LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Wednesday, February 22, 2006     12:30 p.m.  

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at 12:30 p.m. at Ruston Elementary School.  Members present were President 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.

Prior to the business meeting, board members enjoyed a delicious lunch in the school cafeteria.

President Anders called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Mack.  A couple of students led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.  Mr. Anders welcomed board members, staff, members of the press, and special guests to the meeting.

Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.

Principal of Ruston Elementary, Sonja Walker, welcomed everyone to the school.  She said that one of the fourth and fifth graders’ Grade Level Expectations is to learn to speak in front of an audience.  Therefore, she arranged for five members of the leadership team to share some of the school’s programs and activities.  These included goals of improving school discipline and awareness and involvement of parents and the community.  Following those presentations, the top three winners in the school’s Black History essay contest shared their essays.  Ms. Walker closed by saying how pleased she was to host the February 22 board meeting and thanked everyone for their attendance.

Mr. Anders thanked Ms. Walker for bringing talented, student leaders to the attention of the Board.  He thanked the students and expressed the Board’s pride in them.

In the past two school years, five new school buses have been purchased according to Ronny Volentine, Transportation Supervisor.  With funds available now, he believes it is in the system’s best interest to purchase three more buses.  The estimated cost per bus is expected to be in the $65,000 range, totaling approximately $195,000 for three buses.  He requested permission to advertise for bids in order to make that purchase.

Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids to purchase three 72-passenger, conventional 2006 or later model school buses.

The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda item was considered after being presented by Mary Null, Director of Instruction, Personnel, and Special Programs:

Resignation of the following:

                              Robert Sims, special education at Cypress Springs, effective February 6, 2006.  This was a defacto resignation.

                              Amy Day, special education at I. A. Lewis, effective February 15, 2006.

                              Scarlet Chopin, Spanish at Ruston High, effective February 13, 2006.

                              Joseph Spoto, social studies/science at Secondary Alternative, effective February 10, 2006.

Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Ludley, the Board unanimously voted in favor of the personnel recommendation.

Business Manager, George Murphy, was next on the agenda with five months of financial data to share.  He called attention to the January 2006 report, which was the most recent, and concluded seven months in the fiscal year.  The General Fund had a year-to-date excess of revenue over expenditures of 2.4 million and a 9.5 mill fund balance.  Both of the ad valorem and all three of the millage fund balances were up as those monies have begun to come in.  Sales tax funds were also up.  Money from the U. S. Department of Education because of Hurricane Katrina is expected to come in at any time.  In closing, Mr. Murphy introduced Kathy Pool, Fiscal Accountant, who prepares the financial updates for the Board and was present at the meeting.

In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell:

1.    Thanked Sonja Walker, Carla Sutton, Pam Harris, and others representing Ruston Elementary School for their hospitality and Ms. Walker specifically for welcoming different partners into her school.

2.    Announced that he was leaving for Baton Rouge immediately after the meeting for a Minimum Foundation Program Task Force meeting and another with some state department representatives.  The Legislature is interested in reviewing the MFP and some proposals to tweak it are expected to make it to the Legislature soon. 

3.    Mentioned Resolutions that are going to be presented at the upcoming Louisiana School Boards Association convention.  Board members’ convention reservation information was placed in portfolios before the start of the meeting.

After brief comments, the meeting adjourned at 1:03 p.m.     

____________________________                 ______________________________

Danny L. Bell, Secretary                                Otha L. Anders, President