LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 12:30 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at 12:30 p.m. at Ruston High School.  Members present were Ms. Debbie Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Michael Barmore, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Danny Hancock, Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. George Mack, and Mr. Joe Mitcham.

Ms. Mattie Harrison, Ms. Lynda Henderson, and Mr. Eddie Jones were absent.

After President Anders called the meeting to order, the invocation was given by Mr. Mack, and Ms. Abrahm led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.  Mr. Anders thanked Mike Milstead and his staff for their hospitality and the delicious lunch and welcomed board members, staff, members of the media, and special guests to the meeting.

Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.

Principal of Ruston High School, Mike Milstead, said that he appreciated the Board’s attendance at the New Tech ribbon cutting held prior to the board meeting and hosted by the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.  He mentioned exciting things going on at the school including the fact that RHS’s school performance score placed them in the top ten non-magnet public high schools in the State of Louisiana, their attendance average has been above 96%, and they have a Regional Student of the Year and two National Merit Finalists. 

Cathi Cox-Boniol reported that she had just received notification on the national level that Superintendent Danny Bell has been selected to receive the 2010 Kendall/Hunt/National Science Education Leadership Association Outstanding Administrative Support Award for his advocacy of science education.  She developed the nomination without informing him after the Louisiana Department of Education’s STEM coordinator suggested Bell was the best candidate for the award.  He will attend a conference in San Francisco next month to receive the award, which will include a $1,000 check.  Mr. Bell announced at the meeting that he would be donating the award money to the STEM program. 

Also recognized was RHS cross country and track and field coach, Dave Anderson, who was the recipient of the Louisiana Track & Field Coaches Association Lifetime Achievement Award for 2010.  Ricky Edmiston shared a few of his numerous achievements before presenting him with a plaque in recognition of his dedication, discipline, and hard work.

To keep the Board informed and updated on changes in testing and accountability standards, Donna Doss, Accountability Coordinator, was next on the agenda.  She communicated that the state is dropping one set of parameters and over the next two years will pick up another.  Testing on the new standards begins this year for freshmen and sophomores, while testing on the old standards will continue for juniors and seniors until next year.  The 10-11 school year will be a period of accountability transition for the high schools which will have two baseline scores.  The State of Louisiana has a state target of 80% for its graduation rate by 2014.  The target for 2011 is 65%, and it will advance in increments of 5 points yearly.  Spring scores are projected to be released on May 18, 2011.  Summer remediation and retest opportunities will be provided for LEAP, GEE, and algebra End of Course assessments in June 2011.

According to George Murphy, Business Manager, the health care fund had a negative balance of $114,245 for December 2010, but finished the year with a $269,636 excess of income over expenditures.  He expressed a little concern regarding the self-insured health plan.

Mr. Bell said members could take advantage of meeting at RHS to look at the old agriculture building (which would be renovated into New Tech @ Ruston space) and the proposed location of a new agriculture building if the voters approve a millage extension in April.  Architect Mike Walpole is working on drawings for the renovation and construction.  The Ruston High faculty is working on a brochure which will include the facts and plans of the millage extension, and key administrative personnel are scheduling speaking engagements with local service organizations.

As the entire Choudrant High School project came in well under the anticipated amount, Director of Auxiliary Services Charles Owens suggested upgrading the roof system from 40 mils to 60 mils.  This would adequately address the roofing needs on the existing two-story main building and increase the warranty period from ten years to fifteen years.  He asked the Board to approve a change order addressing that modification.

Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to approve the change order addressing the roofing needs of all existing buildings and new construction in the capital improvement project at Choudrant High in the amount of $161,585.

In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said:

The next meeting of the Board had been changed from March 1 to March 8 because of the LSBA convention.  He called attention to convention paperwork which was placed in portfolios.  Mr. Bell stressed the importance of presenting a tax exemption form upon arrival at the hotel. 

Following brief comments and a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.

______________________________        ______________________________

Danny L. Bell, Secretary                          Otha L. Anders, President