LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Tuesday, December 2, 2003   6:00 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish School Board, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana.  Members present were Mr. Billy Abrahm,  Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Don Beasley, Ms. Lisa Best, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Ms. Jo Tatum, and Mr. David Wright.

 President Rob Shadoin and Mr. Curtis Dowling were absent.

Vice President Anders called the meeting to order and gave the invocation.  Ms. Best led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. 

Upon a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda with an addendum adding one item of New Business.

Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on November 4, 2003 as distributed.

Chris Baker was introduced to the Board by Superintendent Charles Scriber for coaching the Choudrant High School boys who recently won state in Class B, cross country. He was presented with a plaque on behalf of the superintendent and the Board.  His principal, Doug Postel, expressed his pride in the coach and the team for their dedication. Coach Baker introduced the boys who were in attendance. 

Lendel Schutzman, President of the RHS Girls’ Soccer Booster Club, had requested and was approved to be placed on the Board’s agenda regarding a field for the RHS boys’ and girls’ soccer program.  He indicated that over 80 students participate in the program and because of recent alterations to the RHS football field, it is no longer a viable playing field for soccer.  With the removal of some of the grass along the side of the football field, and its replacement with Astroturf, the field is not wide enough to meet Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) specifications; therefore, all upcoming district games would have to be forfeited.  He and RHS principal Kenny Henderson said that all possible options within the city have been explored and no other regulation-sized playing field has been located.  Mr. Schutzman closed by requesting the Board’s help.  Further explanation was provided by Dr. Scriber and RHS football booster club president Jed Lewis.

After several minutes of discussion, questions, and answers, it became evident that a capsulized plan and time line were needed before the Board could make a decision.  Vice President Anders appointed Superintendent Charles Scriber chairman of a committee to come up with a recommendation for a solution to the RHS soccer field problem.  Also appointed to serve on the committee were Lendel Schutzman, Jed Lewis, Kenny Henderson, Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, George Mack, and Joe Mitcham.  They planned to meet immediately following the Board meeting.

Since the parish is without a business manager, Dr. Scriber presented the administration’s proposed self-insurance benefits plan renewal.  He announced that the 2003 program is experiencing an increase in costs of more than 10% over 2002 plan costs. Anticipating a 14% increase in medical claims, 18% in Rx claims, and 5% in dental claims equals a total overall anticipated increase of 14% in 2004 medical claims.  Total projected 2003 costs of $6,475,871, plus a 12% increase, brings the 2004 projected plan costs go $7,254,319. This would require an additional $778,451 in funding.  The administration is recommending that the board provide the funding for this additional costs from the annual excess of funds maintained in the General Fund without any increase in premiums to employees.  Several plan design changes and premium increases were put into effect in 2003 and depending upon the plan’s performance in 2004, may be necessary in the future.

After Dr. Scriber introduced Stephen Cali with Benesys, the third party administrator, to the Board, he reviewed the renewal proposed for the self-insured programs for 2004 as follows:

1.         Change specific deductible from $90,000 to $100,000 in specific reinsurance premium.

2.         Increase by $0.75 per member each month the overall administrative services provided through Benesys.  Included in this increase is a $0.25 increase for PPO services provided through American Lifecare and $0.50 for administration by Benesys. 

3.         Increase aggregate limit on claims to $7,914,034.

Following a brief question and answer period, Dr. Scriber recommended that the board approve the self insurance benefit plan renewal to become effective January 1, 2004. Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the insurance plan renewal effective January 1, 2004 as explained by Dr. Scriber and Mr. Cali.

The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Danny Bell, presented 1. - 4.; and Ronny Volentine, Transportation Supervisor, presented 5. -6.:

1.        The first personnel item to be considered was the naming of a Business Manager because of Juanita Duke’s recent resignation.  Mr. Bell presented background information on the selection process.  He reported that he, Charles Owens, and Dr. Charles Scriber comprised an Interview Committee.  They interviewed ten qualified applicants on November 20 and 21, 2003 and are unanimously recommending that Jack Boyd be named Business Manager effective December 8, 2003.

Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to accept the administration’s recommendation of Jack Boyd for the position of Business Manager effective December 8, 2003. 

2.         Resignation of the following:

Terri Powers, teacher at Cypress Spring Elementary, effective December 19, 2003.

Stanley House, ROTC at Ruston High School, effective November 21, 2003.

3.         Employment of Helen Sears in a new teacher aide position at Lincoln Center effective December 1, 2003.

4.         Transfer from Lincoln Center of Armanda Mitchell effective December 1, 2003 to a teacher aide position at Hico Elementary.

5.         Resignation effective November 21, 2003 of Bruce Odom, bus driver in the Ruston area.

6.         Employment of Jerry Touchstone effective December 1, 2003 as bus driver in the Ruston area replacing Bruce Odom who resigned.

Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to approve the 2. - 6. personnel recommendations.

Charles Owens told the Board that as part of a Feasibility Study he had asked each school principal, because they are the building occupants, to prepared a prioritized needs list of facility improvements that they felt were needed.  The lists have contained items ranging from additional classroom space, restroom repair, lighting upgrades, and HVAC modifications and repairs.  Since October 16, 2003 he and Mike Walpole, architect, have visited all of the schools except three. 

Mr. Walpole said that he would take the principals’ realistic, prioritized requests and after doing more detailed site work, accumulate all of the information by the end of the year.  He would get prices by the end of January for a presentation to the Board in February. The tax renewal election could then be held in April 2004.  Common elements he sees are roof replacement, worn out air conditioning equipment, numerous portable buildings plus various other issues depending upon the school.  Mr. Walpole answered questions before departing.

Superintendent Scriber reported that November 2003 was a very good month in sales tax revenues with a 16% increase compared to the same month last year and a hefty 8.09% year-to-date increase.  This indicates a gradual, steady increase which is, in his opinion, a very good report.  He told the Board that $368,412 was collected in the '67 and '79 fund and $221,047 in the '93 and ’00 funds.

A financial report for the months ending August and September 2003 was also presented by Dr. Scriber.  The fund balances are holding well.  He called attention to the usual transfer of $250,000 from the general fund to the 5 mill maintenance fund on the September report.  There were no unusual expenditures during the month, only the start of payments of nine, ten, and eleven month employees’ salaries from the general fund.

A copy of the Fall 2003 School Accountability results for Lincoln Parish were distributed by Danny Bell for the Board’s information.  He explained the complex accountability process and said work is being done to improve the school performance scores. Six of the parish’s fourteen schools are in School Improvement-1, three elementary and three combination.  They are: I. A. Lewis, Ruston Elementary, Ruston Junior High, Choudrant High, Dubach High, and Simsboro High.  However, no Lincoln Parish schools scored below the state average and none fell in the Academically Unacceptable or Academic Warning categories.  One school, Hico Elementary, was recognized as a school of Recognized Academic Growth having surpassed their growth target.  Mr. Bell did mention that the state continues to modify the accountability process and that two year growth targets are being replaced by one year growth targets.  In closing, he indicated that the administration believes that improvements can be made and the parish schools can continue to improve. 

A self-insured health and dental benefits program report for the period ending September 2002 was also presented by Dr. Scriber.  He announced that more money was spent in the health insurance plan than was received.  In the dental program, more money was taken in than spent.  Overall funds for health and dental insurances are sufficient.

In the Report of the Superintendent, Dr. Scriber said that in order to accommodate employees, especially new teachers, a new payroll schedule has been worked up to move payroll dates from the 1st to the 26th of the month.  He did note that Minimum Foundation Program monies are deposited into the bank on the 25th of each month.

Dr. Scriber asked if the Board would give the committee meeting about a RHS soccer field the authority to act or if a special called meeting of the Board should be scheduled.  Mr. Kessler moved that the committee should present their recommendation to Board members by a telephone call from the administration.  Ms. Best seconded the motion. After a brief discussion, by acclamation the Board decided to rescind the Kessler/Best motion and allow the committee to decide what needs to be done and act to carry it out.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.

___________________________                   ________________________________

Charles R. Scriber, Secretary                        Robert E. Shadoin, President