LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, June 5, 2001 6:15 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, June 5, 2001 at 6:15 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, 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.
Dr. Marty Beasley was absent.
Prior to the meeting, 00-01 retirees of the Lincoln Parish School System were honored with a reception in the lobby of the School Board.
President David Wright called the meeting to order and Mr. Mitcham gave the invocation. Mr. Wright led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed special guests and members of the press and of the official staff.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda with two items of business to be considered prior to the Personnel Committee Report.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on May 1, 2001 as distributed.
At this point in the meeting, the retirees honored with an earlier reception were presented with small gifts and certificates of appreciation for a total of 616 years of faithful and dedicated service to the parish. Retirees were as follows:
NAME SCHOOL YRS. IN LINCOLN TOTAL YEARS
Sandra Henderson Ruston Jr. High (Principal) 21 33
Jane Atchison Simsboro (Teacher) 11.5 15.5
Bertia Copeland Alma J. Brown (Teacher) 29 33
Nancy Delafosse Glen View (Teacher) 23 28
Cheryl Garner Glen View (Teacher) 29 34
Mable Harris Ruston Jr. High (Teacher) 29 31
Linda Hollins Glen View (Teacher) 20 23
Sue Ledford Itinerant (Teacher) 21 31
Wanda Mays Dubach High (Teacher) 11 24
Sidney Price Simsboro (Teacher) 8 24
Doris Smith Ruston High (Teacher) 27 27
Jack Thigpen Ruston High (Teacher) 14 29
Gwen Torbor Simsboro (Teacher) 33 33
Freddie Washington Cypress Springs (Teacher) 22 25
Donna White Ruston High (Teacher) 20 31
Donnie Brown Parish wide Maintenance 24 24
Hattie Graham Dubach High (School Food) 21 21
Thelma Dyas Grambling High (School Food) 25 25
Annie Tibbs Simsboro (Custodian) 17 17
Tilman Underwood Simsboro (Custodian) 10 10
David Larance Bus Driver 21 21
Riley Torbor Bus Driver 25 25
Estelle Outley Bus Aide 24 24
Superintendent Gerald Cobb and President Wright wished the retirees well and offered congratulations on their retirement.
According to Business Manager, Juanita Duke, approval was granted at a previous meeting to purchase five school buses and to issue certificates of indebtedness not exceeding $300,000 for their financing. The actual principal amount of the debt will be $240,000 which includes $236,205 for the buses and $3,795 for issuance costs. The loan will be repaid over a nine-year period with payments made on a semiannual basis. Sabine State Banks offered to provide the lowest cost of financing at an effective rate of 4.74% annually over the life of the debt. She offered a resolution granting approval to issue the certificates.
Grant Schleuter, attorney with Foley and Judell, was in attendance to help with questions.
After brief discussion, upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted by poll vote to adopt the resolution granting approval for the issuance of $240,000 of Certificates of Indebtedness and authorizing the financing of the debt through Sabine State Bank.
The refinancing of Ruston School District #1, Series 1991 bonds, has been a topic of discussion between Ms. Duke and Mr. Schleuter. The issue has already been refunded once before in December 1991 and had an original issue date of 1985. It is their opinion that now is a good time to refund this Ruston bond issue again as the most savings would be realized due to the current lower interest rates. Ms. Duke anticipates a $43,228 savings with an expected millage reduction of .44. She requested approval of a resolution granting preliminary approval for the refunding of the bonds in the amount of $5,330,000.
Mr. Schleuter provided further explanation of the planned savings for the taxpayers of Lincoln Parish.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted by poll vote to adopt and submit a resolution granting preliminary approval for the refinancing of the Ruston District #1 Series 1991 bonds, designating Foley & Judell as bond counsel, and authorizing an application to be submitted to the State Bond Commission.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after Ronnie Suggs, Assistant Superintendent, presented 1.-3.; Brenda Theodos, School Food Service Supervisor, presented 4.; James Payton, Coordinator of Auxiliary Services & School Food Service, presented 5.; and Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, presented 6.-7.:
1. Retirement of the following:
Sandra Henderson, principal of Ruston Junior High, effective August 1, 2001.
Wanda Mays, math teacher at Dubach High, effective June 1, 2001.
Ellen Murphy, teacher at Hico Elementary, effective October 18, 2001.
2. Resignation, effective June 1, 2001, of the following teachers:
Janet Minyard of Cypress Springs.
Ray Butler, social studies/coach at Dubach High.
Beryl Hoffman of Glen View Elementary.
Tara Reynolds of Ruston Elementary.
3. Sabbatical leave requests for the 01-02 school year, effective August 13, 2001, of the following teachers:
Pam Willis, special education at Ruston Elementary.
Diane Madden, science at Ruston Junior High.
Mildred Smith, language arts at Ruston Junior High.
4. Retirement of the following school food service technicians:
Thelma Dyas of Grambling High effective May 31, 2001.
Hattie Graham of Dubach High effective July 4, 2001.
Beatrice Woods of Hillcrest effective August 22, 2001.
5. Resignations of the following bus drivers effective June 1, 2001:
Bobby Dade of Choudrant.
Shirley Dring of Ruston.
6. Resignation of Eddie Jackson, custodian at Simsboro High School, effective May 24, 2001.
7. Point of Reference - Colonel Burnie Watson will assume new, part time, itinerant energy education/manager responsibilities effective June 1, 2001.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to accept the above recommendations as presented.
Dr. Marty Beasley, Lisa Best, and Jim Kessler, the Board’s Legislative Liaisons, recently attended the Louisiana School Board Association Day at the Legislature. Ms. Bestand Mr. Kessler said the three of them met with Lincoln Parish’s delegates, Representatives Rick Gallot and Jay McCallum and Senator Bill Jones, and shared their views on educational issues. They were urged by the legislators to continue to keep them informed of the Board’s positions on issues.
Juanita Duke presented a sales tax report for the month ending May 2001. Compared to the same month last year, collections were up .84% and overall collections for the year were up 1.89%. Collections in the 1993 and 2000 sales tax funds were $181,977, and 1967 and 1979 collections were $303,295. A full year of the 2000 sales taxes have been collected and will be paid out in July in salary supplement checks. Audit recoveries of $322 were $4,078 below last year's numbers. About 73% of last years collections from audits have been recorded.
A financial update for the month ending April 2001 was also presented by Ms. Duke. After calling attention to the shaded area, she said the general fund has a very healthy balance at this point in time. The 5 mill fund balance is better than average as expenditures have been somewhat contained. Utility costs continue to be paid out of the '93 ad valorem fund. Payments through the end of the month of April are up about $200,000 over last years. With two months remaining in the year, her earlier projection of $400,000-$450,000 for yearly, utility costs will probably hold true. District maintenance and operation funds are basically depleted because of utility costs.
Bid opening was recently held on the following items for the 01-02 school year: copy paper, paper towels and toilet tissue, gasoline and diesel, and thermal masters. Mr. Owens recommended that the Board accept the lowest bid meeting specification as indicated and reject all bids on the thermal masters.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to reject all bids on thermal masters and accept the lowest bid meeting specifications for the purchase of materials and supplies for the 01-02 school year as shown below:
Company Submitting Bid
E. Lee Young Gasoline & Diesel
Unleaded Regular Cost + .0595 gallon
Unleaded Plus Cost + .0595 gallon
Unleaded Premium Cost + .0595 gallon
On Road Diesel Cost + .0595 gallon
Off Road Diesel Cost + .10 gallon
XPEDX 200 Cases Toilet Tissue
Price Per Case: $26.40
Total for 200 Cases: $5,280.00
400 Cases Paper Towels
Price Per Case: $10.34
Total for 400 Cases: $4,136.00
UNISOURCE 2,000 Cases Copy Paper
Price Per Unit: $20.23
Total for 2,000 Cases: $40,460.00
One proposal in the amount of $28,286 from Utility Service Company, Inc. of Perry, Georgia was received to remove and dispose of the elevated water tank at Simsboro High School, according to Mr. Owens. Superintendent Cobb said notification had been received that $9,152 in rural development monies will be provided by the state for the project. The administration recommended that the lone proposal be accepted.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to accept the proposal of Utility Service Company, Inc. for $28,286 for the demolition and disposal of the elevated water tank at Simsboro High School.
Bids were opened May 8, 2001 in the board room by Charles Owens for the construction of a 24 x 65 classroom building at Cypress Springs. He recommended that the Board accept the lowest bid, from Murphy Construction, for the project.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to accept the bid from Murphy Construction for the construction of a classroom building at Cypress Springs in the amount of $48,860.00.
Dr. Cobb reminded the Board that in May 1991 they voted to discontinue using policy JDF, Discipline of Students with Disabilities, because of changes enacted by Congress to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Louisiana Department of Education recently completed the revision of Bulletin 1706, Regulations for the Implementation of the Exceptional Children’s Act, which reflects the new federal government regulations. In particular, Section 519, Discipline Procedures for Students with Disabilities specifically addressing discipline of special education students, was totally revised. He presented a new JDF policy for the board’s consideration with approval to be on the agenda of the July 10, 2001 meeting.
For a number of years the Lincoln Parish School Board has employed the services of Forethought Consulting, Inc. for the purpose of maintaining the Lincoln Parish policy manual's accuracy while at the same time keeping it as current as possible. Board mandates, selected state and federal court cases, pertinent legislation, and attorney general's opinions are reviewed to determine their effects on our policy manual. Dr. Cobb said this is becoming more important each year and is an effective, valuable service. Renewal of the Policy Updating Service for July 2001 to June 2002 is $2,100 which is $120 more than the previous year. In April 1996 the Board also voted to subscribe to their Computer Assisted Policy Service (CAPS) which has cross-referenced and linked the policy manual, Louisiana statues, BESE bulletins, and minutes. These are updated by computer disk periodically. Cost for the CAPS semi-annual updating service for the fiscal year is $850 which is the same as last year. He recommended renewal of the contract with Forethought for both of these services.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve the renewal of a 12-month contract with Forethought Consulting, Inc. beginning July 2001 and ending June 2002 at a cost of $2,950 for the policy manual and CAPS updating services.
Since the Board previously accepted Sandra Henderson’s plans to retire effective August 1, 2001 as principal of Ruston Junior High School, Superintendent Cobb proposed to open the application process to fill the position on Wednesday, June 6, 2001 and to close the period at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19, 2001. Advertisements will be sent to school systems and newspapers across North Louisiana seeking applicants and interviews will be held on June 20 or 21. A replacement will be recommended to the Board at its July 10, 2001 meeting according to him.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise June 6-June 19, 2001 and interview June 20-21, 2001 for the Ruston Junior High School principal position.
Ms. Duke shifted to the topic of July salary supplement checks and reminded everyone that this year the supplement will be taken from the new 2000 sales tax and ad valorem funds. She recommended that $2,080 be paid to certified and $1,040 to support employees. She reiterated that the majority of old sales tax collections were included in the monthly pay of employees beginning this fiscal year. Additional monies were collected in those funds though and she recommended that $370 be paid to certified and $185 to support employees from the ’67, ’79, and ’93 sales tax funds. Since July 1 falls on a Sunday this year, the supplemental payments will be made on Friday, June 29, 2001. She requested the Board’s approval of the payment amounts; but, reminded Board members that the checks are based on actual collections, and there is no guarantee that the same amounts will be paid next year.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the payment of the salary supplement checks for July 1, 2001 of $2,450 for certified staff and $1,225 for support staff.
Group disability insurance is offered to employees on a voluntary basis at no cost to the Board, Ms. Duke explained. The insurance has been provided by Horace Mann on payroll deduction. However, over a year ago they discontinued making new enrollments under the group plan as they are waiting for a new group disability product to be written at some indefinite time in the future. The insurance review committee met on May 15, 2001 to review two quotes received for group disability insurance. Of the two, the committee unanimously agreed to recommend the Unum Educators Disability Plan proposed by the Clinton-Woodard Agency as the group disability plan effective October 1, 2001 replacing the current plan offered by Horace Mann. Employees currently with Horace Mann would convert their coverage to Unum with no loss in benefits and the majority at a lesser cost. Ms. Duke asked for approval of the committee’s recommendation.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted to approve the recommendation of the insurance review committee to designate the Unum Educators Disability Plan as our group disability plan and the Clinton-Woodard Agency as our plan agent, effective October 1, 2001, replacing the current group disability plan under Horace Mann.
In accordance with state law, a solicitation for proposals was sent to the two newspapers in Lincoln Parish to name an official journal for the upcoming year. Ms. Duke indicated that The Ruston Daily Leader offered $4.50 per square with a .50 reduction if submitted on disk or e-mail. The Morning Paper proposed $4.80 per square with a .50 reduction for the first 100 words if submitted on disk or e-mail. She asked for the Board's preference.
Upon a motion by Ms. Harrison, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted by a show of hands to name The Ruston Daily Leader as the official journal for fiscal year 01-02.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb mentioned that:
1. At Dr. Beasley’s request as chairman of the Curriculum Committee, a committee meeting has been scheduled for June 20 at noon at the School Board Office.
2. A letter from U. S. Senator Mary Landrieu expressing her priorities concerning education on a federal level was included in packets.
After brief comments and questions from Board members, the meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
________________________________________________________________
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President