LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, May 1, 2001 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, May 1, 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 (arrived after the meeting began), 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.
Vice President Rob Shadoin called the meeting to order and welcomed guests.
The invocation was given by Ms. Tatum and Mr. Shadoin led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on April 3, 2001 as distributed.
David Wright arrived at the meeting and took over as chair.
The Outstanding School Support Employee Awards Program provides an opportunity to honor an outstanding employee at the elementary, middle, and high school/central office levels who support and provide leadership in the operation of noninstructional activities within the school system, Director of Auxiliary Services, Charles Owens, explained. He reviewed the selection procedure and with Dr. Cobb's help, presented plaques to the following in order to recognize their contribution to the Lincoln Parish School System:
Denise Thomas Elementary Cafeteria Clerk at Ruston Elem.
Easter Hill Jr. High Teacher Aide at Ruston Jr. High
Tyrone Jordan High School/Central Office Central Office Custodian
Mr. Wright conveyed the Board's appreciation to the Outstanding Support Persons.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to submit the Louisiana Educational Agency Application for IDEA FLOW-THROUGH FUNDS FOR FY2002 as requested by Special Education Supervisor, Gloria Roebuck.
Superintendent Gerald Cobb informed Board members that since the 1930's the town of Simsboro’s water tank has been located on the Simsboro High School property. Because the town has recently completed construction of a new water tank located at another spot in the community, they no longer utilize the tank on the school’s property. According to School Board minutes of October 6, 1958 the Board owns the water tank and the town of Simsboro owns the distribution system. This appears to mean that it will be the Board’s responsibility to remove the old tank. Dr. Cobb contacted Richard Durrett of the Police Jury, Senator Bill Jones, and Representative Rick Gallot concerning the possibility of getting approximately $9,000 in Rural Development Fund money to help with the cost of the removal. He estimates the cost to be in the area of $20,000 and anticipates removal of the tank to take place during the summer months when school is out. Dr. Cobb asked for approval to send requests for proposals to tank removal companies.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to grant approval to send requests for proposals to tank removal companies for the removal of the old Simsboro water tank.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to send Letters of Continued Employment to employees as mandated by Act 745 of the 1977 Legislature. This request is presented annually by Ronnie Suggs, Assistant Superintendent.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed after Mr. Suggs presented 1.-3. and James Payton, Coordinator of Auxiliary Programs and School Food Service, presented 4.:
1. Leave without pay request for the 2001-2002 school year, effective August 13, 2001, of Kim Goree, English teacher at Choudrant High.
2. Resignation effective June 1, 2001 (unless otherwise specified) of the following:
Elaine Beard, P.E./coach at Choudrant High.
Sonia LeGay, French teacher at Ruston High and A. E. Phillips.
Wendy Cox, special education teacher at Ruston Junior High, effective February 16, 2001.
3. Retirement, effective June 1, 2001 (unless specified otherwise) of the following teachers:
Freddie Washington - Cypress Springs
Cheryl Garner - special education at Glen View, effective June 2, 2001.
Linda Hollins - Glen View
Doris Smith - business at Ruston High
Donna White - science at Ruston High, effective July 13, 2001.
Mable Harris - special education at Ruston Junior High
Jane Atchison - French at Simsboro Elementary, effective May 2, 2001.
Gwendalyn Torbor - special education at Simsboro, effective June 3, 2001.
4. Retirement of Riley Torbor, bus driver in the Ruston area, effective June 1, 2001.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to accept the personnel recommendations as shown above.
Juanita Duke reported that overall April 2001 collections, excluding the new 2000 sales tax, were up 1.21% and year-to-date collections were up almost 2% over the same month last year. Collections in the 1967 and 1979 fund were $355,206 and $213,124 was collected in the 1993 and the new 2000 funds. Total collections in the 2000 sales tax fund equal $1,940,115 which will be used for salary supplements on July 1, 2001. Ms. Duke estimated that the supplements would be $2,000 for certified employees and $1,000 for non certified. Audit recoveries for the month totaled $3,906 which was a 69% drop from the same month last year.
Ms. Duke called attention to the fund balances on the March 2001 financial statement. She indicated that the general fund is on target as the year end approaches. The 5 mill maintenance fund is a little low due to March roofing expenses. Sales tax funds are doing well. District maintenance and operation funds have really low balances for this time of year because utility bills were received for the largest months which took the bulk of those monies. Cost will be transferred to ad valorem tax funds until the end of the year.
Authorization was given at the March 6 meeting to advertise for five new conventional school buses, according to James Payton. Bids, received from Kent Mitchell Bus Sales, Scott Truck & Tractor and Twin State Truck, Inc., were opened on April 11, 2001. After careful analysis and comparison of bids, he recommended that the bid from Kent Mitchell Bus Sales be accepted.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to accept the lowest bid fully meeting specifications, Kent Mitchell Bus Sales, of $47,241.00 each for the purchase of five conventional buses.
Mr. Mitcham, board representative on the Lincoln Parish Sales and Use Tax Commission, presented the Commission’s proposed 2001-2002 budget which was $24,150 less than the previous years. He requested approval from the Board of the $179,000 budget.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve the 2001-2002 Sales and Use Tax Commission budget. Mr. Shadoin abstained from voting.
After each national census, the Police Jury and the Lincoln Parish School Board must evaluate the results of population change and how it will impact district lines for representation on both bodies, declared David Wright. Historically, the Board and the Jury have used the same district lines to avoid confusion and controversy and this has worked well in the past. The Presidents of both bodies have each appointed four members to study and evaluate the census data and make a recommendation pertaining to districts to be approved by both bodies and the Justice Department prior to the qualifying dates for the next election. Mr. Wright nominated Mr. Mitcham, Mr. Anders, Dr. Beasley, and Mr. Shadoin for the reapportionment committee to represent the Lincoln Parish School Board.
Mr. Dowling made a motion, seconded by Ms. Tatum, to ratify Mr. Wright’s appointments of Mr. Mitcham, Mr. Anders, Dr. Beasley, and Mr. Shadoin to the reapportionment committee to represent the Lincoln Parish School Board.
Following a brief discussion, Mr. Wright said that individual board members should discuss concerns with the school board committee of four and allow them to work with the four Police Jury members on the committee and then, in turn, report back to the Board.
The Board unanimously voted for the Dowling/Tatum motion.
In the report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb said that:
1) A graduation schedule was included in packets.
2) The next meeting of the Board would be held at 6:15 p.m. on June 5 to be preceded by a 6:00 reception for all Lincoln Parish School Board employees who retired during the year.
3) Pictures of the Board have arrived and may be purchased by giving $8.00 to Becky Gemelli.
4) Good response has been received from legislators on several issues and copies of their letters were included in packets.
After one question, the meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 7:15 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President