LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

 

REGULAR SESSION

Tuesday, April 11, 2006   6:00 p.m.

 

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 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 (left early), Ms.  Lynda Henderson, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Flynn Ludley, Mr. George Mack (arrived late), 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. Harrison led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.  Mr. Anders welcomed board members, staff, media, and special guests including Dr. Jan Colvin’s Louisiana Tech class. 

Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.

 

George Mack arrived at the meeting.

 

Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on March 7, 2006 as distributed.

 

Mary Null, Director of Instruction, Personnel, and Special Programs, had the pleasure of introducing the Ruston Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Educator of the Year, Julie Stephenson.  She shared interesting background information on her including the fact that she is an English and Spanish teacher at Dubach High School.  Her principal, Donna Doss, said that Ms. Stephenson makes her job easier because of the hard work she does and because she has high expectations of her students.  Both she and Ms. Null expressed their pride in her and for being chosen for this honor.  Ms. Null allowed Mrs. Stephenson to introduce her guests and share brief comments with the Board.  She thanked the board for their recognition.  Mr. Anders congratulated her on the board’s behalf for her commitment to excellence.      

  

According to Director of Auxiliary Services, Charles Owens, two bids were opened on March 16, 2006 for ”Project C” of the Ruston School District’s capital improvement plan.  For renovation and construction at Lincoln Center, Ruston Elementary, and Secondary Alternative, Traxler Construction Co., Inc. came in with a lower bid than Lincoln Builders.  Their bid, $5,739,000 was just slightly under the amount allocated, through the bond proposition, for this project.  Three alternates were advertised and included in the bid process. Mr. Owens asked the Board to approve Traxler as the contractor with their stated base bid along with deductive alternate bid #1 (omitting all work associated with the addition of a new library building at the alternative school, changing the foam roof warranty from a 15-year to a 10-year full system roof warranty) for $217,000 and #2 (changing from higher efficiency air conditioning equipment with new duct work and furring to standard equipment and limited duct work) for $157,000.  He asked that the Board not accept deductive alternative #3 (omitting paving on the west side of Secondary Alternative and gym air conditioning and a new boys’ toilet at Lincoln Center) for $130,000; thereby permitting the paving, gym air conditioning, and a new boys’ restroom.

 

Architect Mike Walpole reiterated that Traxler is the contractor on ”Project B”, Glen View and I. A. Lewis, and that he has been pleased with their work so far.  He said that accepting Traxler’s bid on ”Project C” with two of the alternates would allow a slight cushion of approximately $73,407.  Work at the three schools would continue through this summer, next school year, and would be ready by the 07-08 school year.  Fourteen months has been estimated for all of the projects.

 

At a board member’s request, Mr. Walpole took a few moments to update the Board on Project A.  Six of seven phases have been completed at Cypress Springs and work at Hillcrest is about two weeks ahead of Cypress Springs.  These should be completed by the end of May 2006. 

 

Upon a motion by Mr. McKinney, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to accept and approve Traxler Construction Co., Inc. as the low bidder and contractor for ”Project C” of the Ruston School District capital improvement program and to include alternates #1 and #2 in the acceptance.

 

Bids were opened on February 22, 2006 for the purchase of three new 2006 or later model conventional school buses.  Scott Truck Company, Inc. submitted a price of $59,900 for each bus and Ross Bus Sales’ bid was $61,322.  After careful analysis and comparison of the two, Ronny Volentine, Transportation Supervisor, recommended the acceptance of the bid from Scott Truck Company.

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to accept the bid from Scott Truck Company, Inc. as the lowest bid which fully meets specifications in order to purchase three new 2007 conventional school buses.

 

Superintendent Danny Bell communicated that the principal of Glen View, Cecil Barham, plans to retire and the principal of Ruston Junior High School, Dr. Carrie Ferguson, plans to resign at the end of the school year.  In addition, an interim principal, Rickey Burton, was serving at Lincoln Center.  He proposed to open the application process for those three principal slots and any other positions that might become vacant due to filling the aforementioned slots on Wednesday, April 12, 2006.  Advertisements will be sent to school systems across North Louisiana.  The application period would close at noon on Tuesday, April 25, with interviews to be scheduled on April 27 and 28.  The interview committee will consist of three principals and two central office staff members who will be appointed by the superintendent.  His plans are to present recommendations for the new administrators at the Board’s May 2 meeting.

 

Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to grant their approval to advertise and interview for principals of Glen View, Lincoln Center, Ruston Junior High, and any other positions that may become vacant due to filling the aforementioned as described above.

 

Ms. Null indicated that it becomes increasing difficult to find competent substitute teachers. The rate that Lincoln Parish pays subs has not been raised since 1997 and is below that of neighboring parishes.  In order to attract capable and knowledgeable subs, she feels that the minimum pay should be raised to be equitable to that of other parishes in the area.  Ms. Null suggested changing the daily rate as follows:

 

60+ hours of college                         From $36.25              To $41.25

Bachelor’s Degree                           From $40.00              To $46.25

Certified Teacher                              From $45.00              To $51.25

 

For the 11th, 21st, and 31st consecutive day of substitute work, those rates would increase on a sliding scale.

 

Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Mr. Ludley, the Board unanimously voted to change the daily rate of pay for substitute teachers from $36.25, $40.00, and $45.00 as broken down by classification above, to $41.25, $46.25 and $51.25.

 

Because of the vital role of school bus drivers, lunchroom workers, custodians, secretaries, clerical personnel, teacher aides, bus aides, maintenance workers, and para-professionals in the efficient operation of the school system, Mr. Owens recommended that the Board adopt a Resolution designating April 24-28, 2006 at Support Personnel Week.

 

Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:

 

RESOLUTION

 

That the Lincoln Parish School Board designates the week of April 24-28, 2006 as Support Personnel Week in Lincoln Parish and copies of this Resolution be sent to all of the schools in the parish, and made a part of the official minutes of the Lincoln Parish School Board.

 

Because the current policy relative to cell phone possession on school campuses has not been effective and too much time is being spent by school administrators dealing with problems created by cell phone possession, Ms. Null called attention to a revised Electronic Telecommunication Devices policy (JCDAE) banning cell phones from school campuses.  In addition, three current policies deal with the conduct of board meetings and participation of the public, Public Participation (BCBI), Public Participation at Board Meetings (KCA), and Public Participation (KCA-R).  Because BCBI is the most accurate and current of the three, she recommended deleting KCA and KCA-R from the policy manual in order to prevent confusion.  Ms. Null asked Board members to peruse the policies until the May meeting at which time the revision and deletions will be voted on.

 

As a result of much discussion between the administration and the Secondary Alternative School personnel, it was decided that a name change for the school would give it a more positive image, reported Ricky Edmiston, Secondary Supervisor.  A Name Selection Committee, comprised of parents, students, and teachers, met on March 10 to decide upon a new name.  After a brief meeting, it was agreed that the Lincoln Parish Career Academy would be a positive name change for the school.  Mr. Edmiston said it was his pleasure to voice the proposition from Principal Foster Harris and himself to make that name change.

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to change the name of the Secondary Alternative School to the Lincoln Parish Career Academy.

 

Mattie Harrison left the meeting at this point.

 

Voicing her annual request for permission to advertise and accept bids in order to purchase food, equipment, and supplies for 06-07 was Brenda Theodos, School Food Service Supervisor.

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise and accept the lowest bids that meet specifications for all purchases of food, paper and kitchen supplies, and equipment for the 06-07 school year.

Charles Owens also requested permission to advertise for bids for materials and supplies for the next school year.

 

After President Anders called for a vote, upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for duplicating paper, toilet tissue and paper towels, dust mops, and gasoline and diesel for 06-07.

 

Brenda Theodos explained that the present school food service software is outdated.  She asked the Board to allow her to request proposals on a comprehensive system for 1) point of sales, 2) electronically scanning and processing a multi-child free and reduced price meal application, and 3) software to generate all reports needed for the food service program.         

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Ludley, the Board unanimously voted to grand permission to send out a Request for Proposal for computer software for use in the Child Nutrition Program.

 

Broken and obsolete property collected by the special education department has accumulated, according to Mr. Edmiston.  He provided board members with a list of those items and requested that they be declared as surplus to be properly disposed.

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to declare the special education department’s items as surplus to be disposed of as described.

 

The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after Mary Null presented 1. - 6., Ronnie Volentine presented 7., Brenda Theodos presented 8., and Charles Owens presented 9.-10.:

 

1.  Retirement of the following effective May 30, 2006 unless otherwise noted:

 

Rebecca Roach, teacher at Choudrant Elementary.

Cecil Barham, principal at Glen View, effective June 30, 2006.

Gloria Wade, teacher at Glen View.

Lynda Allen, middle grade teacher at Howard School.

Easter Mayfield, teacher at Lincoln Center.

Marilyn Woodson, teacher at Ruston Elementary.

 

2.         Resignation, effective May 30, 2006 unless otherwise noted, of the following:

 

Lee Ann Denny, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary.

Lindsey Braddock, teacher at Ruston Elementary.

Anna Lorenzano, special education teacher at Ruston High.

Dr. Carrie Ferguson, principal at Ruston Junior High, effective June 30, 2006.

Willie Simmons, coach/P.E. at Simsboro High School, effective March 20, 2006.

 

3.   Sabbatical leave requests effective August 21, 2006 for:

 

Stefanie Parker, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, and for the entire 06-07 school year.

Deanna Forester, language arts teacher at Ruston Junior High, and for the first semester of 06-07.

 

4.   Leave without pay from March 20, 2006 through May 29, 2006 for Shannon Brewster, elementary teacher at Simsboro.

 

5.   Retirement of the following:

 

Charlotte Davidson, internal auditor at the central office, effective November 1, 2006.

Shirley Thomas, resource center at the central office, effective June 1, 2006.

Joan Frazier, secretary at Ruston High, effective June 10, 2006.

 

6.   Point of Reference correcting last name of Earnest Nicholson, custodian at Ruston High hired effective February 27, 2006, to Earnest Nickerson.

 

7.   Retirement of Jane Bartlett, bus driver in the Choudrant area, effective May 27, 2006.

 

8.   Employment of Vicki Turner as school food service technician at Choudrant, effective April 1, 2006, replacing Lisa Younse who resigned.

 

9.   Defacto resignation of Jerome Jones, custodian at Choudrant High, effective November 18, 2005.

 

10.  Employment of Thomas Woods as custodian at Choudrant High, effective March 27, 2006, replacing Jerome Jones who resigned.

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel requests.

 

Because of a mandate from the federal government, the Louisiana Department of Education has established a minimum Model School Wellness Policy, which was distributed to the Board.  Mrs. Theodos said the twelve page template effects not only the child nutrition department but also curriculum.  At this time, Lincoln Parish meets those requirements covered in Bulletins 741 and 1196.  The new wellness plan may be enhanced before the beginning of the school year, after meeting with principals, depending upon cost.  She said the final policy will be given to the Board in July or August for implementation in the fall.

 

Betty Wall, 504/Accountabiblity Coordinator, related that 04-05 District Performance Scores (DPS) were received on March 17 and the district scored 94.3 with the state average being 87.4.  This ranked 24th in the state and earned a two star distinction.  Of the twelve schools that were given performance scores, nine received monetary rewards totaling approximately $57,500.  The other three schools that did not meet their growth targets were placed in Academic Assistance.  No schools were placed in School Improvement.  The parish continues to have no school to score low enough to be placed in Corrective Action.  She compared Lincoln to Ouachita, Jackson and Natchitoches parishes and the City of Monroe.  Although the percentages of minority, poverty (free/reduced lunch participation) and special needs population within Lincoln Parish are high, there is still no satisfaction with the very good DPS score.  The administration and teachers want to raise scores even higher; therefore, Mrs. Wall shared changes and efforts that have been and are being put into effect.  She anticipates that scores will be higher this year and declared that they will continue to analyze data and change plans to meet the needs of the students.

 

After sharing percentages of students that: drop out or complete high school, leave before graduation lacking the most basic requirements for decent jobs and a high school diploma, began college and were ready for college English and mathematics, and go on to post-secondary education and training after high school from Governor Kathleen Blanco’s high school redesign committee; Ricky Edmiston told the Board that the school system has got to academically challenge the students going to college and provide skills for those immediately entering the work force.  In an effort to give them more opportunities, he shared upcoming changes including dual enrollment, distance learning, and Plato software to help students with credit recovery.  Skills are being pushed in the Career Academy and the GED curriculum is being enhanced.  Motivating the students to remain in school is the goal.  When all of the above are in effect, he plans to zero in on the eighth graders and talk to them about career opportunities and what they need to do to be successful.  Mr. Edmiston invited board members to visit the classrooms and labs when they get started.

 

Mr. Randy Moore, from Louisiana Tech, summarized the dual enrollment program and talked about the application process and requirements.  There is no application fee and the cost of a three hour class is $100.  Teachers will be paid stipend with the amount depending upon enrollment.  He closed by saying there are still logistics to be worked out but he is excited about the dual enrollment program.

 

Business Manager, George Murphy reported on March 2006 sales taxes.  It was a really good month with $387,653 being collected in the 1967 and 1979 funds.  Collections in the 1993 and 2000 sales tax funds were $465,183.  These were 11.49% increases comparing month-to-month and overall for the year, accumulations are up 15.66% over those of last year.  Audit recoveries, year-to-date, are still up 55.54%.

 

In the financial statement for the month ending February 2006, Mr. Murphy said the General Fund is up over $2,000,000 for the year and the fund balance to date is a little over $9,000,000 year-to-date.  The five mill maintenance and ad valorem tax funds are doing well and in the black.  Although the system is having a good year monetarily, he didn’t want to mislead.  To continue to operate in the same manner and move forward, ad valorem taxes are going to have to continue to be renewed.  If that is not done, some positions may have to be eliminated, in his opinion.  Local support is a necessity.  Other than that, year-to-date, the financial situation is looking really well.

 

Following brief comments, the meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.

 

______________________                     ______________________________

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