LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, July 10, 2001 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 10, 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. Billy Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham (arrived late), Mr. Rob Shadoin, and Ms. Jo Tatum.
Dr. Marty Beasley and Mr. David Wright were absent.
Vice President Rob Shadoin called the meeting to order and Mr. Anders gave the invocation. Mr. Shadoin led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed special guests who were in attendance.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda with an addendum containing one Recognition and one item of New Business.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on June 5, 2001.
Superintendent Gerald Cobb indicated that since Allen Tuten was unable to attend the formal retirement ceremony prior to the June meeting of the Board, he wished to recognize him. After serving on the Board for twenty-seven and one-half years, he retired effective August 31, 2000. Dr. Cobb presented Mr. Tuten with a plaque and small token of appreciation from the Board for his many years of dedicated service to the Board and the children of Lincoln Parish.
Mr. Tuten thanked the Board, spoke briefly, and wished the Board well.
Juanita Duke, Business Manager, reminded the Board that a resolution was adopted at the June meeting giving preliminary approval for the refinancing of the old Ruston School District #1, Series 1991 General Obligation Bonds and giving authorization to make application for State Bond Commission approval of the refinancing. After receiving bond commission approval, proposals were sought from all area banks. Four banks responded with Bank One providing the lowest cost for refunding with an annual interest cost at 4.00% plus fees totaling $2,200. As a result, the actual savings which were projected to be $43,227.81 would actually be $57,015.31. She requested adoption of the resolution giving final approval to the project.
Bonding Attorney, Grant Schlueter, was in attendance and provided an additional explanation.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted by poll vote to adopt the resolution giving final approval to refund the Ruston School District No. 1, Series 1991 Refunded Bonds with financing to be provided by Bank One, to issue and sell $5,360,000 General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, Series 2001 of Ruston School District No. 1, and perform all other related matters necessary to deliver bonds.
Since the first four personnel items were very routine in nature, instead of having them read line-by-line, Mr. Shadoin asked if there were questions regarding any of them. As a few questions were being asked and answered, Mr. Mitcham joined the meeting.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following personnel items:
1. Leave requests, effective August 13, 2001, for the following teachers:
Lisa Skains, kindergarten at Choudrant Elementary, sabbatical leave for the first semester only.
Nora Buentello, speech therapy at Cypress Springs, leave without pay for 01-02.
Debra Carter, itinerant special education, leave without pay for 01-02.
2. Resignation of the following teachers effective June 1, 2001 unless otherwise indicated:
Brenda Rice, library at Choudrant Elementary, effective June 5, 2001.
Amanda Head, junior high at Choudrant High, effective June 1, 2001.
Rebecca Martin, social studies at Choudrant High, effective June 1, 2001.
Patricia Hollis, Cypress Springs, effective June 26, 2001.
Julie Schifferer, Cypress Springs.
Rochelle Foy, music at I. A. Lewis/Ruston Junior High.
Eva Williams, alternative at Lincoln Center.
Ed Colvin, math/coach at Ruston High, effective June 6, 2001.
Consuella Lockhart, English at Ruston High, effective June 25, 2001.
Tami Odell, art at Ruston High.
Tish Jowers, math at Ruston Junior High, effective June 15, 2001.
Jonathan Shows, science at Ruston Junior High, effective June 6, 2001.
Corey Howard, teacher aide at Cypress Springs.
3. Points of Reference (transfers) of the following teachers effective August 13, 2001 unless otherwise indicated:
Nicole Postel, library at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Brenda Rice who resigned.
Shannon Lee, P.E./coach at Choudrant High, replacing Elaine Beard who resigned.
Tomie Bradshaw, special education at Glen View, replacing Cheryl Garner who retired.
Shannon Frasier, social studies/coach at Ruston High, replacing Ed Colvin who resigned.
Jeanie Rowland, itinerant, adaptive P.E., replacing Sue Ledford who retired.
4. Employment of the following teachers effective August 13, 2001.
Patricia Eddington, junior high at Choudrant High, replacing Amanda Head who resigned.
Tracey Langston, junior high at Choudrant High, replacing Merlene Lutes who died.
Kathy Lowery, business at Choudrant High, replacing Kim Goree who was granted leave without pay.
Delaine Moseley, library at Choudrant High, replacing Nicole Postel who transferred.
Heather Reeder, social studies at Choudrant High, replacing Becky Martin who resigned.
Angela Brunson, Cypress Springs, replacing Julie Schifferer who resigned.
Angela McKaskle, Cypress Springs, replacing Patricia Hollis who resigned.
Gail Nalitt, Cypress Springs, replacing Freddie Washington who retired.
Ginger Schanks, speech therapy at Cypress Springs, replacing Nora Buentello who was requested leave without pay.
Kim Vandenlangenburg, in a new position at Cypress Springs.
Anita West, special education at Cypress Springs, replacing Melanie Saunders who transferred.
Donna Bignar, math at Dubach High, replacing Jeanie Rowland who transferred.
Todd Burnaman, social studies/coach at Dubach replacing Ray Butler who resigned.
Elishondra Davis, math at Dubach High, replacing Wanda Mays who retired.
Karen Taylor, Glen View, replacing Beryl Hoffman who resigned.
Wyndi Brown, Glen View, replacing Linda Hollins, who retired.
Lauren Fallin, kindergarten at Glen View, replacing Nancy Delafosse who retired.
Janet Johnson, music at I. A. Lewis/Ruston Junior High, replacing Rochelle Foy who resigned.
Greta Otwell, Ruston Elementary, replacing Tara Reynolds who resigned.
Bonnie Cunningham, Ruston Junior High, replacing Mildred Smith who was granted a sabbatical.
Michael Dvorak, Ruston Junior High, replacing Diane Madden who was granted a sabbatical.
Dana Scott, Ruston Junior High, replacing Tish Jowers who resigned.
Jay Seal, junior high/coach at Ruston Junior High, replacing Jonathan Shows who resigned.
Matt Willis, junior high/coach at Ruston Junior replacing Shannon Frasier who transferred.
Scarlet Chopin, Spanish at Ruston High, replacing Sonia LeGay who resigned.
Destina Paige, art at Ruston High, replacing Tami Odell who resigned.
Kellye Ratcliff, math at Ruston High, replacing Donna White who retired.
Kay White, business at Ruston High, replacing Doris Smith who retired.
Angela Hoffman, special education at Simsboro, replacing Gwen Torbor who retired.
Amy McGuire, in a new math position at Simsboro.
Michelle Rosenberger, elementary at Simsboro, replacing Sidney Price who retired.
LeAnn Patterson, in a new, itinerant, « time, math resource position.
The fifth personnel item to be considered was the naming of a principal for Ruston Junior High School because of Sandra Henderson’s retirement. Assistant Superintendent Ronnie Suggs presented background information on the selection process. He reported that he chaired a selection committee of David Ferguson, Patrice Hay, Mary Null, Charles Owens,and Gloria Roebuck who interviewed ten qualified applicants and unanimously recommended Randy Moore to Dr. Gerald Cobb for the position. Mr. Moore was the highest scoring applicant for the job, followed by Eric Carter and David Rogers. It was Dr. Cobb’s recommendation to the Board that Randy Moore be moved from Secondary Supervisor to Principal of Ruston Junior High.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to accept the administration’s recommendation of Randy Moore for the position of Principal of Ruston Junior High School effective July 1, 2001.
The final item of personnel business was Director of Auxiliary Serivces, Charles Owens’ recommendation of Ferrell Pesnell for custodian at Simsboro effective June 9, 2001 replacing Tilman Underwood who retired.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to approve Mr. Owens’ personnel recommendation.
As required by R.S. 17:24.4, Lincoln Parish operated a summer remediation program at no cost to students who scored at the Unsatisfactory level on the Spring 2001 LEAP 21 English/Language Arts and/or mathematics test, according to Danny Bell, Elementary Supervisor. Students cannot be promoted to the next grade unless they score at the Approaching Basic level or higher on the English/Language Arts and mathematics components of the LEAP 21 assessment. The 2001 program was offered to all 183 eligible fourth and eighth grade students and 81% or 148 students attended. This week brings the program to an end with the re-testing of all eligible students. The program operated for 23 days providing approximately 86 hours of instruction for students needing only one subject and 43 hours per subject for those needing both subjects. The results of the LEAP 21 re-tests are scheduled to arrive the week of August 13th. He projected the cost to be $90,000 with the state providing $44,503, Special Education adding $20,000 and Title I adding another $23,700. Approximately $1,800 will be paid using local monies. He said he had an outstanding, qualified, certified faculty of about 40 who had a great deal of parental involvement and concern this year. Mr. Bell feels that the 2001 summer remediation program was a success.
Ronnie Suggs shared an excellent report on testing. He included scores from the Spring of 2001 for grades 4 and 8 on the LEAP 21, grade 10 on the GEE 21, grades 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9 on the IOWA, and a 2000 ACT report. Basically the students in Lincoln Parish are scoring at slightly higher levels than they did the previous year and continue to score higher than state averages and to do better than 50% of the students in the country. Mr. Suggs attributes the very good test scores to the faculty, students, families, and to a community that supports education. He asked if there were questions.
Following questions, Juanita Duke told the Board that sales tax monies for the month ending June 30, 2001 rose 7.8% over the same month last year. The year ended with a 2.59% increase over all. Total sales tax collections for the 00-01 fiscal year in the 1967 and 1979 fund were $3,870,285; $2,322,166 was collected in the 1993 fund; and the new 2000 sales tax added $2,321,995 to the coffers. Audit recoveries were down this month compared to the same month last year, and 70% of last year's amount was collected - $78,685.
A financial update for the month ending May, 2001 was also presented by Ms. Duke. As the year is winding down, she said the general fund balance of $2,700,000 is very good for this time of year. She went over each fund balance and gave a brief explanation of recent activity.
Each year it is necessary to make revisions to the budget that are a result of changes that have occurred in revenue and expenditures throughout the year and in order to align the budget to the actual figures, Ms. Duke advised. She reminded the Board that the 00-01 beginning budget contained very conservative estimates of income and of expenditures expected to occur during the year. Estimated revenue figures changed from $38,946,833 to an actual figure of $42,277,863; expenditures from $38,942,331 to $40,214,890 which shifted the ending funding balance from $5,427,768 to $8,005,380. She predicted that the general fund’s ending balance will be $1,965,330 depending upon the state’s final decision on the remaining payment due from the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP). She requested adoption of the 00-01 revised budget.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the revised budget for fiscal year 00-01 as presented.
A new policy, JDF: Discipline of Students with Disabilities, was presented at the June meeting by Dr. Cobb. He mentioned that Kathy Shipp was in attendance to help with questions which might need to be addressed.
After brief questions and answers, upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to approve policy JDF: Discipline of Students with Disabilities for insertion into the Lincoln Parish School Board policy manual.
At the State Department’s request, school districts were advised to take appropriate steps to ensure that electronically shared individual student test data are protected from unauthorized access and disclosure. This would include such concerns as the security of the computer access passwords, disks, CD’s, or other media with downloaded student test data, and test data displayed on any computer screen; therefore, Superintendent Cobb presented a revised Testing Program policy (II) for the Board to study until the August meeting.
With the Board’s approval of Randy Moore as the new principal at Ruston Junior High, Dr. Cobb proposed the following changes within the central office structure:
Howard Whitlock would move from transportation supervisor to secondary supervisor.
James Payton would move from coordinator in both transportation and food service to full time transportation supervisor.
He indicated that these proposed changes have the approval of Ronnie Suggs and Charles Owens and would reduce the number of supervisory positions by one thereby saving money. Additionally both of the individuals have experience in the areas in which they would concentrate while being available to assist in their areas of past responsibilities. Finally, the proposed changes would also have an impact on the stability of the schools through the domino effect if one of the principals was chosen to fill one of the slots. He asked for approval of the changes.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to approve the proposed changes: Howard Whitlock as secondary supervisor and James Payton as transportation supervisor effective July 1, 2001.
Dr. Cobb indicated that in the past, authorization was given to employ the firm of Hammonds and Sills as special counsel for special education hearings, litigation, and associated problems. Since the firm continues to provide services to the Board and staff, it is important that an additional resolution be approved by the Board and forwarded to the Attorney General. The resolution currently in effect covers special education issues, whereas the updated resolution that he presented covers special education as well as areas affecting school law.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted by poll vote to approve a Resolution employing the firm of Hammonds and Sills as special counsel for special education issues as well as areas affecting school law.
Because Ruston High School and its Booster Club are changing lights and poles at their football stadium, four existing concrete poles and lights are no longer needed. Superintendent Cobb proposed to move the four concrete poles and lights to Simsboro High School’s baseball field which has a lighting system that is inadequate to have night games. This would enable Simsboro to combine its present system with the new poles and lights and have an excellent baseball lighting situation. The cost of taking down the poles at Ruston High, transporting them to Simsboro, installing, and reworking their existing poles will be approximately $12,062 by Wye Construction of Monroe. He proposed that the Board pay half of the cost with Simsboro High and its Booster Club paying the remaining half.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve paying one half of the cost of moving and installing baseball lights at Simsboro High School.
The State Legislative Auditor's office requires all Louisiana governmental units to complete a Systems Survey & Compliance Questionnaire and submit it to the independent auditor at the beginning of the financial and compliance audit, Ms. Duke informed the Board. She recommended approval of the questionnaire.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Systems Survey & Compliance Questionnaire for fiscal year 00-01 as presented.
Dr. Cobb announced that the state has underfunded the MFP by $17,210,600 and Commission of Administration, Mark Drennen, has refused to pay the additional monies. Because of this failure, Lincoln Parish has lost almost $240,000. Superintendent Cobb asked the Board to authorize the hiring of special counsel, at a cost of .25 per student, if it becomes necessary to resort to litigation against the State of Louisiana, Governor Mike Foster, Commissioner of Administration Mark Drennen, or any other agency or individual with regard to the state’s failure to pay the money. He said a suit would be filed only if absolutely necessary to recoup the money.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted by poll vote to:
Authorize the firms of Polack, Rosenberg, Endom, and Ries, L.L.P. and Beard and Sutherland to name it as a party plaintiff in any litigation which may need to be filed against the State of Louisiana, Governor Mike Foster, Commission of Administration Mark Drennen or any other agency or individual with regard to the failure of the state to appropriate $17,210,600.
Reimburse such counsel in accordance with the rate structure approved by the Attorney General for special counsel with the understanding that such fees and expenses of litigation will be equitably assessed and paid pursuant to a formula to be agreed upon by all of the school systems participating in such litigation.
In a Report of the Superintendent, he said:
1. Included in packets was a list of board meeting dates for 01-02.
2. A communique from Lincoln Parish Policy Jury regarding Reapportionment Committee was included in packets.
3. Information from the District Attorney’s office was included in packets of those representing the LPSB on the Reapportionment Committee.
A representative from the local NAACP asked to be added to the agenda in order to express their serious concerns.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Anders, six members voted by a show of hands to hear the concerns.
Those voting for the motion were: Billy Abrahm, Otha Anders, Lisa Best, Mattie Harrison, George Mack, and Jo Tatum.
The representative expressed the local chapter of the NAACP’s concern about their perceived serious inequity in the hiring of principals/administrative personnel in the Lincoln Parish School System and in support of Roosevelt Strong who was an applicant for the Ruston Junior High School principalship. Since a decision was previously made by the Board, and discussion would be after the fact, she just wanted to point out that out of 16 principals in the parish, only 2 are black which in their opinion is a direct violation of the consent decree. They wanted the Board to be aware of that fact and to consider that in further decisions.
Vice President Rob Shadoin solicited the NAACP’s support in trying to get qualified applicants so the matter could be addressed.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
___________________________ ______________________________
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President