LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 12:30 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Wednesday, February 17, 2010, at 12:30 p.m. at Hillcrest Elementary. Members present were President Otha Anders, Mr. Michael Barmore, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Ted McKinney, and Mr. Joe Mitcham.
Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Ms. Lynda Henderson, and Mr. Eddie Jones were absent.
Prior to the business meeting, board members enjoyed a delicious lunch in the school cafeteria.
After President Anders called the meeting to order, the invocation was given by Mr. Mitcham, and Ms. Best led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. Mr. Anders welcomed board members, staff, members of the media, and special guests to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on January 5, 2010, as distributed.
Principal of Hillcrest Elementary, Patrice Hilton, said that it was her pleasure to welcome guests to the school on behalf of the faculty and staff. She summarized things her teachers wanted the Board to know, and closed by inviting members to tour the school at the completion of the meeting and to return to Hillcrest Elementary at any time in the future.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole, and the following Personnel Committee agenda item was considered after being presented by Mary Null, Director of Instruction, Personnel and Special Programs, and James Payton, Transportation Coordinator:
Resignation of Brenda Theodos, child nutrition program supervisor at the central office, effective June 1, 2010
Resignation of bus aide in the Ruston District, Shondalyn Tucker, effective December 21, 2009;
Resignation of Amy Dickerson, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, effective January 30, 2010; and
Employment of Deborah Robichaux as teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, effective February 5, 2010, replacing Amy Dickerson who resigned.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.
Paula Pardue, Secondary Academic Coordinator, had hoped to report on the Louisiana SACS team’s Readiness Visit from last week. However, because schools were closed due to weather conditions, that visit has been postponed until February 26. All certificated central office personnel and principals are continuing in a class through Louisiana Tech taught by Dr. David Gullatt which is preparing them for the SACS visit in October 2010.
Superintendent Danny Bell said many of Ruston 21’s thirty recommendations are already in place but on a smaller scale than they would like. He narrated a power point presentation which contained numerous areas for consideration, the Department of Education’s goals and benchmarks, and current actions by the school system. Mr. Bell reminded the Board of Ruston 21’s three goals and briefly shared eleven suggestions for the school district’s next steps. He recommended that board members consider Ruston 21’s goals for possible adoption at the March 2, 2010, meeting.
President Anders asked the Ruston 21 Committee to consider adding Superintendent Danny Bell to the list of strengths in Lincoln Parish.
According to George Murphy, Business Manager, sales taxes collected for the period ending January 31, 2010, were $1,183,458 which was a 20% decrease over the same month last year and 29.61% decrease year-to-date. Taxes recovered by audits were $21,901. Year-to-date that fund was down 54.21%. Collected in the ’67 and ’79 fund was $537,936, and $645,522 was generated in the '93 and '00 fund. Primary reasons for the decrease continued to be oil and gas extractions which were down approximately 75% for the calendar year.
Mr. Murphy noted that the December 2009 financial update was included in packets. Some ad valorem tax collections were received from the sheriff: $11 mill in January and $2 mill in February. The 5 mill maintenance and other ad valorem tax funds will start to come up. He indicated that the general fund was still in good shape. The sales tax funds are showing the decreases.
Moving on to the health care fund, Mr. Murphy noted that this contained some good financial news. As a result of recommendations enacted by the Board last year as well as an increase in funding, the self-insured health plan ended the year with a $720,041 balance.
As far as the financial outlook was concerned, George Murphy said there were a lot of negative things going on. Some that he mentioned were:
The sales tax funds are down over $3 mill;
Balances in the sales tax funds will decrease from about $18.4 mill to about $15.3 mill if the 14th check is funded at the same level as last year;
The general fund is having to fund another $1.7 mill for retirement costs;
3% of MFP funds for 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 were being funded through the state using Stimulus Money. That should be paid next fiscal year but it is uncertain for the following year;
A decrease in student numbers in Lincoln Parish will mean a $400,000 decrease from the state next fiscal year;
Operational costs and a director for the pre-school center need to be considered; and
Parish-wide capital projects fund has $3.3 mill available for use. The pre-k center is to be furnished out of those funds, three additional classrooms need to be brought up to standards which may cost $62,000, may have to fund change orders on the pre-k center construction, furnishing the Choudrant Elementary cafeteria, the possibility of spending $200,000 for the Choudrant High track, and additional dollars for construction which might be needed if the New Tech High is implemented.
Because of the dismal financial outlook, Mr. Murphy noted that some other districts are considering adjusting the teacher-pupil ratio, using fund balances to ride out a hopefully temporary situation, stopping step increases, using millage dedicated salary and benefits to cover the increase in retirement, eliminating capital improvement projects, increasing meal prices, reducing staff development for instructional staff, cutting back on non-essential maintenance, reducing teaching positions at the high schools, implementing attrition where positions will not be filled as they become vacant, cutting back on purchasing supplies, and looking at staff cuts at the central office.
Mr. Anders thanked Board members for volunteering to serve on various committees and indicated that committee assignments for 2010 were included in packets.
Two policies recommended for revision at the last meeting were presented for a vote by Ms. Null. She asked the Board to approve revisions to the following policies: Bullying, Intimidation, Harassment, and Hazing (JCDAF) and Student Absences and Excuses (JBD).
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to approve revisions to the Bullying, Intimidation, Harassment, and Hazing (JCDAF) and Student Absences and Excuses (JBD) policies.
Ms. Null presented what should be the final policy revisions based on action taken by the 2009 Louisiana Legislature, and one that the administration was recommending for addition to the manual. She provided brief summaries of the proposed revisions: Investments (DFAA), Bids and Quotations (DJED), Curriculum (ID), Student Assignment (JBCC), School Wellness (JGB) and Student Records (JR); and additions: Sales and Use Tax Exclusion (DFAA), Fire Prevention (EBBA), and Student Driver Training (IDDE). Ms. Null asked the Board members to study the proposed policy changes and additions until the March meeting.
Because of the upcoming resignation of Brenda Theodos, Superintendent Danny Bell requested permission to open the application process for Child Nutrition Program Supervisor on Monday, March 1, 2010. The application period would close at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2010, and interviews would be scheduled on March 22 or 23, 2010. He plans to present a name to the Board at its April 6, 2010, meeting. The entire process and interview committee makeup would be implemented in accordance with the court order pertaining to the selection of administrative personnel.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to advertise and interview for a Child Nutrition Program Supervisor as described above.
The Lincoln Parish School Board has not entertained proposals for voluntary products and Section 125 administration for several years according to George Murphy. He requested permission to re-issue a request for proposal and then determine whether we should change the current offerings.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to give permission for the superintendent to issue a request for proposal for voluntary products and Section 125 administration.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said:
A very supportive and complimentary letter from Senator Bob Kostelka regarding Lincoln Parish’s decision not to participate in Race to the Top was included in packets.
Collin Smith and Matt Robertson, students from Ruston High School, were selected as National Merit Finalists.
Following brief comments and a motion by Mr. Hunt, the meeting adjourned at 1:49 p.m.
______________________________ ______________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President