LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Wednesday, March 17, 2004 12:30 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at 12:30 p.m. at Lincoln Center. 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, Ms. Jo Tatum, and Mr. David Wright.
No board member was absent.
Prior to the business meeting, board members enjoyed a delicious lunch in the school cafeteria.
President Shadoin called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Wright.
Vice President Anders led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Shadoin welcomed guests to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
In the absence of the school principal, Rickey Burton, administrative assistant of Lincoln Center, welcomed guests to the school. He thanked the Board and administration for their support and mentioned recent activities at the school. In closing, Mr. Burton issued an invitation to tour the school at the close of the meeting and to return to Lincoln Center at any time.
Superintendent Charles Scriber told the Board that two principals had come to him wanting to require students to wear school uniforms at their schools. He turned the floor over to Ruston Junior High principal, Randy Moore, and I. A. Lewis principal, Dr. Fredrick Pinkney.
Mr. Moore said the schools developed a joint committee earlier this school year to study the possibility of proposing that school uniforms be worn by students at the respective schools beginning with the 04-05 school year. The committee was made up of staff and parents from both schools. After a thorough study and a strong endorsement from the committee, all parents of fifth graders in the Ruston schools, parents of I. A. Lewis students, and parents of seventh graders from Ruston Junior High were afforded the opportunity to vote. Seventy-five percent of the parents returned ballots and the results were as follows:
61% For
10% Undecided (Many of these indicated that they simply wanted
More information before endorsing.)
29% Opposed
Dr. Pinkney named local businesses who had been contacted and pledged to keep the uniforms in stock. He shared the colors and items which would become each school's uniform. Because a clear majority favor school uniforms, the Uniform Study Committee, Dr. Pinkney, and Mr. Moore recommended that the Board grant permission to require students at I. A. Lewis and Ruston Junior High to wear school uniforms beginning in the 04-05 school year.
After brief questions by Board members, upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to accept the principals' recommendation to require school uniforms to be worn at I. A. Lewis and Ruston Junior High beginning with the 04-05 school year.
It has always been the administration's intention that the parish-wide driver education program would be self-sufficient, according to Danny Bell, Director of Curriculum and Instruction. The fee was raised in 2001 from $135 to $165. However, he reminded the Board that they approved the lease-purchase of three new vehicles in the spring of 2001 because the parish could no longer rent vehicles for the program. The autos will be paid off in 2006 at which time vehicle expenses should go down. Based on total expenses related to the operation of the drivers' education program, a deficit in funding has been realized for the past two years: ($16,142.51) for 2002 and ($20,361.00) for 2003. He projected an average annual loss of $18,000 to $20,000 for the next three years. After comparing other Louisiana parish programs, he recommended that the Board approve a $20 increase to help with the expenses related to the program. He proposed that instructor pay be increased $2.50 per student for both the classroom and driving portion of the course and the remainder of the $20 be used to help with the other related costs in our driver education program.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to raise the drivers' education fee from $165 to $185.
President Shadoin asked the parent who had a concern placed on the agenda if he desired open or closed session. He indicated that he would prefer the student coach to make that decision. The student coach said he would like an open session.
Mr. Shadoin asked Mr. Bell which type he preferred. Mr. Bell indicated that he preferred a closed session.
Upon a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to enter into Executive Session at 1:05 p.m. to discuss a parental complaint.
Upon a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to return to Regular Session at l:55 p.m.
After having heard from all parties, upon a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to take no action.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Dr. Scriber announced:
1. That certified teachers will receive an additional check on March 26, 2004 from 50% of increased MFP monies the parish received last year, as required by law. The amount of the checks will be $614.37 gross for nine month teachers and will be prorated for all others.
2. Open House has been scheduled for all Ruston schools from 2:00-3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, 2004 in order for the public to view the facilities in conjunction with the April 17, 2004 bond issue election. Board members were invited to attend.
President Shadoin recognized Flynn Ludley, the recently elected board member for District 2 replacing David Wright, and Lynda Henderson, the recently elected board member for District 9 replacing Don Beasley, who were in attendance to observe.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m.
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Charles R. Scriber, Secretary Robert E. Shadoin, President