LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, March 6, 2007 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, 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 President Otha Anders, Mr. Michael Barmore, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. Eddie Jones, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Ted McKinney, and Mr. Joe Mitcham.
Mr. Jim Kessler was absent.
President Anders called the meeting to order, and the invocation was given by Mr. McKinney. Ms. Henderson led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Anders welcomed board members, staff, members of the press, special guests, and visitors to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Sessions held on February 6 and February 21, 2007, as distributed.
Secondary Supervisor, Ricky Edmiston, was delighted to inform the Board that four parish students had been selected as National Merit Finalists. Lincoln Parish has had in excess of one hundred forty semi-finalists and a total of eighty-two finalists since 1959. He summarized what the elite group had gone through before making it to the top .5% of seniors in the nation. Mr. Edmiston introduced William Hogan and Robert Long from Choudrant High and Wesley Henderson and Matthew Moore from Ruston High and allowed them to share their future plans and introduce their guests. Superintendent Bell presented plaques to the young men in recognition of being selected as National Merit Finalists.
President Anders offered the board’s and staff’s congratulations to the four for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence.
Two of three teachers who have gone through a long certification process in order to become National Board Certified Teachers were in attendance and recognized by Eric Carter, Supervisor of Testing, Evaluation, and Curriculum. He presented plaques in recognition of their accomplishments to Maryjane Hawley, gifted and talented teacher at I. A. Lewis and Ruston Elementary, and Jana Comstock, teacher at Ruston Elementary. He communicated that Penny Warner, business teacher at Choudrant, was the third teacher earning the certification; however, she was unable to attend the meeting. These three teachers bring the system’s total number of National Board Certified Teachers to twenty-three. He said the NBCT teachers have become better teachers by going through the process, and they are doing it not just for the accolades but for the students.
Voicing her annual request for permission to advertise and accept bids in order to purchase food, paper and kitchen supplies, and equipment for 07-08 was Earlene Jackson, School Food Service Supervisor.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Hunt, 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 07-08 school year.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after being presented by Mary Null, Director of Instruction, Personnel and Special Programs:
1. Retirement of the following:
Patricia Beard, elementary teacher at Hillcrest, effective May 26, 2007;
Gary Green, social studies teacher at Ruston High, effective May 26, 2007; and
Ruth Kent, teacher’s aide at I. A. Lewis, effective May 25, 2007.
2. Sabbatical leave request for the first semester of the 07-08 school year effective August 1, 2007, for Linda Dick, Administrative Assistant/Counselor at Dubach High.
3. Leave without pay request from April 2, 2007, through May 25, 2007, for Jennifer Martin, teacher at Glen View Elementary.
4. Employment of Mendy White in a new, itinerant, special education nurse position effective March 19, 2007.
Special Education Supervisor, Kathy Shipp, explained that IDEA will fund this new position because she has acquired more students in special education with special health care needs that require a registered nurse.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations and requests.
The Building and Grounds Committee walked through the Ruston High School track facility prior to the Board meeting, according to Chairman George Mack. After looking at the building with the coaches, some needs were noted; therefore, he suggested that the Committee meet again on March 20 or 27 at 5:00 p.m. at the school board office. He also invited members of the Finance Committee to join them. The 20th seemed like a good date for all of the members of the Building and Grounds Committee. Mr. Mack requested that Mr. Hunt attempt to get a fiscal commitment from the prospective donors prior to the meeting on the 20th in order for more concrete plans to be made.
Chairman of the Executive Committee, Joe Mitcham, verbalized that his committee also met prior to the Board meeting. Before the Committee meeting, he called Jim Kessler on the telephone due to his illness to get his opinion on the matters. Mr. Kessler agreed with Mr. Mitcham’s recommendations. Mr. Mitcham met with Mrs. Harrison and Mr. Anders and considered the renewal of Superintendent Danny Bell’s contract. When hired he was given a two-year contract because it was in the middle of the Board’s term, and that was all he could be given legally. The Committee recommends a four-year contract when renewed. Also they want to offer an increase in base pay of $5,000. Mr. Bell was hired at $95,000, and since that time he has received a state raise bringing his salary to $103,800.
George Murphy reminded Mr. Mitcham that while his PIP increment had been part of Mr. Bell’s base pay, it should not be and should be separate. PIP is a stipend that is earned and should be separate from base pay.
Mr. Mitcham shared the Committee’s recommendation to honor Danny Bell with a four-year contract, increase his base pay by $5,000 with the option to consider renegotiating upward annually prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, and that his PIP increment would be in addition to his base pay. He noted that Mr. Bell also receives supplemental sales tax checks as teachers and other administrators do.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. McKinney, the Board unanimously voted to accept the Finance Committee’s recommendation to honor Superintendent Danny Bell with a four year contract, to increase his base pay by $5,000 with the option of renegotiating upward annually prior to the beginning of the fiscal year, and that his PIP increment be set outside of his base pay.
Mr. Bell thanked the Board for their support and pledged to continue to work hard and surround himself with good, hard-working people.
The district moved up from a 24th ranking to a 19th ranking for their District Performance Score, according to Betty Wall, Accountability Contact. This score was a ”roll-up” of individual student scores on the LEAP tests, the iLEAP tests and the Graduation Exit Exams (GEE) as well as attendance and dropout rates. Due to the different grading scales of the Iowa Test and the iLEAP test, schools cannot be judged by comparing this year’s score to last year’s score. This year’s score will be the new baseline score.
The District Responsibility Index (DRI) reports the results of 8th grade persistence and teacher certification and is to be used to provide guidance to districts in how to improve academic achievement. Lincoln Parish’s non-dropout rate of 96.6% earned a label of Unacceptable and a rank of 37th in the state. Even though the 3.4% dropouts out of 300 students only equaled 10.2 students, she said brainstorming on the issue has already begun in an effort to improve.
The second indicator for the DRI is teacher certification. Mrs. Wall was ecstatic to report that Lincoln ranked 3rd in the state with a 99.7% index and a label of Exceptional. In addition, the system had an index of 100% certified teachers in Low Performing Schools.
Subgroup Performance Scores and rankings showing the achievement gaps between the various subgroups were also issued. Students with disabilities in our middle schools were the lowest performing subgroup in Lincoln schools. They did not make Adequate Yearly Progress in math; however, Mrs. Wall noted that no individual Lincoln Parish school failed to make Adequate Yearly Progress in any group. This will be the subgroup targeted for concentration next year.
Mrs. Wall closed by saying that she is proud of the performance of the students and staff and certainly plans to work on weaknesses and raise scores higher.
Mr. Bell verbalized that he is also not satisfied and is working hard to be #1 in the State.
George Murphy reported that $993,850 was collected in sales taxes during the month of February 2007. This was a 5.92% increase for the month and 14.43% increase year-to-date. Monies recovered from audits totaled $1,585 for the month and $445,358 for the year. Compared to the same time last year, the audit monies are up 56.42%. Year-to-date, more has been collected this fiscal year than last fiscal year. In the 1967 and 1979 sales tax funds, $451,750 was collected. Deposits in the 1993 and 2000 sales tax funds were $542,099. He noted that the monthly sales tax increase of 5.92% was far below the usual percentages. The Sales & Use Tax Administrator told him that the auto dealers hadn’t turned in their monthly reports before the cutoff. If they would have, it appears that the sales tax figures would have stayed in the double digits. He is anticipating a higher figure next month.
The January 2007 financial statement showed positive figures in the ad valorem and property tax funds because those monies were received. Sales tax funds were doing fine, and the General Fund was up $4.2 million for the year. Everything was just about as anticipated.
Only one month was shown on the January 2007 health insurance update. An excess of revenue over expenditures of $186,132 was noted. Mr. Murphy was prepared to answer any questions; but, none were voiced.
Representative on the Sales & Use Tax Commission, Joe Mitcham, announced that monies recovered by audits are down because the auditor left several months ago. A new one has recently been hired, and the amount of money recovered by audits should begin to increase. Although audit monies are not budgeted, generally large amounts of monies can be generated.
The system operates five special education buses, but only two have lift capabilities for handling wheelchairs according to Ronny Volentine, Transportation Supervisor. There is an ever increasing demand for transporting students with special needs. Due to circumstances involved in transporting children with special needs, these buses must be equipped properly and be reliable. He indicated that the point has been reached when he must request permission to purchase two more special education buses with lift capacity and air conditioning in order to meet the needs of the children. By piggy backing the recent bid accepted by the Richland Parish School Board from Ross Bus Sales, the cost to purchase each bus would be $79,979. Funds would be taken from the special education Medicaid fund and the ’93 ad valorem tax fund.
Upon a motion by Mr. McKinney, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to purchase two new special education 2008 model lift buses from Ross Bus Sales for $79,979 each and a total of $159,958 utilizing the bid accepted by the Richland Parish School Board on January 16, 2007.
Because inadequate and unsafe wiring was found in the bottom floor as was found on the top floor during the Simsboro School renovation project, change order ”Z” for $7,136 was presented by Charles Owens. The contractor also wanted to extend the substantial completion date by three days.
Architect Mike Walpole agreed with Mr. Owens’ explanation and said there were some code violations because of unsafe wiring.
Mr. Dowling, the board member from the Simsboro area, said the completed work is looking good and made a motion to approve change order ”Z” for the Simsboro High School project adding $7,136 to the total and three days to the completion date. Mr. Mitcham seconded the motion which passed by a unanimous vote.
In order to keep the policy manual current, Mary Null presented seven policy changes to the Board. She requested the deletion of Administrative Personnel Vacations (CGPH), and the renovation of Annual Leave (GBRK), Regular and Special Meetings (BCAB), Board Member Compensation and Expenses (BBBE), Elections Board (LDAC), Sick Leave, (GBRIB), and Student Assignments (JBCC). Mrs. Null asked the members to peruse the policies until the next meeting when a vote on the changes will be taken.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said that:
1. He and Mr. Edmiston and superintendents, supervisors, and principals from across the state attended a meeting in Baton Rouge on Friday to look at the issue of high school redesign. Lincoln Parish is already doing much of what was addressed, but there are more efforts he plans to put in place next year.
2. Testing is coming up in a couple of weeks and disruptions in our schools will be kept to a minimum during that time.
3. The next meeting of the Board has been scheduled for April 10 instead of the first Tuesday in April, as is customary, because of spring break.
4. The Louisiana School Boards Association convention is scheduled to begin with an Early Bird Session at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, March 8, 2007. Registration is scheduled to begin at 9:00 that morning but he believes early registration may be done upon arrival on Wednesday evening. He urged members to read over the travel policy in order to become familiar with procedure; however, he did say that the convention hotel’s parking prices will be reimbursed even though they are exorbitant.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
_________________________ ________________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President