LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, June 3, 2003 6:15 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, June 3, 2003 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. Rob Shadoin, Mr. Billy Abrahm, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Ms. Jo Tatum, and Mr. David Wright.
Mr. Otha Anders, Ms. Lisa Best, and Mr. Curtis Dowling were absent.
Prior to the meeting, 02-03 retirees of the Lincoln Parish School System were honored with a reception in the lobby of the School Board.
President Rob Shadoin called the meeting to order and Mr. Wright gave the invocation. Mr. Shadoin 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 Ms. Tatum, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda with an addendum adding one item of New Business.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on May 6, 2003 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 714 years of faithful and dedicated service to the parish. Retirees were as follows:
NAME SCHOOL YRS. IN LINCOLN TOTAL YEARS
Gerald Cobb Central Office (Superintendent) 39 43
Ronnie Suggs Central Office (Asst. Superintendent) 35 34
Howard Whitlock Central Office (Supervisor) 33 34
Ronald Crawford Choudrant High (Principal) 33 34
Carolyn Allen Choudrant High (Teacher) 26 26
Bobette Banks Choudrant Elementary (Teacher) 32 33
Jo Carter Ruston Elementary (Teacher) 10 27
Beulah Coleman Grambling (Teacher) 16 44
Nella Faye Cooper I. A. Lewis (Teacher) 24 25
Marcia DeMoss Hillcrest Elementary (Coord. Tchr.) 23 33
Shirley Hopkins I. A. Lewis (Teacher) 6 33
Cindy Huckaby Simsboro School (Teacher) 4 6
Jerald Johnson A. E. Phillips (Teacher) 29 41
Track Kavanaugh Ruston High (Teacher) 24 33
Jerry King Simsboro Elementary (Teacher) 20 29
Pam Loe Ruston Junior High (Teacher) 33 33
Jane Ludley Ruston Junior High (Teacher) 25 31
Kay Phillips Glen View (Teacher) 21 21
Sandra Powell Simsboro School (Teacher) 11.5 11.5
Doug Stewart Secondary Alternative (Teacher) 25 25
Virginia Suggs I. A. Lewis (Teacher) 16 16
Gail Sullivan Ruston Junior High (Teacher) 21 21
Ann Thigpen Hillcrest Elementary (Teacher) 22 30
Barbara Yarbrough Hico Elementary (Teacher) 13 33
Denise Baker Pupil Appraisal (Secretary) 23.5 23.5
Ann Windsor Ruston High (Secretary) 32 32
Arberia Simonton Dubach High (Tchr Aide/Bus Drvr) 24 24
Bobby Dade Bus Driver/Custodian 16 16
Alan Hartwell Bus Driver/Custodian 15.5 15.5
Danny Willis Bus Driver/Custodian 23 23
Laureen Brister Choudrant High (School Food) 13 13
Mary J. Jackson Alma J. Brown (School Food) 26 26
Maribeth Pesnell Choudrant High 27 27
The Board presented a special plaque to Ronnie Suggs, Assistant Superintendent, in recognition and appreciation of his dedication to the students and parents within the parish for the past twenty-five years.
Superintendent Gerald Cobb and President Shadoin wished all of the retirees well and offered congratulations on their retirement.
The Outstanding School Support Employee Awards Program provides an opportunity to honor an outstanding employee in the elementary, middle, and high school/central office levels who support and provide leadership in the operation of non instructional activities within the school system, according to Director of Auxiliary Services, Charles Owens. He reviewed the selection procedure and with Dr. Cobb’s help, presented plaques to the following in order to recognize their contributions to the Lincoln Parish School System:
Nina Boddie Elementary Secretary at I. A. Lewis
Wilma Outley Junior High Paraprofessional at Dubach High
Paulette Davis High School Cafeteria Clerk at Choudrant High
Special Education Supervisor, Gloria Roebuck, indicated that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) application has a two-fold purpose which is to develop and implement assurances and procedures that specify the provision of a free appropriate public education to all students with disabilities residing in the jurisdiction of the Lincoln Parish School Board and to provide the State Department of Education with the procedures that the Louisiana Education Agency (LEA) will implement to qualify for the federal funds under IDEA. She requested permission to submit the application which is a planning guide that outlines goals and activities to address the needs of the students with disabilities.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to grant the LEA permission to submit the Louisiana Education Agency application for IDEA flow-through funds for FY 2004.
Three schools have some old vocational shop equipment and band instruments which are no longer of any use. Ms. Juanita Duke, Business Manager, asked the Board to declare the items listed as surplus and grant authority to the schools to dispose of them through sale or disposal, whichever is deemed appropriate.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to declare the items presented as surplus and granted authority to schools to dispose of these items through sale or disposal, whichever is deemed appropriate.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after Ronnie Suggs; James Payton, Supervisor of Transportation, presented 8.; Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, presented 9.-10.; and Brenda Theodos, School Food Service Supervisor, presented 11:
1. The first personnel item to be considered was the naming of a principal at Choudrant High because of Ronald Crawford’s upcoming retirement. Mr. Suggs presented background information on the selection process. He reported that he chaired a selection committee consisting of Patrice Hay, Randy Moore, Mary Null, Charles Owens, and Willie Washington who interviewed five qualified applicants on May 13, 2003 and unanimously recommended Doug Postel, current assistant principal, to Dr. Gerald Cobb for the position. It was Dr. Cobb’s recommendation to the Board that Mr. Postel be named principal at Choudrant High School.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to accept the administration’s recommendation of Doug Postel for the position of principal of Choudrant High effective July 1, 2003.
2. A principal vacancy also needed filling at Ruston High School because of Dr. Charles Scriber’s recent promotion to superintendent. Mr. Suggs chaired that selection committee which consisted of Foster Harris, Barbara Kirkland, Tim Nutt, James Pilgreen, and Charles Owens. On May 19, 2003 that group interviewed three qualified applicants and unanimously recommended Kenny Henderson to Superintendent Cobb for the position. Dr. Cobb and Dr. Scriber concurred and recommended Mr. Henderson to the Board as his selection for next principal of Ruston High School.
Rev. Gardner Clark was in attendance at the meeting and indicated that he wished to speak for the Lincoln Parish chapter of the NAACP. Without questioning the desire, integrity, ability, or credibility of any applicant for the RHS principalship, he appealed to the Board to consider a bold, proactive move toward affirmative action.
Bill Smith was also in attendance and asked the Board to vote down the recommendation of the administration regarding the principalship of Ruston High and to support Glenda Douglas, RHS assistant principal.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board voted 7 - 2 to accept the administration’s recommendation to name Kenny Henderson as principal at Ruston High School effective June 5, 2003. Voting against the motion: Mattie Harrison and George Mack.
3. The Supervisor of Elementary Education slot became vacant when the Board chose Danny Bell to replace Ronnie Suggs. On May 27, 2003 a committee consisting of David Ferguson, Patrice Hay, Charles Owens, James Pilgreen and Willie Washington and chaired by Ronnie Suggs interviewed three qualified applicants. It was their unanimous recommendation to submit Mary Null’s name to Superintendent Cobb and he also recommended her for the position of Supervisor of Elementary Education. Mr. Suggs said that Superintendent-Elect Charles Scriber agreed with Dr. Cobb’s recommendation.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve Dr. Cobb’s recommendation for Mary Null to become the Supervisor of Elementary Education effective July 1, 2003.
4. Sabbatical leave request from Bobbi Conner, special education teacher at I. A. Lewis, effective August 11, 2003 for a medical sabbatical for the first semester of the 03-04 school year and for a professional sabbatical for the second semester.
5. Retirement of the following central office administrators:
Howard Whitlock, secondary supervisor, effective June 30, 2003.
James Payton, transportation supervisor, effective August 29, 2003.
6. Retirement, effective May 23, 2003, of the following:
Tomie Bradshaw, non categorical preschool at Lincoln Center.
Pam Loe, special education at Ruston Junior High.
Jane Ludley, special education at Ruston Junior High.
7. Resignation, effective May 23, 2003, of the following:
Nancy Durrett, language arts/music at Dubach High.
Jerry Hornsby, science/coach at Ruston High.
Melissa Patrick, prekindergarten at Ruston Elementary.
Arberia Simonton, special education aide at Dubach High.
Brad Smith, social studies/coach at Ruston High.
8. Retirement of the following bus drivers effective May 23, 2003:
Danny Willis, who drives in the Choudrant area.
Arberia Simonton, who drives in the Dubach area.
9. Resignation of Gerry Briggs, itinerant maintenance employee, effective May 1, 2003.
10. Retirement of Bobby Dade, maintenance at Choudrant High, effective June 30, 2003.
11. Retirement of Maribeth Pesnell, school food service manager at Choudrant, effective May 26, 2003.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to accept the above recommendations as presented.
Ms. Duke presented a sales tax report for the month ending May 2003. Compared to the same month last year, collections were down 7.02% and overall collections for the year were down 9.06%. Collections in both the 1993 and the 2000 sales tax funds were $194,224, and 1967 and 1979 collections were $324,068. Audit recoveries for the month totaled $1,901. Year-to-date audit collections were 187.082% above last year’s numbers.
She followed with a financial update for April 2003 and indicated that it had been a real good fiscal year and spending was maintained even better than the previous year. The general fund’s balance did decrease approximately $343,000 during the month. The state’s MFP adjustments have begun and will continue until the end of the year. The ’67, ’79, ’93, ’00 sales tax funds continue to build in order to make July 1 salary supplement payments to employees.
The employee insurance benefits program was the next report listed on the agenda and Ms. Duke noted that January increases seem to have been partially recouped as total costs in the self-insured health benefits program are only about 3.6% over total costs at this time last year. In January, those costs were a record high since the plan’s inception in 1989; but, the past three months have been better. The parish’s dental plan is doing real well. Costs are down year-to-date about 25%. She will monitor both plans for the remainder of the year and will decide at that point about plan changes for the fall.
After considering revisions since the previous meeting to the School Admission policy and the addition of a new Parental Rights/Student Rights of Privacy policy, President Shadoin asked Board members what they wished to do.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revisions to School Admissions policy (JBC) and a new Parental Rights/Student Rights of Privacy policy (IFDA).
Bid opening was held on May 6, 2003 for the purchase of the following items for the 03-04 school year: copy paper, paper towels, toilet tissue, dust mop rental, and gasoline and diesel. Mr. Owens recommended that the Board accept the lowest bids meeting specifications as indicated.
Upon a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to accept the lowest bids meeting specifications for the purchase of materials and supplies for the 03-04 school year as shown below:
Company Submitting Bid Gasoline & Diesel
E. Lee Young Unleaded Regular Cost + .0735 gallon
Unleaded Plus Cost + .0735 gallon
Unleaded Premium Cost + .0735 gallon
On Road Diesel Cost + .0735 gallon
Off Road Diesel Cost + .1095 gallon
Bancroft Paper Co. 250 Cases Toilet Tissue
Price Per Case: $25.65
Total for 250 Cases: $6,412.50
UNISOURCE 500 Cases Paper Towels
Price Per Case: $10.25
Total for 500 Cases: $5,125.00
UNISOURCE 2,800 Cases Copy Paper
Price Per Unit: $18.52
Total for 2,800 Cases: $51,856.00
RUSTON UNIFORM Dust Mop Rental
18 inch: .40 each weekly
36 inch: .70
48 inch: .70
Mr. Owens said bids were opened on May 27, 2003 on the HVAC renovation at Ruston High School. He asked the Board to accept the lowest bid meeting specifications,409,105, from M & M Mechanical, Cont. Work can begin immediately, and plans are to complete the project by August 15, 2003.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to accept the lowest bid, $409,105, from M & M Mechanical, Cont. for the HVAC renovation project at Ruston High School.
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 2003 to June 2004 is $2,375 which is $125 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 $1100 which is an increase for the first time in a couple of years of $250. He recommended renewal of the contract with Forethought for both of these services.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Abrahm , the Board unanimously voted to approve the renewal of a 12-month contract with Forethought Consulting, Inc. beginning July 2003 and ending June 2004 at a cost of $3,475 for the policy manual and CAPS updating services.
Dr. Cobb proposed to open the application process for the principalship of I. A. Lewis; Supervisor of Testing, Evaluation, and Curriculum; and Transportation Supervisor on Wednesday, June 4, 2003. The application period would begin on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 and close at noon on Tuesday, June 17, 2003. Interviews for the positions would be held between June 18 and 25, 2003 with recommendations to fill the positions to be presented to the Board at its July 1, 2003 meeting. He asked for Board approval of this time-line.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to grant approval to advertise and interview for the I. A. Lewis principal position; Supervisor of Testing, Evaluation, and Curriculum; and Transportation Supervisor as outlined above.
In Mrs. Duke’s opinion, language should be added to the Board’s purchasing policy (DJE) authorizing the purchase of sole source supplies, services, or major repairs without competition in accordance with state purchasing rules and regulations. In addition, although the state mandates provisions for extended sick leave be made available only to teachers and bus drivers, she also proposed changes to the sick leave policy (GBRIB) making extended sick leave benefits available to all Lincoln Parish School Board employees. Ms. Duke asked the Board members to peruse these policy changes until the July board meeting.
Even though sales tax collections have been on a decline during the year, Ms. Duke recommended and Dr. Cobb concurred that July salary supplement checks be paid to employees as follows: $3,282 to certified and $1,641 to support employees. These amounts, which are the same as the previous year, are only possible because a significant increase in audit collections will help offset the majority of the decrease in sales tax collections. Ms. Duke requested the Board’s approval of the payment amounts and 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 Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve the payment of the salary supplement checks for July 1, 2003 of $3,282 for certified staff and $1,641 for support staff.
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. The Ruston Daily Leader offered $4.50 per legal 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 floppy disk or e-mail. President Shadoin asked for the Board's preference.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to name The Ruston Daily Leader as the official journal for fiscal year 03-04.
Because of the recent death of a long time board member, Dr. Marty Beasley, Superintendent Cobb announced that in order to comply with the Louisiana Election Code, an interim Lincoln Parish School Board member for Ward 1, District D must be appointed. Because the time remaining in the term is less than one year, no general election must be held. He recommended that the Board appoint Mr. Don Beasley, who meets all of the criteria, and does not plan to seek the permanent position.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to appoint Mr. Don Beasley to finish the five-month term of Dr. Marty Beasley, board member representing Ward 1, District D.
It was the overwhelming consensus of opinion that Dr. Beasley will be greatly missed by the Lincoln Parish School Board, the employees, parents, and students which she cared about and represented so well.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
________________________ ____________________________
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary Robert E. Shadoin, President