LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

 Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

 Tuesday, November 14, 2000   6:00 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, November 14, 2000 at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish School Board, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana.  Members present were Mr. David Wright,Mr. Billy Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Dr. Marty Beasley, Ms. Lisa Best, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham (arrived after the meeting began), Mr. Robert Shadoin, and Ms. Jo Tatum.

Mr. Curtis Dowling was absent.

President Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Shadoin.  Mr. Wright led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.

Mr. Joe Mitcham arrived at the meeting.

Mr. Wright welcomed the official staff, guests, members of the media, and especially the two new Board Members, Ms. Lisa Best and Ms. Jo Tatum.

Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.

Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Sessions held on October 3 and October 18, 2000 as distributed.

The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed after Ronnie Suggs, Assistant Superintendent, presented items 1.-2.,  Brenda Theodos, Supervisor of School Food Service presented 3., Howard Whitlock, Transportation Supervisor, presented 4.-5., and Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, presented item 6.:

                        1.         Resignation of the following:

                                    Keith Beard, English at Choudrant High, effective November 26, 2000.

                                    Steve Murphy, math at Ruston Junior High, effective December 8, 2000.

                                    Ponice Devine, special education aide at Simsboro, effective October 27, 2000.

                        2.         Employment of the following:

                                    Summer Esparza as teacher at Ruston Elementary effective November 27, 2000 replacing Vicki Solomon who resigned.

                                    Tish Jowers as math at Ruston Junior High effective November 28, 2000 replacing Steve Murphy who resigned.

                                    Jennifer Blake as special education aide at I. A. Lewis effective November 27, 2000 replacing Steven Tyler who resigned.

                                    Kendra Wall as special education aide at Simsboro effective October 30, 2000 replacing Ponice Devine who resigned.

                        3.         Resignation of Linda Lawles, 4 hour school food service technician at Cypress Springs, effective October 31, 2000.

                        4.         Resignation of Jeff Killough, bus driver in the Dubach/Hico area, effective October 19, 2000.

                        5.         Employment of Mark Kay effective October 19, 2000 as a bus driver in the Dubach/Hico area replacing Jeff Killough who resigned.

                        6.         Employment of Doris Robinson as custodian at Cypress Springs effective November 6, 2000 replacing Arlene Torbor who transferred.

Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.

Business Manager, Juanita Duke, told the Board that $346,729 was collected in the 1967 and 1979 fund and $208,037 in the 1993 and 2000 funds for the month ending October 31, 2000.  These collections were down approximately 2.81% compared to collections the same month last year.  Year-to-date collections are 3.727% above this time last year.   Recovered by audits was $4,139.  Almost 25% of last years total audit recoveries have been collected at this point.

A financial report for the month ending July 31, 2000 was presented by Ms. Duke.  After calling attention to the shaded line at the bottom which shows balances, she indicated that the general fund has a $2,190,000 balance.  This is growing at this time which is normal until September when salaries of 9 month employees will begin to be paid.  Sales tax balances are down as June supplement checks have been paid.  She briefly commented on all balances.

She concluded with the financial report for the month ending August 31, 2000.  She again called attention to fund balances which basically was the same scenario as July, 2000 with larger general fund and sales tax balances.  She expressed some concern about the 5 mill maintenance fund balance ($20,977) and said that she may need to transfer money from the general fund into that account later in the year until the annual millage funds are collected in January.  The 1993 ad valorem tax funds are being used for school start up expenses which will be replenished along with the district maintenance and operation funds from property tax collections in January.

Ms. Duke communicated that the time is approaching to distribute the first salary supplement checks from the new 2000 sales taxes.  Although original projections were for certified employees to receive $1,000 and non-certified employees to receive $500, because of an additional month of collections in May 2000, she proposed that $1,200/$600 be distributed.  She reiterated that the amount of these checks is based on actual collections, and there is no guarantee that the same amounts will be paid next year at this time.  Future collections of this new sales tax and 5 mills of the new property tax over the remainder of the fiscal year will determine the actual amount of supplements to be paid on July 1, 2001 which were originally projected to be $2,000/$1,000.

Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the disbursement of $1,200 for certified and $600 for non-certified employees in a December 1 salary supplement check.

Superintendent Gerald Cobb related that Choudrant High School had its lighting system for its baseball field destroyed by high winds in 1997 and due to the age of the poles and other lighting equipment, all of the lighting structure was removed for safety reasons.  He has been working with the principal, Ronald Crawford, for the past three years to develop a partnership with the community to restore the lights.  Mr. Crawford secured $7,000 worth of lights and fixtures plus three master connection panels toward the project.  Dr. Cobb would like to advertise for bids to complete the project which will include poles, installation, and commercial wiring work.  Anticipated cost is $14,000 of which he suggested that the Board contribute approximately $9,000.  Choudrant High School and its booster club will pay the balance of the project.  The school will also be responsible for the payment of the monthly utility bill pertaining to the use of the field's lights.  He requested permission to proceed.

Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to approve the advertisement for bids for lighting the Choudrant High School baseball field.

In a report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb indicated that the following were included in portfolios:

                        1.         A letter from Governor Mike Foster concerning the resolution the board passed endorsing the Stelly Plan.

                        2.         A Thank You note from Franklin Parish to the LPSB transportation department.

                        3.         Revised list of School Board Members and 2000 Committees.

                        4.         He announced that the Finance Committee will meet at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 4, 2000.  

Dr. Beasley requested permission to respond to LA Tech Athletic Director, Jim Oakes, regarding an article in the local paper supporting the public schools' athletic programs.  The Board indicated their approval. 

Following other brief comments, the meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.

___________________________________         ______________________________

Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary                                     David Wright, President