LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Tuesday, February 6, 2001   6:00 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 6, 2001 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. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin, and Ms. Jo Tatum.

No one was absent.

After President David Wright called the meeting to order, Mr. Dowling gave the invocation. Mr. Wright in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed members of the press, special guests including Senator and Mrs. Bill Jones, and the official staff.

Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as distributed.

Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Sessions held on January 9 and January 23, 2001 as printed.

The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed after Mr. Ronnie Suggs, Assistant Superintendent, presented items 1.-3.; and Director of Auxiliary Services, Mr. Charles Owens, presented 4.: 

            1.         Resignation of a junior high teacher at Choudrant High, Kathleen Thrower, effective February 16, 2001.

            2.         Leave without pay beginning approximately May 15, 2001 and for the remainder of the 00-01 school year for Faith Moss, English teacher at Ruston High School.

            3.         Employment of the following:

Amanda Head as junior high teacher at Choudrant High effective February 23, 2001, replacing Kathleen Thrower, who resigned.

Kimberly McCready as English teacher at Ruston High effective February 21, 2001, replacing Faith Moss, who requested sick leave and leave  without pay.

4.         Employment of the following custodians effective January 17, 2001:

                        Betty Jenkins at I. A. Lewis replacing Lemoyne Brewster, who resigned.

Eddie Jackson at Simsboro replacing Tilman Underwood, who has filed for disability retirement.

Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.

Mr. Wright called on Mr. Tim Green, C.P.A., who announced that the Lincoln Parish School Board is doing a good job managing money.  He called attention to a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report which deals primarily with financial numbers involved in school board operations and a Single Audit Report which deals more with federal programs.  Mr. Green quickly reviewed both reports and ended his Independent Auditor's report with the statement that he is very pleased with the accounting and found no reportable conditions.  In his opinion, the administration, business department and more specifically the Business Manager, Juanita Duke, are doing a very good job.  He closed by introducing Regina Mekus, who was in charge of the audit, to the Board.

According to Ms. Duke, as anticipated January 2001 sales tax collections were down 2.8% compared to the same month last year.  Total year-to-date collections were 5.17% above the prior year.  Collected in the '67 and '79 fund was $439,712 and $263,827 was generated in the '93 and '00 funds.  The sales tax office was unable to provide audit numbers for December 2000 and January 2001 because of a new program.                         

Ms. Duke quickly reviewed the November and December 2000 financial reports and called attention to the fund balances.  The general fund was a little low as usual for the time of year. Property tax collections for 2000 will be received in January and will replenish the general fund, five mill, '93 ad valorem, and the district maintenance and operation funds.  A $200,000 transfer from the general fund to five mill was in the original budget and that has been done.  Sales tax balances in the '67, '79, and '93 funds will remain constant as those monies are now being disbursed in monthly checks.

The 2000 sales tax fund balance continues to grow in anticipation of July salary supplements.  District maintenance and operation fund balances are basically zero and utility costs usually paid out of those funds are being absorbed by the '93 ad valorem tax fund.  

Superintendent Gerald Cobb presented financial information that was shared on January 17 at a regional finance committee meeting in Monroe.  Four purposes or questions he wanted to answer were:  What happens to the MFP money?, Where do we get our total money and what do we do with it?, What might happen if we redirect the MFP money?, and What are myths/preconceptions that people have about school operations?  Following this excellent power point presentation, Board members asked a few questions.

Senator Bill Jones said he knows how good Lincoln parish's educational program and reputation are.  He commended those involved for their hard work.  Senator Jones shared his insight from the state government perspective.  He said changes have to be made in the state in education and in other areas in order to correct a $200,000,000 deficit.  He also noted that this is a non fiscal session of the Legislature.  He serves on the Senate Education Committee and said the Governor's proposal to implement teacher pay raises includes: 1) $70,000,000 in new MFP monies to be dedicated to classroom teacher pay raises (which would amount to approximately $1,000 per teacher); 2) Raise another $70,000,000 by increasing offshore gambling taxes (which would amount to another $1,000); 3) ½ of new monies in even years would be dedicated to teacher pay increases.  Following a brief period of questions and answers, he requested that Board members keep in touch with him regarding educational issues. 

Superintendent Cobb announced that Simsboro High School's auditorium was built in 1931.  The seats in the auditorium are a combination of some of the original wooden seats and some upholstered seats which were obtained from Louisiana Tech several years ago when Howard Auditorium was renovated.  He said that 435 new upholstered chairs are badly needed.  Requests were sent to five vendors and quotes received were as follows: Rowley Company - $36,975; Insight of Ruston - $14,910; Business Products - No quote; Glen Jones & Associates - No quote; and American Desk Manufacturers - No quote.  He proposed that the Board pay one half of the cost and the Simsboro High School Alumni Association would pay the remaining one half.  Dr. Cobb requested that the Board approve Insight's quote to replace the seating.

Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve Insight of Ruston's quote of $14,910 to replace the seating at Simsboro High School.

In a Report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb called attention to:

1)         LSBA convention registration information in packets.

2)       Proclamation from the Governor regarding The Great Louisiana Read-in Day and Literacy Week which was also included in packets.

After brief comments, the meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m.

________________________________                         _______________________________

Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary                                     David Wright, President