LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, October 4, 2005 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, October 4, 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 Otha Anders called the meeting to order and Mr. Mack gave the invocation. Ms. Harrison led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Anders welcomed fellow board members, staff, honorees, and special guests to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. McKinney, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as submitted.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Ludley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on September 13, 2005 as presented.
Testing, Evaluation, and Curriculum Supervisor, Eric Carter, presented background information on the Teacher of the Year program and introduced the 05-06 parish winners. The following teachers were presented with a plaque of appreciation by Superintendent Danny Bell on behalf of the Board and a monetary award from their business sponsor for their excellence and hard work:
Emily Moore - I. A. Lewis - Elem. Division - M. L. Smith
Brenda Lofton - A. E. Phillips - Jr. High Division - Bancorpsouth
Philip Cardwell, High School Division Teacher of the Year, from Simsboro High School, was not at the meeting but his name was also called. His business sponsor was FHP Kendred.
Mr. Anders congratulated the Teachers of the Year and expressed the Board’s appreciation and pride for having such capable, caring individuals teaching the children.
Director of Auxiliary Services, Charles Owens, announced that it was time to move forward with a new bid advertisement in order to begin construction and renovation to Glen View and I. A. Lewis. He reminded the Board of their decision to reject all bids at their September 13 meeting. Modifications to the specs have been made with the help of the architect, principals, and superintendent. The architect is almost ready for it to be re-advertised.
Mike Walpole, architect on the project, was in attendance asking for permission to re-bid the project with a blank date to be filled in when plan modifications are complete. He speculated that bids may be ready to be received in mid December with construction to begin about a month later. The project should be completed in approximately fourteen months, as previously estimated.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission for the advertisement of bids for renovations to Glen View and I. A. Lewis. A modification to the requirements for the application process for state and federal technology funding initiatives makes it necessary to extend the effective dates of the previously approved amendment, according to Debbie Sandidge, Technology Coordinator. The original amendment was for E-rate fund year 2005. The new effective date would be extended to include funding year 2006. She asked for approval to submit the revision.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Amendment to the District Technology Plan effective for E-rate funding years 2005 and 2006 and to grant permission to submit it to the Louisiana Center for Educational Technology for approval.
Because the old contract has expired, a new contract will need to be secured in order to purchase library books with state and local funds for the 05-06 fiscal year with an option for a renewal for the 06-07 fiscal year, according to Eric Carter. He requested permission to advertise for proposals.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for proposals to purchase library books with state and local funds for the 05-06 school year with an option for renewal for the 06-07 school year.
Business Manager, George Murphy, communicated that Dubach High, Simsboro School, and Ruston High have junk, irreparable, and obsolete items that need to be declared surplus. He requested permission to do so in order to dispose of these items.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to declare items as surplus at Dubach High, Simsboro School, and Ruston High and dispose of as described.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after Mary Null, Director of Instruction, Personnel, Special Programs, presented 1.-3. and Brenda Theodos, School Food Service Supervisor, presented 4.:
1. Leave without pay from January 9, 2006 through January 20, 2006 for Allison Brister, special education teacher at Choudrant Elementary.
2. Point of Reference/Transfer of Kim McCormack, from Ruston Junior High to bookkeeper at Ruston High, effective September 26, 2005 replacing Linda Johnson who retired.
3. Employment of Carnella Carroll as bookkeeper at Ruston Junior High effective September 26, 2005 replacing Kim McCormack who transferred to Ruston High.
4. Resignation of Phyllis Libengood, clerk at Cypress Springs, effective September 1, 2005.
Upon a motion by Mr. Ludley, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to accept the personnel recommendations of the administration.
An update on the 3 x 2 modified block pilot program for freshmen at Ruston High School was presented by their principal, Kenny Henderson. Those students have two 90-minute morning classes and three 60-minute classes after lunch. The 90-minute classes will be completed at mid term and students have selected two different classes for the remainder of the year. The 60-minute classes last all year. He indicated that even though it’s a little confusing at times and there were problems with scheduling and course conflicts, things seem to be going well. However, it’s too early to see if this is the best schedule for all of the students. He is collecting data and has already surveyed the students and faculty to get their input. More will be known after they attempt to place grades in the computer for the first report cards. At this point Mr. Henderson is not sure if the block or modified block will be used for next year, but he is sure that all students will be on the same schedule instead of two different ones.
A parent of former Ruston High students reminded the Board that they had previously voted for the full implementation of the 3 x 2 for this year school year. Because of computer glitches the Board allowed RHS to pilot the 3 x 2 with the freshmen class only. He asked if full implementation of 3 x 2 in the next school year is still the plan.
Mr. Henderson indicated that is the plan unless unforeseen obstacles arise. In that case, he would come back to the Board.
Superintendent Bell said he is glad this change had not been made full scale because both schedules have advantages. The administration will continue to look at the data, make comparisons, and move forward.
Mr. Murphy reported that sales tax revenues have increased more then 27% since July 1. He predicts that large increases will not continue as car sales rose sharply when the dealers offered discount pricing. In the 67 and 79 funds, $424,925 was collected and in the 93 and 00 funds, $509,909 was collected for a total for the month of September of $934,834. This was a 16.66% increase for the month. In addition, $3,386 was recovered by audits during the month.
The self insurance health benefits program report showed that health program’s total cost for the first seven months ending July 31, 2005 showed a net loss of $1.3 million according to George Murphy. However, for the month the fund is up $40,000. He reiterated that the insurance committee should be ready to make recommendations for plan changes at the November board meeting.
Due to the expense of printing, all of the bids received for food, supplies, and equipment, Brenda Theodos simply requested to be allowed to accept the lowest bid meeting specifications for each item.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to give permission to accept the lowest bids meeting specifications for all food, supplies, and equipment.
Mr. Bell requested approval of the three policy additions and seven policy revisions he dispersed at their October 13, 2005 meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. McKinney, the Board unanimously voted to approve revisions to the following policies: School Superintendent (CE); Child Nutrition Program Management (EE); Employment of Personnel (GBD); Compulsory School Attendance Ages (JBA); Salary Deductions (DJCB); Student Dress Code (JCDB); and Suspension (JDD); and the addition of: Employment of Superintendent (CED); Board-Owned or Leased Vehicles (EDBA); and Compensation Guidelines/overtime (GBAA).
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said:
1. Student evacuees in the system now total 398 for Hurricane Katrina and 18 for Hurricane Rita. The administration, employees, and community are doing a good job meeting their needs with counseling and remediation services. Since permanent housing is to be provided for the evacuees, he expects those numbers to drop as their families relocate.
2. A LEAP 21 promotion waiver had been granted by BESE for 4th and 8th grades for this year. Students will still take the test and the parishes’ Pupil Progression Plan will dictate promotion and remediation.
3. The Dubach School District $10,000,000 bond proposition is coming up for a vote on October 15, 2005.
4. As usual in October, a second board meeting has been scheduled for October 19, 2005 at Hico Elementary at 12:00 noon.
5. The Academic Awards Banquet is coming up quickly and members should RSVP by October 14.
After brief comments from several board members, the meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
_________________________ __________________________________
Danny Bell, Secretary Otha Anders, President