LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, September 13, 2005 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, September 13, 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, Mr. Rob Shadoin, and Ms. Jo Tatum.
No board member was absent.
President Anders called the meeting to order and Mr. Kessler gave the invocation. Ms. Henderson led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Anders welcomed board members, staff, members of the press, and other special guests to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on August 2, 2005 as distributed.
Superintendent Danny Bell verbalized his pleasure in recognizing employees in the business department for the good job they do in appropriately managing finances. For preparing the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and enabling the Lincoln Parish School System to attain the Government Finance Officers Association's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and also the Association of School Business Officials' Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Award for 04-05, he introduced Charlotte Davidson, Internal Accountant; Bonnie Fogger, Payroll Specialist and past Interim Business Manager; Sandy Harris, Fiscal Assistant; and Suzette Bagwell, Accounts Payable and Leave Clerk. He also recognized Wanda Randall, Title I Bookkeeper; and Sharon Marshall, Insurance Clerk; who were not in attendance.
Since the 01-02 school year, members of the Sunrise Kiwanis of Ruston and others have read to students at Cypress Springs, Glen View, Hillcrest, and Ruston Elementary. They have also delivered paper back books to a total of 1,003 Ruston prekindergarten through second grade children at a cost of $1,311. Director of Instruction, Personnel, and Special Programs, Mary Null, recognized and thanked Reverend Wayne Evans for the time and expense the club has invested and continues to invest in the children of the parish. After Rev. Evans briefly spoke to the Board, Mr. Anders added his words of appreciation for the vital service the Ruston Sunrise Kiwanis are providing for the children.
Primarily because of Hurricane Katrina, Grant Schlueter, Bond Attorney for the Board, was unable to procure bids for the Simsboro School District No. 3 bond sale. He recommended postponing the opening until October 19. He asked for approval of his Resolution stating the same.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Ludley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following:
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, 9f Simsboro School District No. 3 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, announced that the lowest of three bids submitted on the second phase of the Ruston School District's construction and renovation project, Glen View and I. A. Lewis, was from Traxler Construction, Co., Inc. for $5,796,000. Unfortunately that bid exceeded the available funds by approximately 10%. On the advice of the Legislative Auditor's attorney, he recommended that the Board reject all of the bids and re-advertise in the future.
Three proficient, qualified bidders submitted good, competitive bids according to Architect Mike Walpole, it's strictly an issue of cost. It was discussed at the beginning of the five projects that only monies allotted for each project would be used and they would not take monies from one of the latter projects in order to pay for a current project. He mentioned his anxiety regarding the recent destruction in the southern part of the state and is afraid building costs will increase. He has already begun to meet with stakeholders to determine areas to reduce costs at the two schools. Another meeting is scheduled in the near future to try to exhaust all possibilities of reduction in cost. Mr. Walpole is in agreement with Charles Owens to reject the bids. He believes new plans can be available in a month or six weeks. Therefore, the project may be ready to be rebid before the end of the year. He said plans for the third project, Ruston Elementary and the Central Office, are about 75% complete.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to reject all bids for the second phase of construction and renovation to schools in the Ruston School District and rebid the project at a later date.
Because of his professionalism and expertise and in order to ensure continuity and consistency within the school district, Mr. Bell requested permission to enter into an architectural contract with Mike Walpole for capital improvements in Simsboro School District No. 3. The architect's basic services consist of Schematic Design Phase, Design Developmental Phase, Construction Document Phase, Bidding Phase, and Construction Phase. Mr. Walpole has already worked with the Board and staff in preparing the preliminary documents and cost estimates. His fee would be based on the former fee structure for state projects and would be a fraction of the anticipated cost that can be recovered through the bond money.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to enter into a contract with architect Mike Walpole for the Simsboro School District capital outlay project.
While employed with the City of Ruston, business manager George Murphy, worked with Norris Insurance Consultants and saved the city a significant amount of money. They provide a thorough, accurate assessment of liability insurance by developing loss exposures, reviewing details of current coverages, assisting in managing competitive quotes, and developing renewal alternatives. This type of review has not been performed recently and would help ensure adequate coverage and competitive pricing at a cost of $15,000. Mr. Murphy introduced Tom Hudson, a representative of the company, who was in attendance. He then requested that the Board grant permission to enter into a one year contract with the majority of the work to be complete before the renewals are due in August 2006.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Ludley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the contract with Norris Insurance Consultants.
As a result of legislative acts of the 2005 session and other areas of policy in need of change, the superintendent presented three new and seven revised policies for the Board's consideration. News policies presented were: Employment of Superintendent (CED), Board-Owned or Leased Vehicles (EDBA), and Compensation Guidelines/Overtime (GBAA). Revisions were proposed to: School Superintendent (CE), Salary Deductions (DJCB), Child Nutrition Program Management (EE), Employment of Personnel (GBD), Compulsory School Attendance Ages (JBA), Student Dress Code (JCDB), and Suspension (JDD). Mr. Bell called special attention to a couple of the policies and asked the Board to review all of them with adoption to be on the agenda for the next meeting.
Mr. Murphy communicated that broken and obsolete property has accumulated at Grambling Middle School, Choudrant High School, and Hillcrest Elementary. A variety of monitors, keyboards, and CPU's are also no longer usable and have been collected at the Central Office. He asked the Board to declare the items as surplus so they can be discarded.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to declare items as surplus at Grambling Middle, Choudrant High, Hillcrest Elementary and the Central Office and dispose of as described.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after being presented by Mary Null:
1. Resignation of the following effective August 16, 2005 unless otherwise noted:
Jackie Shaw, paraprofessional at Cypress Springs.
Mary Beth Towns, math at Dubach High.
Mary Minnifield, paraprofessional at Hillcrest, effective August 5, 2005.
Debbie Graves, music at I. A. Lewis/R.J.H.S., effective August 6, 2005.
Shirley Simonton, paraprofessional at I. A. Lewis.
Pam Cochran, itinerant interpreter.
Thomas Lavigne, special education/coach at Ruston High, effective August 1, 2005.
Rodney Bagwell, social studies/science at R.J.H.S., effective August 11, 2005.
Missy DeRamus, special education at R.J.H.S., effective August 1, 2005.
Carol Roberts, special education at Simsboro, effective August 1, 2005.
2) Employment of the following effective August 15, 2005 unless otherwise noted:
Iris Reppond in a new school nurse position effective September 6, 2005.
Deandra Cooper, paraprofessional at Cypress Springs, effective August 16, 2005, replacing Jackie Shaw who resigned.
Nancy Griffith, math at Dubach High, replacing Mary Beth Towns who resigned.
William Fields, special education at Dubach High, effective September 7, 2005, replacing Shirley Boyd who transferred.
Lea Best, paraprofessional at Glen View, effective August 16, 2005, replacing Mary Minnifield who resigned.
Teresa Washam, paraprofessional at Hico Elementary, effective August 16, 2005, replacing Heather Causey who promoted.
LaRhonda Minniefield, paraprofessional at Hico Elementary, effective August 16, 2005, replacing Pam Cochran who resigned.
Heidi DeCou, music at I. A. Lewis, replacing Debbie Graves who resigned.
Aimee Bubblis in a new interpreter slot at I. A. Lewis effective August 16, 2005.
Gloria Williams, paraprofessional at Lincoln Center, effective August 16, 2005, replacing Shirley Simonton who resigned.
Randall Elliott, physics at Ruston High, replacing Michelle Hopkins who resigned.
Lent Bursey, special education/coach at Ruston High, replacing Tom Lavigne, who resigned.
Lloyd Brunner, business at Ruston High, replacing Carolyn Peace who retired.
Heather Causey, special education at Ruston High, replacing Marilyn Rushing who was uncertified.
Leigh McFarland, English/options at Ruston High, effective August 22, 2005 replacing Missy Wooley who resigned.
Tina Merritt, special education at Ruston Junior High, replacing Pam Adams who resigned.
Kandis Temple, social studies/science at Ruston Junior High, replacing Rodney Bagwell who resigned.
Jack Goode, PE/coach at Ruston Junior High, effective August 8, 2005 replacing David Hoefler who transferred.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.
The Finance Committee meet just prior to the Board meeting at 5:45 p.m. and Chairman, Joe Mitcham, announced that the Committee unanimously voted to recommend to the Board the acceptance of the proposed 05-06 budget which he summarized as follows:
Beginning fund balance - July 1, 2005 $17,655,282
Projected Revenues 51,035,394
Projected Expenditures (50,513,994)
Projected Deficiency 521,400
Projected Ending fund balance - June 30, 2006 18,176,682
Mr. Mitcham said it will be a very challenging fiscal year with Hurricane Katrina and 550 additional students because of that evacuation, rising fuel costs, rising insurance costs, and the building program. However, he shared the recommendation of the Finance Committee that the Board adopts the 05-06 beginning budget and grant permission for it to be amended throughout the year.
After some discussion and questions, Mr. Anders asked what the Boards's wishes were concerning the Finance Committee's recommendation to accept the 05-06 proposed budget.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the 05-06 proposed budget as presented and grant permission for the administration to amend the budget as needed throughout the year and bring a final revised budget to the Board for approval at year-end.
An Insurance Committee was formed to analyze the school system's insurance plan and make changes to ensure that it remains financially solvent, according to Insurance Committee Chairman, Mary Null. She presented a list of committee members made up of all stakeholders in the district who met in July and August 2005. They plan to meet several more times along with representatives from Benesys, in order to have a recommendation ready for the Board's November meeting.
A smooth opening of school again this year with few problems or situations was reported by Ms. Null. The usual adjustments were made to bus routes. Although the official student count is not taken until October 1, she indicated that the total number of students in the schools would be down approximately 45 from last year for a total of 5,694 exclusive of laboratory school enrollments and without the addition of 556 evacuees. The total number changes daily as some evacuees move in and others relocate. She listed the number of students by schools with and without the hurricane numbers.
Mr. Bell announced that the 22nd annual Academic Awards Banquet has been tentatively scheduled for Monday, November 7, 2005, at the Ruston Civic Center beginning at 6:00 p.m. The guest speaker for the banquet will be Leon Barmore, former girls' basketball coach at Louisiana Tech University.
A brief report on professional personnel staff hiring for 05-06 was given by Ms. Null. She explained the procedure followed when a certified teacher applies for a job in Lincoln Parish. Elementary applicants are interviewed in a job-fair type process by the principals from Ruston, Choudrant, Hico, and Simsboro. Middle school and secondary applicants are given a list of school in the parish and encouraged to contact those principals in order to schedule personal interviews. She explained a couple of new charts with a breakdown by race/gender and certified/noncertified for those interviewed and hired in the summer of 2005 and total hires for the summers of 2000 through 2005. Mrs. Null also mentioned that teacher applicants can apply on line through a process called Teach Louisiana. She said the parish is in good shape but one never knows what will happen from day to day.
A multitude of testing information from the 04-05 school year has been received according to Supervisor of Testing, Eric Carter. Each principal and school improvement team have received copies which are being analyzed to determine strengths and weaknesses of our academic program. He gave a brief history and test comparisons for LEAP 21 (grade 4 and 8), GEE 21 (grades 10 and 11), and IOWA and ITED (grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9). Recognizing the number of at risk students in Lincoln Parish, Mr. Carter continues to be pleased with the test results. Basically the number of students scoring unsatisfactory are lower than the state; therefore, higher percentages are scoring satisfactory. The lower achieving students are being reached and more of them are achieving at the passing level. That speaks well of the staff and schools and indicates that academics continue to be the number one priority in Lincoln Parish.
Otha Anders encouraged Mr. Carter to remind all of the staff that academics must remain the #1 priority.
Sales tax collections for August 2005 were up 6.45% over the same month last year with a total of $837,771 being collected, according to Mr. Murphy. Year-to-date sales tax figures are up 10.42%. In the 67 and 79 sales tax funds, $380,806 was collected and $228,483 was collected in the 93 and 00 funds. Audit recoveries are also up $14,000 over the same time period last year.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said that:
1) In lieu of a raise, certified teachers will receive a one time, special appropriation from the Legislature in the gross amount of $530. Those will be distributed at the same time as the September 26 pay checks.
2) NSBA conference registration has been postponed because of uncertainties following Katrina. The location may be moved from New Orleans.
3) Approximately 12 northeast school superintendents are going to be requesting a moratorium on accountability for the year involving school performance scores and district performance scores. He anticipates others across the state to join suit because of distractions and enlarged class size. They hope BESE and the State Department will listen.
After one question and brief comments, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
_______________________ __________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President