LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, November 11, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish School Board, 504 East Arizona, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were President Otha Anders, Mr. Michael Barmore, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. Eddie Jones, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Ted McKinney, and Mr. Joe Mitcham.
Mr. Trott Hunt was absent.
President Anders called the meeting to order. The invocation was given by Mr. Barmore, and Ms. Best led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Anders welcomed board members, staff, members of the media, board attorney, and special guests.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Sessions held on October 7, 2008, and October 22, 2008, as distributed.
Three representatives, Amanda Simmons, Gary Stockton, and Ashley Roach, from the local 4-H office were in attendance and updated the Board on activities within the parish. These included the essential elements of 4-H and the fact that approximately 893 students are involved.
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 Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Programs:
Resignation of the following:
Rebecca Smith, elementary teacher at Cypress Springs, effective October 21, 2008; and
Burnie Watson, ROTC Instructor at Ruston High, effective January 9, 2009.
Employment of the following:
Bobbie Miles as elementary teacher at Cypress Springs, effective September 22, 2008, replacing Rebecca Smith who resigned; and
Kylie Williams as elementary teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective October 21, 2008, replacing Brandi Watson who transferred.
Point of Reference/Transfer of Brandi Watson from first grade teacher at Ruston Elementary to math coach at Ruston Elementary, effective October 21, 2008.
Resignation of bus driver in the Ruston area, Eric Lord, effective October 31, 2008.
Employment of Barbara Thomas as bus driver in the Ruston area, effective November 3, 2008, replacing Eric Lord who resigned.
Employment of the following effective October 20, 2008:
Alonzo Johnson as custodian at Simsboro High replacing Deborah Jenkins who resigned; and
Andrew Haulcy as maintenance at the central office replacing Ray Torbor who resigned.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the administration’s personnel recommendations.
The central office had just received the district and school performance scores as well as end-of-course tests for Algebra I according to Donna Doss, School Improvement/Accountability Coordinator. The district performance score of 91.9 for 07-08, up from 90.1 in 06-07, tied for a rank of 21 among the state’s 69 school districts. This score yielded a two star rating for the district. Among individual public schools in the parish, Hillcrest Elementary earned Exemplary Academic Growth making them eligible for monetary awards. Four schools had minimal growth, five schools had no growth, and two schools were labeled schools in decline. Ms. Doss said the district will appeal the high school scores due to omission of points for students who earned academic endorsements on their diplomas. She indicated that the administration is not satisfied as all schools haven’t met their growth targets. On the end-of-course testing for Algebra, Lincoln Parish ranked in the top five. Ms. Doss summarized some strategies being utilized to address the weaknesses and strengthen all areas of academia.
Ms. Null reported that the Lincoln Health Foundation with funds bequeathed by The Sturgis Estate has provided $84,000 to the Lincoln Parish School Board to assist with health care for indigent students at Ruston Elementary and Cypress Springs Elementary. Coordinator of the program will be School Nurse Sonja Cardwell, and she will make referrals to Carlos Wilson, Discipline Coordinator. In her opinion, the system is fortunate to have this very generous donation in order to supplement health services provided to students in need.
George Murphy, Business Manager, indicated that sales tax collections for the month ending October 31, 2008, were up 38.11% over the same month last year and 24.21% year-to-date. For the month $1,825,415 was collected with another $47,086 being recovered by audits. Year-to-date audit collections totaled $167,511. In the 1967 and 1979 sales tax fund $829,735 was collected and $995,680 was added to the 1993 and 2000 funds. He noted that the primary reasons for the large increases are oil and gas extractions and a gas pipeline going through the parish.
Moving on to September’s financial update, Mr. Murphy called attention to the 2000 sales tax fund that will fund the 13th checks which had $4.6 million at this time. Approximately $2.1 million will be paid out to fund those checks. The other sales tax funds also have pretty good balances. The general fund, year-to-date, was up $2.9 million. The 5 mill maintenance fund was showing a deficit along with the other ad valorem tax funds because collections will be made in December or January. Overall fund balances are where they are expected to be at this time of year.
Copies of several policies recommended for revision, deletion, or addition were distributed at the October 22, 2008, meeting. Ms. Null asked the Board to approve the proposed policy changes.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve revisions to the following policies Meetings (BC), Agenda Preparation and Dissemination (BCBD), Public Participation (BCBI), Employment of Personnel (GBD), Employee Conduct (GBRA), Sick Leave (GBRIB), Parent Conferences (IHAD), Attendance (JB), Student Assignment (JBCC), Student Absences and Excuses (JBD), Truancy (JBE), Student Conduct (JCD), Expulsion (JDE), and Public Concerns and Complaints (KN); the addition of Student Welfare (JG) and Public Information Program (KB); and the deletion of Regular and Special Meetings (BCAB).
Permission to formally approve a change order request for Project E, Ruston High School, was submitted by Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services. In his absence, Superintendent Bell said $5,320.00 was added for painting work on the exterior of the special education building, $3,428.00 to replace all trim on lavatories, urinals, and toilets in the girls’ gym, and $25,844.11 for millwork in the girls’ basketball locker room. These brought the total increase on the change order to $34,592.11.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the $34,592.11 change order for Project E, Ruston High School.
The current wide-area network (WAN) and Internet service contract will expire on June 20, 2009, according to Wanda Mitchell, Technology Coordinator. Seven vendors submitted proposals for fiber optic, licensed microwave, or a combination of the two. A six member committee evaluated the proposals, scored them following their 30-minute presentations, and unanimously recommended Nexus, Inc., which had the highest number of total points. She requested permission to accept their proposal.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to accept the proposal submitted by Nexus, Inc., to provide WAN and Internet connectivity to all sites within the district.
Mr. Murphy mentioned that the Consolidated School District No. 1 special millage will expire with the collection of the 2009 assessments. The parish-wide tax is for 8.49 mills, a collection period of ten years, and currently generates approximately $2,400,000 annually. He presented a resolution calling for an election on Saturday, April 4, 2009, to authorize the renewal of the tax, to make application to the State Bond Commission for renewal, to name Foley & Judell as bond counsel for handling the renewal, and for other related matters.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the resolution in order to call an election on April 4, 2009, for voters to consider the renewal of the tax of the Consolidated School District No. 1 of the Parish of Lincoln.
The self-insured health program has seen a net loss in excess of $900,000 during the 2008 calendar year. Ms. Null announced the increased contribution by the Board of over a million dollars over the last three years and has had to subsidize the program by over one and a half million dollars in the last three months. Therefore, a committee representing all stake holders was developed. Following two meetings and with the advice and counsel of a representative of the third party administrator (TPA), Covenant, the committee unanimously agreed upon the following changes:
Raise premium rate for single coverage by $25;
Raise premium rate for employee plus one by $45;
Raise premium rate for family by $70;
Raise emergency room co-pay from $100 to $200 to encourage use of physicians and walk-in clinics;
Increase out of network deductible from $500 to $1,000;
Increase out of area deductible from $500 to $750;
Increase in net work co-pay from 10% to 20%;
Increase out of network co-pay from 40% to 50%;
Increase out of area co-pay from 20% to 30%; and
Increase specialty injectable drug co-pay from $30/$50 to $100.
If approved, the proposed changes would become effective January 1, 2009, and are projected to generate approximately one million dollars in revenue based on current data and usage. This should be adequate to fund the program for the upcoming year if claim costs average what they have been this year and if health costs rise no more than the expected 10%-12% next year. The committee also recommended that the administration of the school board have the authority to adjust premiums as needed to equal 25% employee contribution and 75% employer contribution. However, if drastic changes to premiums or the program are necessary, a committee would be reconvened. She said a flyer explaining the changes would be included with the November paycheck for all employees and mailed to retirees if the Board decides to make the changes. In addition to the flyer, a meeting would be scheduled to discuss the changes with anyone who wants more information or explanation.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to accept the proposal from the Insurance Committee for insurance program premium and benefits changes.
Because sales tax collections have increased during the fiscal year, Mr. Murphy and Mr. Bell proposed a 25.64% increase from last year’s amounts for November salary supplement checks. They recommended that certified employees receive $2,450, an increase of $500 from the previous year, and $1,225 be paid to non-certified employees, an increase of $250. Oil and gas extraction and construction of a gas pipeline in the parish, interest earnings, and audit recoveries are the primary reasons for the recommended boost. Mr. Murphy stated that the amounts of these checks are based on actual collections, and there is no guarantee that the same amounts will be paid next year at this time.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve the disbursement of $2,450 to certified and $1,225 to non-certified employees in November salary supplement checks.
The pre-k center site work is ready to be advertised reported Mr. Bell. The Project Engineer, Ron Riley, prepared the advertisement and would like to open bids on December 16, 2008. Mr. Riley said the site work will include a one-way road merging to the east bound lane of East Georgia. They asked for permission to proceed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission for the advertisement of bids for the pre-k center site work.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell:
1. Distributed a copy of Attorney Jon Guice’s letter to the Attorney General asking for a ruling on the issue of a one-time exemption of sales taxes by the Board on a capital improvement project. Mr. Guice said the issue had been given a number and sent on for research, and he believes an opinion will be forthcoming in the near future.
2. Expressed his pride in school personnel and especially Ruston Elementary who has received over $200,000 in grant money. Many expend extra effort to provide learning activities to strengthen the learning environment.
Reminded school board members and encouraged them to attend the Academic Awards Banquet scheduled for November 17 at 6:00 p.m. at the Ruston Civic Center.
4. Summarized events following the recent, historic presidential election and the failure by several employees to follow policy regarding computer use and other actions on the day following the election. He had Ms. Null draft an email reminding the staff of applicable policies which was unfortunately misunderstood by some and thereby generated additional concerns. He personally sent a second email addressing the issue relaying his deep regret that some mistook the first. He noted that the school system is far too good to be pulled apart by this issue and asked the Board and people to work together. He wants the issue to be laid to rest and was asking everyone to do so.
There being no further business and following a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
Danny L. Bell, Secretary
Otha L. Anders, President