LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, May 6, 2003 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, May 6, 2003 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. Rob Shadoin, Mr. Billy Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Dr. Marty Beasley, Ms. Lisa Best, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Ms. Jo Tatum, and Mr. David Wright.
Mr. Curtis Dowling was absent
President Rob Shadoin called the meeting to order. The invocation was given by Ms. Tatum. Mr. Shadoin led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed guests.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted to adopt with an addendum adding two items of New Business.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Sessions held on March 19 and April 1, 2003 and the Special Joint Session with the Policy Jury on March 24, 2003 as distributed.
Secondary Supervisor, Howard Whitlock, presented Sarah Keil and Grant Serio who were recently named recipients of the prestigious National Merit Finalist award. This recognition is awarded annually to only .5% of the seniors in the entire nation. Superintendent Gerald Cobb presented plaques of appreciation to the students for their outstanding accomplishments. Mr. Shadoin also congratulated them and expressed the Board's pride in the students.
Dr. Cobb said that the Lincoln Parish School System has been fortunate over the years to have the cooperation of one of the finest agencies, the Lincoln Parish Policy Jury. He recognized Richard Durrett, Parish Administrator/Engineer; and Jack Beard, President; and presented a plaque to them to express appreciation for support and service through the years. Mr. Beard and Mr. Durrett conveyed their thanks for being honored and pledged to continue to support and cooperate in the future.
Because the old contract has expired, a new contract will need to be secured in order to purchase library books with state and local funds for the 03-04 fiscal year with an option for a renewal for the 04-05 fiscal year, according to Howard Whitlock. He requested permission to advertise for proposals.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for proposals for a contract to purchase library books for fiscal year 03-04 with an option for renewal for the 04-05 fiscal year.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Ms. Best, 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 made each year by Ronnie Suggs, Assistant Superintendent.
School Food Service Supervisor, Brenda Theodos, indicated that some very old equipment needs to be removed from the cafeterias. Because it has not been used in years and the storage space is desperately needed, she recommended that the equipment be declared as surplus and sold to the highest bidder. Items not sold would be taken to the landfill for disposal.
Upon a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to declare the old school food service equipment as surplus and sold to the highest bidder with any monies received being returned to the food service department.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after Ronnie Suggs presented items #1-#6 and Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, presented item #7:
1. The first personnel item to be considered was the naming of a Director of Curriculum and Instruction because of Ronnie Suggs' approaching retirement. Mr. Suggs presented background information on the selection process. He reported that he chaired a selection committee consisting of David Ferguson, Mary Null, Charles Owens, James Pilgreen, and Willie Washington who interviewed two qualified applicants on April 14, 2003 and unanimously recommended Danny Bell to Dr. Gerald Cobb for the position. It was Dr. Cobb's recommendation to the Board that Mr. Bell be named Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to accept the administration's recommendation of Danny Bell for the position of Director of Curriculum and Instruction effective July 1, 2003.
2. Rescission of sabbatical leave for Kim Billberry, teacher at Ruston Junior High, effective April 14, 2003.
3. Request for maternity leave without pay for the 03-04 school year effective August 11, 2003 for Lisa Lagattuta, social studies teacher at Ruston Junior High School.
4. Disability retirement effective March 1, 2003 for an elementary teacher at Simsboro, Cindy Huckaby.
5. Retirement, effective May 23, 2003 of the following teachers:
Track Kavanaugh, vocational agriculture at Ruston High.
Barbara Yarbrough, elementary at High Elementary.
Virginia Suggs, elementary at I. A. Lewis.
Ann Thigpen, elementary at Hillcrest Elementary.
Shirley Hopkins, elementary at I. A. Lewis.
Kay Phillips, elementary at Glen View.
Carolyn Allen, business at Choudrant High.
6. Resignation of the following teachers effective May 23, 2003:
Dani Thompson, elementary at Hillcrest Elementary.
Kristin Dupuy, elementary at Cypress Springs.
Ernie Jones, special education at Ruston High.
Vickie Malone, special education at Ruston High.
Wyndi Best, elementary at Glen View.
Carmen Cook, special education at Glen View.
Selena Hill, special education at Glen View.
7. Retirement of the following:
Ann Windsor, secretary at Ruston High, effective June 6, 2003.
Danny Willis, maintenance at Choudrant High, effective June 30, 2003.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to accept the above-listed personnel recommendations.
Juanita Duke, Business Manager, reported that April 2003 collections were down 4.90% and year-to-date collections were down almost 8.29% over the same month last year. Collections in the 1967 and 1979 fund were $375,437 and $225,262 was collected in the 1993 and 2000 funds. Ms. Duke indicated that she would monitor the sales tax fund balances in anticipation of July 1 salary supplements. Audit recoveries for the month jumped to $616,155 which was a 5328% increase from the same month last year and brings the total year-to-date collections to $702,134. For the most part, that will offset the decrease in the regular collections this month.
Ms. Duke called attention to the fund balances on the March 2003 financial statement. She noted no unusual spending during the month in any of the funds, but did note that the additional sales tax collections would be shown in April. The General Fund balance did drop approximately $550,000 compared to the previous month which is not unusual for this time of the year but is unusual when the parish is about $200,000 short in Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) funding. The adjustment in that funding, after the final budget letter was received in February, will cause Lincoln Parish to have to give money back to the state each month in monthly payments. She will do some forecasting to determine what might happen with the MFP in the future. She figures that the good local tax base may have some type of negative effect on the MFP.
Health and dental plan updates were Ms. Duke's last reports and she announced that although health plan costs increased again in February, they were not as drastic as the January increases. Year-to-date costs are up 14.63% compared to the first two months of last year. She plans to continue to monitor this as double digit increases cannot continue in the plan. The parish's dental program is faring a little better than the health plan with total costs decreasing 6.35% during the month of February - a little reprieve in that program which she will also continue to monitor.
President Shadoin thanked the Board for the opportunity to represent them at the recent NSBA Conference in California. He was impressed by the enormity of the association and all of its programs. He shared some trip highlights and the fact that NSBA's law firm presented a session summarizing President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act.
Six revised policies which were introduced at the previous board meeting were recommended for approval by Superintendent Cobb. They were: Limited English Proficiency Program, Homeless Students, Language Minority Students, Student Organizations, Relations with Armed Forces/Military Agencies, and Student Records. The other two that had been distributed at the previous meeting, Parental Rights/Student Rights of Privacy (IFDA) and School Admission (JBC) have had further altered wording and were presented again for the Board's consideration until the Board's June meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revisions to policies: Limited English Proficiency Program (IDDH), Homeless Students (JBCBB), Language Minority Students (JQL), Student Organizations (JHC), Relations with Armed Forces/Military Agencies (LDDB), and Student Records (JR).
According to Charles Owens, bids were opened earlier in the day on HVAC renovations at Ruston High School. Unfortunately all four bids were in excess of the available funding for the project and in excess of $100,000,000. He plans to redo the specs for the project and re-advertise as soon as possible in order to ensure that the system will be operating by the start of school in August. He asked the Board to reject all bids, declare an emergency to exist, and grant permission to rebid the project.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted by voice vote to reject all bids received for the HVAC system at Ruston High School because available funding was exceeded.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Wright the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the following Resolution:
RESOLVED, In accordance with provisions of Section 2211 of Title 38 of the Revised Statutes of Louisiana, authority granted to the Lincoln Parish School Board to declare an emergency to exist because of time restraints involved in replacement or repair of new HVAC system at Ruston High School.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That in view of the emergency existing, authority is hereby given for the advertisement of bids for the necessary HVAC system repairs at Ruston High School.
Because the Board, earlier in the meeting, accepted the recommendation to promote Danny Bell, Elementary Supervisor, to the position of Director of Curriculum and Instruction upon Ronnie Suggs' upcoming retirement, Dr Cobb proposed opening the application process for that position on Wednesday, May 7, 2003. The application period would close at noon on Wednesday, May 21, and interviews would be scheduled during the week of May 23 and 27, 2003. A recommendation to fill the position would be presented to the Board at its June 3, 2003 meeting. The process would be implemented in accordance with the court order pertaining to the selection of administrative personnel.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Mr. Wright, the Board unanimously voted to approve the advertisement and interview schedule as presented for the Supervisor of Elementary Education position as explained above.
In response to Mr. Mack's request at the April meeting, Superintendent Cobb composed and presented a Resolution opposing the voucher program. He indicated that although the voucher proposal was recently quite easily defeated in the House, it is still "alive and well" in the Senate under Senator John Hainkel's sponsorship; therefore, he recommended adoption of the resolution opposing vouchers.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Wright, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the Resolution opposing the voucher program.
According to Superintendent Cobb, Representative Rick Gallot is asking for help on House Bill 1610 which would limit the parish's ability to call bond, tax, and proposition elections. Dr. Cobb asked for the Board to oppose the bill.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to go on record in opposition to House Bill 1610.
As he said he would at the previous meeting, Mr. Mack composed a Resolution opposing President George Bush's proposal to shift funding from the Head Start Program. He requested the Board's approval of the Resolution.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to approve the Resolution opposing President George Bush's plan to shift funding from the Head Start Program.
Mr. Wright asked if the Board, by acclamation, would ask the President or Secretary to compose a letter of support to a land owner who plans to improve a piece of land adjacent to Lincoln Center and to establish a home for the elderly on the same. There being no objection, the Board requested that the President or Secretary write the letter of support to the land owner.
President Shadoin called attention to the high school graduation schedule included in Board members' packets.
A visitor to the meeting asked for the administration to prepared statistics on graduation rates in the twelve years prior to and preceding the 1989 kindergarten entrance age roll back. In addition he asked for a copy of the notice of the joint meeting between the Board and the Police Jury regarding the proposed reapportionment plan.
Several Board members addressed the subject of the notice for the joint meeting and President Shadoin indicated that he would see who would address the request for statistics on graduation rates.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
________________________ _______________________________
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary Robert E. Shadoin, President