LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, September 8, 2009 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, September 8, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Lincoln Parish School Board office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana. The meeting, originally scheduled for September 1, 2009, was postponed because of a conflict for the Superintendent. Members present were Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Michael Barmore, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. Eddie Jones (arrived after the meeting began), Mr. George Mack, Mr. Ted McKinney, and Mr. Joe Mitcham.
Mr. Jim Kessler was absent.
President Anders called the meeting to order, and Mr. Mitcham gave the invocation. Ms. Henderson led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Anders welcomed those in attendance.
Upon a motion by Mr. McKinney, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on August 4, 2009, as printed.
The Louisiana Department of Education has issued its allocation of Qualified School Construction Bonds, and the Board’s amount is $5,087,000 according to George Murphy, Business Manager. The funds will be used to construct the pre-k center. The goal of the program is for the bondholders to receive a tax credit from the federal government in lieu of interest from the School Board. The School Board will be able to earn interest on the funds set aside for repayment without being subject to arbitrage. He presented a resolution providing for the form, terms and conditions of the bonds and for the payment thereof. Mr. Murphy asked Bond Attorney, Jason Akers, to discuss the plan.
Mr. Akers gave a brief overview of what was taking place. Basically the Board would be borrowing $5,087,000 over fifteen years with no interest. The bank would be receiving tax credits. He thanked David Darland and Community Trust Bank for stepping up and working with the federal government, the Board, and them. He agreed with Mr. Murphy that it would be prudent for the Board to take advantage of the Stimulus Money in this way.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to approve the following:
RESOLUTION
Providing for the incurring of debt and issuance of $5,087,000 in revenue bonds.
Mr. Jones entered the meeting.
As the parish’s policy for promotion and retention of students, the Pupil Progression Plan (PPP), is based on Bulletin 1566, Bulletin 741, and Act 750 of the Louisiana State Legislature. Paula Pardue, Secondary Academic Coordinator, asked the Board to approve revisions that could not be made in time for the meeting on August 4th which were due in Baton Rouge on the 17th. Because a waiver of the requirement to provide a career diploma pathway was approved by the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) on August 20, 2009, she added that to the Plan. Ms. Pardue recommended that the Board approve the revisions to the 09-10 Pupil Progression Plan.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revisions to the Lincoln Parish 09-10 Pupil Progression Plan.
As time was nearing to conclude the classroom addition at Glen View Elementary, Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, 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. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission and authorize the superintendent, his staff, and the architect to execute substantial completion documents for the Glen View classroom addition.
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.-4.; Charles Owens presented 5.; James Payton, Transportation Coordinator, presented 6.-7.; and Brenda Theodos, Child Nutrition Program Supervisor, presented 8.-10:
Resignation of the following:
John Quarles, social studies teacher at Choudrant High, effective August 6, 2009;
Ginger Schanks, speech therapist at Glen View, effective August 12, 2009; and
Katherine Keil, English teacher at Ruston High, effective September 12, 2009.
Points of Reference/Transfers of the following, effective August 10, 2009, unless stated otherwise:
Maryjane Hawley from I. A. Lewis to gifted teacher at Glen View replacing Marilyn Blachier who retired;
Yolanda Dade from Lincoln Center to teacher at Glen View, effective August 31, 2009, replacing LaToya Gilmore who transferred;
Kimberly Davis from I. A. Lewis to speech therapist at Lincoln Center replacing Shandra Winbush who transferred;
Shandra Winbush from Lincoln Center to speech therapist at Ruston Elementary replacing Sandra Whitman who retired; and
Linda Leggett from Choudrant High to gifted at Simsboro High replacing several itinerant G/T teachers.
Request for medical sabbatical for the first semester of 09-10, effective August 10, 2009, for Angel Thomas, teacher at Choudrant Elementary.
4. Employment of the following, effective August 10, 2009, unless otherwise noted:
Lois Futch, teacher at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Angel Thomas who requested a medical sabbatical;
Gloria Dubose, special education paraprofessional at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Stacie Harris who resigned;
Chris Edmiston, social studies/coach at Choudrant High replacing John Quarles who resigned;
Angela Parker, special education teacher at Glen View, replacing April Lewis who resigned;
Donna Thomas, speech therapist at Glen View, replacing Ginger Schanks who resigned;
Kim Shackelford, in a new itinerate instructional coach position, effective September 9, 2009;
Betty Bolton, special education paraprofessional at Ruston High, effective August 13, 2009, replacing Melissa Miller who resigned; and
Casey Randall, speech therapist at Simsboro High, replacing Judy Emory who retired.
Resignation of custodian at Choudrant High, Bobby Brown, effective August 21, 2009.
Resignation of Stanley Washington, bus driver in the Ruston district, effective August 13, 2009.
Employment of Rita Johnson as bus driver in the Ruston district, effective August 13, 2009, replacing Stanley Washington who resigned.
Retirement of school food service clerk at Career Academy, Elizabeth Pickett, effective May 30, 2009.
Points of Reference/Transfers of the following school food service personnel effective July 31, 2009:
Regina Gilbert, from Ruston Junior High to manager at Alma J. Brown replacing Annie Canty who retired;
Beverly Richmond, from technician at Choudrant to clerk at Choudrant replacing Mary H. Jones who retired;
Kathy Tatum from clerk at I. A. Lewis to clerk at Career Academy replacing Elizabeth Pickett who retired;
Janis Nelson from manager at I. A. Lewis to clerk at I. A. Lewis replacing Kathy Tatum who transferred; and
Marci Mathis from technician at Ruston Junior High to clerk at Ruston Junior High replacing Regina Gilbert who transferred.
Employment of the following school food service personnel effective August 14, 2009, unless otherwise noted:
Jo Ann Turner as technician at Ruston Junior High replacing Marci Mathis who transferred;
Lisa Roton as technician at Ruston High replacing Jo Ann Castine who transferred;
Virginia Sanderson as technician at Ruston High replacing Debbie Staples who resigned;
Melba Wheeler as technician at Choudrant replacing Yvette Bond who resigned; and
Velma Rivers as manager at I. A. Lewis replacing Janis Nelson who transferred.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.
The Finance Committee met at 5:30 p.m. just prior to the Board meeting. Chairman, Joe Mitcham, announced that the Committee unanimously voted to recommend to the Board the acceptance of the proposed 09-10 budget. He asked George Murphy to give a summary.
He noted that the proposed 09-10 budget had an excess of revenues over expenditures for the year of $186,340. Some of the spending highlights of the budget he mentioned were: $350,000 to complete Glen View’s construction, $95,000 to upgrade Ruston High’s softball facilities, $135,000 to buy two lots adjacent to Ruston High, and a 12% increase in the employer’s contributions to the self-insured health and dental plan. Those insurance contributions make up 10% of the entire budget.
Mr. Murphy indicated that the estimated beginning fund balances would total $34,427,969. Projections for the year’s revenues are $70,571,918. Expenditures should total $70,385,578, leaving the $186,340 excess of revenues over expenditures. He will bring a revised budget back to the Board before closing it out at the end of the year.
Otha Anders announced that it was time for a public hearing on the budget. Hearing no comments, the time for a public hearing closed.
After some discussion and questions, Mr. Mitcham reiterated the recommendation of the Finance Committee that the board adopt the 09-10 proposed budget as presented, and grant permission for it to be amended throughout the year.
Mr. Mitcham said the Finance Committee brings a motion, seconded by Mr. Jones, to adopt the 09-10 proposed budget as presented, grant permission for the administration to amend the budget as needed throughout the year, and bring a final revised budget to the Board for approval at year-end. The Board unanimously voted in favor of the motion.
The second and final item considered by the Finance Committee was the purchase of property adjacent to Ruston High School. Chairman Mitcham asked Superintendent Danny Bell to explain the administration’s recommendation.
Superintendent Danny Bell stated that owners are interesting in selling two lots at 907 James Street. The lots, which measure 148’ x 240’, are adjacent to the freshman parking lot and directly across from the Ruston High School football stadium. There is an 1,860 square foot house located on the property. The owners have agreed to sell for $135,000. Considering the fact that the school is land locked, he believes it would be a wise investment to purchase the property and house for $135,000. An appraisal was received earlier in the day and the appraisal price was $135,000. Future expansion of programs or facilities at Ruston high would be impossible without such a purchase.
The Committee recommended that the Board purchase the property.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to purchase the property at 907 James Street for $135,000 on the condition that the appraisal of the property is not less than the sale price.
Ms. Mary Null reported a wonderful opening of school this year which began with staff development for all teachers on August 10 and 11. On August 12 Dr. Rita Pearson spoke to employees at Ruston High School. On August 27 and 28 representatives from each school trained on redelivery of the comprehensive curriculum implementation. Those trainers shared the information with their faculties earlier today and will share again tomorrow. Hopefully the additional staff development will make a huge impact on student learning and achievement. Enrollment including the lab schools is down approximately 139 students compared to five years ago. However, since 2005 the Grambling lab schools have lost 239 students. Compared to August 31, 2008, the total number of students is down 97 students. Enrollment was up about 140 students last year but down 137 in 2007.
Sales tax collections for August 2009 were down in excess of 30% over the same month last year with a total of $981,432 being collected, according to Mr. Murphy. Year-to-date sales tax figures were down 32%. Decreases in oil and gas extraction, industrial machinery and equipment, and automotive dealers and service stations were the primary reasons for the drop. Recoveries through audits were $14,689 which was a 62% decrease from the same month last year. In the 67 and 79 sales tax fund, $446,106 was collected, and $535,326 was collected in the 93 and 00 fund.
June and July 2009 financial statements had been included in packets. Mr. Murphy said the general fund had an excess of revenues over expenditures of $1.8 million as of July 2009, the first month in the fiscal year. The general fund balance was $7,623,908. The 5 mill maintenance fund and the ad valorem funds show loses until the system receives money from the sheriff in December and January. He is anticipating the 5 mill maintenance fund to be in the black this year. The child nutrition fund is showing a slight gain this year.
For the month ending July 31, 2009, Mr. Murphy noted the health insurance fund is up $300,839, and year-to-date for seven months the balance is $798,046. It appears that the changes made by the Insurance Committee were sufficient to keep the plan viable and fiscally sound. He is unsure of what will happen with health care nationally but plans to monitor the plan closely.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said that:
1. Lincoln’s Promise, an educational mini-summit, has been scheduled for September 22 from 9:00 until 11:30 a.m. at the Ruston Civic Center for community leaders to take a serious look at dropout issues. They were invited to attend and stay afterwards for an Adopt-a-School kickoff luncheon. Board members should let Cathi Cox know if they planned to attend the luncheon.
2. The Back-to-School bash was very well attended with more than 3,000 visitors coming through the doors of the Civic Center. There was tremendous community outpouring. He commended Cathi Cox for all of her work putting it together.
3. In October several additional reports will be presented; one relative to student test data. He noted that ACT test results were in with an increase for Lincoln Parish’s seniors moving from 19.5 to a 20.1 average which is also the state average. Mr. Bell is pleased but would like the scores to be above the national average of 21.1. Many changes had been implemented to help the high school students have an advantage, and he hopes this year’s students will be able to do even better on the test.
4. Information relative to the Academic Awards Banquet was included in packets. It has been scheduled for Monday, November 16. He requested that board members place it on their calendars.
5. The Choudrant bond election is coming up in October. The committee of stakeholders in Choudrant is feeling fairly good. They have community activities planned as the election approaches.
After comments from a couple of board members, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
____________________________ _____________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President