LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, October 3, 2000 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, October 3, 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. Chad Connor, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham.
Absent was Mr. Rob Shadoin.
President David Wright called the meeting to order and Ms. Harrison gave the invocation. Mr. Wright led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed guests, members of the official staff and of the press.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda with an addendum.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on September 5, 2000 as printed.
President Wright welcomed interim 1-C board member, Mr. Chad Connor, who expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve.
Secondary Supervisor, Randy Moore, introduced Mr. Andy Halbrook, Director of the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Halbrook thanked the Board for allowing the Chamber to take part in the Teacher of the Year project. He shared background information on the recognition of them by area businesses and specifically mentioned the fact that through the efforts of the past Education Committee Chairman, Chris Barr, three businesses have committed to providing $500 a year for three years for a Teacher of the Year. Mr. Moore reviewed the selection process for the Teacher of the Year program and introduced the winner of each category. The following 00-01 parish winners were presented with a plaque of appreciation by Superintendent Gerald Cobb on behalf of the Board and $500 from their business sponsor for their excellence and hard work:
Pat Stevens - A. E. Phillips - elementary division - Regions Bank
Kathy Sims - Simsboro School - junior high division - Hogan Hardwoods
Philip Cardwell - Simsboro School - high school division - J. C. Penney
Mr. Moore announced that he has received word that Mrs. Stevens has been selected as regional elementary Teacher of the Year and Mrs. Sims is the regional junior high Teacher of the Year.
Mr. Wright congratulated the three parish Teachers of the Year and thanked the Chamber for their recognition.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed:
Ronnie Suggs, Assistant Superintendent, presented item 1., Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, presented 2.-3., and Howard Whitlock, Transportation Supervisor, presented the addendum, item 4.:
1. Employment of the following:
Kelly Sandoz, effective August 17, 2000, as language arts teacher at Ruston Junior High replacing Rhonda Ferguson who resigned.
Effective September 12, 2000, Carla Chrisman as special education aide at Cypress Springs replacing Dorothy Bryant who transferred.
2. Employment of DaVona Howard in a new central office fiscal accountant position, effective October 23, 2000.
3. Resignation of Lemoyne Brewster, effective September 11, 2000, as custodian at I. A. Lewis.
4. Employment of the following transportation personnel:
Pam Driskill as bus driver in the Grambling district effective September 13, 2000 replacing Elme Bowman who died.
Effective September 25, 2000, Cherri Barmore as central office transportation secretary replacing Donna Lilley who transferred.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel requests and recommendations.
The seventeenth annual Lincoln Parish Academic Awards Banquet has been scheduled for Monday, November 13, 2000 according to Superintendent Cobb. It will be held at the Ruston Civic Center and the guest speaker will be Mr. Patrick Jefferson, Dean of Student Affairs at Dillard University. Dr. Cobb asked the Board to put the date on their calendars.
Two special sessions and one regular session of the Louisiana Legislature during the first half of 2000 resulted in three proposed policy changes and one new proposed policy for the parish's policy manual. Dr. Cobb summarized the changes to Lease of School Lands (DFI), School Admission (JBC), and School Transportation Management (ED). He and Gloria Roebuck, Special Education Supervisor, explained the new policy, Technology Assistive Devices for Disabled Students (IDDFA). After brief comments and questions, he said these policy changes were submitted for consideration only and will be on the agenda of the October 18 meeting for Board approval.
Dr. Cobb stated that the Simsboro school site is the smallest school location in the parish in terms of space available for playgrounds, parking, and possible expansion. It is bounded on the south by Highway 80, on the west by the Baptist Church, on the north by the railroad, and on the east by a road and various properties. The Board has the opportunity to purchase approximately three acres of land, with an appraised value of $12,200, on the east side. Superintendent Cobb asked for permission to negotiate the purchase of the property for the appraised price before it is sold for commercial development and no future growth or expansion could be done at Simsboro School.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Anders, that Board unanimously voted to authorize Dr. Gerald Cobb to negotiate the purchase of the Simsboro property for the appraised price of $12,200 and President David Wright the authority to execute all of the applicable paperwork to complete the purchase of the property.
Two proposed constitutional amendments, sponsored by Representative Vic Stelly R-Lake Charles, are on the November 7 ballot according to Dr. Cobb. The Stelly Plan would increase state income taxes by an estimated $642 million a year and permanently eliminate state sales taxes on food and utilities, a savings of $436 million. Net revenue would be used to finance pay raises for public school teachers, college faculty, and other educational personnel with percentages for each group to be determined by the Legislature. In the first year of implementation approximately $200,000,000 would be available and 80% of the monies will go toward salaries. The other 20% is to go to other educational programs and enhancements. The LA School Boards Association, the LA Association of Superintendents, and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education have endorsed the Stelly Plan. Dr. Cobb asked the Board to approve a resolution supporting it also.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted by a show of hands vote to approve the following:
Resolution
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Lincoln Parish School Board does hereby endorse the adoption of Constitutional Amendments Two and Three by the voters on November 7, 2000.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Lincoln Parish School System inform the public by whatever means are available that this Board endorses passage of Constitutional Amendments Two and Three as an important step in securing a reliable source of revenue from the State of Louisiana to support pay raises for teachers and school employees and to fund other vital education programs.
Dr. Beasley read a proposed resolution honoring the late Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, long time Board member who retired December 31, 1998. Mr. Wright asked the Board's wishes.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Ms. Harrison the Board unanimously voted to approve the following:
Resolution
RESOLVED, That the Lincoln Parish School Board expresses profound appreciation for the work of this fine man and Board Member for his part in shaping the lives of so many of our children and youth, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Lincoln Parish School Board extends to Mr. Calvin Wilkerson's family and friends its deepest sympathy that he is no longer physically present, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board will perpetuate the memory, spirit, and accomplishments of Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, and be it finally
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Calvin Wilkerson's family and also reflected on the official minutes of the Lincoln Parish School Board.
In the Report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb mentioned that:
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 18, at Hico Elementary School at 12:30.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
__________________________________ ________________________________
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President