LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Tuesday, February 5, 2002   6:00 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 5, 2002 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. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham (arrived after the meeting began), Mr. Rob Shadoin, Ms. Jo Tatum, and Mr. David Wright (arrived after the meeting began).

Dr. Marty Beasley and Mr. Jim Kessler were absent.

After President Rob Shadoin called the meeting to order, Mr. Abrahm gave the invocation.  Mr. Shadoin led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.

Mr. Mitcham joined the meeting.

Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as distributed.

Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on January 8, 2002 as printed.

Howard Whitlock, Secondary Supervisor, came before the Board and gave background information on the Student of the Year program.  He said that each year the Lincoln Parish School System participates in the Student of the Year program.  Students are selected from three divisions--elementary (grade 5), junior high (grade 8), and high school (grade 12).  Parish wide winners, selected from each division, go on to compete at the regional level, and if successful there, at the state level.  Mr. Whitlock introduced each of the parish winners and shared brief personal information about them.  On behalf of the Lincoln Parish School Board, Superintendent Gerald Cobb presented the following parish winners with plaques:

Elementary - - - Brooke Welch of Choudrant Elementary

Junior High - - -Stephen Lynch of Ruston Junior High

High School - - Joel Gallagher of Ruston High School

Mr. Shadoin congratulated the students and wished them much success in the future.

School food service supervisor, Brenda Theodos, requested permission to advertise and accept the lowest bid on all purchases of food, paper and kitchen supplies, and equipment that meet specifications for the 02-03 school year.

Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise and accept the lowest bids for the Child Nutrition Program's food, paper and kitchen supplies, and equipment for the 02-03 school year.

The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after Mr. Ronnie Suggs, Assistant Superintendent, presented items 1.-2.; and Brenda Theodos presented 3.:

1.    Retirement of the following:

Rachel McCallister, alternative teacher at Lincoln Center, effective May 24, 2002.

Faye Kavanaugh, coordinating teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective June 10, 2002.

Virginia Cook, social studies teacher at Ruston High, effective May 24, 2002.

2.         Resignation of a math teacher at Dubach High, Donna Doss, effective January 8, 2002.

3.    Resignation of Marilyn Moore, school food service technician at Grambling High, effective January 10, 2002.

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

Mr. Wright entered the meeting as the personnel recommendations were being presented and did participate in the vote.

Mr. Shadoin's election as Board President at the previous meeting ended eight years of service for David Wright.  Dr. Cobb presented a plaque to Mr. Wright in recognition and appreciation and explained that he was very instrumental in the Parish's educational success.

According to Juanita Duke, Business Manager, sales tax collections reported in January 2002 but received in December 2001 were up 7.09% compared to the same month last year.  Collected in the '67 and '79 fund was $420,710 and $252,425 was generated in the '93 and '00 funds.  Ms. Duke declared that this was the highest amount of monthly collections that the Board has had over the time period of the report, 1998 to January 2002.  The majority of the increase was due to the construction of the additions to Willamette's SurePine Plant in Simsboro.  She hopes the trend continues through year end.  Total year-to-date collections were 12.95% above the prior year which was remarkable.  Although $27,911 was recovered by audits, this was actually a decrease of 75% compared to the same month last year.  An unusually large amount, $112,417, was received in January 2001.  The entire audit fund is down about 50% from last year.

Ms. Duke quickly reviewed the November and December 2001 financial reports and called attention to the fund balances.  For the month of November, the 5 mill maintenance  fund balance dropped to $9,500 which is not unusual but is anticipated for this time of year.  Transfers to the fund have been made in the amounts of $200,000 as budgeted earlier in the year.  The 2000 sales tax fund has dropped compared to last year because payments of salary supplements were made to employees during the period.  No 2001 property tax collections were received during the month of November; therefore, all utilities continue to be paid from the '93 ad valorem fund.  That fund balance has dropped as well but will be replenished after the first of the year.

For the month of December, the general fund balance again dropped as it will until June 30, 2002.  Some property tax monies will be deposited into the account in January 2002 though.  The 5 mill fund balance is $9,666 because transfers were again made to cover expenditures.  Also during the month of December a small collection of property tax was received from those who pay property taxes early.  Five mill, '93 ad valorem, and '00 district m & o funds show revenue increases.  In January, utility payments will begin to be paid from the district m & o funds as monies become available.

Mr. Shadoin called attention to the board member committee assignments for 2002 and said if anyone had concerns they should see him after the meeting.  Otherwise, the committees will stand as assigned by him.

Director of Auxiliary Services, Charles Owens, announced that the student count at Choudrant High School has increased approximately 9% in the last 7 years.  In order to handle the increase, two unit portable buildings were relocated to the school and two storage spaces were converted into instructional areas.  At the present time there is a need for one classroom at Choudrant High.  He proposed that a double classroom be constructed that would take care of present needs as well as provide for future growth.  He estimated the cost to be $50,000.

While Ruston Elementary has also experienced growth, Mr. Owens communicated that their needs have been met with the addition of portable buildings and converting unused spaces into instructional areas.  However, four of the portable buildings were purchased in 1970 and maintenance, upkeep, heating, and cooling are no longer cost effective.  He recommended that a portable building containing three classrooms be constructed to meet the classroom needs at Ruston Elementary at a cost of approximately $75,000 to $80,000.

Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Wright, the Board unanimously voted to advertise for proposals for the construction of a double unit classroom at Choudrant High School and a triple classroom building at Ruston Elementary School.

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

LSBA convention and NSBA conference information was included in packets. Forms should be completed and returned to Becky Gemelli.

After brief comments, by acclamation, the meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.

________________________________            ___________________________________

Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary                                     Robert E. Shadoin, President