LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, September 4, 2007 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, September 4, 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 Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Michael Barmore, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. Eddie Jones, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Ted McKinney, and Mr. Joe Mitcham.
No board member was absent.
President Anders called the meeting to order and Mr. Jones gave the invocation. Ms. Henderson 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 Mr. Barmore, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on August 7, 2007, as distributed.
Because of renovation and construction work at school sites over the past two years, student desks and chairs, air conditioners, filing cabinets, and other miscellaneous items have accumulated, according to Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services. He would like those items to be declared as surplus and disposed of according to applicable board policy and state law.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to declare the items as surplus or junk and grant permission for their disposal according to applicable board policy and state law.
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.-7. and 15.; Ronny Volentine, Transportation Supervisor, presented 8.-9.; Charles Owens presented 10.-11. and 16.; and Earlene Jackson, Child Nutrition Program Supervisor, presented 12.-14.:
1. Disability retirement of Pamela Pfister, science teacher at Ruston High, effective August 14, 2007.
2. Retirement of computer lab proctor at Grambling Middle School, Irma Goree, effective August 10, 2007.
3. Resignation of the following:
Adrianne Buggs, math teacher at Career Academy, effective August 10, 2007.
Kay May, science teacher at Career Academy, effective August 14, 2007.
Mary Arthur, English teacher at Simsboro High, effective August 21, 2007.
Nancy Durrett, music teacher at Simsboro High, effective August 14, 2007.
LeRhonda Minniefield, special education paraprofessional at Hico Elementary, effective August 9, 2007.
Easter Hill, special education paraprofessional at Ruston Junior High, effective August 15, 2007.
4. Rescission of employment of the following because they withdrew their names from consideration for personal reasons:
Herbert Piert, special education paraprofessional at Choudrant Elementary, effective August 15, 2007.
Victoria Allen, special education teacher at Cypress Springs, effective August 13, 2007.
5. Effective August 16, 2007, request for leave without pay for 07-08 school year from Carla Sutton, paraprofessional at Ruston Elementary.
6. Points of Reference/Transfers of the following:
James Patton from P. E. teacher at the Career Academy to paraprofessional at Youth Rescue Center, effective August 16, 2007, because he was uncertified.
Patricia Malek from itinerant elementary art to English at Simsboro, effective August 21, 2007, replacing Mary Arthur who resigned.
7. Employment of the following effective August 15, 2007, unless otherwise noted:
Michelle Kirkley as math teacher at Career Academy replacing Earlo Anderson who resigned.
Earlo Anderson as math teacher at Career Academy, effective August 27, 2007, replacing Adrianne Buggs who resigned.
Kevin Huff in a new science/social studies teacher slot at Career Academy because 7th grade moved to the school.
Lisa Williams as physical education teacher at Career Academy, effective September 4, 2007, replacing James Patton who was uncertified.
Deborah Lynch as special education teacher at Cypress Springs replacing Victoria Allen who withdrew her name from consideration.
Jennifer Willis as science teacher at Dubach High replacing Pam Pruden who transferred.
Tracy Stark as itinerant art teacher, effective September 4, 2007, replacing Patricia Malek who transferred.
Kelly Steward as art teacher at Ruston Junior High, effective August 21, 2007, replacing Nancy Jensen who transferred.
Norah Burke as science teacher at Simsboro High replacing Nick Brown who transferred.
Catherine Venable as music teacher at Simsboro High, effective August 20, 2007, replacing Nancy Durrett who resigned.
Doris Moore as special education paraprofessional at Glen View, effective August 16, 2007, replacing Hebert Piert who withdrew his name from consideration.
Stacie Harris as special education paraprofessional at Dubach High, effective August 16, 2007, replacing LaRhonda Minnifield who resigned.
Marsha Davis as special education paraprofessional at Ruston Elementary, effective August 16, 2007, replacing Easter Hill who resigned.
Mark Wilson as interpreter at Choudrant High, effective August 16, 2007, replacing Aimee Bubblis who resigned.
8. Retirement of Miai Veazey, bus driver in the Ruston area, effective August 3, 2007.
9. Employment of Billy Jarmon as bus driver in the Ruston area, effective August 16, 2007, replacing Miai Veazey who retired.
10. Resignation of Joe Barnett, maintenance worker at the central office, effective August 15, 2007.
11. Employment of Mance Allman as custodian at Choudrant High, effective August 27, 2007, replacing Vershal Hogan who resigned.
12. Retirement of the following school food service employees:
Denise Thomas, manager/clerk at Dubach High, effective February 5, 2007.
Amittie Combs, technician at I. A. Lewis, effective March 19, 2007.
13. Resignation of the following school food service employees:
Roxie Huey, technician at Dubach High, effective July 9, 2007.
Debbie Staples, clerk at I. A. Lewis, effective August 23, 2007.
14. Employment of the following school food service employees effective August 16, 2007:
Willie Milsap, technician at I. A. Lewis, replacing Amittie Combs who retired.
Julia Norman, clerk at I. A. Lewis, replacing Debbie Staples who resigned.
15. Employment of Ryan Smith as social studies teacher at Choudrant High, effective August 15, 2007, replacing Kristina Kassab who resigned.
16. The final item of personnel business was the termination of a custodial employee. Mr. Anders asked the employee if an open or closed session was preferred. An open session was his preference. Mr. Anders asked Charles Owens which he preferred and he indicated that he preferred a closed session.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to go into executive session at 6:17 p.m.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted at 6:52 p.m. to return to regular session.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Hunt, 11 of the board members voted to approve the #1.-#15. personnel recommendations. Ms. Harrison recused herself from the vote.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, 11 of the board members voted by roll call to approve the administration’s recommendation to terminate the employment of central office maintenance helper, Donald Perry, effective July 26, 2007. Ms. Harrison abstained from voting.
The Finance Committee met at 5:45 p.m. just prior to the Board meeting. Chairman, Joe Mitcham, announced that the Committee unanimously voted to recommend to the Board the acceptance of the proposed 07-08 budget. He asked George Murphy, Business Manager, to give a summary.
Mr. Murphy said the proposed budget had an excess of revenues over expenditures for the year of $695,668. Some of the spending highlights of the budget he mentioned were: the addition of 19 new employees, $1.75 million for land and the construction of a new preschool center, 10% increase to the health care fund, the athletic complex at Ruston High, money to abolish the warehouse on Vaughn Street, and the purchase of 10 new buses.
Otha Anders announced that it was time for a public hearing on the budget. Hearing no comments, the time for a public hearing closed.
After some discussion and questions, Mr. Mitcham reiterated the recommendation of the Finance Committee that the board adopt the 07-08 proposed budget as presented and grant permission for it to be amended throughout the year.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the 07-08 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.
The LA-4 preschool class at Simsboro, which opened this fall, is filled to capacity according to Earlene Jackson. After verbalizing the history of LA-4, which began in the State of Louisiana in 2001, she said the purpose of the early childhood education program is to provide access to high quality appropriate education to four-year-olds. Ms. Jackson believes that the students will be able to compete with their peers on a more equal footing because of their participation in LA-4 as well as those participating in the other preschool programs available in Lincoln Parish. She did note that a $100,000 grant from the state is providing 100% of the funding.
Simsboro School principal, Donna Doss, communicated that she has observed the LA-4 preschool program and it is one of the most awesome programs she has ever seen. She applauds the Lincoln Parish school system for embarking on it because she believes when it comes to education, it is never too early to start. Results will show up in future years in student achievement she believes.
One board member commented that not only would he like to see the LA-4 program continue, he’d like to see it expanded to meet the needs of all of the preschool children in the parish.
A brief overview of Project ACHIEVE was presented by Coordinator Cathi Cox. Over 2,000 people came through the Civic Center doors for the first ever Back-to-School event on August 17, 2007. The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) magnet experience at Ruston High has begun this fall with a variation of an honors physical science class for qualifying freshmen. In partnership with Louisiana Tech, an employee in the science and technology center, Missy Wooley, is the class facilitator and also coordinator for the program across the campus. Next fall qualifying freshmen will again have the opportunity to participate in the STEM physical science class, and a STEM biology class will be added for sophomores; this will begin Phase II of the project. Those two classes plus a STEM chemistry class will be taught in the fall of 2009 culminating in the fall of 2010 with the addition of a STEM physics class for seniors. She had a Power Point presentation to further illustrate STEM and the richer, deeper experience for the students. The STEM satellite is only the beginning. Plans are underway to add further magnet offerings with Tech and with G.S.U. as well as an innovative twilight school. She is working with three faculty members at G.S.U. to develop a course outline. It is very probable that a Creative Conservatory will be kicked off at semester break with a first offering in the fine arts academy. She asked Ms. Wooley to come forward and help with questions.
Following many questions and comments, Ricky Edmiston, Secondary Supervisor, said he is very excited about the increase in the system’s ACT scores and where they are headed. He disseminated figures and compared this year’s scores to last year’s scores. Reasons he felt contributed to the increase were verbalized. The average state composite ACT score was 20.1 with Lincoln Parish’s composite ACT score being 20.3. More Lincoln Parish students are taking the test each year. In fact 268 took the ACT in 2006 and 313 or 85% took the test in 2007. Mr. Edmiston believes the scores reflect all academic levels. He shared strategies for improving scores because with the TOPs program for college-bound students, ACT scores equal money.
Paula Pardue, Secondary/Academic Coordinator, was present and helped Mr. Edmiston field questions from the board and audience.
Ms. Mary Null reported that there has been a wonderful opening of school with staff development for the administrators at Tech on August 1 and 2. They are working on a Tech course at present. On August 15, all six hundred and fifteen certified instructional employees met at Ruston High for the morning with an address by the superintendent. They returned to their schools in the afternoon and worked on data analysis and where they are heading in improving their test scores. Students began their year with a half day on August 17. It has been a very smooth start especially considering the condition of some of the buildings with ongoing renovations. As Mr. Murphy alluded to earlier, the total number of students this year is 139 below the number on the same day last year. The GSU lab schools are down 87 of that 139. Public schools are down 45. The October 1 count is the official number that is submitted to the state for MFP calculations.
A brief report on professional personnel staff hiring for 07-08 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 Choudrant, Hico, Ruston, and Simsboro. Middle school and secondary applicants are given a list of schools in the parish and are encouraged to contact those principals 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 2007 and total hires for the summers of 2000 through 2007.
Sales tax collections for August 2007 were up 19.04% over the same month last year with a total of $1,125,128 being collected, according to Mr. Murphy. Year-to-date sales tax figures were up 24.87%. Recoveries through audits were $26,532 for the month and $87,178 for the year which is down 73%. In the 67 and 79 sales tax fund, $511,422 was collected and $613,705 was collected in the 93 and 00 fund. Sales tax collections are looking good and hopefully the 14th checks will be good too.
For June 2007, the last month of the 06-07 fiscal year, Mr. Murphy said the funds all had pretty good balances at the time. The General Fund had a balance of a little over $12 mill. Sales tax funds and ad valorem tax funds were doing well.
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 2007. Year-to-date numbers are still positive though with a $538,064 balance.
Verbal approval had been given for six items on the Ruston High construction and renovation project according to Charles Owens. He asked for formal approval of those verbal changes that had already been given.
Architect on the project, Mike Walpole, called attention to the summarized list of changes as follows:
Additional roof replacement on the old girls’ gym $25,220
Omit above ceiling insulation in conditioned space areas ($20,952)
Millwork changes in reception area $ 478
Intercom changes $ 982
Add a surface mounted light in guidance office area $ 337
Add a power receptacle in the main foyer $ 317
Net Change $ 6,382
He also gave an update on the various aspects of the project.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Mr. Jones, the board unanimously voted to approve change order #2 for the Ruston High School project.
It is nearing the time to wrap up the Simsboro School project due to construction and renovation work coming to completion. Therefore, at this time Charles Owens requested permission to execute Substantial Completion for the project based on the recommendation of the architect after his preparation of the final punch list and other appropriate documents. This would be executed only conditionally following appropriate and thorough review by the owner and architect.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the board unanimously voted to grant permission and authorize the superintendent, his staff, and the architect to execute the Substantial Completion documents for the Simsboro School project.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said that:
1. He was pleased with the work of principals and other administrators as they have worked to reach goals, implement plans, and increase academic performance. He went over a list of future objectives which included: continue the increase in ACT scores, enhance early childhood focus, increase rigor and high school redesign, expand and enhance student opportunities, become a three-star district within three years, positively affect student population by reducing expulsion and drop-out rates, and house only permanent facilities within three years.
2. He would like for George Mack, chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee, to call a committee meeting for noon on Wednesday, September 12, 2007, in order to hear a report from a committee he formed to consider a property purchase for a pre-kindergarten center.
3. After hearing concerns at the last meeting over his plans to have suspended and expelled students at Youth Options, he did not proceed. Instead he has placed those students at a site newly named the Youth Rescue Center, located in the old Even Start classroom on the Lincoln Center and Career Academy campus. The focus of this interim alternative setting will be to provide enhanced educational services and help these students turn themselves around and report back to a regular school setting as soon as possible. Six faculty/staff members, half special education and half regular education, will offer a structured education program which can lead to the promotion of elementary and middle school and Carnegie credits for high school students. Counseling, with a licensed intervention counselor, will be an integral part of the center which will take attendance, serve meals, require uniforms, and issue progress reports as well as report cards. He noted that the program will be mandatory for those students who are on their third suspension as well as those who have been expelled. If they do not attend class at the Youth Rescue Center they will be referred to truancy. This one-year pilot program replaces a cooperative endeavor agreement signed last year with New Living Word Ministries and uses the system’s own resources.
After questions and comments from board members and the public, the meeting adjourned at 9:31 p.m.
_________________________ ___________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President