LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, August 1, 2006 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 1, 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, 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.
Ms. Lisa Best and Mr. Rob Shadoin were absent.
President Anders called the meeting to order and Mr. Mack gave the invocation. Ms. Harrison led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and Mr. Anders welcomed guests to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Ludley, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on July 11, 2006 as submitted.
Mary Null, Director of Instruction, Personnel, and Special Programs, was pleased to recognize Dr. Janie Humphries from the Sunrise Kiwanis. Dr. Humphries thanked the Board for allowing her organization to read and donate books to preschool through second grade students for the last five years. She indicated that they read to Ruston Elementary last year and are moving to Cypress Springs for the upcoming year. The twelve to fifteen individuals involved in the project consider it a great joy to be a part of the schools. She closed by introducing Zach Spivey who is one of the volunteers.
Both Mr. Anders and Superintendent Danny Bell thanked Dr. Humphries and the Sunrise Kiwanis for caring enough to share with the children.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after Ms. Null presented 1.-6. and 12.-14; Ronny Volentine, Transportation Supervisor, presented 7.-8. and 15.-16; Brenda Theodos, School Food Service Supervisor, presented 9.-10.; and Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, presented 11.:
1. Two qualified applicants for Mrs. Theodos’ Child Nutrition Program Supervisor position were interviewed by a Committee comprised of Chairman Mary Null, David Ferguson, Patrice Hay, Kenny Henderson, Charles Owens, and Brenda Theodos. It was the unanimous recommendation of the Interview Committee and Superintendent Bell concurred to name the highest scoring applicant for the position, Earlene Jackson.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to promote Earlene Jackson from counselor at Choudrant High School to Child Nutrition Program Supervisor effective August 2, 2006.
2. Retirement of the following:
Debbie Sandidge, technology coordinator at the central office, effective August 14, 2006.
Rachel Gay, English teacher at Ruston High, effective July 12, 2006.
3. Resignation of the following:
Patricia Saber, teacher at Cypress Springs, effective June 27, 2006.
Shane Lee, PE/coach at Dubach High, effective July 1, 2006.
Julie Alexander, special education at Lincoln Center, effective July 26, 2006.
Mary Wilks, teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective July 25, 2006.
Susan Cason, math at Simsboro High, effective May 29, 2006, leaving because position was eliminated.
4. Rescission of retirement of Charlotte Davidson, internal auditor at the central office, effective November 1, 2006.
5. Medical sabbatical request for the 06-07 school year, effective August 21, 2006, for Pamela Pfister, science teacher at Ruston High.
6. Employment of the following effective August 21, 2006 unless otherwise noted:
Cathy Riggin, special education paraprofessional at Choudrant High, effective August 22, 2006 replacing Ivory Bass who promoted.
Shannon Black, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Tish Freeman who transferred.
Quaniecia Clay, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Trish Saber who resigned.
Jimmy Allen, coach/P.E. at Dubach High, replacing Shane Lee who resigned.
Kyle Falting, math at Dubach High, replacing Paul Bean who resigned.
Amy Pilgreen, English/language arts at I. A. Lewis, replacing Emily Moore who is filling in during a co-teacher’s half-year sabbatical.
Emily Crum, special education at I. A. Lewis, in a new position.
Lisa Trussell, itinerant special education hearing impaired, in a new position.
Tracy Barnes, special education behavior class, in a new position.
Kristen Telford, teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Mary Wilks who resigned.
Barbara Pitre, secretary at Ruston High, effective August 7, 2006 replacing Joan Frazier who retired.
Emily Doan, English at Ruston High, replacing Rachel Gay who retired.
Tina Allen, business education at Ruston High, replacing Kristy Hickman who resigned.
Ivory Bass, special education at Ruston Junior High, replacing Julie Alexander who transferred to homebound.
Brigette Matthews, special education at Ruston Junior High, in a new position.
7. Retirement of Reagan Pylant, bus driver in the Ruston area, effective August 20, 2006.
8. Employment of Kenneth Slocum as bus driver in the Ruston area effective August 22, 2006 replacing Reagan Pylant who retired.
9. Resignation of Ollie Dunn, school food service technician at Cypress Springs, effective July 25, 2006.
10. Employment of Betty Howard as school food service technician at Ruston Junior High effective August 22, 2006 replacing Regina Rice who transferred.
11. Employment of the following custodians effective August 14, 2006:
Howard Mitchell at Cypress Springs replacing Dennis Woods who resigned.
Ronnie Knox at Ruston Elementary replacing Kenny Rabon who resigned.
12. Resignation of the following:
Dr. Vickie Wheelis, teacher at Choudrant Elementary, effective August 1, 2006.
Kim Gresham, speech therapist at Hico Elementary, effective July 31, 2006.
Shannon Brewster, social studies/English/reading at Simsboro High, effective July 28, 2006.
13. Points of Reference/Transfers effective August 14, 2006, unless otherwise noted:
Wanda Mitchell from technology facilitator at the Central Office to technology coordinator at the Central Office replacing Debbie Sandidge who retired.
Debbie Pender from teacher at Simsboro High to technology facilitator at the Central Office replacing Wanda Mitchell who transferred.
Dorethea Smith from cafeteria technician to bus driver in the Grambling area effective August 22, 2006 replacing Pam Driskill who resigned.
14. Employment of the following effective August 21, 2006:
Kimberly Davis, speech therapist at Hico Elementary, in a new position.
Sarah Wages, science at Ruston High, replacing Pamela Pfister who requested a sabbatical.
15. Resignation of the following effective July 31, 2006:
Glenn Phillips, bus driver in the Ruston area.
Pam Driskill, bus driver in the Grambling area.
16. Employment of Jeffie B. Martin as bus driver in the Ruston area effective August 22, 2006 replacing Glenn Phillips who resigned.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the #2. - #16. personnel recommendations.
The time having arrived for the sale of $8,000,000 of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2006 of Ruston School District No. 1 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, scheduled for six o’clock p.m., prior to the opening of bids, the President called upon Mr. Hugh Martin of Foley & Judell, L.L.P., Bond Counsel, to advise the Lincoln Parish School Board, acting as the governing authority of Simsboro School District No. 1 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, as to what action was necessary in order to proceed with the reception of bids and sale of the Bonds.
The first order of business, according to Mr. Martin, was to open the bids received for the issue and to formally approve the official Notice of Bond Sale and the Official Statement that was prepared and distributed to the purchaser in connection with the sale of the Bonds. He stated that the Official Statement had been prepared with the assistance of the officials and staff of the Governing Authority and the Assessor’s office and other local public officials, and that all members of the Governing Authority have been furnished a copy of the same for their review and approval.
Mr. Martin then announced that it was time to open the sealed bids received for the purchase of the captioned Bonds, said Bonds having been advertised for sale by virtue of a resolution adopted on July 11, 2006. It was then stated that the Notice of Bond Sale which had been issued on July 11, 2006, calling for sealed bids for the purchase of the Bonds had been published in The Daily Journal of Commerce, New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Ruston Daily Leader, Ruston, Louisiana.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. McKinney, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
Providing for the opening of sealed bids received for the purchase of Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2006 of Ruston School District No. 1 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, approving the Official Notice of Bond Sale and Official Statement in connection therewith, and authorizing the President and the Secretary of the Lincoln Parish School Board to sign copies thereof as evidence of the approval thereof.
After calling for sealed bids for the purchase of the Bonds, it was announced that seven bids had been received for the purchase of the Bonds. Bids on the Bonds which included bond insurance were received from:
Duncan-Williams, Inc. - 4.19%
Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. - 4.22%
Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated - 4.23%
Vining-Sparks IBG, Limited Partnership - 4.23%
First Southwest Company - 4.24%
UBS Securities LLC - 4.24%
RBC Capital Markets - 4.27%
Mr. Martin wholeheartedly recommended acceptance of the bid of 4.19% from Duncan-Williams.
Upon a motion by Mr. McKinney, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following:
RESOLUTION
Accepting the bid of Duncan-Williams, Inc., for the purchase of Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2006 of Ruston School District No. 1 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana.
The final resolution to complete the Bond sale was authorizing the incurring of debt and the issuance of bonds.
Upon a motion by Mr. Ludley, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
Authorizing the incurring of debt and issuance of Eight Million Dollars of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2006, of Ruston School District No. 1 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana; prescribing the form, terms and conditions of said Bonds; designating the date, denomination and place of payment of said Bonds; providing for the payment thereof in principal and interest; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
As a result of legislative acts of the 2006 session and other areas of policy in need of revision, the superintendent summarized changes he was proposing to the following policies: ED, Student Transportation Management; EDCA, Safety Inspection; EGAA, Workers’ Compensation; and II, Testing Program. He also recommended the addition of EDC, Student Transportation Safety Program, and JGB, School Wellness, and the deletion of GCD, Support Personnel Employment, and JG, Student Welfare. He asked Board members to study the suggested policy changes until the next meeting.
George Murphy, Business Manager, presented the revised budget for 05-06 and directed the Board to the $521,000 anticipated excess of revenue over expenditure figure. That represented where the system might have been at the end of the year. However, Hurricane Katrina and the influx of those misplaced students, unusually high sales tax collections, and conservative figures used in planning have caused the actual excess of revenues over expenditures to be $4.2 million. New special education teaching positions, unfunded mandates from the state, bus purchases, helping with the construction projects, and health care costs are some of the ways the monies will be wisely used with a portion to be placed in reserve.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revised budget for the 05-06 fiscal year.
Because the upcoming school year has more instructional minutes per day with fewer days compared to the previous year and in order to meet the state requirement for the minimum number of required minutes, the maximum number of unexcused absences must be adjusted. Mrs. Null communicated that in order to meet the state’s required minimum of 63,720 instructional minutes per year, the maximum number of unexcused absences a student may accumulate in order to be promoted must change from 10 each semester (or 20 total for elementary grades) to 9 per semester (or 18 total for elementary grades). She asked the Board to vote on that change.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to change the maximum number of allowed unexcused absences each semester to 9 (18 total in elementary grades) and allow this change to be noted in the district Pupil Progression Plan for the upcoming 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 Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Systems Survey & Compliance Questionnaire for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006 as presented.
Architect Mike Walpole reported that formal approval was necessary for several items from the change order originally presented at the last board meeting for the Simsboro construction and renovation project. The old back splash faucets in the scrub and disposal sinks in the cafeteria were actually in poor condition and would have to be replaced soon. They were not included in the scope of the original project but cost to replace them would be $1,509. Another item on the list appeared as a credit of $4,172. It was determined that the exposed gas piping running on the top of the two-story existing building remain in that location rather than removing and rerouting.
Prices were just received relative to the steps located inside the school that cannot remain as they are due to state regulations and requirements expressed by the fire marshal. Change order items O and P rework and eliminate these steps so that the school will be in compliance with safety issues. Item O, reworking the main steps leading up to the school auditorium, will require an additional $4,776 in funds while eliminating the step in the corridor, item P, will require an additional $4,627.
Mr. Owens reiterated that after the sinks were removed they discovered that kitchen faucets were in bad condition and that reuse of the gas piping on top of the building would be prudent. He asked for approval of the four items from the change order mentioned above which would add an additional $6,740 to the Simsboro project.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve the four items mentioned in the change order for the Simsboro School District No. 3 renovation and construction project increasing the cost by $6,740.
Mr. Murphy reminded Board members that each fall schools are allocated funds from the 1979 sales tax fund for library supplement ($2.50), classroom supplies ($3.75), office supplies and equipment repair/purchase ($4.00), student services ($3.75), and debate and speech ($2.00). 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 slightly higher than last year’s amounts. Also to be included in the checks is $120 per kindergarten teacher and monies for those schools that have a band. The total to be disbursed to the schools would be $122,043, which is an increase of $22,143.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to approve the annual school allocation of funds for 06-07 from the 1979 sales tax as outlined by Mr. Murphy.
In an attempt to curb the number of suspension and expulsions and also keep children off the streets and from getting into trouble beyond the control of the education system, Superintendent Bell has established RESCUE as a component of Project ACHIEVE. Plans are being finalized to partner with New Living Word Ministries led by Reverend Jerry Baldwin. Community involvement and support will be also utilized to establish classes for suspended, expelled, and those in transition settings at the NLWM location on Barnett Springs Road. This off campus location and partnership will help the schools and hopefully some of our most difficult students in many positive ways. Mr. Bell noted that students would stay at home as a result of their first suspension. For subsequent suspensions or for any expulsions they would be allowed to participate in the program. He introduced Reverend Baldwin to the Board and closed by asking permission to enter execute a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the NLWM for a one-year pilot program.
Reverend Baldwin wants to help lower the suspension and expulsion rate and curb the behavior of students with the ultimate goal of no longer needing a suspension/expulsion room. He said, ”r;We must change if we want things to change and if we want to help the children who are the victims.”
Both men communicated their plan, with the Board’s approval, to move forward very quickly and have the program in place for the first day of school.
Upon a motion by Mr. Ludley, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission for the superintendent to execute a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with New Living Word Ministries in order to pilot a one-year program establishing classes at their location on Barnett Springs Road for suspended and expelled students and also those students in transition settings.
Mr. Murphy reported a good month for the first month of 06-07 fiscal year. Sales tax collections were $1,112,989 which was a 16.80% increase from the previous year. Collections in the '67 and '79 fund were $505,904, and $607,084 was collected in the ’93 and ’00 sales tax fund. Audit recoveries for July 2005 were $285,329 which was a significant increase compared to July 2005.
For the first six months of 2006, contributions were in excess of medical and dental insurance costs by $846,841 according to Mr. Murphy. However, net assets available for benefit obligations were $83,432, which is a more accurate picture in his opinion. Claims which have been incurred but not been reported are estimated to total $763,409 at this time which is why the program appears to be doing so well. He continues to closely monitor the health and dental insurance program.
The last report on the agenda consisted of a power point presentation by the superintendent on Project ACHIEVE. He hopes to bring the school children to a higher level by strengthening the academic program and accelerating student achievement. He shared his primary beliefs behind the development of the project, major components, facts about the coordinator, and different aspects of her job.
Project ACHIEVE coordinator, Cathi Cox, verbalized her pleasure with coming full circle and returning to the school system. Educational challenges in 2006 are magnified and it does actually take a village to raise a child. She communicated that we must adopt a nontraditional approach. In closing Ms. Cox announced that she plans to bring help to the teachers who will bring help to the students.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said that:
1. Annual disclosure statements were included in packets and must be completed within thirty days of the beginning of the school year by any board member or superintendent whose immediate family member is employed with the school board.
2. Qualifying, election, and runoff election dates for the upcoming school board election were also included in packets.
3. A new school year is about to kick off with the annual instructional staff in-service on Monday, August 21, at 8:15 a.m. Teachers will go to the respective schools in the afternoon for staff development. He invited board members to attend.
President Anders reminded the Board that superintendent evaluation forms were also included in packets. They should be completed and turned in to the superintendent’s office.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
______________________ _______________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President