LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, April 7, 2009 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, April 7, 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 President 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.
Mr. Anders called the meeting to order, and Mr. McKinney gave the invocation. Ms. Harrison led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Anders welcomed board members, staff, media, and persons of special recognition and their guests.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the agenda as amended adding one item of New Business: Uniforms at Choudrant High School for 09-10.
Upon a motion by Mr. McKinney, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on March 3, 2009, as distributed.
Paula Pardue, Secondary Curriculum Coordinator, was delighted to inform the Board that another student from Lincoln Parish has been selected as a National Merit Finalist. She summarized what the student had gone through before making it to the top 5% of seniors in the nation. Ms. Pardue introduced Anna Ward from Ruston High and allowed her to introduce her guests. She presented a plaque to Anna in recognition of being selected as a National Merit Finalist.
Rusty Woodard, communicated that Mayor Dan Hollingsworth had created a Ruston 21 Education Committee to identify action steps to be pursued in the interest of supporting public education, promoting student achievement, and further improving the public schools in Lincoln Parish. Attorney Woodard will chair the committee and was in attendance to invite the L.P.S.B. to appoint two members to serve. The two goals would be: how can Ruston better support public education, and what can we do to visibly demonstrate that the community is dedicated to excellence in public education. He asked if Cathi Cox could serve as the liaison between the L.P.S.B. administration and the committee.
Using presidential privilege, President Anders named Lisa Best and Ted McKinney to serve on the Ruston 21 Education Committee.
Dr. Heath Tims, engineering professor at Louisiana Tech, was introduced by Cathi Cox, Project ACHIEVE Coordinator, because the administration had been notified that Lincoln Parish will receive a $1.39 million NASA grant. This grant will fund an engineering-fused physics class which will enable the system to complete the core thread of the STEM Magnet at Ruston High School. Through their collaborative efforts, the expansion of the STEM program not only mirrors the direction Tech is headed with its research park, but allows the school system to provide future citizens for the community the skills needed for the 21st century jobs that await them. Ms. Cox and Dr. Tims answered brief questions.
Business Manager, George Murphy, reported that $974,003 was collected March 2009 sales taxes. That was a 15.72% decrease for the month because oil and gas extractions were down as well as automotive. However, the fund was up 6.95% for the year. That was the second consecutive month with a significant loss. Audit recoveries were $31,734 for the month. Collections in the 1967 and 1979 funds were $442,729, and $531,273 was collected in the 1993 and 2000 funds.
In the financial statement for the month ending February 2009, Mr. Murphy said the general fund was up 2.5 million year-to-date. The five mill maintenance fund was in the whole $169,912 through February. He moved $250,000 from the general fund in March to remove the deficit. As four months are left in the fiscal year, another transfer may be necessary. The child nutrition fund was down $10,319 which was better than it was year-to-date last month. The sales tax funds have healthy reserves which help keep the employees’ salaries constant when sales tax collections decrease. The ad valorem funds were all in pretty good shape for this time of year.
The health/dental plan was up $527,975 for the month of February 2009, and year-to-date the plan was up $394,435, according to George Murphy. The small deficit from the previous month was removed when claims paid decreased over $400,000. He will continue to closely monitor the fund but it appears that the recent changes have made a positive impact.
Although Lincoln Parish board members are not required to file Personal Financial Disclosure reports until May 15, 2010, Superintendent Danny Bell called attention to the newly-released reports and instructions which he placed in packets. These Tier 3 Financial Disclosure reports will enable to members to comply with new ethics reforms instituted by Governor Bobby Jindal and the Louisiana Legislature.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole, and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after Mary Null, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Programs, presented 1.-4. and 10., Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, presented 5., Brenda Theodos, Child Nutrition Program Supervisors, presented 6.-7., and James Payton, Transportation Coordinator, presented 8.-9.:
Resignation of the following administrators effective June 30, 2009:
Bridget Henderson, principal of Glen View; and
Foster Harris, principal of I. A. Lewis.
Resignation of Sheila Malone, teacher at Glen View, effective April 6, 2009.
Retirement of the following:
Bonnie Thomason, itinerant K-3 coordinator, effective May 2, 2009; and
Judy Emory, speech therapist at Simsboro High, effective June 2, 2009.
Points of Reference/Transfers of the following effective August 10, 2009:
Phyllis Hall, from Ruston High School, to math at Career Academy replacing Terry Antee who transferred; and
Terry Antee, from Career Academy, to math at Ruston High School replacing Phyllis Hall who transferred.
Employment of Georgia Slaughter as custodian at Ruston Junior High, effective March 23, 2009, replacing Greg Mayfield who was deceased.
Termination of school food service technician at Hillcrest Elementary, Cassandra Lang, effective March 25, 2009.
Retirement of the following school food service personnel:
Annie Canty, manager at Alma J. Brown, effective May 29, 2009; and
Mary Jones, clerk at Choudrant Elementary, effective June 2, 2009.
Resignation of bus driver in the Simsboro District, Linette Williams, effective January 19, 2009.
Employment of Christopher Hurt, bus driver in the Simsboro District, effective March 23, 2009 replacing Linette Williams who resigned.
Point of Reference/Transfer of Sonja Walker, principal at Ruston Elementary, to principal of I. A. Lewis effective July 1, 2009.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.
The Board was reminded by Mr. Murphy that each year schools are allocated funds from the 1979 sales tax fund to purchase instructional supplies. These amounts are distributed on a per pupil basis through the Business Department. Mr. Murphy proposed the same per pupil allocations from the previous year. The $79,551.75 distribution he proposed was:
Art K-12 - $1.75 per student
Physical Education K-12 - $1.75 per student
Library Supplies K-5 - $1.25 per student
6-12 - $1.75 per student
Music K-5 - $1.25 per student
6-12 - $1.75 per student
Magazines & K-6 - $3.00 per student
Newspapers 7-12 - $3.25 per student
Science K-6 - $1.50 per student
7-8 - $3.00 per student
9-12 - $4.50 per student
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to approve the allocations for 09-10 from 1979 sales taxes as outlined above.
Various computers and a printer are no longer needed at Simsboro School because Rural Education Achievement Program funds are being used to update two computer labs, reported Ricky Edmiston, Vocational/Secondary Supervisor. He asked for permission to declare the items on a list provided by Simsboro as surplus so they could be disposed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to declare computers and a printer at Simsboro School as surplus.
In order to comply with state law, Charles Owens, requested permission to advertise for bids in order to purchase materials and supplies for the next school year.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for duplicating paper, toilet tissue, paper towels, dust mops, gasoline, and diesel for 09-10.
Changes to the policy manual are to be introduced at one meeting voted on at a subsequent meeting; therefore, Mr. Murphy asked for approval of revisions to the Annual Leave (GBRK) policy that he proposed at the March meeting.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revised Annual Leave policy.
Mr. Owens indicated that verbal approval had been given for a change order at for the central office renovation project. He asked for formal approval of the following summarized request adding $5,278.58:
Item 1 - Replacement of existing wet built up roof deck at a cost of $17,208.48;
Item 2 - Liquidated damages (3 days) credit of $3,000.00;
Item 3 - Contingency allowance credit of $6,929.90; and
Item 4 - Hardware allowance credit of $2,000.00.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve the change order totaling $5,278.58 for the central office renovation project.
As time was nearing to conclude the renovation work at the central office, Mr. Owens requested permission to execute substantial completion documents based on the recommendation of the architect after his preparation of the final punch list and other appropriate paperwork.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission and authorize the superintendent, his staff, and the architect to execute substantial completion documents for the central office project provided that all applicable items on the punch list were cleared and all life safety codes and IBC regulations had been satisfied.
Following recent ethics changes in the state and uncertainty regarding paperwork filing requirements, the Board’s two representatives on the Lincoln Parish Sales & Use Tax Commission, Jim Kessler and Joe Mitcham, resigned. Otha Anders communicated that they have agreed to be reappointed to serve and asked for the Board’s approval.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to approve naming Jim Kessler and Joe Mitcham to serve as the Board’s representatives on the Lincoln Parish Sales & Use Tax Commission.
Ms. Null asked the Board to approve fee changes to the driver education program because:
Four vehicles used in the driver education program, purchased in 2001 but paid off in 2006, are accumulating mileage and will need to be replaced in the near future;
Beginning in January 2009, the state required eight hours of driving for each student instead of six as in the past; and
There has been a deficit in funding that has averaged $8,838 over the past seven years, and it has always been the administration’s intention that the program would be self-sufficient.
She proposed to raise the fee for student from $185 to $225 beginning with the next driver education course registration. Twenty dollars of the increase would be given to the instructors to offset the extra two hours of driving time required by the state, and the remainder of the increase would go toward program expenses in order to help offset the operating deficit. She mentioned that neighboring districts that provide the program were surveyed, and the changes would be comparable to those districts after the increase.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the fee changes to the driver education program (from $185 to $225).
Because of the vital role of school bus drivers, lunchroom workers, custodians, secretaries, clerical personnel, teacher aides, bus aides, maintenance workers, and para-professionals in the efficient operation of the school system, Mr. Owens recommended that the Board adopt a Resolution designating April 27 - May 1, 2009, as Support Personnel Week.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by the remaining members, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:
Resolution
That the Lincoln Parish School Board designates the week of April 27-May 1, 2009, as Support Personnel Week in Lincoln Parish, and copies of this Resolution be sent to all of the schools in the parish, and made a part of the official minutes of the Lincoln Parish School Board.
Mr. Murphy was contacted by the Louisiana Mineral Board and told that a resolution was required in order for the three mineral leases submitted to be approved. He asked for the adoption of a resolution.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Mr. McKinney, the Board unanimously voted to adopt a:
Resolution
Authorizing Otha Anders to execute an oil, gas, and mineral lease on all or a portion of the property advertised by Argent Property Services, LLC, acting for the School Board, on terms and conditions negotiated by Argent, and further, to do any and all things necessary and proper to carry out that Resolution.
Superintendent Bell communicated that he plans to open the application process for the Glen View and Ruston Elementary principal slots on Wednesday, April 8, 2009. Advertisements will be sent to school systems across North Louisiana and placed on the school system’s web site and in the official journal. The application period would close at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2009, with interviews to be scheduled on April 28 – 30. The interview committee would consist of three principals and two central office staff members who will be appointed by the superintendent. His plans are to present recommendations for the new administrators at the Board’s May 5 meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to grant their approval to advertise and interview for principals of Glen View and Ruston Elementary as described above.
Ricky Edmiston, Secondary Supervisor, and Lisa Bastion, Principal of Choudrant High, voiced their request to implement school uniforms at Choudrant High beginning in the fall of 2009. They would join all of the Ruston schools as well as Dubach and Simsboro in that endeavor. Ms. Bastion distributed information, her proposal, and a plan of action if approved. For safety measures and appearance sake and after much discussion, they asked the Board to grant permission to require students at Choudrant High School to wear uniforms.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to give the administration at Choudrant High School the authority to institute a school uniform policy for the 09-10 school year.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said that:
1. He appreciates the confidence of the voters who recently renewed the millage. It will give the system an advantage as they move forward with exciting, future plans.
2. Continuing education training will be scheduled, possibly in July, for members who have not completed the mandated four hours and received a certificate. Those needing training should let Becky Gemelli know if they prefer one four-hour session or two two-hour sessions.
3. He would like the Finance Committee to meet at 5:00 p.m. on May 5, 2009, in order to begin to develop a tax abatement policy prior to future requests. He will ask the Board’s attorney, Andy Shealy, to attend.
After visiting with principals, he has decided to move forward with district Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accreditation. Committees will be formed in about two weeks in order to start the process. Lincoln Parish has excellent schools, but he believes there is room for improvement.
Forms requesting information needed by the auditors regarding businesses owned by Board members was placed in packets. These should be completed and given to Becky Gemelli.
Dr. Debbie Holliman was a key note speaker at a recent summit in Corpus Christie, Texas.
Information from the Lincoln Health Foundation was placed in packets at Ms. Jo Tatum’s request.
Following comments from several board members, the meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
__________________________ ___________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President