LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, September 5, 2006 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, September 5, 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, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Flynn Ludley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Ted McKinney, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin (left before the meeting concluded), and Ms. Jo Tatum.
No board member was absent.
President Anders called the meeting to order and Mr. McKinney gave the invocation. Ms. Best 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. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on August 1, 2006 as distributed.
Superintendent Danny Bell introduced four individuals who had recently been transferred or promoted to principal. He allowed Barbara Kirkland, Simsboro; Doris Lewis, Lincoln Center; Tim Nutt, Ruston Junior High; and Bridget Simoneaux, Glen View; to share brief personal information and their goals for the school year.
Mr. Bell expressed his pleasure with the new principals and thanked them for attending the meeting. Mr. Anders said he welcomed them aboard in their new roles and wished them the best.
At the August 1, 2006 meeting the superintendent presented two new and three revised policies for the Board’s consideration. New policies he presented were: Student Transportation Safety Program (EDC) and School Wellness (JGB). Revisions were proposed to: Student Transportation Management (ED), Workers’ Compensation (EGAA), and Testing Program (II). Mr. Bell also recommended the deletion of Safety Inspection (EDCA), Support Personnel Employment (GCD), and Student Welfare (JG).
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revisions to Student Transportation Management (ED), Workers’ Compensation (EGAA), and Testing Program (II); the addition of Student Transportation Safety Program (EDC), and School Wellness (JGB); and the deletion of Safety Inspection (EDCA), Support Personnel Employment (GCD), and Student Welfare (JG).
As an additive change order request, Director of Auxiliary Services Charles Owens, asked the Board to consider a roof warranty change for Simsboro High School. Significant problems relative to leaks in the building have resulted in part due to the complexity of the roof design and the age of the structure. An upgrade in the thickness of the roofing material would provide additional years of life to the facility and would give the district added years of warranty protection. The administration feels that adequate funding is available to cover this approximate $20,000 expense.
Architect Mike Walpole said it would be wise to bring the warranty up five years for a cost of approximately $20,000. He said the roof has had 53 leaks since the inception of the job.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Ludley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the change order for the Simsboro School project increasing the roof warranty from fifteen years to twenty years.
Next Mr. Owens reported that Mr. Walpole and his staff have been preparing architectural plans for Ruston Junior High with the completion of these construction documents anticipated at the end of September. He requested permission to advertise for bids.
Mr. Walpole said if permission is granted to advertise for bids, he anticipates a Thanksgiving bid date with construction to start around Christmas. This project, like the others in the Ruston School District construction and renovation project, should be completed in approximately fourteen months.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission for the advertisement of bids for renovation and construction at Ruston Junior High School.
Because of the renovation work at six school sites, several items of old furniture and equipment have been generated, according to Charles Owens. He would like those items to be declared as surplus and disposed of according to applicable board policy.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Ms. Tatum, the Board unanimously voted to declare the items as surplus or junk and grant permission for their disposal according to applicable board policy.
In the fall of 2005 following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita the State Department of Education allowed each district one of three choices in relation to the high stakes testing program. Testing Supervisor Eric Carter said Lincoln Parish chose to maintain the high stakes testing program without any modifications. In north Louisiana Lincoln and Bossier were the only districts that chose to maintain high stakes testing solely. In light of the fact that all of the neighboring districts had selected modifications, it was determined that it would be in the best interest of the students if Lincoln would modify their progression policy and allow 4th and 8th grade students who have obtained an Approaching Basic score in English/language arts and math to promote to the next grade provided they have met all other promotion requirements for their respective grade. Mr. Carter asked the Board to approve revisions to the 05-06 Pupil Progression Plan in order to allow approximately 49 students to promote to the next grade.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revisions to the 05-06 Lincoln Parish Pupil Progression Plan.
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, and Special Programs, presented items #1.-#3.; Ronny Volentine, Transportation Supervisor, presented #4.-#5.; Charles Owens presented #6.; and Earlene Jackson, Child Nutrition Program Supervisor, presented #7.-#8.:
1. Resignation of the following effective August 22, 2006 unless otherwise noted:
Bonnie Goss, math at Career Academy, effective August 20, 2006.
Reba Daniel, paraprofessional at Ruston High.
Sharon Williams, paraprofessional at Simsboro High.
2. Points of Reference/Transfer of the following effective August 21, 2006 unless otherwise noted:
Ginger Shanks from I. A. Lewis to speech therapist at Hico replacing Kim Gresham who resigned.
Kimberly Davis from Hico to speech therapist at I. A. Lewis replacing Ginger Shanks (itinerant) who transferred.
Johnna Cronk from Choudrant Elementary to special education homebound at Lincoln Center replacing Julie Alexander who resigned.
Earnestine Layton from Ruston Junior High to special education at New Living Word replacing Tracy Barnes who transferred.
Mel Saunders from Lincoln Center to special education at New Living Word.
Jimmye James from Choudrant Elementary to transition room monitor at New Living Word effective August 22, 2006.
Tracy Barnes from New Living Word to special education at Ruston Junior High replacing Earnestine Layton who transferred.
3. Employment of the following effective August 21, 2006 unless otherwise noted:
Angela McKaskle as teacher at Choudrant Elementary replacing Vickie Wheelis who resigned.
Ricky Mitchell as counselor at Choudrant High effective August 7, 2006 replacing Earlene Jackson who promoted.
Arlene Banks as teacher at Howard School replacing Lynda Allen who retired.
Adrianne Buggs as math at Career Academy replacing Bonnie Gosss who resigned.
Kristy Baker as special education at Choudrant Elementary replacing Johnna Cronk who transferred.
Leslie Herbert as speech therapist at Ruston High replacing Ginger Shanks who transferred.
Otilla Johnson as paraprofessional at Ruston High replacing Reba Daniel who resigned.
Glenn Dowden as special education at Ruston High replacing Lent Bursey who resigned.
James King as social studies at Simsboro High replacing Shannon Brewster who resigned.
Heather Patterson as business at Simsboro High replacing Debbie Pender who transferred.
4. Resignation of the following effective August 1, 2006:
Jerry Touchstone, bus driver in the Ruston area.
Columbus Pickett, bus driver in the Simsboro area.
5. Employment of the following effective August 22, 2006:
Cindy Russell, bus driver in the Ruston area, replacing Jerry Touchstone who resigned.
Patricia Freeman, bus driver in the Simsboro area, replacing Columbus Pickett who resigned.
6. Employment of the following effective August 7, 2006:
Paula Patterson, custodian at Ruston High, replacing Barbara Pitre who transferred.
Lonnie Davis, custodian at Ruston High, replacing Lonnie Davis who resigned.
7. Resignation of the following school food service employees:
Valorie Cooper, technician at Hico Elementary, effective August 13, 2006.
Betty Harper, technician at Grambling High, effective August 29, 2006.
8. Employment of Sheryl Kimbrell as school food service technician at Cypress Springs effective August 24, 2006 replacing Ollie Dunn who resigned.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.
Otha Anders announced that it was time for a public hearing on the budget. Hearing no comments, the time for a public hearing closed.
The Finance Committee met just prior to the Board meeting at 5:45 p.m. Chairman, Joe Mitcham, announced that the Committee unanimously voted to recommend to the Board the acceptance of the proposed 06-07 budget which he had Mr. Murphy summarize as follows:
Beginning fund balance - July 1, 2006 $ 24,811,646
Projected Revenues 60,367,441
Projected Expenditures (58,860,192)
Projected Excess of Revenues over Expenditures 1,507,249
Projected Ending fund balance - June 30, 2007 26,318,895
Mr. Murphy summarized some of the components of the budget including purchasing ten new buses and floor equipment for the renovated schools, demolishing the old Hopewell School in Dubach, refurbishing and remodeling the warehouse on Vaughn Avenue, preparing a space for the driver’s education vehicles, nine new (primarily special education) positions, and a projected 15% increase in health care costs. The MFP increased 3.8 million for the year of which half has been spent giving the certificated personnel a $3,589 raise. Support employees received a $500 raise from the state and an additional $500 from local monies for a total annual increase of $1,000. The budget also contains a 1.3 million pipe line settlement which was added to the ad valorem tax funds. A collaborative effort went into the budget preparation and he feels comfortable with it.
After some discussion and questions, Mr. Mitcham shared the recommendation of the Finance Committee that the Board adopt the 06-07 proposed budget and grant permission for it to be amended throughout the year.
Upon a motion by Mr. McKinney, seconded by Mr. Ludley, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the 06-07 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.
Ms. Mary Null reported that there has been a wonderful opening of school with high schools adjusting well to a new seven period day and to new programs consisting of distance learning and dual enrollment. Also, the bus schedules were changed and younger children are being picked up earlier and the older students are on the later bus routes; however, the transition has gone very smoothly thanks, in large part, to the transportation department. Although the official student count is not taken until October 1, she indicated that the total number of students in the schools was 105 higher than on this same day last year which was before Hurricane Katrina.
An update on Project RESCUE, the new program for suspended, expelled, and transition students housed at New Living Word Ministries, was given by Cathi Cox, Project ACHIEVE Coordinator. Although the project is being built from the ground up with the help of many individuals, the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement was signed and liability issues resolved in time for the doors to open on the same day as the other schools. Several meetings were necessary in order to convert a church into a portable school which continues to utilize the facilities as a church on Sunday. The cooperation and collaboration between different entities and people have been incredible. She said it’s just like going into a regular school only on a smaller scale with two school buses, a computer lab for the students, and a copy machine for the teachers. The number of students is small but is already growing; however, the goal is to reduce the number of students until the program is no longer needed and also to provide positive experiences for the students. She invited everyone to visit Project RESCUE at the New Living Word Ministries.
Superintendent Bell said data is very important to him and a count of students utilizing the program will be kept. He hopes that the number of suspensions and expulsions decreases as the year progresses which will indicate that the program is successful. Since it is a one year pilot program, a decision will be made at the end of the year regarding the success of the program and its renewal.
A lengthy time of discussion and questions followed. It was obvious that the Board was very excited about Project RESCUE.
Mr. Shadoin left the meeting during the discussion.
Mr. Bell announced that the 22nd annual Academic Awards Banquet has been tentatively scheduled for Monday, November 13, 2006, at the Ruston Civic Center beginning at 6:00 p.m. The guest speaker for the banquet will be Brenda Lofton, Louisiana Teacher of the Year.
A brief report on professional personnel staff hiring for 06-07 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 schools in the parish and are encouraged to contact those principals in order to schedule personal interviews. She called attention to a chart with a breakdown by race/gender and certified/non certified for those interviewed and hired in the summer of 2006 and total hires for the summers of 2000 through 2006.
Sales tax collections for August 2006 were up 12.82% over the same month last year with a total of $945,157 being collected, according to Mr. Murphy. Year-to-date sales tax figures are up 11.44%. Audit recoveries were $39,294 for the month and $296,536 for the year. In the 67 and 79 sales tax fund, $429,617 was collected and $515,540 was collected in the 93 and 00 fund. Although sales tax increases are still in double digits, he noted that they have decreased from last year’s increases of approximately 15%.
For the month of June, Mr. Murphy said financial figures show a really good year with fund balances up across the board. Sales tax funds and ad valorem tax funds are doing well. The General Fund is up $1.8 million.
As part of the July financial update, Mr. Murphy said that pipeline money was deposited in the ad valorem tax funds which give them a balance. They normally do not have deposits until December or January taxes are added. At this point in the year, all accounts are doing fine.
Following seven months of activity in the system’s health care plan, Mr. Murphy noted that a loss was incurred during the month of July 2006. Year-to-date numbers are still positive though with a $424,064 balance. He will continue to monitor the program to determine if the insurance committee needs to meet to consider changes for 2007 calendar year.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said that:
1. ACT scores have been received for 06 graduating seniors. Public schools in Louisiana averaged 18.9% but Lincoln Parish’s average score was higher at 19.9%. He believes they can be improved and he is working toward that objective.
2. iLEAP test results will be released on Wednesday and will probably make the news. The iLEAP is new and has gone from the IOWA, a norm referenced-type test, to a combination of that and constructed response test items, which are criterion referenced assessments. According to the Regional Service Center, on constructed response items this past spring, Lincoln Parish scored at the top of all regions in Region VIII which includes Ouachita Parish. Training was provided for the teachers and hopefully that professional development has paid off and is making the teaching cadre even stronger. He believes the parish employs some outstanding principals and teachers. A component of greatest concern to him is the parents. Mr. Bell is trying to offer support to those parents who need assistance. ”We are a progressive and innovative district and the employees are working hard to bring success to public education,” he said.
3. An Open House schedule, district brochure, and Horace Mann planning calendar were included in portfolios.
After questions and brief comments, the meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
________________________ __________________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President