The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Wednesday, March 21, 2001 at 12:30 p.m. at Ruston Junior High School. Members present were Mr. Billy Abrahm, Dr. Marty Beasley, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Ms. Jo Tatum, and Mr. David Wright.
Mr. Otha Anders and Mr. Rob Shadoin were absent.
Prior to the business meeting, board members enjoyed a delicious lunch in the school cafeteria.
President Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Abrahm. Mr. Wright led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed guests to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda with an addendum of New Business.
Principal of Ruston Junior High, Sandra Henderson, welcomed the Board to the school. She briefly described programs and activities being used to address the school's objective: to meet the educational needs of all students. Ms. Henderson is delighted to work with a fantastic group of students and a dedicated faculty and staff who believe in working together. She concluded with an invitation to Board members to visit the classrooms at the close of the meeting and the school at any time.
Members who attended the recent Louisiana School Boards Association convention in Baton Rouge gave brief summaries of their thoughts and ideas regarding the School Law Forum, Legislative Panel, Termination of Employees, Religious Issues in Schools, Governor's Program on Abstinence, Board Member Liability, Education First, Governmental Ethics, Accountability, School Finance, Special Education, Blue Ribbon Commission on Quality Education, and How Team Building Effects the Organization: Bottom Line. It was the consensus of opinion that the convention was very enjoyable, informative, and educational.
According to Superintendent Gerald Cobb, when the Alcohol, Drug, and Substance Abuse Education Program policy was originally adopted, tobacco was not specifically mentioned in the required education programs. However, La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 17:154 requires tobacco education, so the word tobacco has been added to the policy and is the only change he proposed. He presented this information for consideration until the next board meeting at which time a vote will be taken.
Again this year the state would like to come in and handle sales and use tax collection and pay the parish on a quarterly basis, Dr. Cobb informed. In his opinion, "We don't want it to happen!" He recommended adoption of a resolution supporting continued local administration and collection of the taxes.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
RESOLVED, that the Lincoln Parish School Board urges and requests every member of the Lincoln Parish Legislative delegation to vigorously support local administration and collection of sales and use taxes.
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Lincoln parish Legislative delegation so that they will be made aware of our position on this matter.
For the Report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb:
1) Introduced DaVona Howard, Central office fiscal accountant.
2) Said Energy Education boxes which contained videos were available for perusal until the April 3 meeting when the program will be discussed.
3) Called attention to a newspaper article by John Hill regarding an oil and gas processing tax being used for teacher raises and putting things in perspective.
4) Called attention to a list of how legislators voted on Senate Bill #1, which reduces the minimum tax paid by Harrah's New Orleans Casino, and House Bill #1, to allow dockside gambling in return for higher river boat casino taxes that would be dedicated to education.
5) Announced that Allen Tuten's retirement reception is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 23, at Lincoln General Hospital and the Board is invited.
After brief comments and observations of Board members, the meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
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Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President