LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Wednesday, January 22, 2003     12:30 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 12:30 p.m. at Ruston High School.  Members present were President Rob Shadoin, Mr. Billy Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Ms. Jo Tatum, and Mr. David Wright.

Dr. Marty Beasley and Ms. Mattie Harrison were absent.

Prior to the business meeting, board members enjoyed a delicious lunch in the school cafeteria.

Mr. Shadoin called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Anders.  Mr. Shadoin led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.

Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.

Principal of Ruston High School, Dr. Charles Scriber, shared a brief word of welcome  from his school to the Board, media, and visitors.  He thanked the Board, the administration, and especially Charles Owens for the much-needed resurfacing of the parking lot, new bleachers in the gym, and a new air-conditioning system which is in the works.  Dr. Scriber issued a standing invitation for Board members to visit the school at any time.

The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after Ronnie Suggs, Assistant Superintendent, presented items 1.-3.; and Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, presented 4.:

1.  Leave without pay request from February 17, 2003 through April 22, 2003 for DaVona Howard, central office accountant.

2.         Resignation of the following teachers:

Piper Garbarino, English at Ruston High, effective January 10, 2003.

Richie Sims, PE/coach at Ruston High, effective January 20, 2003.

3.  Employment of Melanie Lewis as English teacher at Ruston High effective January 13, 2003 replacing Piper Garbarino who resigned.

4.     Resignation of Isiah Jones as janitor at Hillcrest effective November 22, 2002.

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

Business Manager, Juanita Duke reviewed the November 2002 financial report and called attention to the fund balances.  She noted no unusual expenditures during the month but did call attention to a slight drop in the general fund balance which is expected this time of the year.  Another operating transfer from general fund, $100,000, was made to the 5 mill maintenance fund to carry the fund until new collections come in at the first of the year.  The 2000 sales tax fund has dropped because payments of salary supplements were made to employees during this period.  No property tax collections were received during the month of November in the district maintenance and operating funds; therefore, all utilities continue to be paid from the '93 ad valorem fund, and the fund balance is continuing to drop as a result.  The fund balances of all millage funds will be replenished with new collections after the first of the year.

Mr. Shadoin said board member committee assignments for 2003 were in packets and if anyone had concerns, they should see him after the meeting.  Otherwise, the committees will stand as assigned by him.

After getting the Board's permission to advertise for services related to wireless, wide area network (WAN), which connects all of the schools, Debbie Sandidge, Technology Coordinator, said seven proposals were received: three wireless and four land based.  A committee of three evaluated the proposals based on five factors which were suggested by Erate:  cost, prior experience, personnel qualifications, management capability, and environmental objectives.  The committee's first decision involved staying with the land-based connection through Bell South as the Internet service provider or to change to a wireless network.  It was their decision that it would be more beneficial to change to a wireless network and Ms. Sandidge included a list of reasons behind the decision which included fast connectivity throughout district giving all schools the same connectivity speed and a low percent of downtime due to factors such as weather.  She also noted that because of recent improvements in this technology, an update would not be required in the near future when the parish begins "distance learning."  Although the yearly cost to the parish would be about $9,500 higher (after the Erate discount is received) than the amount presently paid, the committee recommended that the board contract with Trillion Digital Communications for fixed rate, five year lease of a wireless wide area network.  Weighted factors in their decision was Trillion's experience in wireless technology and management capabilities.  Ms. Sandidge noted that the parish could opt out of the lease at any time during the five years without penalty.

Mr. Abrahm moved and Ms. Tatum seconded the motion to accept the recommendation of the committee to contract with Trillion Digital Communications for lease of a wireless wide area network, Internet services, and district wide email for the term of five years commencing July 1, 2003 and ending June 30, 2008.

After several questions and comments, Mr. Mitcham and Mr. Wright called for the previous question.

The Board unanimously voted for the Abrahm/Tatum original motion.

In order for the new chiller to be purchased and improvements to the HVAC system at Ruston High to be operational for the 03-04 school year, Mr. Owens indicated that it would be necessary to advertise for bids during the month of February; therefore, he asked for permission to do so.

Upon a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for a new chiller and HVAC improvements at Ruston High School.

In a Report of the Superintendent, Dr. Gerald Cobb said that LSBA registration information was included in portfolios and should be turned in as soon as possible in order for plans to be made.

After brief comments, the meeting adjourned at 1:13 p.m.

______________________________                 ______________________________

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