LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 6, 2010, 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 Mr. 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.
President Anders called the meeting to order, and Mr. Barmore delivered the invocation. Ms. Harrison led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Anders welcomed Board members, staff, press, principals, and guests.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the agenda with the deletion of a request--Permission to Revise the Pupil Progression Plan. Also an addendum adding one item of new business was included in the motion--Change Order on the Choudrant Elementary Renovation and Construction Project.
It was Superintendent Danny Bell’s pleasure to recognize Cathi Cox, Coordinator, for establishing superior public relations through Lincoln ACHIEVE. National recognition of the program has been received from the National School Public Relations Association with a Golden Achievement Award. He presented their plaque to Ms. Cox and said he is extremely proud of the remarkable job she had done for the system and the community.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on June 8, 2010, as distributed.
Three qualified bidders submitted bids for the construction of the New Tech classrooms at Ruston High. Traxler Construction Co., Inc. was determined as the low bidder with their base bid of $1,059,000. Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, communicated that one deductive alternate was received with their bid as well as all bidders which omitted the structural glazed tile and replaced it with a painted CMU with a rubber base. Traxler’s deductive alternate was bid at $220,000. The total bid for this construction project would then be $839,000 which was slightly under what was budgeted and expected to be bid. Mr. Owens asked for acceptance of Traxler’s base bid with the deductive alternate #1.
Architect Mike Walpole was in attendance and said he also recommends using Traxler for the construction. He anticipates the construction project being completed by the end of the year and the building being ready for occupancy for the 2nd semester of the 2010-11 school year.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Board unanimously voted to accept the base bid with the deductive alternate #1 submitted by Traxler Construction Co., Inc., and approve this construction company as the low bidder and contractor for the New Tech classroom addition at Ruston High School.
Superintendent Bell noted that the classroom addition at Ruston High will be built on the area previously used for concessions. Mike Walpole, architect, has reviewed the layout of the back boulevard property and has developed a plan for the construction of a building to house all concessions which includes the use of the existing bus transportation canopy with a connector canopy to the new construction. The new construction would include an area for vending machines as well as for those sales handled by the speech and debate team. Mr. Bell called attention to a diagram and asked for permission to advertise for bids.
When asked, Mr. Walpole estimated the concession building to cost approximately $50,000.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission for the advertisement of bids for the construction of a concessions building at Ruston High School.
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, recommended 1.-3:
Resignation of the following:
Ann Marie Hancock, teacher at Choudrant Elementary, effective May 26, 2010; and
Pam Givens, music teacher at Ruston High, effective June 21, 2010.
Points of Reference/Transfers of the following effective August 16, 2010, unless otherwise noted:
Brandi Watson, from Ruston Elementary to coordinating teacher at Cypress Springs, effective August 9, 2010, replacing Bettye Anders who retired;
Kristen Telford, from Ruston Elementary to teacher at Glen View, replacing Debbie Abrahm who retired;
Greta Otwell, from Ruston Elementary to teacher at Hico Elementary, replacing Amy Brister who transferred;
Mary Johnson, from Ruston Elementary to paraprofessional at Hillcrest, effective August 19, 2010, replacing Paulette Miller who retired;
Robbie Burnham, from Glen View to special education teacher at I. A. Lewis, replacing Pam Villagran who retired;
Yolanda Dade, from Glen View to teacher at Lincoln Center because of elementary numbers in the alternative school;
Random Kennedy, from Lincoln Parish Career Academy to science/social studies teacher at Lincoln Center, because 7th grade is being moved to the school;
Heather Taylor, from Simsboro to ELA teacher at Lincoln Parish Career Academy, replacing Kerri McBeth who resigned;
Melinda Killen, from Ruston Elementary to pre-k teacher at the Lincoln Parish Early Childhood Center (LPECC) in a new position due to numbers;
Lacey Cooper, from Hico Elementary to pre-k teacher at LPECC in a new position due to numbers;
Karen Anderson, from Lincoln Center to pre-k special education teacher at the new LPECC;
Phyllis Batusic, from Lincoln Center to pre-k special education teacher at the new LPECC;
Christine Brown, from Lincoln Center to pre-k special education teacher at the new LPECC;
Deborah Barron, from Lincoln Center to pre-k teacher at the new LPECC;
Kristy Powell, from Lincoln Center to pre-k teacher at the new LPECC;
Shannon Walters, from Lincoln Center to pre-k teacher at the new LPECC;
Jatara Triplett, from Lincoln Center to pre-k teacher at the new LPECC;
Vanna Hood, from Lincoln Center to pre-k teacher at the new LPECC;
Kimberly Davis, from Lincoln Center to speech therapist at the new LPECC;
Donna Walters, from Ruston Elementary to pre-k teacher at the new LPECC;
Victoria Cherry, from Even Start to paraprofessional at the new LPECC, effective August 19, 2010;
Cathryn Allman, from Ruston Elementary to paraprofessional at the new LPECC, effective August 19, 2010;
Barbara Bradshaw, from Lincoln Center to paraprofessional at the new LPECC, effective August 5, 2010;
Amy Brister, from Hico Elementary to interim coordinating teacher at Ruston Elementary replacing Greta Otwell who transferred;
Donna Miles, from Lincoln Parish Career Academy to interim curriculum strategist at Ruston Elementary replacing Jane Watson who transferred.
Leslie Gray, from Simsboro Elementary to special education teacher at Ruston Elementary replacing Debra Minnifield who retired;
Janet Hammock, from Glen View to special education at Ruston Elementary/itinerant replacing Kaye Darnell who was granted a sabbatical leave;
Shelia Nugent, from teacher at Simsboro to interim curriculum strategist at Simsboro replacing Beverly Canterbury who was granted medical leave;
Jane Watson, from Ruston Elementary to RTI coordinator at Pupil Appraisal, effective August 9, 2010, in a new position needed due to RTI requirements; and,
Gary Richmond, from Cypress Springs to paraprofessional at Youth Rescue Center, effective August 19, 2010, replacing Felicia Medlock who transferred.
Employment of the following effective August 16, 2010, unless indicated otherwise:
Seth Grigsby, in a new network administrator slot at the central office, effective July 1, 2010;
Jana Davis, teacher at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Ann Marie Hancock who resigned;
Mason Hixon, science teacher at Choudrant High, replacing Michelle Hogan who resigned;
Abi Gail Leachman, librarian at Cypress Springs, replacing Anita West who resigned;
Michael Giesse, physical education teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Albert Hunter who retired;
Anthony Dunlop, teacher at Glen View, replacing Yolanda Dade who transferred;
Ann Smithey, special education teacher at Glen View, replacing Janet Hammock who transferred;
Amanda Johnson, teacher at Glen View, because of class size reduction;
DeJunne Jackson, pre-k teacher at Hico Elementary, replacing Mary Cato who retired;
Mayme Boyette, teacher at Hico Elementary, replacing Lacey Cooper who transferred;
Meg Johnson, teacher at Hico Elementary, because of numbers in 5th grade;
Rebecca Sutherland, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, replacing Jane Hurst who resigned;
Rachel Rowe, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, because of class size reduction;
Carolyn Jones, special education teacher at Lincoln Parish Career Academy, replacing Donna Miles who transfered;
Misty Wilson, sign language interpreter at Ruston High, effective August 19, 2010, replacing Wendy Hill who resigned;
Elizabeth Yenser, ELA teacher at Ruston High, replacing Laura Hawkins who resigned;
Mindy Martin, music teacher at Ruston High, replacing Pam Givens who resigned;
Lodie Brewer, secretary at Ruston Junior High, effective August 5, 2010, replacing Jamie Simmons who resigned;
Jamie Nichols, ELA teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Sheri Robken who promoted;
Emily Zuber, ELA teacher at Simsboro High, replacing Heather Taylor who transferred;
Jeanine Edgecombe, science teacher at Simsboro High, replacing Jill Cheek who transferred; and,
Robin Collinsworth, teacher at Simsboro High, replacing Sheila Nugent who transferred.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.
George Murphy, Business Manager, presented the final sales tax collection report for the 09-10 fiscal year. Collections for the month ending June 30, 2010, were $1,014,090. This was 18.21% lower than the same month last year and a 21.54% decrease year-to-date. The reason for the decrease was a one-time payment on a pipeline that went through the parish. If that was taken into consideration, there would have been a gain for the month. Three years ago, in 06-07, $13.7 million was collected in sales taxes. This year $12.2 million was collected. That was $1.5 million less than three years ago. Collections were down $3.3 million compared to last year. Because of that situation, he is looking at budgeting a deficit for next year in the sales tax fund. In and of itself, he said, that would not be that major; but, it will be the second year in a row with a deficit in these funds. If the trend continues and things don’t turn around in the next couple of years, he would be looking at getting into the reserves pretty good. He said to keep that in mind as the current budget is revised next month and the beginning budget is presented in September. Recoveries through audits were $47,055 for the month which was up 23.65% compared to the same month last year. Year-to-date audit recoveries were down 52%. Collections in the 1967 and 1979 fund were $460,950, and $553,139 was collected in the 1993 and 2000 sales tax fund.
In his summary of the May financial statement, Mr. Murphy said the five sales tax funds have a combined total of approximately $19 million. Next month $4.1 million will be deducted from those funds and the ad valorem tax fund to pay 14th checks. That’s a pretty good reserve but the downward trend is not good. The general fund has $9.3 million with a month left in the fiscal year. At the end of the 2010 legislation session, Lincoln Parish’s allotment of MFP money was down $1.3 million for next year. Retirement costs are going up $1.7 million. That would be another $3 million loss in the general fund next year. The good news is the general fund is currently up $3.6 million which will help offset those cuts. He said tougher financial times are ahead and a deficit will definitely be budgeted for next year. Reserves will be able to cover the deficit. In the future instead of a big hit to personnel at one time two or three years from now, Mr. Murphy recommends looking at each position as it comes open. He believes this Board and the superintendent have been very conservative with money and saving for a rainy day. The rainy day has come.
For the month of May 2010, the self-insured health program had an excess of $208,349, Mr. Murphy reported. Year-to-date for five months, the program was up $870,999.
Considering that there are several elementary playgrounds that are in need of significant improvement, the superintendent felt that they could be brought up to an optimal condition by partnering with the City of Ruston. He and Wes Barton, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City, have had several discussions regarding the possibility of the playgrounds serving as a community or neighborhood park during non-school hours. Many communities in other cities and states have moved in this direction. The principal of Glen View, Lisa Mangham, has met with PTC officers, Wes Barton, Lewis Love, and various school and district staff members regarding partnering with the City. It could be the first endeavor to establish a quality playground to go along with the quality elementary school buildings. Mr. Bell enthusiastically endorsed the move to solicit the assistance of the City of Ruston in this effort. To do so, a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement would be necessary. The Agreement he presented was drafted the by the City’s attorney, Bill Carter, and edited and approved by the Board’s attorney, Andy Shealy. Superintendent Bell communicated that the Agreement was for Glen View only, but poses to be the beginning of something grand for the Ruston community.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of Ruston and the Lincoln Parish School Board for a “Park/Playground” at Glen View Elementary School in Ruston and authorize the president of the Board to execute the Agreement on the Board’s behalf.
Mr. Owens reported that verbal approval had been given on a couple of items at Choudrant Elementary School for the construction and renovation project that was beginning. He asked for permission to formally approve the following summarized request adding $614,693.69 to the project:
Item 1: Change in roofing of new elementary building
to a standing seam 24 gauge metal roof with a
weather tight warranty $208,859.54
Item 2: Change from the Food Service Equipment being
supplied to the new cafeteria by the owner to the
food service equipment being supplied by the
contractor $405,834.15
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to approve the change order adding $614,693.69 to the Choudrant Elementary School project.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said that:
Coming up with a plan for the Ruston High stadium is an ongoing process. Mike Walpole has drawn several different designs and schemes for stadium improvements. The overall opinion seems to be to do a stand- alone facility rather than totally gutting the existing one. Mr. Walpole is working on another design which might be brought to the board at the August meeting.
The August board meeting has been postponed from August 3 to August 10, 2010, in order to have the meeting at the Lincoln Parish Early Childhood Center. The contractor feels that it will be completed by the 10th. This would give board members an opportunity to tour the new facility which they can do if they arrive at approximately 5:30 that evening.
Meeting dates for next year were placed in packets with a few additional meetings scheduled in schools rather than the central office.
The annual Nepotism Disclosure Statements were also included in packets. He urged board members to get them in to the Ethics Department by September 14, 2010, if they were applicable to them.
He wanted to make a final reminder that qualifying for board member slots will begin tomorrow and end at 5:00 on Friday.
Following a couple of comments from board members, the meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Hunt.
______________________________ ______________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President