LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 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, Mr. Lisa Best, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Lynda Henderson, Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. Eddie Jones (arrived after the meeting began), Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Ted McKinney, and Mr. Joe Mitcham.
Mr. Curtis Dowling was absent.
President Anders called the meeting to order and Mr. Mitcham delivered the invocation. Ms. Harrison led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Anders welcomed Board members, staff, press, principals, interview committee members, and guests.
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. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on June 3, 2008, as distributed.
Dr. Phillip Rozeman, Physician and Chairman of the Board, introduced and gave a brief history of the new organization Education’s Next Horizon. At the urging of State Superintendent Paul Pastorek about three years ago, this statewide educational organization was formed to put together a scope of work for Louisiana: 1. to help frame the debate on public policy at the state level; and 2. to look at a way to connect what goes on in Baton Rouge with what goes on in the rest of the state. To begin, a document entitled Education Briefing Book was formed to use for reference regarding what is going on in the state. He distributed them among the members. They look forward to a relationship with the school boards and the Louisiana School Board Association. He thanked members for their time and urged them to share ideas of theirs on how to connect Baton Rouge to the different places in the state. He believes that is the most important, unique part of what they will be doing to educate all of the children in Louisiana well.
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 1.-8., and Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, presented 9.:
Eight qualified applicants for Doug Postel’s principal of Choudrant High position were interviewed by a committee comprised of Chairman, Mary Null, Donna Doss, Ricky Edmiston, David Ferguson, Mike Milstead, and Charles Owens. It was the unanimous recommendation of the Interview Committee and Superintendent Bell concurred to name Lisa Bastion for the position.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to employ Lisa Bastion as principal of Choudrant High School effective July 2, 2008, replacing Doug Postel who resigned.
Retirement of Kaye Rabb, elementary teacher at Glen View, effective August 20, 2008.
Resignation of the following effective June 3, 2008, unless noted otherwise:
Doug Postal, principal at Chou rant High, effective June 30, 2008;
Shannon Black, elementary teacher at Cypress Springs;
Patricia Malek, ELA teacher at Simsboro High;
Heather Patterson, business teacher at Simsboro High; and
Angela Taylor, secretary at Ruston Junior High, effective June 13, 2008.
Professional sabbatical leave request for the second semester of 08-09, effective January 9, 2009, for Anita West, librarian at Cypress Springs.
Leave without pay for the 08-09 school year, effective August 13, 2008, for special education teacher at Glen View, Ann Smithey.
Employment of the following effective August 13, 2008, unless otherwise noted:
Wendy Hall, elementary teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Kathy Haynes who retired;
Nancy Delafosse, elementary teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Shara Wade who resigned;
Sarah Gleason, elementary teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Shannon Black who resigned;
Jerry Seilhan, math teacher at Dubach High, replacing Kyle Falting who transferred;
Phaedra Burk, special education teacher at Glen View, replacing Ann Smithey who requested leave without pay;
Shavonne Price, science teacher at Lincoln Parish Career Academy, replacing Kay May who resigned;
Mary Mayfield, math teacher at Lincoln Parish Career Academy, replacing Jan Norwood who promoted;
Mary Wilks, elementary teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Mary Ann Eley who retired;
Kari McGuire in a new social studies slot at Ruston High;
Germaine Lindquist in a new physical science teacher position at Ruston High;
Jamie Gressett, ELA at Simsboro High, replacing Patricia Malek who resigned; and
James Payton, interim transportation coordinator at the central office, effective July 1, 2008, replacing Ronny Volentine who transferred to part-time.
Employment of Diedre Smith as federal programs bookkeeper at the central office, effective July 16, 2008, replacing Wanda Randall who resigned.
Points of Reference/Transfers effective August 13, 2008, unless noted otherwise:
Michelle Hogan, from Dubach High to science teacher at Choudrant High, replacing David Janssen who resigned;
Jill Murphy, from itinerate to special education teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Janet Hammock who transferred;
Sheila Barber, from A. E. Phillips to special education teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Tish Freeman who was granted a sabbatical;
Kaye Darnell, from Ruston High to special education at Glen View, replacing Laundi Williams who transferred;
LeAnn Patterson, from Hillcrest to elementary teacher at Glen View, replacing Kaye Rabb who retired;
Alexa Ginn, from Hillcrest to a new special education position at Lincoln Center/Youth Rescue Center;
Laundi Williams, from Glen View to a new special education teacher slot at Lincoln Parish Career Academy;
Janet Hammock, from Cypress Springs to itinerate special education teacher, replacing Jill Murphy who transferred;
Heather Causey, from I. A. Lewis to special education teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Lee Irwin who resigned; and
Ronny Volentine, from full-time child welfare/attendance and transportation supervisor to part-time child welfare/attendance and truancy coordinator at the central office, effective July 1, 2008.
Employment of Vickie Modest as custodian at Glen View, effective August 7, 2008, replacing Brenda Ferguson who resigned.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the 2.-9. personnel recommendations.
Following a board member’s request for more information on the Youth Rescue Center (YRC), Paula Pardue, Secondary Coordinator, and Donna Ashley, Coordinating Teacher, presented an end-of-the-year report. Seventy-four students were assigned to the school, and 61% were successful, 19% did not attend, and 20% were unsuccessful. They explained that the 20% who were unsuccessful were in attendance but because of behavior they didn’t complete the course work. Their names were submitted to the district attorney’s office for further action. Students who completed the program were transferred to an alternative school or facility or sent back to their ”home” school. A chart showing the home schools with their total number of YRC referrals/students, numbers that completed, and numbers of repeaters was also presented. Finally, a chart listing infractions was summarized which clearly showed the number one cause being absences. A brief period of questions and answers followed.
A totally free-of-charge summer school for 4th, 8th, and high school students who needed remediation in math and/or English language arts concluded on June 23 according to Eric Carter, Supervisor of Testing. The teachers felt that this program was a grand success. There were very few problems encountered this year thanks to the help of Rik Cason, Carlos Wilson, and Reggie McLeroy. Approximately 277 eligible students attended summer school with 200 attending each day. There were 37 teachers and 2 paraprofessionals to work with the students in groups that varied from 5 to 12. Test results are expected around August 6. In addition to the daily instruction, a nutritious breakfast and lunch were provided along with transportation for every student who wished to take advantage of this extra service.
Rik Cason was in attendance and helped answer questions about summer school.
Another program operated during the month of June was Get BUGGED About Reading which was housed at Ruston Elementary. Ms. Null said a generous contribution from a private donor made the program possible for 100 students who had just completed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade in the four city elementary schools. There was an 85% voluntary attendance rate. Students were chosen based on the end-of-the-year DIBELS test scores and a recommendation by the principal and classroom teacher. The students were served breakfast and lunch daily. A key component of the summer reading program was parental involvement. Over 50% of the parents went to weekly parent workshops. The Get BUGGED About Reading program culminated on June 27. Plans are being made to integrate the strategies used in the program into the classrooms during the school year and to expand the program next summer. She indicated that a thorough presentation to highlight the program’s effectiveness through different viewpoints and pre- and post-data results would be delivered to the Board in August.
At this point in the meeting Cathi Cox, Project ACHIEVE Coordinator, gave an update on the S.T.E.M./art magnets. Based on the results of a survey at the end of the initial year, the Twilight School, the creative writing course for all students in the parish, will meet on the day they selected, Thursdays, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Two courses will be taught this year, one in the fall and one in the spring. A dynamic trio of teachers from Grambling State University are working with the expanded program. G.S.U. is working on dual enrollment for the second course of the year because it will be a more accelerated course and will earn the students college credits.
The S.T.E.M. satellite program is expanding from one course in 07-08 to four courses in 08-09. Ms. Cox anticipates twenty-four in the S.T.E.M. physical science class. Two university professors will work with the class along with Missy Wooley, the instructor. The eighteen students from last year’s S.T.E.M. physical science course, plus two new students, will take S.T.E.M. biology this year. Twenty-six juniors have signed up for rigorous S.T.E.M. chemistry; one university partner has committed to working with them at least one day per week. S.T.E.M. robotics is still in the planning stage with numbers not received from the high school counselors; however, three university partners will be working with that class. Missy Wooley has made several trips during the summer to look at other S.T.E.M. programs and attend training. Ms. Cox is also traveling to visit other programs and has a grant under development to support expansion of the program. Plans are underway to have a S.T.E.M. Seed, an honors magnet, at I. A. Lewis next year. Strengthening from the lower grades up is a goal of hers as she attempts to move forward as rapidly as she feels like she can in order to be successful along the way.
Principal of Ruston High School, Mike Milstead, was present to report on the Freshman Academy. He distributed a packet of information which continues what began over the course of the past year. Catherine Letendre is going to be the coordinator and was also in attendance at the meeting. She and Mr. Milstead shared a power point presentation beginning with the mission of the school and showing how the Academy is going to help them accomplish the same. Basically the Freshman Academy will focus on providing ninth grade students with a structured yet nurturing academic environment that enables a successful transition from middle school to high school. An integral part of that plan is the Freshman Success course which all 9th grade students will take as an elective. Mr. Milstead concluded by saying he is more excited than he has ever been.
The Board was impressed with the concepts and goals presented by Ms. Cox and Mr. Milstead.
Superintendent Danny Bell announced a new plan to motivate principals to boost their School Performance Scores. Additional salary increments of $2,000 and $5,000 will be awarded, based on the results of the academic year beginning in August 2008, to principals whose scores show notable growth from last year’s School Performance Scores. A principal whose school exceeds the year’s growth target by less than five points will receive a bonus of $2,000, and $5,000 will be paid for a SPS jumping more than five points. A second year of exceeding the target makes the bonus a permanent raise. Increases are cumulative up to six years, giving principals the possibility of an extra $15,000 a year. Those principals whose schools score 120 or higher two years in a row could get a $20,000 raise. He hopes the principal salary performance increments will attract the best leaders to our schools and reward the good people currently employed as they all seek to motivate others. He closed by calling attention to a hand-out listing the schools, their school performance scores, and number of stars from 02-03 through 06-07.
George Murphy, Business Manager, presented the final sales tax collection report for the 08-09 fiscal year. Collections for the month ending June 30, 2008, were $1,274,434. This was a 9.67% increase over the same month last year and an 11.49% increase for the year. Recoveries through audits totaled $20,935 which brought the yearly total to $278,409. This was down 52% compared to last year. Collections in the 1967 and 1979 fund were $579,288, and $695,145 was collected in the 1993 and 2000 sales tax fund. He noted that the recoveries were not as high as in the past year but seem to be slowing down some.
In his summary of the May financial statement, Mr. Murphy said there was not much change from the last few months. He called attention to the 5 mill maintenance and child nutrition funds which were both showing deficits. The other funds look pretty good and have positive balances. There is one month remaining in the fiscal year.
For the month of May 2008 the self-insured health program had a loss of $175,416, Mr. Murphy reported. Year-to-date the program was down $752,712. A meeting was held with the T.P.A., and it appears that significant changes are needed by the calendar year beginning January 1, 2009. Costs are projected to rise 10% for the remainder of the calendar year and 15% in 2009. Changes, including premium increases, are inevitable due to increased costs and use of the health plan. A committee will be formed to make recommendations to the superintendent.
In the process of construction and renovation at Ruston High, Charles Owens mentioned that verbal approval had been given for several changes. He came before the Board to ask for formal approval of the $117,348 change order so that it could be processed properly. He listed the monetary breakdown as follows:
Item 1: Replace 2 light fixtures and 11 ballasts in boys’ gym $ 3,051
Item 2: Add 2 grease traps, patch concrete & quarry tile $ 14,282
Item 3: Additional cost for girls’ locker room changes $ 90,015
Mike Walpole, architect, was in attendance to help answer questions; but, there were none.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Board unanimously voted to approve the $117,348 change order for Ruston High.
Ms. Null indicated that it has become increasingly difficult to find competent substitute teachers. The system must ensure that the students receive quality instruction every day and the rates currently paid for subs are below that of neighboring parishes. They were raised in 1997 and again in 2006. She feels that they must raise the pay to an amount which would be competitive with the other jobs in the area and be equitable to that of other parishes in the area. She recommended changing the substitute teacher pay scale to the following:
60+ hours of college BA degree Certified teachers
Prior to 2006 $36.25 $40.00 $45.00
As of 7/1/06 $41.25 $46.25 $51.25
Proposed daily rates $51.00 $65.00 $70.00
She did note that a larger increase was proposed for those with a BA degree or higher or for certified teachers in order to attract the most qualified substitute teachers.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to change the substitute teacher daily pay scale as recommended by Ms. Null and shown above.
The superintendent called attention to nine policies he was recommending for revision and two for addition to the policy manual. He asked the Board to study the following revised policies until the next meeting: Summer School (IDCA), Home Study Program (IDCH), Homebound Instruction (IDDC), Adult Education (IDG), Graduation Requirements (IHF), Testing Program (II), Attendance (JB), School Admission (JBC), and Student Absences and Excuses (JBD) along with two new policies: Graduation Exercises (IKDB) and Gang Activity (JCDAG).
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said that:
He has been learning more about the importance of early childhood care as part of the group from the state that recently attended a symposium in Boston, Massachusetts. Medical doctors from Harvard and across the country shared their knowledge with representatives from fourteen states. There are stressors that can affect the genes of young ones which cause learning problems in later years. They are asking states to begin interventions from birth through the three-year-old level and change the trend so more children can be successful in school. He believes policy, legislation, and funding will be coming down the pike and providing resources for early childhood care. It seems even more inevitable that public schools are going to be acquiring four year old programs. He is very convinced that it will be happening sooner than expected.
Following brief comments from several Board members, the meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
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Otha L. Anders, President
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Danny L. Bell, Secretary