LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, July 12, 2005 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 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. Otha Anders, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Flynn Ludley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Ted McKinney, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Rob Shadoin, and Ms. Jo Tatum.
Ms. Lynda Henderson was absent.
President Anders called the meeting to order and Superintendent Danny Bell delivered the invocation. Ms. Harrison led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Anders welcomed board members, staff, visitors, members of the press, and special guests from Dr. Augusta Clark's GSU class. He verbalized a special welcome and challenge to newly elected superintendent Danny Bell.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Ludley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on June 7, 2005 as distributed.
Following authorization at the December 2004 board meeting, architect Mike Walpole performed a feasibility study on Hico Elementary and Dubach High School according to Mr. Bell. It was determined that an abundance of money should not be spent on the facility constructed in the early 50's, Hico Elementary. The best thing to do, in Mr. Walpole's opinion, would be to look at a new building. Dubach High is a newer school and the structure is in good, overall shape; therefore, capital improvement monies should be spent to improve Dubach High and construct a new elementary school. The new building would connect to the east side of the building and they would share a cafeteria, library, and gymnasium. He indicated that the principals of the two schools, Ms. Tatum, Charles Owens, Mike Walpole, and he have been involved in deciding what is needed to provide an appropriate facility for the students. Mr. Bell called attention to a list of items which would be named in the bond proposal including renovating the Dubach High School main building, existing gym, and wood working shop and constructing a new welding shop, high school gym, and the aforementioned elementary school. Site work, new gym parking and drives and reconstructed parking in front of the school were all included in the project with an estimated cost of approximately $10,000,000. This would require the issuance of twenty year obligations bonds to be secured by ad valorem taxation or a projected 33 mills of property tax. Dubach currently has no bond debt. Upon board approval of two resolutions, the proposition would be offered to the voters of the Dubach District No. 5 for their consideration on October 15, 2005.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following:
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.
Grant Schlueter, Bond Attorney with Foley & Judell, L.L.P., was in attendance and informed the Board that they had just approved a resolution designating purposes for which proceeds of a proposed bond issued would be budgeted. The next step in the process is to adopt a Resolution submitting the proposal to the public.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. McKinney, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following:
RESOLUTION
Ordering and calling a special election to be held in Dubach School District No. 5 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 matters in connection therewith.
George Murphy, Business Manager, presented a year-to-date status report on the school system's health insurance plan. For the five months ending May 31, 2005 the expenditures over assets or deficit in the account totaled $1,311,733. Mr. Murphy has worked with Stephen Cali and David Charpentier, representatives of the health insurance carrier, to determine options. Plans are to form an insurance committee to analyze the program and look for changes that must be made to ensure that it remains financially solvent. A recommendation should be brought to the Board sometime before the end of the year.
President Anders nominated Jo Tatum to serve as the Board's representative on the Insurance Committee. She was appointed by acclamation.
Mr. Cali and Mr. Charpentier were present to help field questions about the health insurance plan.
George Murphy presented the final sales tax collection report for the 04-05 fiscal year and indicated that sales tax collections for the month ending June 30, 2005 increased 9.13% over the same month last year. Total year-to-date collections were up 3.35%. Sales tax collections for the month in the 1967 and 1979 fund were $391,444 and $234,866 was collected in both the 1993 and the 2000 sales tax funds. Although monthly audit collections were up 694.63% compared to the same month last year, year-to-date collections were down 91.72%. Collections for the year by the parish auditor and outside recovery groups were $237,073.
In his summary of the May financial statement, Mr. Murphy mentioned that the 79 salary fund; the 67, 93, and 00 sales tax funds, and the 00 ad valorem tax funds were the monies used to finance the 13th checks that went out in the previous months. The General Fund year-to-date is up $1.153 million for the year.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after Danny Bell presented 1.-4., Ronny Volentine, Transportation Supervisor, presented 5-6; and Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, presented 7.:
1. The first personnel item to be considered was the naming of a person to take Mr. Bell's previous position. Mr. Bell reported that Brenda Theodos, School Food Service Supervisor, chaired a selection committee consisting of Donna Doss, David Ferguson, Patrice Hay, Charles Owens, and Kathryn Shipp. They interviewed five very qualified applicants on June 28, 2005. The committee could not reach a consensus between the two highest scoring applicants, Mary Null and Ricky Edmiston. Therefore, Mr. Bell said it was his pleasure to recommend that Mary Null be named Director of Instruction, Personnel & Special Programs effective July 13, 2005. He explained that her experience has given her the knowledge base and credentials to handle the demanding, fast-paced job.
Upon a motion by Ms. Harrison, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to name Mary Null, Director of Instruction, Personnel & Special Programs effective July 13, 2005.
Several board members expressed their confidence in Ms. Null and said they believe she will lead the school system in continued growth and on to the next level.
At this point in the meeting Mr. Bell announced that he is making a cut at the Central Office, as he is doing in the schools, in order to save the district money. Instead of naming a replacement for Mrs. Null, as elementary supervisor, he will divide those responsibilities between existing supervisors and make better use of their talents and abilities.
2. Resignation of the following effective May 30, 2005 unless otherwise noted:
Kristen McCartney, teacher at Choudrant elementary.
Nanette Hood, special education at Cypress Springs.
Jeremy Dutton, agri-science at Dubach High, effective July 1, 2005.
Dave Anderson, coach/English at Ruston High, effective June 21, 2005.
Herbert Holliman, coach/social studies at Ruston High.
Michelle Hopkins, science at Ruston High.
Shane Pittard, coach/P.E. at Ruston High.
Dana Boockoff, English at Ruston Junior High.
Mark Spradling, coach/social studies at Ruston Junior High.
Sarah Walsworth, math at Secondary Alternative.
Kendra Wall, secretary at Simsboro, effective June 9, 2005.
3. Employment of the following effective August 15, 2005 unless otherwise noted:
Elizabeth Decuir as teacher at Choudrant Elementary replacing Kristy Carter who resigned.
Lori Golden as ½ time English at Choudrant High replacing Heather Slay who resigned.
Luke Polk as agriscience at Dubach High effective July 13, 2005 replacing Jeremy Dutton who resigned.
Jason Parkman as teacher at Hico Elementary replacing Mike Barmore who retired.
Marcia Colvin in a new special education slot at Howard School.
Brandi Watson as teacher at Ruston Elementary.
Lala Cooper as English at Ruston Junior High replacing Dana Boockoff who resigned.
Zacary Roberts as science at Ruston Junior High replacing Cynthia Breed who is deceased.
Fred Hearn as P.E. at Ruston Junior High replacing Willie Young who retired.
Susan Cason as math at Simsboro High replacing Debbie Martin who transferred.
Angela Taylor as secretary at Simsboro High, effective August 2, 2005, replacing Kendra Wall who resigned.
4. Points of Reference/Transfers:
Jada Walsworth transferring from Ruston Elementary to Hico Elementary, effective August 15, 2005, replacing Judy Crawford who retired.
Doris Noland transferring from teacher to counselor at I. A. Lewis in a new position, effective August 15, 2005.
Amanda Simmons transferring from Lincoln Center to interim coordinating teacher for 05-06 at I. A. Lewis, effective August 1, 2005, replacing Abigail James who transferred.
Mildred Smith transferring from Ruston Junior High to interim administrative assistant for 05-06 at Lincoln Center, effective August 1, 2005, replacing Amanda Simmons who transferred.
Kathy Guice transferring from Lincoln Center to educational diagnostician position at Lincoln Center, effective July 1, 2005, replacing Gwen Richardson who retired.
Debbie Martin transferring from Simsboro High to math at Ruston High, effective August 15, 2005, replacing Dana Talley who was granted leave without pay for 05-06.
Abigail James transferring from I. A. Lewis to interim administrative assistant at Ruston Junior High, effective August 1, 2005, replacing Mildred Smith who transferred.
5. Retirement of Raymond Duke, bus driver in the Choudrant district, effective May 27, 2005.
6. Employment of the following effective August 16, 2005:
Diane Richards as bus driver in the Ruston area replacing Raymond Duke who retired.
Karen Frost as bus driver in the Ruston area replacing Milton Simons who retired.
Marilyn Waldron in a new special education bus driver position.
Mary Minnifield in a new special education bus aide position.
7. Resignation of Jerry Touchstone as custodian at Choudrant High effective May 27, 2005.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. McKinney, the Board unanimously voted to approve the 2.-7. personnel recommendations.
Although not on the agenda, an employee of the system who was in attendance at the meeting, Edward Smith, briefly spoke to the board regarding a situation which has arisen with his wife, Mildred Smith, who is also an employee. He was concerned because he felt she had been mistreated at her school and, in his opinion, the Board was not bothered by it. Mr. Smith indicated that they were pleased with the way Mr. Bell handled and rectified the situation.
President Anders thanked Mr. Smith.
In his first Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell:
1. Said that the upcoming weekend is most important for the Simsboro school district as the voters will decide on the continuation of 3.12 mills of property tax and an issue not to exceed $6,500,000 of 20-year general obligation bonds. These are critical to the school and would be used for construction and capital improvements.
2. Shared the good news of a $189,000 special appropriation to all school systems from the legislature to help with increased retirement costs. This follows a $308,000 loss of MFP funds. However, without the support of area legislators; Dr. Stafford, BESE member; and the work of school system administrators and former superintendent Charles Scriber, the loss could have been far greater or $2.7 million.
3. Turned the floor over to Charles Owens for a brief report on the construction and renovations to Cypress Springs, Hillcrest, and the Ruston High School stadium. Mr. Owens communicated that work is progressing on schedule and much of it is 80% complete. He feels confident that the schools will be ready for the first scheduled work day, August 15, 2005. Mr. Owens expressed his appreciation to Mike Walpole, Lincoln Builders, and the subs who have been wonderful to work with.
4. Placed a resolution from the House of Representatives expressing support of the practice of prayer at the beginning of board meetings.
After a comment from one board member, Mr. Anders called attention to a list of Board members' cell phone numbers, a schedule of 05-06 board meeting dates, and verbalized his appreciation for pre board meeting preparation/study and professionalism of board members.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.
_______________________ _____________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President