LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, 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, Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. Eddie Jones, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Ted McKinney, and Mr. Joe Mitcham.
Ms. Lynda Henderson was absent.
President Otha Anders called the meeting to order, and the invocation was given by Mr. Kessler. Ms. Best led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Anders welcomed board members, staff, members of the press, persons of special recognition, state champions and their guests, principals, and others present for the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on April 7, 2009, as distributed.
The Outstanding School Support Employee Awards Program provides an opportunity to honor outstanding employees in the elementary, middle, and high school levels who support and provide leadership in the operation of non-instructional activities within the school system according to Director of Auxiliary Services, Charles Owens. He reviewed the selection procedure and presented certificates from the state department and plaques to the following in order to recognize their contributions to the Lincoln Parish School System:
Kevin Hill Elementary Paraprofessional at Ruston Elementary
Carnella Carroll Junior High Secretary/Bookkeeper at Ruston Junior High
Anita McGuire High School Receptionist at Choudrant High
As has become her custom in the spring, Mary Null, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Special Programs, was in attendance to recognize National Board Certified Teachers. Three new teachers who had gone above and beyond to earn the certification brought the grand total of National Board Certified Teachers in the school system to thirty-two. They were:
Jada Walsworth - Hico Elementary
April Winstead - Ruston High
Lydia Smith - A. E. Phillips
Cathi Cox, Project ACHIEVE Coordinator, introduced Chris Campbell, Regional Teacher of the Year to the Board. She provided background information on the Mr. Campbell and presented him with a plaque in recognition of the honor.
Ms. Cox also recognized and presented plaques to two State Distinguished Partners in Education, Super 1 and Trinity United Methodist Church. She said they have been spectacular partners. Ms. Cox mentioned some of the things the groups have done and was pleased to introduce Chris Turner, Manager of Super 1, and Reverend Jerry Hilbun, Pastor of Trinity.
Giving an accountability update was Donna Doss, Accountability/District Test Coordinator. She brought the Board up-to-date on school performance scores, 2008 school report cards, end of course testing, release of spring test results, and summer school.
In April, Mr. Bell announced that Lincoln Parish schools would pursue district accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Paula Pardue, Secondary Academic Coordinator, was to provide a brief overview of SACS and the district accreditation process. However, Dr. David Gullatt, Louisiana Tech’s dean over the College of Education, was in attendance and had an excellent power point presentation addressing the following:
What is SACS?
What is district accreditation?
What are the benefits of district accreditation?
Where do we go from here?
He said that seeking accreditation through SACS will help schools maximize student success, build the capacity of the school system to achieve excellence through high standards, quality assurance, and continuous improvement, and bring together research and resources for students, schools, and system improvement. Dr. Gullatt helped answer brief questions.
Sales taxes collected for the period ending April 30, 2009, totaled $1,167,337, George Murphy, Business Manager, reported. This was a 14.04% decrease from the same month in the previous year and the third consecutive month with a drop. Year-to-date the collections were still up $605,463 which was 4.73%. Recoveries through audits for the month were $32,922 which brought the year-to-date total to $504,640. For the month $530,608 was collected in the ’r;67 and ’r;79 fund and $636,728 was collected in the ’r;93 and ’r;00 fund. Again this month, reasons for the decrease were oil and gas extractions and automotive dealers and service stations being down.
Moving on to the financial statement for March 2009, Mr. Murphy called attention to the shaded line on the spreadsheet which showed all of the fund balances. He indicated that all of the funds looked good except for one fund showing a deficit, the five mill maintenance fund. The reasons for the deficit were numerous roof repairs in the Choudrant and Dubach districts and floor repairs to gyms. There are more Choudrant roof repair bills to come. That fund was transferred $250,000 during the month of March and another transfer from the general fund will be needed prior to the end of the year. Revenue exceeds expenditures in all other funds which was good given the state of the economy. Even though sales tax funds have seen three months of decreases, they all have good balances and reserves. Financially the system is in pretty good shape.
For the month ending March 31, 2009, the health care fund had a loss of $83,885. Year to date the fund was still up $310,550. George Murphy was available for questions, but none were asked.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after Mary Null presented items 1.-5., and Brenda Theodos, Child Nutrition Program Supervisor, presented 6.:
1. Thirteen qualified applicants were interviewed by Ricky Edmiston, Patrice Hilton, Vicky Key, Doris Lewis, and Charles Owens for principal positions at Glen View and Ruston Elementary. Chairman of the Interview Committee, Mary Null, said the top three highest scoring applicants in numerical order were:
Glen View - Lisa (Moody) Mangum, Sheri Robken, and Jana Comstock
Ruston Elem. - Sheri Robken, Michelle Thrower, and Pam Harris
She shared the unanimous recommendation of the Committee and Mr. Bell to name Lisa Mangum principal of Glen View and Pam Harris principal of Ruston Elementary. Ms. Null asked for approval of those recommendations.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to name Lisa Mangum principal of Glen View and Pam Harris principal of Ruston Elementary effective July 1, 2009.
Resignation of the following:
Hope Britt, social studies teacher at Ruston High, effective June 2, 2009; and
Barbara Torbor, guidance counselor at Ruston High, effective June 15, 2009.
Retirement of Judy Pylant, teacher at Hico Elementary, effective June 2, 2009.
Retirement of the following support personnel:
Kathie Farmer, bookkeeper at Choudrant High, effective June 13, 2009; and
Anita Jones, secretary at Ruston High, effective June 30, 2009.
Professional sabbatical request for the 09-10 school year from Laundi Williams, special education at the Career Academy, effective August 10, 2009.
Retirement of Marcie Gray, school food service technician at Glen View, effective May 30, 2009.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to accept the #2.-#6. personnel recommendations as presented.
Chairman of the Finance Committee, Joe Mitcham, said the Committee met prior to the board meeting and considered the following:
Land purchase in Choudrant - Danny Bell said in considering future expansion and growth at Choudrant High and as a result of the architect’s drawing for a bond proposition for renovations, additional land to the west is likely to be needed. Two highway 80 property owners, with land adjacent to each other and to the school, have told area businessmen that they will sell. The first property, 2619 Highway 80, consists of 1.6 acres of land and is appraised for $81,000. The owner will accept that amount in order to sell. The second property with a little over an acre of land at 2609 Highway 80 appraised for $47,000 but the owner wants $75,000 for it. The Greater Choudrant Association has agreed to pay the cost beyond the appraisal price. Both properties have homes on them. Mr. Bell did note that the existing tennis court and batting cage would need to be relocated. The matter was set for the June board meeting, but the Committee unanimously voted to expedite matters and bring it to the board immediately. Superintendent Bell announced that the first Town Hall meeting regarding a new millage for renovation and construction in the Choudrant area would be held on May 28 at Choudrant High.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to purchase the properties at 2609 and 2619 Highway 80 in Choudrant for the appraised price with the understanding that the general fund would be reimbursed by the Choudrant district should the bond issue pass.
Development of an abatement policy - Mr. Mitcham said the Committee is in the process of developing a tax abatement and exclusion policy for use with future requests like St. Gobain’s.
Business Manager, George Murphy, said he had given a proposed policy to Assistant District Attorney, Andy Shealy. The Finance Committee had a couple of suggestions and the policy will be given back to Mr. Shealy. A proposed new sales tax abatement/exclusion policy will be presented at the June board meeting.
Superintendent’s pay - Chairman Mitcham said the Superintendent’s pay was the final item on the agenda. Their 2007 four-year contract with him included the option of increasing his pay $5,000 or upward annually. No raise was given in 2008. Mr. Mitcham recommended offering a $15,000 raise this year. He noted that Mr. Bell was not given a raise last year. In addition, he is out a tremendous amount of out-of-pocket expenses for ticket sales, donations, etc. as well as expenses incurred while traveling that do not meet the state requirements. Instead of having a separate expense salary or voucher, a portion of the raise would include that. It would also be beneficial to him for retirement purposes. Also a portion of the raise is the $5,000 that would be given in 2009. Superintendent Bell’s salary is ranked 32nd among superintendents in the state. Rated in the middle of salaries in Louisiana is not that great. Test scores of the school system are 22nd in the state. His salary is also quite below that of superintendents in neighboring parishes. He has done a fantastic job, works long hours and many days, is proactive, and has instituted many new programs and ideas. Mr. Mitcham feels that Mr. Bell is very deserving.
George Murphy stated that the ranking information was obtained from the State Department of Education’s web site and will show teachers in Lincoln Parish are rated 21st or 22nd for their average rate of pay. What Mr. Bell has actually done and where the system is headed are two more reasons he believes a raise is justified.
Mr. Mitcham indicated that the Finance Committee unanimously voted to bring the matter to the attention of the full Board. He asked the Board for their preference.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by the entire Board, the Board unanimously voted to give Superintendent Danny Bell a $15,000 annual raise effective July 1, 2009.
Making her yearly request for permission to distribute letters of continued employment on the last day of school was Mary Null.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to distribute letters of continued employment for the 09-10 school year.
A change order for the Ruston High construction project was summarized by Mr. Owens. The items which had received verbal approval but needed the Board’s formal approval were:
#1 B New doors at library exterior entrance $ 4,777.00
#2 – Gas piping changes $ 8,698.00
#3 – Miscellaneous mechanical changes $ 5,464.00
#4 - Increase breaker size for steamer in kitchen panel $ 497.00
#5 BRemaining contingency allowance - credit ($ 4,087.50)
#6 BRemaining hardware allowance - credit ($ 9,390.00)
Net Change (added costs) $ 5,958.50
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve the change order adding $5,958.50 to Project E, Ruston High School.
On November 11, 2008, the Board adopted a resolution calling a special election on April 4, 2009, for voters to consider the renewal of the Consolidated School District No. 1 special millage.
According to Mr. Murphy, voters authorized the propositions by a majority of voters. In order to comply with the Louisiana Election Code, the Board must adopt a resolution canvassing the results of that election.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
A resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the election held in Consolidated School District No. 1 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, April 4, 2009, to authorize the renewal of special tax therein.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said:
1. Information regarding ethics training in the summer by Jon Guice and Board members’ preferences is needed. Members should give the information to Becky Gemelli.
2. Much is still unknown about President Obama’s Stimulus Plan. However, monetary figures have been released but the details for the spending have not. The school system’s proposed project will be submitted in June. Plans are being made to use the majority of Lincoln Parish’s funding for year-round schools at two of the schools. He believes it is the right thing to do and a great way to use the money to positively impact student achievement. More information will be forth coming from the state probably within the next week. A full report on how the money is to be used will be given very soon.
3. The next Board meeting will be held at Ruston High School on June 2. Principal Milstead has invited Board members and the administration for a 5:00 p.m. meal, quick tour of the school, and a Power Point presentation encompassing:
What has gone on at RHS?
Where they are at RHS?
What is planned for the future at RHS?
The annual Retirees’ Reception will be held in the lobby of Ruston High at 6:00 p.m. immediately followed by a 6:15 meeting of the Board.
President Anders noted that he replaced Lisa Best with Lynda Henderson on the Ruston 21 Education Committee.
There being no further business to come before the Board and upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
__________________________ ___________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President