LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 12:30 P.M.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at 12:30 p.m. at I. A. Lewis, 1000 Mitchell Avenue, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were President Otha Anders, Mr. Michael Barmore, Ms. Lisa Best, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Ted McKinney, and Mr. Joe Mitcham.
Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Eddie Jones, and Mr. Jim Kessler were absent.
Prior to the business meeting, board members enjoyed a delicious lunch in the school cafeteria.
Mr. Anders called the meeting to order, and four students led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. One of the students gave the invocation. Mr. Anders welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the agenda as amended adding one item of New Business: Name architect for Choudrant Schools’ capital improvements project.
Principal of I. A. Lewis, Sonja Walker, thanked the Board for visiting on the special day to honor a generous gift to the school library. She appreciates Willie Washington for the idea and implementation which began last year when he was interim principal. Ms. Walker welcomed everyone to the school which has great students and a wonderful staff. She noted that from a total of 267 students, 102 were on the honor roll for the first six weeks.
In the absence of Accountability Coordinator, Donna Doss, Superintendent Danny Bell said eleven of the twelve schools improved their School Performance Score during the 08-09 school year. Of the eleven that showed growth, six of those not only met their growth target, they exceeded it. He called attention to the schools’ actual scores and noted that the schools are moving forward. Plans are being implemented to address those who failed to reach their growth target. Overall the administration is pleased with the schools’ performance. The District Performance Score for 2009, 94, moved up 2.1 from 91.9 in 2008. His greatest concern is the difference in the subgroup performance. Achievement gaps are being addressed by the school system; however, he believes it does take a community effort to change society’s value of education. Bottom line though, the classroom teacher is the key. Mr. Bell said the graduation rates for Lincoln Parish has increased from 65.1 in 2008 to 71.4 in 2009. The rates were calculated using a completely different method from those used in 2007 and before. Cohort rates, percent of students beginning in 9th grade and completing 12th grade in four years, are now used in calculating the 2008 and 2009 graduate rates. With things in place, he predicts graduation rates will continue to increase and the drop out rates decrease.
Mary Null, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Programs, was privileged to introduce Sherry Boyd and Kim Shackelford, instructional coaches, who were to report on School Improvement Strategies. She provided background on the duo and turned the floor over to them. Ms. Boyd reviewed the staff development and steps that have been taken toward district alignment to date. Ms. Shackelford related the instructional coaches’ day-to-day role in the alignment process and what is currently going on with curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Finally, Ms. Shackelford shared the future goals, based on research-based strategies, that will move the district forward.
As with good teaching, good leadership is also important, the Superintendent verbalized. Because the Board approved a principal salary performance increment in August of 2008, he recognized six principals whose schools not only achieved but went beyond their growth targets for last year. They were:
Doris Lewis, Cypress Springs Elementary
Judy Mabry, Dubach High
Bridgette Henderson, Glen View
Patrice Hilton, Hillcrest Elementary
Mike Milstead, Ruston High
Earlene Jackson, Simsboro High
Mr. Bell expressed his appreciation to them for their hard work and leadership and presented them with $2,000 checks. Plans are also being made to recognize the faculties of the six schools. He again expressed his thanks to the six leaders and to other leaders who worked incredibly hard but may not have reached their growth targets.
At the October 6, 2009, meeting Ms. Null presented eight policy revisions and one policy deletion for the Board’s consideration. She recommended that they be approved.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to approve revisions to: Employee Use of Telephones and Other Electronic Telecommunication Devices (GAMI); Electronic Communications Between Employees and Students (GAMIA); Employment of Personnel (GBD); Employee Conduct (GBRA); Truancy (JBE); Discipline (JD); Suspension (JDD); and Expulsion (JDE), and the deletion of Discipline of Students with Disabilities (JDF).
Because the voters in the Choudrant School District approved a $9.1 million bond issue for capital outlay on October 17, 2009, the services of an architect must now be secured. Superintendent Bell said the basic services would consist of the following phases: schematic design, design development, construction document, bidding, and construction. He suggested that the board employ Architect Greg Wallace of Taylor-Wallace Designs in Downsville who has worked with the Board and Staff in preparing the preliminary documents and costs estimates. Mr. Wallace has met with principals and central office administrators on many occasions and provided information that was used in the many presentations to sell the issue to the voters. He has agreed to accept 6.08% of the total cost for his architectural services. Mr. Bell introduced him and his father, Karl Wallace, a civil engineer.
Mr. Bell recognized four individuals in attendance who were instrumental in the passage of the Choudrant School District bond issue, Lane Parnell, Ken Riggin, Gene Posey, and Jeff Posey. He thanked them for their assistance and hard work.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to give the Superintendent permission to enter into a contract with Architect Greg Wallace for the Choudrant School District capital Outlay Project.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell:
1. Said he had talked with President Anders because of his concern over the drop out rate issue. He suggested that Mr. Anders form a committee to look at things being done across the state and country and to gather material. Lincoln Parish has had two Drop Out Summits, and a plan needs to be developed.
2. Reminded board members to R.S.V.P. for the upcoming Academic Awards Banquet.
Mr. Anders named the following persons to become a Drop Out Review Committee and report back to the full board.
Ted McKinney, Chairman
Trott Hunt
Lynda Henderson
Donna Doss
Ronny Volentine
Willie Washington
Mike Milstead
Tim Nutt
David Ferguson
Dr. JoAnn Dauzat
Patsy Bullock
Mike Stone
There being no further business, and upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 1:37 p.m.
____________________________ _____________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President