LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, August 3, 2004 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 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 Mr. Rob Shadoin, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Ms. Lynda Henderson (arrived after the meeting began), Mr. Flynn Ludley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Ted McKinney, Mr. Joe Mitcham, and Ms. Jo Tatum.
Mr. Otha Anders and Mr. Jim Kessler were absent.
President Rob Shadoin called the meeting to order and Ms. Best gave the invocation. Mr. Shadoin led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed guests to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on July 6, 2004 as submitted.
Ricky Edmiston, Secondary Supervisor, reminded the Board that each year the system must submit a revised copy of the Pupil Progression Plan (PPP) to the State Department of Education for their approval. The PPP is based on regulations from the state and local policies having to do with promotion and retention. The change to be considered in Section II, Placement Policies was Exceptional students participating in LEAP 21 must be provided with accommodations as noted in the student's IEP. He asked for approval of the revision.
Upon a motion by Mr. Ludley, seconded by Mr. McKinney, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revisions to the 04-05 Lincoln Parish Pupil Progression Plan.
Business Manager, Jack Boyd, reminded Board members that each year schools are allocated funds from the 1979 sales tax fund for library supplement ($2.00), classroom supplies ($3.25), office supplies and equipment repair/purchase ($3.50), student services ($3.25), and debate and speech ($1.50). These funds are distributed on a per pupil basis and sent directly to the schools to be disbursed by the principal. He recommended sending the per pupil allotments shown above which are the same as last year's amounts. Also to be included in the checks is $100 per kindergarten teacher and monies for those schools that have a band. The total to be disbursed to the schools would be $99,578 which is a $725 decrease because of fewer students.
Following a question, upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Ludley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the annual school allocation of funds for 04-05 from the 1979 sales tax as outlined by Mr. Boyd.
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. - 6. and Charles Owens, Directory of Auxiliary Services, presented 7.:
1. Points of Reference/Transfers of the following effective August 11, 2004:
Janet Hammock, special education teacher, from Ruston High to Cypress Springs replacing Katie Redlich who resigned.
Matt Willis, social studies/PE/coach, from Ruston Junior High to Dubach High replacing Lala Cooper who resigned.
Shirley Boyd, special education teacher, from I. A. Lewis to Dubach High replacing Amy Day who transferred.
Jay Seal, PE/coach, from Ruston Junior High to Dubach High replacing Huey Farrell who resigned.
Amy Day, special education teacher, from Dubach High to I. A. Lewis replacing Shirley Boyd who transferred.
Tara Turner, special education teacher, from Ruston Junior High to Ruston High in a new position.
Armanda Mitchell, special education aide, from Hico Elementary to Ruston Junior High replacing Jennifer Cook effective August 12, 2004.
Lillie Williams, math teacher, from Dubach High to Ruston Junior High replacing Michelle Jones who resigned.
2. Resignation of the following:
Katie Redlich, special education teacher at Cypress Springs, effective July 15, 2004.
Paul Bean, math teacher at Dubach High, effective July 21, 2004.
Lala Cooper, English teacher at Dubach High, effective July 15, 2004.
Jowana McAbee, teacher at Glen View, effective July 15, 2004.
Christy Grant, science teacher at Ruston High, effective July 20, 2004.
Aleta Overby, science teacher at Ruston High, effective July 29, 2004.
Michelle Jones, math teacher at Ruston Junior High, effective July 29, 2004.
Herbert Piert, special education aide at Ruston High, effective July 29, 2004.
Shawn Burns, elementary teacher at Simsboro High, effective July 20, 2004.
3. Employment of the following teachers effective August 11, 2004 unless otherwise noted:
Kelly Ketchum, elementary at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Vickie Wheelis who was granted a sabbatical.
Mary Benson Towns, math at Dubach High, replacing Paul Bean who resigned.
Lauren Hull, elementary at Glen View, replacing Jowanna McAbee who resigned.
Tiffany Curry, elementary at Lincoln Center, replacing Amanda Simmons who promoted.
Joyce Spurgeon, special education at Lincoln Center, replacing Marilyn Rushing who was uncertified/TAT.
Rebecca Quarles, elementary at Ruston Elementary, replacing Gloria McAdams who resigned.
Kaye Bullard, special education at Ruston High, replacing Pam Adams who transferred.
Steve Barber, transition services at Ruston High, in a new position.
Shane Pittard, strength coach/PE at Ruston High, replacing Chris Block effective August 1, 2004.
Melanie Lewis, English at Ruston High, replacing Kay Bradford who was granted a sabbatical.
Willie Simmons, coach/PE at Ruston High, replacing Anthony Dade who was uncertified.
Todd Boddie, social studies/coach at Ruston High, replacing Roderick Foppe who resigned.
Stacy Campbell, science at Ruston High, replacing Christy Grant who resigned.
Tom Lavigne, special education/coach at Ruston High, replacing Janet Hammock effective July 28, 2004.
Melissa Bullock, science at Ruston High, replacing Hilary Hay who's instructional area was absorbed.
Melissa Wooley, science at Ruston High, replacing Aleta Overby who resigned.
Elizabeth Toney, special education aide at Ruston High, effective August 12, 2004 replacing Herbert Piert who resigned.
Elena Jones, math at Ruston Junior High, replacing Kim Billberry who retired.
Debbie Graves, music at Ruston Junior High, replacing Janet Johnson who was granted leave without pay.
Sharon Purvis, math at Ruston Junior High, replacing Dana Scott who resigned.
Lillie Williams, math at Ruston Junior High, replacing Michelle Jones who resigned.
David Hoefler, PE/ISS at Ruston Junior High, replacing Jay Seal who transferred.
Mary Soto, special education gifted at Ruston Junior High, replacing Bridget Simoneaux who promoted.
Steve Wooley, social studies/coach at Ruston Junior High, replacing Matt Willis who transferred.
Debra Hathorn, elementary teacher at Simsboro, replacing Shawn Burns who resigned.
Nancy Durrett, half time music position at Simsboro, replacing Natorshau Davis who resigned.
Pam Mathis, elementary teacher at Simsboro, replacing Meg Harrington who resigned.
4. Retirement of Kim Billberry as math teacher at Ruston Junior High effective August 1, 2004.
5. Sabbatical requests from the following:
Vickie Wheelis, teacher at Choudrant Elementary, for the 04-05 school year effective August 11, 2004.
Leigh Williams, elementary teacher at Simsboro, for the second semester of the 04-05 school year effective January 5, 2005.
6. Extended sick leave request from April Simonelli, elementary teacher at Cypress Springs, effective August 27, 2004 and through December 22, 2004.
7. Employment of Willie Gunn, effective August 5, 2004, as custodian at Hillcrest replacing Dallas Allen who resigned.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.
Ms. Henderson entered the meeting immediately following the vote.
According to Curriculum Committee Chairman, Lisa Best, the Committee met on July 20, 2004 to discuss high school scheduling as charged by the Board at the July board meeting.
She reported that the Committee decided to take no action but to put together a bipartisan study committee to look at the block schedule and its effects on the students.
President Shadoin indicated that a group of approximately 60 parents also met since the July board meeting to discuss high school scheduling in the public schools. He recommends that the whole Board accept the recommendation of both the Curriculum Committee and the group of concerned parents to form a study committee to decide if block scheduling is the best for the parish high school student. Mr. Shadoin wanted the Board's permission to appoint two of its members to serve on the study committee which will bring a recommendation back to the board.
Ms. Best made a motion, which Mr. Ludley seconded, for Rob Shadoin to appoint two board members, each of the three outlying high school principals to appoint one teacher and the RHS principal to appoint two teachers to serve on a independent, bipartisan Block Scheduling Study Committee to look at block scheduling in the high schools.
Prior to a vote on the motion, Mr. McKinney noted that he doesn't think board members should serve on the committee but should wait for the committee's recommendation. He believes the Board should stay totally out of it and should wait to make a cohesive decision on the matter as a complete body. Otherwise, a negative vote on the Study Committee's recommendation might be construed as going against the board members who served on the committee.
After a lengthy discussion concerning Mr. McKinney's concern as well as others, the board voted 9 - 1 in FAVOR of the Best/Henderson motion of Rob Shadoin appointing two board members, each of the three outlying high school principals appointing one teacher and the RHS principal appointing two teachers to serve on a Block Scheduling Study Committee. Mr. McKinney voted AGAINST the motion.
Jack Boyd reported that sales tax collections for the first month in the 04-05 fiscal year, July 2004, were up 4.73% compared to the same month last year and year-to-date. Collections in the '67 and '79 fund were $402,545, and $241,527 was collected in both the '93 and '00 sales tax funds. Audit recoveries for July 2004 were $5,452 which was up 85.27% compared to July 2003.
No financial update for the month ending May 31, 2004, was given by Mr. Boyd which he said is routine because the 03-04 financial year is being closed out.
For the 2003 calendar year, self-insured health insurance costs were up 22.44% according to Jack Boyd. However, for the period of July 2003 through December of 2003, costs increased at a rate of only 10%. For January 2004 through May 2004, the fund has experienced an overall decreased of 3.75%. Monthly collections for May 2004 were $2,626,867, total costs were $2,342,088, which equals a net gain of $284,779. This means for the fiscal year, the health benefits program has a net increase of approximately 7%. Costs are still going up but at a slower rate compared to the last two years. He called attention to a bar chart which showed total expenditures in thousands. Presently cash on hand in the self-insured health benefits program fund is $612,801. He presented similar information in the dental program, and noted that dental costs have increased slightly at .39%. The general scenario, he said, is that health costs are coming down into a manageable area. Mr. Boyd will continue to monitor both plans.
A brief update was delivered by Mike Walpole, architect, on the Ruston School District capital improvement project. He said that the first three projects are Cypress Springs, Hillcrest, and the stadium work at Ruston High School. The first set of jobs should be ready for bidding by the end of the year and completed by February 2005. Every six months after that, another set of jobs will be bid. He gave a little more detail on the first three projects which are progressing as planned.
Action must be taken now to prepare for the future in upgrading and maintaining the Choudrant, Dubach, and Simsboro school districts according to Superintendent Charles Scriber. He has consulted with Mr. Walpole and Grant Schlueter, bond attorney, regarding a feasibility study to determine specific needs. That study would include: 1) survey of the school campuses to determine the existing conditions, 2) seek input from all stakeholders (board members, parents, students, business and community people and school personnel) to prepare a list of needs, 3) develop a preliminary scope of work for each school along with a cost estimate, and 4) develop a presentation to show and inform the general public. The feasibility study will also give a recommendation on the method of financing the project. The bond issue in Simsboro will be paid off in 2006 and Choudrant;s will be paid off in 2007. Dubach has no bond debt. If agreeable to the board and other stakeholders, a renewing of existing bonds and/or proposing new bonds will provide the necessary monies for the renovations and additions. Dr. Scriber recommended that the Board grant permission for the feasibility study.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. McKinney, the Board unanimously voted to grant the superintendent and his staff permission to conduct a feasibility study with the help of architect Mike Walpole and bond attorney Grant Schlueter for the purpose of upgrading and renovating the schools in the Choudrant, Dubach, and Simsboro school districts.
Each year it is necessary to make revisions to the budget that are a result of changes that have occurred in revenue and expenditures throughout the year and in order to align the budget to the actual figures, Mr. Boyd advised. He shared beginning figures, revised figures, and the amount and % of change in the general fund, 1967 sales tax, 1979 sales tax, 1993 sales tax, 1993 ad valorem tax, 2000 sales tax, 2000 ad valorem, five-mill parish-wide maintenance, and child nutrition accounts. The general fund ended the year with a balance of $4,279,064. Estimated revenue figures changed from $47,142,327 to a revised figure of $52,458,517; expenditures from $48,183,964 to $54,202,114; which shifted the ending funding balance from $11,406,743 to $12,011,227 and created an excess (deficiency) of $1,743,597. He believes that if this pattern of depleting the reserves continues over the next four to five years, the system will be in financial trouble. Mr. Boyd requested adoption of the revised budget.
Upon a motion by Mr. McKinney, seconded by Mr. Ludley, that Board unanimously voted to approve the revised budget for the 03-04 fiscal year.
Apparently due to the proximity of Lincoln Parish residents' homes and poor road conditions existing long ago, the system has provided bus transportation for students living in the northeast corner of Lincoln Parish to attend Downsville High School in Union Parish for many years, Danny Bell explained. This was done without any compensation or reimbursement to the system for the cost involved. He plans to reroute that bus beginning this academic year and allow those twenty-five to thirty students to be transported to the Choudrant schools if they so desire. Mr. Bell requested permission for Union Parish to also send a bus into that area to pick up students that chose to attend the Downsville school. He said the situation will be reviewed by a committee in the fall with a recommendation to be presented to the Board at a later time.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board voted 9 - 0 to grant permission for Union Parish to send a bus or buses into Lincoln Parish to pick up students currently attending school in the Downsville School District and their siblings for the 04-05 school year. Rob Shadoin abstained from the vote.
The State Legislative Auditor's office requires all Louisiana governmental units to complete a Systems Survey & Compliance Questionnaire and submit it to the independent auditors at the beginning of the financial and compliance audit, Mr. Boyd informed the Board. He requested approval of the questionnaire.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Systems Survey & Compliance Questionnaire for fiscal year 03-04 as presented.
As a result of recent legislative bills, Superintendent Scriber announced that it was time to update the policy manual. He presented one new policy, Bullying Intimidation, Harassment, and Hazing; and one revised policy, Discipline of Students with Disabilities; for the Board's perusal until the next board meeting at which time a vote on the policy changes will be taken.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
___________________________ _______________________________
Charles R. Scriber, Secretary Robert E. Shadoin, President