LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Tuesday, December 2, 2008   6:00 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, December 2, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the Title I Media Center Conference Room at 504 East Arizona, Ruston, Louisiana.  Members present were President Otha Anders, Mr. Michael Barmore, 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.

Ms. Lisa Best and Mr. Curtis Dowling were absent.

Mr. Anders called the meeting to order, and Mr. Hunt gave the invocation.  Ms. Henderson led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag followed by Mr. Anders’ welcome to board members, staff, media, and visitors. 

Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as presented.

Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on November 11, 2008, as distributed.

Paula Pardue, Secondary Curriculum Coordinator, reported that 187 high school students are enrolled in dual enrollment courses at Louisiana Tech.  Another 19 Grambling High students are enrolled in classes at Grambling State.  Ruston, Delta and Oakdale technical colleges attracted thirty-four more students.  She closed with a summary of requirements for entry into the program that allows high school students to earn college credits at low tuition rates.

November 2008 brought a drop in sales tax collections with $1,225,223 being collected according to Business Manager, George Murphy.  That was a 2.06% decrease for the month which lowered the year-to-date increase to 19.05%.  Recoveries through audits were $132,611 with $300,122 being collected in the first five months of the year.  That total was more than the total collections for the entire 2007 year.  He told the Board that $556,920 was collected in the ’67 and ’79 sales tax fund and $668,303 in the ’93 and ’00 fund.

Continuing with a health and dental plan update, Mr. Murphy communicated that the plan had a $189,462 loss for the month and a $1,092,395 loss year-to-date.  He believes the changes approved at the last board meeting that will become effective in January 2009 will allow the program to function in the black.

Approval of a change order for Project E, Ruston High, was the next agenda item.  In Charles Owens’ absence, Superintendent Danny Bell summarized the request as follows:

Item   #1 B Add additional circuit to the hot water heater in the

                 band area and two to the kitchen                                                        $       885.00

#2 BAdditional cost for canopy repairs (next to old elevator)                          $    1,026.50

#3 B Add two dead locks in existing doors and frames                                 $       610.00

#4 B Additional acoustic wall panels in cafeteria and weight room                  $  12,800.00

#5 B Contingency allowance - credit                                                           ($  14,711.50)

#6 B Hardware allowance - credit                                                                ($       610.00)

Net Change (Added Costs)                                                                                 $           0.00

With zero added cost and an unchanged contract time, Mr. Bell requested approval of the change order.

         Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. McKinney, the Board unanimously voted to approve the change order with no increase in cost for Project E, Ruston High School.

            In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said that:

1. 1. 1. He has not received an attorney general’s opinion on the St. Gobain abatement of sales taxes.
          

      2. He appreciated the Board members’ attendance at the recent Academic Awards Banquet.
          

      3. Updates on the Hico/Dubach and Choudrant capital improvement projects will be presented at the January board meeting. 
          

      4. Board members are invited to Ruston High on December 16 for a special dedication and recognition of a former teacher and basketball coach, Denman Garner.
          

      5. Schools and the central office will be closed for the Christmas holidays beginning on December 22 through January 2.
          

      6. The principal of Cypress Springs, Doris Lewis, has been selected as the Educator-of-the-Week for KTVE and will be spotlighted on their news at some point in the near future. 

                        After brief comments, following a motion by Ms. Harrison, the meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m.

Danny L. Bell, Secretary

Otha L. Anders, President