LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Wednesday, October 22, 2003 12:30 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at 12:30 p.m. at Secondary Alternative School. Members present were President Rob Shadoin, Mr. Billy Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Don Beasley, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, and Mr. David Wright (arrived after meeting began).
Ms. Jo Tatum was absent.
Prior to the business meeting, board members enjoyed a delicious lunch in the school cafeteria.
President Shadoin called the meeting to order, Superintendent Charles Scriber gave the invocation, and Mr. Shadoin led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Secondary Alternative School Principal Foster Harris welcomed everyone to the school. He shared interesting information about the school and programs being offered and indicated that one of their students placed in the top four in the United States in FFA competition. He will be traveling to Kentucky in the near future for further competition. Board members were given a verbal invitation to walk around the school at the conclusion of the meeting and to return to the school at any time in the future.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after Danny Bell, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented 1.-2. and Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, presented 3.:
1. Resignation of Kimberly McCready, English teacher at Ruston High, effective October 22, 2003.
2. Employment of the following:
Laura Waltz, English teacher at Ruston High, effective October 22, 2003 replacing Kimberly McCready who resigned.
Holly Burns, elementary teacher at Simsboro School, effective September 15, 2003 replacing Kayla Sims who was granted extended sick leave and a sabbatical leave.
Mr. Wright arrived at the meeting.
3. Retirement of Otha R. Pringle, maintenance at the central office, effective October 10, 2003.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.
A financial report for the month ending July 31, 2003 was presented by Ms. Juanita Duke, Business Manager. She reported the general fund balance increased over $1.0 million this month as it always does this time of year because the salary payments made to nine, ten, or eleven month employees were accrued at the end of the June 30, 2003 fiscal year. The child nutrition program fund balance dropped about $130,000 this month due to the completion and payment for the installation of new coolers in several schools. Basically, there were routine annual expenditures made this month.
President Shadoin called attention to a letter from the United Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, which cleared the way for an election of school board members. The Attorney General did not interpose any objection to the specified changes in the election districts and redistricting plan. Qualifying dates are January 28 through January 30, 2004 with an election to follow on March 9, 2004.
At the previous meeting, Board members were given a copy of the following revised policies: Board Member Compensation and Expenses (BBBE), School Board Ethics (BH), Superintendent Qualifications (CEA), Bids and Quotations (DJED), Sabbatical Leave (GBRHA), Electronic Telecommunication Devices (revised from JD to JCDAE), Suspension (JDD), Expulsion (JDE), Student Health Services (JGC), and Discipline (JD). Dangerous Weapons was not revised but simply recoded from JCDAE to JCDAB. Dr. Scriber asked the Board to approve the revisions and recoding of the policies.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revisions and recoding of the following policies: Board Member Compensation and Expenses (BBBE) , School Board Ethics (BH), Superintendent Qualifications (CEA), Bids and Quotations (DJED), Sabbatical Leave (GBRHA), Electronic Telecommunication Devices (revised from JD to JCDAE), Suspension (JDD), Expulsion (JDE), Student Health Services (JGC), Discipline (JD), and Dangerous Weapons (JCDAB).
In a Report of the Superintendent, he said that:
1. Things are going well in the parish with the completion of the first nine week grading period and moving forward with the curriculum uniformity push while seeking input from the teachers.
2. Regarding the Feasibility Study approved at the prior meeting, a schedule of meetings between the architect, Mike Walpole, and each of the principals has been arranged and they have, in fact, already begun.
Parents, Roy and Debra Crowe, were in attendance at the meeting and asked for permission to speak to the Board.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to allow the Crowes to speak to the Board.
Mr. and Mrs. Crowe indicated that they wished to appeal the decision of the Ruston High School Head Football Coach Tommy Reeder to expel their son, Cory Crowe, from the varsity football team. Mrs. Crowe related the events which led up to the expulsion, Following a question from a board member, Superintendent Scriber indicated that the character and competence of an employee could not be discussed without notifying the employee at least twenty-four hours before the meeting. President Shadoin agreed that the Board was in a legal bind without notification and not allowing for due process. Mr. Wright said that he had a couple of questions that did not deal with the character or competence of the coach and proceeded to ask his questions. Mr. Crowe and other board members also made comments and shared their observations and questions. When the discussion again touched on the character and competence of the coach, President Shadoin expressed his problem with the way the meeting was going and suggested that Kenny Henderson, RHS principal, and Coach Tommy Reeder should be told what had been discussed in the board meeting. Since it seemed that the Board might want the decision to be reviewed at the school level, Mr. Shadoin volunteered to also talk to Dr. Scriber and try to set up a meeting with the involved school personnel to follow up on the matter and attempt to do what is best for the Lincoln Parish School System. By acclamation the Board decided to allow the President to do so.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:23 p.m.
__________________________ ______________________________
Charles R. Scriber, Secretary Robert E. Shadoin, President