LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Wednesday, January 21, 2004 12:30 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 at 12:30 p.m. at Dubach High 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 Ms. Jo Tatum.
Mr. David Wright was 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 Ms. Tatum. 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 Dubach High School, Tony Guirlando, shared a brief word of welcome from his school to the Board, media, and visitors. He thanked the Board and the administration for their support and summarized activities and programs in place at Dubach High. Mr. Guirlando 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 Danny Bell, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented item 1. and Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, presented 2.:
1. Employment of Pat Collins as coach/AD at Ruston High effective March 1, 2004 replacing Tommy Reeder who resigned.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted in favor of the employment recommendation.
2. Employment of the following custodians effective January 5, 2004:
Dallas Allen at Hillcrest replacing Isiah Jones who resigned.
Janice Jerro at Choudrant High replacing Danny Willis who resigned.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve the custodial employment recommendations.
Mike Walpole, architect, told the Board that after meeting with Ruston school principals and touring their buildings, $32 million is needed to cover basic repair and maintenance needs. However, the administration and the Board were considering the renewal of the current 13 mill bond issue which would produce $24 million with the issuance of a twenty-five-year bond. Mr. Walpole indicated that some prioritizing could be done to attempt to lower the total costs but reminded that Board that his figures covered general construction costs only. An extra $3 or $4 million in added costs might be necessary for items such as furniture, telephones, and surveys. He mentioned some specific improvements, roofs and heating and cooling systems, which are absolutely necessary and cannot wait. In closing he said that, "Buildings are like cars and people, they get old and just wear out," and he foresees real trouble down the road if these needs are not addressed.
Additional bonds could be issued to general funds closer to the $32 million projection according to bonding attorney Grant Schlueter. He indicated that he would come back to the Board with millage figures for twenty and twenty-five year expiration dates which would bring in $32 million and also those for $24 million.
Superintendent Charles Scriber said he would like to visit with the involved principals in an attempt to pare down their lists and come up with a total of approximately $24 million. He also noted that the Board needed to weigh the needs of the school system and the realities of what the voters will approve.
By acclamation the Board decided to postpone a decision until the February meeting at which time they will consider Mr. Walpole's original individual school lists and revised lists, Mr. Schlueter's projections for differing millages, and Superintendent Scriber's recommendation.
At the previous meeting, Dr. Scriber presented five revised policies and one new policy for the Board's consideration. He asked for approval of these policy manual changes.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve revisions to the following policies: Bids and Quotations (DJED), Personnel Records (GAK), Separation of Professional Staff Members (GBN), Annual Leave (GBRK), and Employment of Students (JJ) and the addition of one new policy, Child Abuse (JGCE).
On January 7, 2004, Board members were polled by telephone and voted 11 - 0 to approve a change order that would increase the cost of the HVAC renovations at Ruston High School in the amount of $26,133, as stated by Charles Owens. (Mr. Wright could not be contacted.) Several inaccuracies in drawings from the 86-87 renovations which involved new controls and the addition of a new chiller precipitated the order. The work to be done and paid for through the change order will enhance the ability to control and select areas of the building to be conditioned as well as the numbers of chillers or boilers to be used to do so.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to ratify the 11 - 0 poll vote taken on January 7, 2004, approving a change order increasing the cost of the HVAC renovations at Ruston High School in the amount of $26,133.
Lincoln Parish has participated in the federal Erate program, designed to give discounts to schools and libraries on services in telecommunications, Internet access, and internal connections since its inception in 1997. In her background information Technology Coordinator, Debbie Sandidge, advised that changes to program guidelines make it necessary to submit an addendum to the parish's technology plan which the Board approved in March 2003. Wanda Mitchell, in the absence of Ms. Sandidge, recommended that the Board approve the addendum to the Lincoln Parish technology plan.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the addendum to the Lincoln Parish technology plan.
President Shadoin wanted the minutes to reflect the Board's appreciation for Dubach High School's hospitality, delicious lunch, and warm welcome.
Mr. Mack requested an update on dual-status employees at the next meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m.
______________________________ ______________________________
Charles R. Scriber, Secretary Robert E. Shadoin, President