LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, August 2, 2005 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 2, 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, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Flynn Ludley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Ted McKinney, Mr. Joe Mitcham, and Ms. Jo Tatum.
Mr. Rob Shadoin was absent.
President Anders called the meeting to order and Mr. McKinney gave the invocation. Ms. Best led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and Mr. Anders welcomed guests to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on July 12, 2005 as submitted.
Principal of Cypress Springs, David Rogers, presented Patricia Saber, fifth grade teacher at his school, with a plaque in recognition of her being named Louisiana's Elementary School Distinguished Clinician for 2005. She was nominated for the award because of her supervision of student teachers. Mr. Rogers said that is was his privilege to recognize Mrs. Saber because of her caring attitude. Ms. Saber thanked the board and introduced her husband and son.
Kathryn Shipp, supervisor of special education, followed suit and recognized Donna Miles, special education teacher at I. A. Lewis, for being named the 2005 Louisiana Association of Teacher Educators' Special Education Distinguished Clinician. Ms. Shipp and Director of Instruction, Personnel & Special Programs, Mary Null, indicated that Ms. Miles is an outstanding teacher of students with disabilities and also does an excellent job working with student teachers. After the presentation of her plaque, Ms. Miles said she was deeply honored to receive the award. She introduced her husband to the Board.
President Anders expressed the Board's pride in both of these outstanding teachers.
Next on the agenda was the recognition of businesses participating in community-based vocational training. Ms. Shipp introduced the Transition Services Facilitator, Steve Barber, who presented letters of appreciation to representatives of eleven businesses that do a wonderful job working with our students with disabilities and providing a very valuable service to the school system. Those businesses were: On Time Feeders, Super 1 Foods, Sweet Peas Restaurant, Lincoln General Hospital (housekeeping), Lincoln General Hospital (food service), Builders' Supply/Do It Center, Salvation Army, Service Cleaners, Christian Community Action, Crossroads Church, and Subway Sandwiches & Salads, California Street.
President Anders expressed the Board and staff's appreciation for the businesses' generous efforts educating the youth of the parish.
After being given permission to advertise for bids on food, paper, and kitchen supplies for the 05-06 school year, supervisor Brenda Theodos held a bid opening on April 27, 2005. Some of the bids were for the entire school year and others were for three months. She presented the bids to the Board and recommended that the Board accept the lowest bid meeting specifications for each item.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to accept the lowest bid meeting specifications for food, paper, and kitchen supplies for the 05-06 school year.
On May 10, 2005, the Board adopted a resolution calling a special election on July 16 for voters to consider the issuance not exceeding $6,500,000 of twenty year general obligation bonds in the Simsboro School District No. 3. The bonds were to be used for capital improvements in the area. The voters also were to consider the renewal of the maintenance and operation millage. According to Grant Schlueter, bond attorney, voters authorized the propositions by a majority of voters. In order to comply with the Louisiana Election Code, the Board must adopt a resolution canvassing the results of that election.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Ludley, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
A resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held in Simsboro School District No. 3 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, July 16, 2005, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds and the levy of a special tax therein.
The next step was to adopt another resolution authorizing Mr. Schlueter to proceed with the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of the general obligation bonds. These bonds would be sold at a Regular Session of the Lincoln Parish School Board on Tuesday, September 13, 2005.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
A resolution authorizing the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of six million five hundred thousand dollars ($6,500,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2005, of Simsboro School District No. 3 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Director of Auxiliary Services, Charles Owens, reported that several unforeseen items requiring attention beyond the original scope of work have arisen during the construction of additions and renovations of the existing facilities at Hillcrest, Cypress Springs, and the Ruston High football stadium. He called attention to a Project "A" change order in the amount of $117,838.
The architect on the project, Mike Walpole, gave an update on phase one of the Ruston school district improvements. He mentioned that change orders go along with renovation work and touched briefly on that. The larger items covered by the order, costing significant amounts of money, that he summarized were: 1) placing lime in the soil below the paving at Cypress Springs and Hillcrest because of high clay content; 2) rerouting/replacing electrical feeders at Cypress Springs and Hillcrest because of temporary relocation for the cafeterias to remain in service during the excavation for the new buildings; and 3) removal/replacement of a roof deck at Cypress Springs. Even though the change order is for a significant amount of money, it's still less than 2% of the total cost of the job, and he feels confident that any other change order(s) on project "A" will be insignificant. He also called attention to a spreadsheet showing approximately $400,000 of available money after the change order. He knows some furniture and other things will be needed, but he feels that these funds will be adequate to complete the project. Project "B" will be bid on August 23, 2005. He answered questions posed by Board members.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. McKinney, the Board unanimously voted to approve change order #1 on project "A" from the Ruston School District 2004 bond issue in the amount of $117,838.
George Murphy, business manager, indicated that the time had arrived to adopt millages for 2005. He suggested leaving the millages the same as 2004 with the following exceptions, the Ruston General Obligation Bond millage reducing from 18.95 to 16.95, the Simsboro General Obligation Bond millage increasing from 19.20 to 22.50, and the Choudrant General Obligation Bond millage being eliminated since there are sinking funds available to retire the remaining debt. He recommended that the board approve a resolution setting the millage rates as presented.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted by poll vote to approve the resolution setting millages for 2005 as follows:
Constitutional Tax (La. Const. Art. VII, Sect. 13) 4.79 mills
Special Maintenance & Operation 4.94 mills
Special Repair & Equipment 4.94 mills
Parish wide Maintenance & Operation 11.61 mills
Parish wide Maintenance & Operation 9.61 mills
Ruston School District #1 3.05 mills
Simsboro School District #3 3.12 mills
Dubach School District #5 3.25 mills
General Obligation Bonds Ruston SD#1 16.95 mills
General Obligation Bonds Simsboro SD#3 22.50 mills
Voting by roll call for the above motion were: Otha Anders, Lisa Best, Curtis Dowling, Mattie Harrison, Lynda Henderson, Jim Kessler, Flynn Ludley, George Mack, Ted McKinney, Joe Mitcham and Jo Tatum.
Voting against the motion: None
Absent and not voting: Rob Shadoin
Mr. Murphy presented the revised budget for 04-05 and directed the Board to the $690,538 figure, excess of revenues over expenditures, which represents where the system is at the end of the year. Although that figure is adequate, he cautioned that the MFP cut of approximately $300,000 is coming, along with a 10% increase in the employers' portion of health insurance which amounts to about $500,000, salary step increases, and an increase in employees' retirement. He believes Mr. Bell and former Superintendent Charles Scriber were prudent when they cut positions through attrition for the upcoming year. By staying ahead of the curve, the financial picture next year will again be acceptable. He plans to meet next week with Superintendent Bell, Mary Null, and Accounting Manager, Kathy Pool, to begin 05-06 budget preparation.
Following one question, upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Ms. Best, that Board unanimously voted to approve the revised budget for the 04-05 fiscal year.
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. Murphy informed the Board. He requested approval of the questionnaire.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Systems Survey & Compliance Questionnaire for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005 as presented.
Eric Carter, Supervisor of Testing, Evaluation, and Curriculum, 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 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, subsection Promotion, was 8th grade students must meet the same criteria as the 4th grade students. For promotion they now must score at the Basic Level on either the English/language arts or mathematics component of 8th grade LEAP21 and at the Approaching Basic level on the other component of the LEAP21. In Subsection II, Placement Policies, subsection Retention, additions have been made to reflect the new state waiver procedures for 8th grade students who do not score at the Basic/Approaching Basic level. He asked for approval of the revisions.
Upon a motion by Mr. Ludley, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revisions to the 05-06 Lincoln Parish Pupil Progression Plan.
Mr. Murphy 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 $99,900.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve the annual school allocation of funds for 05-06 from the 1979 sales tax as outlined by Mr. Murphy.
As a result of renovations at Cypress Springs, Hillcrest, and Ruston High School, Mr. Owens communicated that several items have become surplus. These include scrap aluminum and copper and various air conditioning and heating equipment. Several vehicles and a few items of lawn equipment are also no longer needed. He asked for permission to declare these items as surplus.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Ludley, the Board unanimously voted to declare the equipment and materials listed by Charles Owens as surplus to be sold in accordance with applicable State and Board guidelines.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after Ms. Null presented 1.-7. and Brenda Theodos, School Food Service Supervisor, presented 8.-9.:
1. Retirement of the following:
Barbara Boyd, teacher at Cypress Springs, effective May 30, 2005.
Sandra Stokley, librarian at I. A. Lewis, effective May 30, 2005.
Linda Johnson, bookkeeper at Ruston High, effective October 28, 2005.
2. Resignation of the following May 30, 2005, unless otherwise noted:
Kelly Jackson, teacher at Choudrant Elementary.
Kellye Ketchum, teacher at Choudrant Elementary.
Christina Ford, teacher at Cypress Springs.
Ann Epperson, math at Dubach High.
Allison Turner, English at Dubach High.
Christy Brown Bucker, teacher at Ruston Elementary.
Aqueenta Hester, English at Ruston Junior High.
Mary Huckabay, administrative assistant/teacher coordinator at Simsboro, effective June 4, 2005.
Linda Gipson, special education at Simsboro.
3. Points of Reference/Transfers effective August 15, 2005, unless otherwise noted:
Wanda Mitchell from Ruston High to Computer Technician/Instructional Facilitator at the Central Office in a new position effective August 1, 2005.
Libby Perry from teacher at I. A. Lewis to librarian at I. A. Lewis replacing Sandra Stokley who retired.
Robin Davidson from Glen View to itinerant gifted and talented in a new position.
Melanie Saunders from Ruston High to ½ time homebound and ½ time behavior room at Lincoln Center.
Jane Watson from Choudrant Elementary to curriculum strategist at Ruston Elementary in a new slot.
Pam Adams from Ruston Junior High to special education at Ruston High replacing Missy DeRamus who transferred.
Shirley Boyd from Dubach High to special education at Ruston High replacing Inell Hoard who retired.
Ann McKenney from Simsboro to librarian at Ruston High replacing Wanda Mitchell who transferred.
Bob Garrett from Ruston Junior High to coach/P.E. at Ruston High effective July 18, 2005 replacing Shane Pittard who resigned.
Missy DeRamus from Ruston High to special education at Ruston Junior High replacing Pam Adams who transferred.
Carol Roberts from Glen View to special education at Simsboro replacing Linda Gipson who resigned.
Richard Huckabay from Ruston High to administrative assistant/coach at Simsboro effective August 1, 2005 replacing Mary Huckabay who resigned.
Leslie Gray from regular ed at Simsboro to special ed at Simsboro replacing Maribeth Sherman who resigned.
4. Employment of the following effective August 15, 2005 unless otherwise noted:
Patsy Bratton as gifted and talented at A. E. Phillips replacing Beverly Slocum who retired.
Allison Milstead as teacher at Choudrant Elementary replacing Kristen McCartney who resigned.
Claire Smith as teacher at Choudrant Elementary replacing Terri Shrell who was granted sabbatical leave.
Ann Marie Hancock as teacher at Choudrant Elementary replacing Jane Watson who transferred.
Bonnie Williams as teacher at Cypress Springs replacing Barbara Boyd who retired.
Kristi Townsend in a new inclusion slot at Cypress Springs.
Robert Sims as special education at Cypress Springs replacing Nanette Hood who resigned.
Paul Bean as math at Dubach High replacing Ann Epperson who resigned.
Lindsey Crawford as English at Dubach High replacing Allison Turner who resigned.
Deborah Barton as teacher at Glen View replacing Robin Davidson who transferred.
Dorothy Parks as special education at Glen View replacing Carol Roberts who transferred.
Amy Brister as teacher at Hico Elementary replacing Pam Johnson who is deceased.
Claudia Wagner as pre-kindergarten at Hico Elementary replacing Glenda Nelson who retired.
Pam Villagran as special education at Hillcrest replacing Pam Willis who promoted.
Gary Richmond as paraprofessional at I. A. Lewis effective August 16, 2005 replacing Dorothy Bryant who retired.
Stanley Lewis as science/social studies at I. A. Lewis replacing Colleen Cox who resigned.
Kevin Nutt as science/social studies at I. A. Lewis replacing Doris Noland who transferred.
Amy Gaines as language arts at I. A. Lewis replacing Libby Perry who transferred.
Felicia Medlock as paraprofessional at Lincoln Center effective August 16, 2005 replacing Dorothy Parks who promoted.
Rebecca Stutzman as social worker at pupil appraisal effective August 1, 2005 replacing Kathy Guice who transferred.
Elizabeth Freeman as 05-06 interim school psychologist effective August 1, 2005 replacing Kathy Stone who was granted sabbatical leave.
Cherry Taylor as teacher at Ruston Elementary replacing Christy Bucker who resigned.
Nathan Mumphrey as band director at Ruston High effective August 1, 2005 replacing Kelly Aguillard who resigned.
Christopher Bush as coach/P.E. at Ruston High effective August 1, 2005 replacing Richard Huckabay who transferred.
Alisia Formby as English at Ruston Junior High replacing Aqueenta Hester who resigned.
Rachel Simmons as social studies at Ruston Junior High replacing Erika McIntyre who resigned.
Kristina Byrd as science at Ruston Junior High replacing Mark Spradling who resigned.
Miriam Stone as family & consumer science at Secondary Alternative replacing Stephanie Mattox who was uncertified.
Joseph Spoto as social studies at Secondary Alternative replacing Leonard Booker who was uncertified.
Bonnie Goss as math at Secondary Alternative replacing Sarah Walsworth who resigned.
Suzette Henderson as librarian at Simsboro replacing Ann McKenney who transferred.
Haroldine Dowling as paraprofessional at Simsboro effective August 16, 2005 replacing Kendra Wall who resigned.
5. Resignation of the following effective May 30, 2005:
Pam Adams, special education at Ruston High.
Johnise Brantley, special education at Ruston High.
Ken Lantrip, coach at Ruston High.
6. Points of Reference/Transfers of the following effective August 15, 2005:
David Hoefler from Ruston Junior High to teacher/coach at Ruston High replacing Ken Lantrip who resigned.
Willie Simmons from Ruston High to P.E./coach at Simsboro replacing Kathy Sims who transferred.
7. Employment of Amanda Ortego as teacher/coach at Ruston High effective August 15, 2005 replacing John McKenzie who resigned.
8. School food service Points of Reference/Transfers effective August 2, 2005 unless otherwise noted:
Denise Thomas from I. A. Lewis to manager/clerk at Dubach High replacing Patrina Robinson who transferred.
Mary Boston from Alma J. Brown to technician at Glen View replacing Hong Cross who resigned.
Patrina Robinson from Dubach High to manager at I. A. Lewis replacing Denise Thomas who transferred.
Cindy Finley from technician at Ruston High to clerk at Ruston High replacing Debbie McBee who transferred.
Debbie McBee from clerk at Ruston High to technician at Ruston High replacing Cindy Finley who transferred.
Bonnie Jackson from Ruston High to manager at Simsboro replacing Cinda Martindale who retired.
9. Employment of Jessie Sibley as school food service technician at Dubach High effective August 2, 2005 replacing Betty Colvin who resigned.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.
George Murphy reported a good month for the first month of 05-06 sales tax collections. They were up 13.94% compared to the same month last year and year-to-date. This large increase may not be sustained throughout the year. Collections in the '67 and '79 fund were $458,647, and $275,188 was collected in both the '93 and '00 sales tax funds. Audit recoveries for July 2005 were $21,254 which was quite a jump compared to July 2004.
For the first six months of 2005, medical and dental insurance costs were $1,345,506 over the self-insured plan contributions according to Mr. Murphy. For the month of June 2005, there was a $33,773 deficiency. The newly-formed insurance committee will begin meeting in August to determine ways to keep the health insurance plan financially solvent.
According to Ms. Null, all students not passing the LEAP 21 or GEE 21 were offered summer remediation at no cost. Summer school was held at Ruston Junior High beginning on June 7. There was a total of 15 days of instruction, beginning at 7:45 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. for a minimum of 50 instructional hours per subject. Transportation was provided and breakfast and lunch were served each day. Ms. Null noted that this was the first year of full-day summer school instead of half-day. State-mandated testing dates necessitated this change. Enrollment numbers were as follows: grade 4 - 135 students, grade 8 - 65 students, and 51 students attended the GEE 21 remediation. Retest results are scheduled to arrive around August 5 so the principals will have time to let the students and parents know the results before the new school year begins. She closed by praising Rik Cason for the proactive way he took care of business as the principal of summer school.
Mr. Anders called attention to a memorandum from the superintendent changing the October board meeting date from September 6 to September 13 because of a bid opening on the renovations and construction at Glen View and I. A. Lewis. Mr. Schlueter indicated that this would be advantageous because banks are typically closed for Labor Day on Monday, September 5. Therefore, Tuesday, September 6, would not be the best date to schedule the board meeting and bid opening.
Mr. Mitcham, chairman of the Finance Committee, announced that the Committee will meet 15 minutes before the September 13 board meeting to peruse the 05-06 beginning budget.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said that:
1. A new school year is about to kick off with the annual Administrators' Workshop on Wednesday, August 3. It will begin at 8:00 and end at approximately 4:00.
2. Certified staff in-service will be held on Monday, August 15, at 8:15 in the RHS auditorium. Teachers will return to their schools for staff development in the afternoon. He invited all to attend the in-service.
3. The first half day of school for students is scheduled for Wednesday, August 17, 2005.
4. The Lincoln Parish School System has been selected by the state superintendent to pilot a parental involvement program in conjunction with John Hopkins University.
5. The NSBA conference will be held on April 8 - 11, 2006 in New Orleans. Registration information was placed in portfolios. Preference forms should be completed and returned as soon as possible in order to get preferential housing.
6. He commended Tim Nutt and the Simsboro community because of their recent 72%-73% passage of a bond issue. Monies will be spent on renovation and construction at Simsboro School.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
_________________________ _______________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President