LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, February 3, 2004 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 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 President Rob Shadoin, Mr. Billy Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Don Beasley, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Ms. Jo Tatum, and Mr. David Wright.
Mr. Jim Kessler was in Washington fulfilling Legislative Liaison obligations.
After Mr. Shadoin called the meeting to order, Ms. Tatum 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 with the deletion of item #6, Hear from Independent Auditor.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on January 6, 2004 as printed.
Louisiana State Senator Robert Kostelka and Representatives Hollis Downs and Richard Gallot were in attendance to ascertain what the Board expects from them in the upcoming Legislative Session. The majority of the Board's challenge focused on unfunded mandates and the Minimum Foundation Program. The Legislators urged the Board to keep in touch after the session begins in order to share guidance and experience. They pledged to do their best to work with the new administration and to serve the educational needs of the parish.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after Mr. Danny Bell, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, shared items 1.-4., and School Food Service Supervisor, Brenda Theodos, shared 5.-7.:
1. Retirement of Barbara Kirkland, Federal Programs Supervisor, effective April 12, 2004.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to approve the retirement recommendation.
2. Rescission of employment of Pat Collins, as Coach/AD at Ruston High effective March 1, 2004.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve the rescission.
3. Employment of Nanette Hood, effective February 2, 2004, as special education teacher at Cypress Springs replacing Terri Powers who resigned.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve Ms. Hood's employment.
4. Employment of Billy Laird, effective February 23, 2004, as coach/AD at Ruston High replacing Tommy Reeder who resigned.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to approve the employment recommendation.
5. Resignation of the following school food service employees:
Linda LeBoeuf, technician at Hillcrest, effective November 30, 2003.
Karen Knowles, technician at Cypress Springs, effective January 1, 2004.
6. Employment of the following school food service persons effective February 1, 2004:
Julia Norman, at Cypress Springs, replacing Karen Knowles who resigned.
Betty Harper, at Grambling, replacing Debra Jordan who transferred.
Dana Rushing, at Hillcrest, replacing Linda LeBoeuf who resigned.
Cindy Finley, at Ruston High, replacing Jennifer Hawkins who transferred.
Patrina Robinson, at Ruston Junior High, replacing Mary Boston who transferred.
7. Point of Reference/Transfer of Mary Boston from Ruston Junior to school food service clerk position at Alma J. Brown effective January 5, 2004, replacing Lena Anderson who resigned.
Upon a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted in favor of personnel items 5. and 6. Since 7. was a Point of Reference, no vote was required.
At this point in the meeting, 6:40 p.m., Mr. Shadoin temporarily recessed the board meeting.
Mr. Mitcham, Chairman of the Finance Committee, called that meeting back to order and continued by asking Grant Schlueter, bond attorney, for additional information regarding the capital improvements plan and calling a special election in April 2004. Mr. Schlueter indicated that the current tax millage which is about to expire is at 13 mills. The current millage would need to be increased to 16.9 mills in order to bring in $28,000,000 over a twenty-year period. This would allow for minimal improvements at the Ruston schools and central office. To generate the $33,000,000 required to complete all of the essential needs at the nine facilities, the current millage would have to be increased to 18.95 mills for twenty years. President Shadoin suggested going for the $33,000,000 for the future educational needs of the parish. The learning environment must be improved in order to continue academic excellence and to offer the students of the parish the best.
Upon a recommendation by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Ms. Best, the Financial Committee unanimously voted to bring the recommendation to the Board to call for a bond issue election asking the voters to approve a twenty-year 18.95 millage.
By acclamation, the Finance Committee adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
President Shadoin called the Board back into Regular Session at 6:59 p.m.
Mr. Mitcham shared the Finance Committee's recommendation to pursue the bond issue election to fund construction and repairs to the Ruston schools' and central office.
Mr. Schlueter briefly explained two resolutions which would be necessary in order to proceed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted 11 - 0 by poll vote to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
A resolution approving the "CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN," designating purposes for which proceeds of a proposed bond issue will be budgeted, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted 11 - 0 by poll vote to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
A resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in Ruston School District No. 1 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein; making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith; and providing for other mattes in connection therewith.
Dr. Scriber expressed his appreciation to the principals, Charles Owens, Mike Walpole, and Grant Schlueter for the work which has been done and the hours and hours of work that have already gone into the project. He also appreciates the Board's insight and understanding of the impact of the learning environment and what is seen in the schools.
According to Jack Boyd, Business Manager, sales tax collections reported in January 2004 but received in December 2003 were up 7.39% compared to the same month last year. His analysis showed the net effect of higher sales taxes received for furniture, manufacturing, apparel, and miscellaneous services and a decrease in food and utilities. Sales tax collections are up 10.24% for the fiscal year. Collected in the '67 and '79 fund was $436,193 and $261,715 was generated in the '93 and '00 funds. He indicated that January's monies recovered by audits decreased 58.77% compared to the same month last year. Over all, year-to-date audit collections decreased 11.599%. In his opinion this was a good thing because that meant more sales tax revenues were being collected up front and not through audit recovery.
Mr. Boyd reviewed the November 2003 financial report and called attention to $5,381,394 in the General Fund cash and cash equivalents. That figure is comprised of approximately $741,000 in cash and $4,639,000 in certificates of deposit. Investments total $1,438,000 including accrued interest of $1,591. Interfund receivables of $23,362 are from Title I. Total assets are $6,910,783 which are offset with $869,267 in accounts and salaries payable. This leaves a General Fund balance of $6,041,515.
The December 2003 financial report showed similar figures in the General Fund: cash equivalents of $5,674,775, investments of $1,253,859, and interfund receivables from Title I of $23,362. This brings the total assets to $7,016,467, offset by total liabilities of $1,144,075 which leaves a General Fund balance of $5,872,392.
Superintendent Scriber announced that with the retirement of the Federal Programs Supervisor, Barbara Kirkland, he has decided to change that position to Secondary and Vocational Supervisor. This change is formulated to make the operation of the central office more efficient and to better utilize the talents and abilities of existing personnel. He proposed to open the application process on February 4 and close at noon on February 17, 2004. After sending advertisements to school systems and newspapers across North Louisiana, interviews would be held on February 19-20, 2004 with a recommendation to fill the position to be presented to the Board at its March 2, 2004 meeting. He asked for approval of these plans.
Upon a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to approve the application and interview time line for the Secondary and Vocational Supervisor position as presented by Dr. Scriber.
The Board wished Mrs. Barbara Kirkland the best and wanted the minutes to reflect their thanks for her many years of hard work and dedication to education. She will be sorely missed.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Dr. Scriber called attention to:
CAFR and Single Audit Reports which should be brought to the March meeting for the postponed Independent Auditor's Report.
LSBA convention registration and hotel reservation information that was included in packets.
Mr. Shadoin congratulated those board members who drew no opposition in the upcoming election. Several of those wanting to serve were in attendance and he allowed them to introduce themselves.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
____________________________ ___________________________________
Charles R. Scriber, Secretary Robert E. Shadoin, President