution naming the same will be placed on the agenda of the September meeting. He asked for acceptance of Mr. Tuten's retirement and adoption of the Special Election Proclamation.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Dr. Beasley, that Board unanimously voted to accept Mr. Tuten's plans to retire from the Lincoln Parish School Board effective August 31, 2000 and adopt the Special Election Proclamation as presented.
In a Report of the Superintendent, he said:
1) The next meeting of the Board is the Special Called Session on July 20, 2000 at 5:00 p.m.
2) Included in packets is a list of Board meeting dates for 00-01.
After brief comments the meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
__________________________________ _________________________________
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President